thirtysomething
thirtysomething

thirtysomething (1987)

"The '80s never looked so good."

6.2 (29 votes)
4 Seasons
September 29, 1987
English
Drama

Synopsis

Thirtysomething is an American television drama about a group of baby boomers in their late thirties. It was created by Marshall Herskovitz and Edward Zwick for MGM/UA Television Group and The Bedford Falls Company, and aired on ABC. It premiered in the U.S. on September 29, 1987. It lasted four seasons, with the last of its 85 episodes airing on May 28, 1991. The title of the show was designed as thirtysomething by Kathie Broyles, who combined the words of the original title, Thirty Something. In 1997, "The Go Between" and "Samurai Ad Man" were ranked #22 on TV Guide′s 100 Greatest Episodes of All Time. In 2002, Thirtysomething was ranked #19 on TV Guide′s 50 Greatest TV Shows of All Time, and in 2013 TV Guide ranked it #10 in its list of The 60 Greatest Dramas of All Time.

Creator

Edward Zwick, Marshall Herskovitz

Network

ABC

Episodes

Episodes

Pilot
E1

Pilot

Sep 29, 1987
60 min

Hope and Michael Steadman are still adjusting to parenthood while struggling with money problems and best-friend crises.

The Parents Are Coming, the Parents Are Coming
E2

The Parents Are Coming, the Parents Are Coming

Oct 6, 1987
60 min

Hope's anxiety over her parents' impending visit taxes everyone's patience.

Housewarming
E3

Housewarming

Oct 13, 1987
60 min

Michael and Hope race to renovate their crumbling mansion for a huge housewarming party.

Couples
E4

Couples

Oct 27, 1987
60 min

A night out with friends degenerates as Nancy and Elliot's marital woes become apparent.

But Not for Me
E5

But Not for Me

Nov 3, 1987
60 min

Gary and Melissa rekindle their affair; Michael and Hope's first date in months is a disaster.

We Gather Together
E6

We Gather Together

Nov 17, 1987
60 min

Hope and Michael plan a quiet Thanksgiving but learn friends are counting on being invited.

Nice Work If You Can Get It
E7

Nice Work If You Can Get It

Dec 1, 1987
60 min

Before a deadline, Michael and Elliot wrestle with a creativity block; Ellyn develops a crush on an associate.

Weaning
E8

Weaning

Dec 8, 1987
60 min

Sensing baby Janey's decreasing dependency on her, depressed Hope decides to go back to work.

I'll Be Home for Christmas
E9

I'll Be Home for Christmas

Dec 15, 1987
60 min

Michael and Hope argue about whether their infant's first holiday should be Christmas or Hanukkah. A famous photographer shows interest in Melissa's work.

South by Southeast
E10

South by Southeast

Jan 5, 1988
60 min

It's a Hitchcockian nightmare as Gary falls in love; as the romance progresses, he begins receiving a series of threats against his life.

Therapy
E11

Therapy

Jan 12, 1988
60 min

Elliot and Nancy seek professional help for their troubled marriage; Michael finds it hard to keep it a secret.

Competition
E12

Competition

Jan 19, 1988
60 min

Michael's jealousy is aroused when an important client make it clear he prefers Elliot. Meanwhile, Hope and Nancy try to come to terms with computers.

Separation
E13

Separation

Jan 26, 1988
60 min

Elliot temporarily moves in with Michael and Hope after separating from Nancy.

I'm in Love, I'm in Love, I'm in Love with a Wonderful Gynecologist
E14

I'm in Love, I'm in Love, I'm in Love with a Wonderful Gynecologist

Feb 2, 1988
60 min

Competing for the attention of the same man jeopardizes the new found friendship between Ellyn and Melissa.

Business as Usual
E15

Business as Usual

Feb 9, 1988
60 min

Michael's hopes for a joyous reunion with his father are destroyed when he discovers the real reason for the visit.

Accounts Receivable
E16

Accounts Receivable

Mar 1, 1988
60 min

A rocky relationship between Michael and his brother Brad is further strained when Michael learns the family business is almost bankrupt.

Whose Forest Is This?
E17

Whose Forest Is This?

Mar 15, 1988
60 min

Nancy and Elliot's separation takes its toll on their son; Elliot prepares for a blind date with a chiropractor.

Nancy's First Date
E18

Nancy's First Date

Mar 22, 1988
60 min

Melissa's burgeoning romance slows when she learns he doesn't want any more kids. Nancy has her first date since the separation.

Undone
E19

Undone

Apr 12, 1988
60 min

Michael's old girlfriend from college pays a visit.

Tenure
E20

Tenure

May 3, 1988
60 min

Gary evaluates the fate of his academic career as he undergoes tenure review at the college. Ellyn learns her building is going co-op, leaving her to decide whether to buy her apartment.

Born to Be Mild
E21

Born to Be Mild

May 10, 1988
60 min

Ellyn and Woodman's weekend is ruined when they are forced to babysit Janey.

Cast

Details

Original Title

thirtysomething

Status

Ended

Seasons

4

Episodes

85