Eight Is Enough
Encyclopedia
Eight Is Enough is an American television comedy-drama
series which ran on ABC
from March 15, 1977 until August 29, 1981. The show was modeled after syndicated newspaper columnist Thomas Braden
, a real-life parent with eight children, who wrote a book with the same name. The series was rare in that it was one of the few hour-long television series to use a laugh track
.
family with eight children (from oldest to youngest: David, Mary, Joanie, Susan, Nancy, Elizabeth, Tommy, and Nicholas). The father, Tom Bradford (Dick Van Patten
), was a newspaper columnist for the fictional Sacramento Register. His wife Joan (Diana Hyland
) took care of the children. Hyland was only in four episodes before falling ill; she was written out for the remainder of the first season and died twelve days after the first episode aired.
The second season began in the fall of 1977 with the revelation that Tom had become a widower. Tom fell in love with Sandra Sue "Abby" Abbott (Betty Buckley
), a schoolteacher who came to the house to tutor Tommy. They were married in one of Eight Is Enoughs special TV movie broadcasts on 9 November 1977.
In another TV movie event in September 1979, David and Susan were both married in a double wedding. As the series progressed, Abby got her Ph.D in education and started a job counseling students at the local high school, while second-youngest son Tommy became a singer in a rock-and-roll band.
In the pilot the role of David was played by Mark Hamill
, Nancy was played by Kimberly Beck
, and Tommy played by Chris English.
status for Grant Goodeve
(David), Willie Aames
(Tommy), and Ralph Macchio
, who played Abby's orphaned nephew Jeremy later in the show's last season. Aames would go on to star with Scott Baio
in Charles in Charge
. Goodeve started a minor singing career, due to his rendition of the theme "Eight Is Enough" and initially hosted HGTV's If Walls Could Talk. Macchio would gain the most fame in feature films such as The Karate Kid and its sequels, as well as My Cousin Vinny
.
After the end of the show's fifth season (and 111 hour episodes), production costs and declining ratings caused the show to be canceled, along with seven other shows that season. Variety magazine's headline stated, "Eight Shows In, Eight Shows Out".
The series had two reunion movies on NBC
. In An Eight Is Enough Reunion on October 18, 1987, Mary Frann
replaced Betty Buckley
as Abby; Buckley had been filming Frantic
during its production. This was followed by An Eight Is Enough Wedding on October 22, 1989, this time with Sandy Faison
as Abby (Frann by this time committed to Newhart
). Both movies aired opposite game two of the World Series on ABC Sports.
Tom has to find money to pay for a lawyer when his troubled daughter is arrested
Matilda, Mary's heavily pregnant friend comes to stay at the Bradfords' and begins irritating the family.
Tom becomes editor of his own newspaper but struggles to handle family and work at the same time.
Joan bonds with Tommy. Tom struggles to deal with Elizabeth's bad ways.
The Bradfords throw a party. David comes to the aid of an old lady.
David finds himself caring for the whole family when they all get sick.
Tom's sister Vivian causes chaos amongst the Bradford children.
An estate developer threatens to send Tom to court after writing a bad story about him.
The Bradfords enter a football match against another family.
Dr. Maxwell moves in with the Bradfords but his habits drive the family crazy.
Sandra Abbot talks her way into the Bradford household when Tommy's football match turns nasty.
Tom is determined to spend some time with his children, driving them to desperate measures.
When Tom and Abby break up, the kids set about finding Tom a new woman.
A party at the Bradfords' spirals out of control.
Tom's plans to propose are ruined by the kids.
Abby's father arrives and Tom is determined to prove himself to his future father-in-law.
The Bradford children are given the job of organizing Tom and Abby's wedding.
The childrens' plans for the wedding threaten to end the wedding altogether.
Tom and Abby decide to take the kids on their honeymoon, a decision they will later regret.
Abby's plans for the Bradford choir are causing chaos between the kids.
Vera Bradford returns and makes an announcement that will change the family forever.
Tom is determined to make the first Christmas without Joan the best yet.
The Bradfords celebrate Christmas in true style.
It's Tom's birthday and the kids plan a surprise party for him.
Abby encourages Tom to leave his job and follow his dreams.
Tom finds himself under arrest. Abby struggles to hold the family together.
Tom and Abby both find themselves working away leaving the kids in the hands of Sandra.
David catches up with some old friends.
The Bradford girls all find love much to the dismay of Tom.
Susan's new boyfriend takes a shine to Abby.
Tom vows to help Tommy pass his exams.
Abby falls off a ladder and uncovers some secrets from the past.
Tom and Abby go off to Abby's parents, leaving the kids home alone.
David's new girlfriend turns out to be a millionaire's daughter.
Joanie is put in charge of a talent show.
marathon on TV Land
in 2005. The show also aired on PAX when that network began in 1998. It currently runs on WMEU-CA
a low power in Chicago, which also airs on WCIU-TV
subchannel 26.3. Selected full episodes of the show can also be found at Fancast.com.
public networks aired the first season of Eight Is Enough under the title Otto Bastano in 1978, the literal Italian translation of the original title. The remaining seasons were aired in the 1980s on Retequattro, a commercial network from Fininvest
(now Mediaset
), under the title La Famiglia Bradford. The Italian version excludes the laugh track.
The French
version, "Huit, ça suffit!" was a big success in the 1980s both in France
and Quebec
(Canada
), and among all Francophone
(French-speaking) Canadians
.
In Spain, Eight Is Enough was aired also in the 1980s. RTVE
(public network) aired all the seasons under the title Con Ocho Basta (the Spanish translation) in Friday's evening time.
In the Philippines, Eight Is Enough aired on GMA 7 from 1978-1981.
Comedy-drama
Comedy-drama is a genre of theatre, film and television programs which combines humorous and serious content.-Theatre:Traditional western theatre, beginning with the ancient Greeks, was divided into comedy and tragedy...
series which ran on ABC
American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
from March 15, 1977 until August 29, 1981. The show was modeled after syndicated newspaper columnist Thomas Braden
Thomas Braden
Thomas Wardell Braden was an American journalist, best remembered as the author of Eight is Enough, which spawned a popular television program, and was co-host of the CNN show Crossfire...
, a real-life parent with eight children, who wrote a book with the same name. The series was rare in that it was one of the few hour-long television series to use a laugh track
Laugh track
A laugh track is a separate soundtrack invented by Charles "Charley" Douglass, with the artificial sound of audience laughter, made to be inserted into television programming of comedy shows and sitcoms.The term "laugh track" does not apply to the genuine audience laughter on shows that shoot in...
.
Synopsis
The show is centered around a Sacramento, CaliforniaSacramento, California
Sacramento is the capital city of the U.S. state of California and the county seat of Sacramento County. It is located at the confluence of the Sacramento River and the American River in the northern portion of California's expansive Central Valley. With a population of 466,488 at the 2010 census,...
family with eight children (from oldest to youngest: David, Mary, Joanie, Susan, Nancy, Elizabeth, Tommy, and Nicholas). The father, Tom Bradford (Dick Van Patten
Dick Van Patten
Richard Vincent "Dick" Van Patten is an American actor, best known for his role as patriarch Tom Bradford on the television sitcom Eight is Enough. He began work as a child actor and was successful on the [New York] stage, appearing in more than a dozen plays as a teenager...
), was a newspaper columnist for the fictional Sacramento Register. His wife Joan (Diana Hyland
Diana Hyland
Diana Hyland was an American actress best known for her television appearances and occasional films.-Career:Hyland made her acting debut in 1955 in an episode of Robert Montgomery Presents...
) took care of the children. Hyland was only in four episodes before falling ill; she was written out for the remainder of the first season and died twelve days after the first episode aired.
The second season began in the fall of 1977 with the revelation that Tom had become a widower. Tom fell in love with Sandra Sue "Abby" Abbott (Betty Buckley
Betty Buckley
Betty Lynn Buckley is an American theater, film and television actress and singer. She is a Tony Award winner and Grammy Award nominee.-Early life:...
), a schoolteacher who came to the house to tutor Tommy. They were married in one of Eight Is Enoughs special TV movie broadcasts on 9 November 1977.
In another TV movie event in September 1979, David and Susan were both married in a double wedding. As the series progressed, Abby got her Ph.D in education and started a job counseling students at the local high school, while second-youngest son Tommy became a singer in a rock-and-roll band.
Main cast members
- Dick Van PattenDick Van PattenRichard Vincent "Dick" Van Patten is an American actor, best known for his role as patriarch Tom Bradford on the television sitcom Eight is Enough. He began work as a child actor and was successful on the [New York] stage, appearing in more than a dozen plays as a teenager...
- Tom Bradford - Diana HylandDiana HylandDiana Hyland was an American actress best known for her television appearances and occasional films.-Career:Hyland made her acting debut in 1955 in an episode of Robert Montgomery Presents...
- Joan Wells Bradford (season 1) - Betty BuckleyBetty BuckleyBetty Lynn Buckley is an American theater, film and television actress and singer. She is a Tony Award winner and Grammy Award nominee.-Early life:...
- Sandra Sue "Abby" Abbott Bradford (seasons 2-5) - Grant GoodeveGrant GoodeveGrant Goodeve is an American actor and television host. He is best known for playing the role of David, the oldest son, on Eight Is Enough, from 1977 to 1981. He sang the theme song for the show as well...
- David Bradford (23 years old at start of series) - Lani O'GradyLani O'GradyLani O'Grady was an American actress and the sister of actor/musician Don Grady. O'Grady is best-remembered for her role as Mary Bradford, the eldest sister from Eight Is Enough.-Career:...
- Mary Bradford (21) - Laurie WaltersLaurie WaltersLaurie Jean Walters is an American former television actress, arguably best known for playing Joanie Bradford on Eight Is Enough, which aired from 1977 until 1981 on ABC....
- Joanie Bradford (20) - Susan RichardsonSusan RichardsonSusan Richardson is an American actress, best known for her role as Susan Bradford on the television series Eight is Enough, which she played from 1977 to 1981....
- Susan Bradford Stockwell (19) - Dianne KayDianne KayDianne Kay is an American actress, best known for her role as Nancy Bradford on the ABC television show Eight is Enough ....
- Nancy Bradford (18) - Connie NewtonConnie NeedhamConnie Needham is an American actress, best known for her role as Elizabeth Bradford on the television series Eight is Enough, which she played from 1977 to 1981. She portrayed a dancer in the initial stages of multiple sclerosis on the television series Fame...
- Elizabeth Bradford (15) - Willie AamesWillie AamesWillie Aames is an American actor, film and television director, television producer, and screenwriter. He played Tommy Bradford on the 1970s’ Eight Is Enough and Buddy Lembeck on the 1980s’ Charles in Charge.-Early life:...
- Tommy Bradford (14) - Adam RichAdam RichAdam Rich is an American actor.-Career:Rich is most remembered for his role as the youngest son, Nicholas Bradford, on the television series Eight is Enough, which ran for five seasons, from 1977-1981. After leaving that show, he made guest appearances on The Love Boat, CHiPS, Fantasy Island, The...
- Nicholas Bradford (8)
In the pilot the role of David was played by Mark Hamill
Mark Hamill
Mark Richard Hamill is an American actor, voice artist, producer, director, and writer, best known for his role as Luke Skywalker in the original trilogy of Star Wars. More recently, he has received acclaim for his voice work, in such roles as the Joker in Batman: The Animated Series, Firelord...
, Nancy was played by Kimberly Beck
Kimberly Beck
Kimberly Beck is an American actress with over sixty television and film roles to her credit.-Biography:...
, and Tommy played by Chris English.
Recurring cast members
- Brian Patrick ClarkeBrian Patrick ClarkeBrian Patrick Clarke is an American actor.Clarke was born in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania and graduated from Yale University in 1974...
- Merle "The Pearl" Stockwell (1979–1981) - Jennifer DarlingJennifer DarlingJennifer Darling is an American actress and voice actress. While her body of work as a voiceover artist greatly eclipses that of her on-stage career, she is, perhaps, nevertheless known best to most people as Peggy Callahan, the secretary to Oscar Goldman in the television series The Six Million...
- Donna (1978–1981) - Henderson ForsytheHenderson ForsytheHenderson Forsythe was an American actor. Forsythe was known for his role as Dr. David Stewart #2 on the soap opera As the World Turns, a role he played for 32 years, and for his work on the New York stage....
- Big Bud - Janis PaigeJanis PaigeJanis Paige is an American film, musical theatre and television actress. Born Donna Mae Tjaden in Tacoma, Washington, she began singing in public from the age of five in local amateur shows...
- Vivian "Auntie V" Bradford - Michael Goodrow - Ernie Fields (1979–1981)
- James KarenJames KarenJames Karen is an American character actor of Broadway, film and television.-Life and career:Karen was born Jacob Karnofsky in Wilkes-Barre, in northeastern Pennsylvania, the son of Russian-born Jewish immigrants Mae and Joseph H. Karnofsky, a produce dealer. As a young man, Karen was encouraged...
- Eliot Randolph - Ralph MacchioRalph MacchioRalph George Macchio is an American actor, best known for his roles as Daniel LaRusso in the Karate Kid series, Bill Gambini in My Cousin Vinny, and Johnny Cade in The Outsiders. He is also known to American television audiences for his season five recurring role as Jeremy Andretti on the...
- Jeremy Andretti (1980–1981) - Joan Prather - Janet McArthur Bradford (1977–1981)
- Michael Thoma - Dr. Greg Maxwell (1977–1979)
- Daniel Selby - Brian (1979–1981)
Guest stars
- Adrienne BarbeauAdrienne BarbeauAdrienne Jo Barbeau is an American actress and the author of three books. Barbeau came to prominence in the 1970s as Broadway's original Rizzo in the musical Grease, and as Carol Traynor, the divorced daughter of Maude Findlay in the sitcom Maude...
- Jennifer Linden (1977) - Tyler McVeyTyler McVeyTyler McVey was an American character actor.-Early life and career:McVey was born in Bay City on Saginaw Bay in the Lower Peninsula of Michigan. His first screen role, uncredited, came at the age of 39 in 1951, when he portrayed Brady in the The Day the Earth Stood Still...
- Senator Theil (1981) - Robert F. SimonRobert F. SimonRobert F. Simon was an American character actor, often portraying military or authority figure roles. Though his face was recognized by audiences, he was mostly unknown by name...
- Grandpa Wells (1980) - Will GeerWill GeerWill Geer was an American actor and social activist. His original name was William Aughe Ghere. He is remembered for his portrayal of Grandpa Zebulon Tyler Walton in the 1970s TV series, The Waltons....
- (1978)
Reception and cancellation
The series jump-started acting careers for only a few of those playing the children. It cemented teen idolTeen idol
A teen idol is a celebrity who is widely idolized by teenagers; he or she is often young but not necessarily teenaged. Often teen idols are actors or pop singers, but some sports figures have an appeal to teenagers. Some teen idols began their careers as child actors...
status for Grant Goodeve
Grant Goodeve
Grant Goodeve is an American actor and television host. He is best known for playing the role of David, the oldest son, on Eight Is Enough, from 1977 to 1981. He sang the theme song for the show as well...
(David), Willie Aames
Willie Aames
Willie Aames is an American actor, film and television director, television producer, and screenwriter. He played Tommy Bradford on the 1970s’ Eight Is Enough and Buddy Lembeck on the 1980s’ Charles in Charge.-Early life:...
(Tommy), and Ralph Macchio
Ralph Macchio
Ralph George Macchio is an American actor, best known for his roles as Daniel LaRusso in the Karate Kid series, Bill Gambini in My Cousin Vinny, and Johnny Cade in The Outsiders. He is also known to American television audiences for his season five recurring role as Jeremy Andretti on the...
, who played Abby's orphaned nephew Jeremy later in the show's last season. Aames would go on to star with Scott Baio
Scott Baio
Scott Vincent James Baio is an American actor and television director, best known for his roles as Chachi Arcola on the sitcom Happy Days and its spin-off, Joanie Loves Chachi, and as the title character on the sitcom Charles in Charge....
in Charles in Charge
Charles in Charge
Charles in Charge is an American sitcom series which starred Scott Baio as Charles, a 19-year-old student at the fictional Copeland College in New Jersey, who worked as a live-in babysitter in exchange for room and board...
. Goodeve started a minor singing career, due to his rendition of the theme "Eight Is Enough" and initially hosted HGTV's If Walls Could Talk. Macchio would gain the most fame in feature films such as The Karate Kid and its sequels, as well as My Cousin Vinny
My Cousin Vinny
My Cousin Vinny is a 1992 American comedy film written and produced by Dale Launer, directed by Jonathan Lynn and starring Joe Pesci, Ralph Macchio, Marisa Tomei, Mitchell Whitfield, Lane Smith, Bruce McGill and Fred Gwynne...
.
After the end of the show's fifth season (and 111 hour episodes), production costs and declining ratings caused the show to be canceled, along with seven other shows that season. Variety magazine's headline stated, "Eight Shows In, Eight Shows Out".
The series had two reunion movies on 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...
. In An Eight Is Enough Reunion on October 18, 1987, Mary Frann
Mary Frann
Mary Frann was an American actress best known for her role as Bob Newhart's wife, Joanna Loudon, on the television series Newhart.-Early life and career:...
replaced Betty Buckley
Betty Buckley
Betty Lynn Buckley is an American theater, film and television actress and singer. She is a Tony Award winner and Grammy Award nominee.-Early life:...
as Abby; Buckley had been filming Frantic
Frantic (film)
Frantic is a 1988 thriller film directed by Roman Polanski and starring Harrison Ford and Emmanuelle Seigner.- Synopsis :Harrison Ford plays Dr. Richard Walker, a surgeon visiting Paris with his wife Sondra for a medical conference. At their hotel, she is unable to unlock her suitcase, and Walker...
during its production. This was followed by An Eight Is Enough Wedding on October 22, 1989, this time with Sandy Faison
Sandy Faison
Sandy Faison is an American actress and singer.In 1977, Faison made her Broadway debut as Grace Farrell, secretary to Daddy Warbucks, in Annie. Additional theatre credits include Charlie and Algernon, Is there life after high school?, and You Can't Take It With You.Faison's feature film credits...
as Abby (Frann by this time committed to Newhart
Newhart
Newhart is a television situation comedy starring comedian Bob Newhart and actress Mary Frann as an author and wife who owned and operated an inn located in a small, rural Vermont town that was home to many eccentric characters. The show aired on the CBS network from October 25, 1982 to May 21, 1990...
). Both movies aired opposite game two of the World Series on ABC Sports.
Season 1 (1977)
- Never Try Eating Nectarines Since Juice May Dispense (aka. Eight Is Not Enough)
Tom has to find money to pay for a lawyer when his troubled daughter is arrested
- Schussboomer
Matilda, Mary's heavily pregnant friend comes to stay at the Bradfords' and begins irritating the family.
- Pieces of Eight
Tom becomes editor of his own newspaper but struggles to handle family and work at the same time.
- Women, Ducks and the Domino Theory
Joan bonds with Tommy. Tom struggles to deal with Elizabeth's bad ways.
- Turnabout
The Bradfords throw a party. David comes to the aid of an old lady.
- Quarantine
David finds himself caring for the whole family when they all get sick.
- V is for Vivian
Tom's sister Vivian causes chaos amongst the Bradford children.
- Hit and Run
An estate developer threatens to send Tom to court after writing a bad story about him.
- The Gipper Caper
The Bradfords enter a football match against another family.
Season 2 (1977–1978)
- Is There a Doctor in the House?
Dr. Maxwell moves in with the Bradfords but his habits drive the family crazy.
- Trial Marriage
Sandra Abbot talks her way into the Bradford household when Tommy's football match turns nasty.
- Triangles
Tom is determined to spend some time with his children, driving them to desperate measures.
- Double Trouble
When Tom and Abby break up, the kids set about finding Tom a new woman.
- Mortgage Burnin' Blues
A party at the Bradfords' spirals out of control.
- Dark Horse
Tom's plans to propose are ruined by the kids.
- The Bard and the Bod
Abby's father arrives and Tom is determined to prove himself to his future father-in-law.
- Children of the Groom - Part I
The Bradford children are given the job of organizing Tom and Abby's wedding.
- Children of the Groom - Part II
The childrens' plans for the wedding threaten to end the wedding altogether.
- I Quit
Tom and Abby decide to take the kids on their honeymoon, a decision they will later regret.
- All's Fair in Love and War
Abby's plans for the Bradford choir are causing chaos between the kids.
- The Return of Auntie V
Vera Bradford returns and makes an announcement that will change the family forever.
- Yes Nicholas, there is a Santa Claus - Part I
Tom is determined to make the first Christmas without Joan the best yet.
- Yes Nicholas, there is a Santa Claus - Part II
The Bradfords celebrate Christmas in true style.
- A Hair of the Dog
It's Tom's birthday and the kids plan a surprise party for him.
- Author! Author!
Abby encourages Tom to leave his job and follow his dreams.
- Much Ado about Garbage
Tom finds himself under arrest. Abby struggles to hold the family together.
- Dear Ms. Dinah
Tom and Abby both find themselves working away leaving the kids in the hands of Sandra.
- Hard Hats and Hard Heads
David catches up with some old friends.
- Seven Days in February
The Bradford girls all find love much to the dismay of Tom.
- The Boyfriend
Susan's new boyfriend takes a shine to Abby.
- Great Expectations
Tom vows to help Tommy pass his exams.
- Long Night's Journey into Day
Abby falls off a ladder and uncovers some secrets from the past.
- The Lost Weekend
Tom and Abby go off to Abby's parents, leaving the kids home alone.
- Poor Little Rich Girl
David's new girlfriend turns out to be a millionaire's daughter.
- Who's on First?
Joanie is put in charge of a talent show.
Season 3 (1978–1979)
- Who's Crazy Here?
- Nine Is Too Much
- Here We Go Again
- Cinderella's Understudy
- Milk and Sympathy
- The Flunked and the Funked
- Cops and Toddlers
- The Hipbone's Connected to the Thighbone
- Fast and Loose
- War Between the Bradfords
- All The Vice President's Men
- You Won't Have Nicholas to Kick Around Anymore - Part I
- You Won't Have Nicholas to Kick Around Anymore - Part II
- Alone At Last
- The Yearning Point
- Moving Out
- Mother's Rule
- Inlaws and Outlaws
- Horror Story
- Just The Ten of Us
- Best of Friends
- The Kid Who Came to Dinner
- The Better Part of Valor
- Dads, Daughters, Different Drummers
- The Final Days
- The Graduates
- Marriage and Other Flights of Fancy - Part I
- Marriage and Other Flights of Fancy - Part II
Season 4 (1979–1980)
- Merle the Pearl
- The Cupid Crisis
- I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do
- Ten Ships in the Night
- The Devil and Mr. Bradford
- The Night They Raided Bradfords
- Big Shoes, Little Feet
- Fathers and Other Strangers - Part I
- Fathers and Other Strangers - Part II
- Letter to One Bradford
- Separate Ways
- Arrivals
- Brotherhood, Sisterhood
- Mary, He's Married
- My Son, The Prom Queen
- The Courage to Be
- Semi-Centennial Bradford
- The Commitment
- Seven More Days in February
- The Return of Joe Simons
- Bradford vs. Bradford
- Memories
- Official Positions
- A Matter of Mentors
- Roll Over Bradford
- A Little Triangle
- Grad Night (Festa di diploma)
Season 5 (1980–1981)
- And Baby Makes Nine - Part 1
- And Baby Makes Nine - Part 2
- Jeremy
- Welcome to Memorial Dr. Bradford
- Generations
- Holly
- The Maltese Airline Bag
- Strike
- Bradfordgate
- Darlene Dilemma
- Second Thoughts
- David's Rib
- Vows
- The Way We Were
- If The Glass Slipper Fits
- The Best Little Telethon in Sacramento
- Yet Another Seven Days in February
- Idolbreaker (1)
- Idolbreaker (2)
- Starting Over
- Goals
- Father Knows Best?
Special
- TV Movie Eight is Enough: A Family Reunion (1987)
- TV Movie An Eight is Enough Wedding (1989)
Syndication
Episodes aired on FX when the network began in 1994 but haven't been on cable since, except for a 50th Anniversary Warner Bros.Warner Bros.
Warner Bros. Entertainment, Inc., also known as Warner Bros. Pictures or simply Warner Bros. , is an American producer of film and television entertainment.One of the major film studios, it is a subsidiary of Time Warner, with its headquarters in Burbank,...
marathon on TV Land
TV 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...
in 2005. The show also aired on PAX when that network began in 1998. It currently runs on WMEU-CA
WMEU-CA
WMEU-CA is a class A station in Chicago, Illinois. It is owned by Weigel Broadcasting, which also owns sister stations WCIU-TV and WWME-CA. The station is an extension of WWME's classic programming format, and brands as "MeToo"...
a low power in Chicago, which also airs on WCIU-TV
WCIU-TV
WCIU-TV is an independent television station located in Chicago, Illinois. It operates on UHF digital channel 27 and is Chicago's oldest UHF station, signing on the air in 1964. WCIU-TV is the flagship station of Weigel Broadcasting, a locally-based broadcaster which has owned the station since...
subchannel 26.3. Selected full episodes of the show can also be found at Fancast.com.
Nielsen Ratings
Eight Is Enough| Season | Ratings Rank |
| 1977 | #23 |
| 1977–1978 | #12 |
| 1978–1979 | #17 |
| 1979–1980 | #12 |
| 1980–1981 | #18 |
International
In Italy, RAIRAI
RAI — Radiotelevisione italiana S.p.A. known until 1954 as Radio Audizioni Italiane, is the Italian state owned public service broadcaster controlled by the Ministry of Economic Development. Rai is the biggest television company in Italy...
public networks aired the first season of Eight Is Enough under the title Otto Bastano in 1978, the literal Italian translation of the original title. The remaining seasons were aired in the 1980s on Retequattro, a commercial network from Fininvest
Fininvest
Fininvest is a financial holding company controlled by Silvio Berlusconi's family and managed by Silvio Berlusconi's eldest daughter Marina Berlusconi.-Structure:...
(now Mediaset
Mediaset
Mediaset S.p.A., known as Gruppo Mediaset in Italian, is an Italian-based media company which is the largest commercial broadcaster in the country...
), under the title La Famiglia Bradford. The Italian version excludes the laugh track.
The French
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
version, "Huit, ça suffit!" was a big success in the 1980s both in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
and Quebec
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
(Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
), and among all Francophone
Francophone
The adjective francophone means French-speaking, typically as primary language, whether referring to individuals, groups, or places. Often, the word is used as a noun to describe a natively French-speaking person....
(French-speaking) Canadians
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
.
In Spain, Eight Is Enough was aired also in the 1980s. RTVE
RTVE
The Corporación de Radio y Televisión Española, S.A. or Corporación Radiotelevisión Española is the state-owned public corporation that assumed the indirect management of the Spanish public radio and television service from Ente Público Radiotelevisión Española in 2007...
(public network) aired all the seasons under the title Con Ocho Basta (the Spanish translation) in Friday's evening time.
In the Philippines, Eight Is Enough aired on GMA 7 from 1978-1981.
External links
(1987 reunion movie) (1989 reunion movie)- Eightisenough.com contains episode summaries