Dear John was a Syndication network sitcom that was originally based on the 1986-87 British sitcom of the same name, starring Judd Hirsch in the lead role.
The show premiered on October 6, 1988 and during its run on the air, it was bounced to and from various time periods on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.
The series moved from its post-"Cheers" slot on Thursdays to a post-"Night Court" slot on Wednesdays in 1990.
The show ended on July 22, 1992 after 4 seasons & 90 episodes.
Plot[]
The series centered around easygoing Drake Prep high school teacher John Lacey (Judd Hirsch) who is dumped by his wife, Wendy via a Dear John letter. Wendy ends up with everything in the divorce settlement (including custody of the couple's son) forcing John to move into an apartment in Rego Park, Queens.
John soon joins the One-2-One Club, which is a self-help group for divorced, widowed or lonely people.
The group is led by Louise (Jane Carr), a sex-obsessed British woman. Other members of the group include Kate McCarron (Isabella Hofmann), a sweet divorcée; Kirk Morris (Jere Burns), a cocky ladies' man; Ralph Drang (Harry Groener), a shy and neurotic tollbooth collector; Bonnie Philbert (Billie Bird), a feisty senior citizen; Tom, Mrs. Philbert's quiet boyfriend (Tom Willett); and young Southern transplant Mary Beth Sutton (Susan Walters).
Cast[]
- Judd Hirsch as John Lacey
- Jane Carr as Louise
- Jere Burns as Kirk Morris
- Isabella Hofmann as Kate McCarron
- Billie Bird as Mrs. Philbert
- Tom Willett as Tom
- Harry Groener as Ralph Drang [seasons 1-3]
- Susan Walters as Mary Beth Sutton [seasons 3-4]
Accolades[]
In 1989, Cleavon Little won an Emmy Award for his role in the episode "Stand By Your Man".
Ratings[]
- 1988-89: #11
- 1989-90: #18
- 1990-91: #50
- 1991-92: #77