Apple's Way
Encyclopedia
Apple's Way is a television dramedy which aired on CBS
from 1974-1975. It was created by Earl Hamner, Jr..
, which was founded by the father's ancestors. The Apples included George, an architect who relocated from Los Angeles, his wife, Barbara; their children, Paul; Cathy, Steven and Patricia; and their grandfather Aldon. There they had to adjust to new culture, the climate, and the pace of life. The family lived in a working grist mill, which served as a backdrop for the situations played out on screen. George would often increase, while meaning well, his family's tensions by getting involved with various causes. During the first season, the series was presented in a sitcom format. The series did not gain the ratings CBS had hoped for, partly because it had to compete with NBC
's Top 20 hit The Wonderful World of Disney. The concept was "re-booted" in the second season and emerged from its sitcom roots into a light, hourlong family drama (similar to Hamner's more successful The Waltons
), produced by successful veteran producer-writer John Furia, Jr. Furia hired Worley Thorne
as his Story Editor. However, the characters and the concept still did not catch fire with the public and the series was canceled after its second season.
and AmericanLife TV
have aired the series in reruns in the late 1990s and early 2000.
Several years after this series left the air, actors Ronny Cox and Frances Lee McCain were reunited in the short lived 1993-1994 television prime time soap Second Chances
.
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
from 1974-1975. It was created by Earl Hamner, Jr..
Premise
The Apples, a family from Los Angeles, seek refuge from the hectic pace of city living and relocate to the father's hometown of Appleton, IowaIowa
Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
, which was founded by the father's ancestors. The Apples included George, an architect who relocated from Los Angeles, his wife, Barbara; their children, Paul; Cathy, Steven and Patricia; and their grandfather Aldon. There they had to adjust to new culture, the climate, and the pace of life. The family lived in a working grist mill, which served as a backdrop for the situations played out on screen. George would often increase, while meaning well, his family's tensions by getting involved with various causes. During the first season, the series was presented in a sitcom format. The series did not gain the ratings CBS had hoped for, partly because it had to compete with NBC
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
's Top 20 hit The Wonderful World of Disney. The concept was "re-booted" in the second season and emerged from its sitcom roots into a light, hourlong family drama (similar to Hamner's more successful The Waltons
The Waltons
The Waltons is an American television series created by Earl Hamner, Jr., based on his book Spencer's Mountain, and a 1963 film of the same name. The show centered on a family growing up in a rural Virginia community during the Great Depression and World War II. The series pilot was a television...
), produced by successful veteran producer-writer John Furia, Jr. Furia hired Worley Thorne
Worley Thorne
Worley Thorne is an American television screenwriter and executive script consultant. Thorne's work encompasses hourlong TV drama, and feature film scripts, in a wide variety of genres, including science fiction, fantasy, detective and mystery, legal, soap opera, medical, animal fiction and family...
as his Story Editor. However, the characters and the concept still did not catch fire with the public and the series was canceled after its second season.
Reruns
Both TV LandTV Land
TV Land is an American cable television network launched on April 29, 1996. It is owned by MTV Networks, a division of Viacom, which also owns Paramount Pictures, and networks such as MTV and Nickelodeon...
and AmericanLife TV
AmericanLife TV Network
Youtoo TV, formerly known as American Life TV Network , GoodLife TV Network, and Nostalgia Television, is an American cable-television channel launched on May 1, 1985. It now claims over 15 million subscribers throughout the U.S...
have aired the series in reruns in the late 1990s and early 2000.
Several years after this series left the air, actors Ronny Cox and Frances Lee McCain were reunited in the short lived 1993-1994 television prime time soap Second Chances
Second Chances (TV series)
Second Chances is an American television series created and written by producers Bernard Lechowick and Lynn Marie Latham. The series premiered December 2, 1993, on CBS. Its cast includes Jennifer Lopez, Connie Sellecca, Megan Follows, Michelle Phillips, and Matt Salinger...
.
Cast
- Ronny CoxRonny CoxDaniel Ronald "Ronny" Cox is an American character actor, singer-songwriter and guitarist.-Personal life:Cox, the third of five children, was born in Cloudcroft, New Mexico, the son of Lounette and Bob P. Cox, a carpenter who also worked at a dairy. He grew up in Portales, New Mexico...
as George Apple - Frances Lee McCainFrances Lee McCainFrances Lee McCain , also known as Lee McCain, is an American actress.-Early life and education:McCain was born in York, Pennsylvania and grew up in New York, Illinois, Colorado and California. She graduated from Ripon College with a BA in Philosophy and then studied acting for 3 years at the...
as Barbara Apple - Vince Van Patten as Paul Apple (1974–1975)
- Patti Cohoon as Cathy Apple
- Eric Olson as Steven Apple
- Malcolm AtterburyMalcolm AtterburyMalcolm Atterbury was a stage and vaudeville actor who was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is probably most well known as Bixby in Wagon Train and Lee Reinhard in Dragnet...
as Grandfather Aldon - Kristy McNicholKristy McNicholChristina Ann "Kristy" McNichol is an American actress.McNichol is best known for her roles as Leticia “Buddy” Lawrence on the television drama series Family and as Barbara Weston on the sitcom Empty Nest. She is also the sister of former child actor Jimmy McNichol...
as Patricia Apple (1974–1975) - Frannie Michel as Patricia Apple (1974)