Eight Is Enough is a warm and fuzzy family ‘dramedy’
What is it? Eight Is Enough, Season 1, nine hour-long episodes on three discs from Warner Home Video. How much? $24.98 When? Now Eight is enough of what? Kids.
In the 1970s, decades before channels like TLC fell in love with super-size real-life families, there was this hit comedy-drama about the bigger-than-average (and semifictional) Bradford family. It was based on an autobiographical book by newspaper columnist Tom Braden.
Meet Tom Bradford, a newspaper columnist living in Sacramento, Calif., with wife Joan (Diana Hyland) and their eight children, ranging in age from 23 to 8 years old: David (Grant Goodeve), Mary (Lani O’grady), Joanie (Laurie Walters), Susan (Susan Richardson), Nancy (Dianne Kay), Elizabeth (Connie Newton), Tommy (Willie Aames) and Nicholas (Adam Rich).
Naturally, in a family this size, there are bound to be many complications, mix-ups and challenges.
There was a major change part-way through the season when actress Hyland died of cancer after four episodes. Joan is absent for about half of Season 1 and in Season 2, Tom was officially made a widower and her death was addressed. (The show ran from March 1977 to August 1981.)
So, it’s a family drama? Comedy? Both, really. Sometimes the show takes itself very seriously. Sometimes it’s more light-hearted.
The series is partly about the generation gap, addressing contemporary issues through Tom’s struggles to deal with the world in which his children are living. The proliferation of drugs, unwed motherhood and sexual liberation (particularly when it comes to his daughters) leaves him baffled and frequently at odds with one or more of his offspring.
It’s dated, certainly, but some of the issues they address still resonate.
There are definitely some sappy moments, though there’s an occasional bite to the show that helps somewhat.
As for the comedy, it’s primarily of the characterbased, family dynamics type. There’s bickering and insults and a fair share of wacky shenanigans. And there’s a laugh track, which feels out of place in an hour-long series. Luckily, it’s muted and used sparingly.
The acting varies in quality but it’s not bad on the whole.
Is it family friendly? Mostly, yes. But it’s not squeaky clean. This isn’t Leave It to Beaver or Father Knows Best. Younger children probably wouldn’t understand or be old enough for some of the plotlines. Better stick to the older kids. If nothing else, they might have a good laugh at the 1970s fashions and slang.
On this show, the kids aren’t angels and the parents aren’t perfect. The way the issues are addressed could lead to some family discussions if you’re so inclined.
Extras? There’s a partial cast reunion, about 15 minutes, that aired on The Today Show.
New this week: Route 66, Complete Series; Poirot, Season 4; The Wild Thornberrys, Season 2.
Next week: Covert Affairs, Season 2; Emily’s Reasons Why Not, Complete Series; Felicity, Seasons 1 and 2; The Invisible Man, Complete Series; Kojak, Season 4; The Virginian, Season 6; Wagon Train, Season 5; Who Do You Think You Are?, Season 2.