Welcome to the Unofficial The Eight is Enough Section -- Season 1

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Season 1

Eight is Enough Season 1

Eight is Enough Season One March - May 1977

Dates are mostly from memory, but can be off a week or two. Firstrun dates usually follow a pattern of Sep-Dec, then 2-week reruns in late Dec, then firstruns Jan-early Mar, reruns, then May firstruns. If you know of actual dates or have other stuff to add, please let me know By E-mail and I'll put them in. Thank you. One original episode aired in August 1977, though my memory is fuzzy in remembering the date.

#1 Never Try Eating Nectarines Since Juice May Dispense

The Pilot: We meet the Bradford clan, consisting of eight very independent children ranging in age from 8-23, each experiencing the growing pains of youth.

"Never try eating nectarines since juice may dispense." That's how Tom and Joan Bradford remember the names of their eight children: Nicholas, Tommy, Elizabeth, Nancy, Susan, Joannie, Mary, and David.

Tired of fighting with his father, David moves out of the Bradford house and the younger Bradford children fight over his bedroom, prompting Tom to learn the importance of family relationships.

Elizabeth is arrested for possession of narcotics and Tom and Joan have to find $1,500 to pay for her lawyer.

Nicholas has his tonsils removed.

Pilot actors playing the regular characters in this episode only: Mark Hamill as David, Kimberly Beck as Nancy, and Chris English as Tommy. Diana Hyland played their mother (first of some shows).

Original Air Date: Mar 15, 1977 (confirmed!)

Guests: Michael Thomas as Dr. Maxwell, Virginia Vincent as Daisy Maxwell, Morris Buchanan as Desk Sergeant, Jeni Kulik as The Nurse, Larry Golden as Dr. Himmler, William Kirby Cullen as football player, Bret Marks as football player, Lucy Saroyan as Donna, Charles Aidman as Forrester

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#2 Schussboomer

Matilda, Mary's very pregnant, unmarried, friend stays in the Bradford house while she is between apartments, but her attitude toward marriage upsets Tom. She learns the joys of parenthood and paternal Tom helps deliver the baby.

Tom is upset that Susan wants to spend the weekend with her boyfriend in Squaw Valley.

This was the first episode with Grant Goodeve assuming the role of David, Dianne Kay as Nancy and Willie Aames as Tommy. Diana Hyland played their mother in this episode.

Original Air Date: Mar 22, 1977 (99% sure)

Guests: Lane Binkley, Jeffrey Byron, ***Ellen Travolta*** as Dr. Abbott (any relation to Betty Buckley's future character?), Darrell Larson as Stan Lewis, Doney Oatman as Chris, Penelope Willis as Nurse

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#3 Pieces of Eight

Tom's chance at managing the newspaper runs into trouble when the printers go on strike.

The whole family pitches in to help earn extra money.

Nancy in disappointed by a modeling agent but Joan gets a job with the agent as a photographer to earn extra money during the strike.

Tom and Joan argue about her continuing to work after the strike is settled.

Diana Hyland played their mother in this episode. This was aired two days after she passed away.

Original Air Date: Mar 29, 1977 (99% sure)

Guests: Hal England as McElwayne, Jennifer Darling as Donna, Anthony Battaglia as Julian, ***James B. Sikking*** as Mr. French (as in Family Affair?), Samantha Sprenger as the model.

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#4 Women, Ducks and the Domino Theory

Topsy-turvy time at the Bradfords when Tommy has his "dream girl" stand him up.

Neither David nor Tom wants to go on their annual hunt.

Nancy wants to be a cheerleader.

Elizabeth gets grounded over curfew.

Original Air Date: Apr 5, 1977 (99% sure)

Guests: Susan Lanier, ***Charlene Tilton*** as Wendy Springer, Bob Lussier as Mr. Springer, Jay MacIntosh as Mrs. Springer, Lieux Dressler as the waitress, Michael Baldwin as Richie, Erin Connor as salesgirl, Sherry Jason as girl in cafeteria

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#5 Turnabout

David learns about life at a party the family throws to celebrate doctor Maxwell's 25th anniversary, as his date and Maxwell don't get along.

David helps an older woman stuck in a traffic jam, but his date seems to cause more trouble with his family than he bargained for.

Original Air Date: Apr 12, 1977 (99% sure)

Diana Hyland played their mother in her final appearance.

Guests: ***Adrienne Barbeau*** as Jennifer Linden, ***Don Matheson***, Jennifer Darling, Michael Thoma, Virginia Vincent as Daisy Maxwell, Cosie Costa as Sandy Watson, Damon Douglas as attendant, Lynda-Sainte James as waitres

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#6 Quarantine

Togetherness can be really funny when the whole Bradford household is quarantined, including Nancy's blind date, after Mary's boyfriend comes down with a mysterious ailment.

David has to run errands for his quaranteened family.

Nicholas hides some toys he brought into the house without buying them.

Cabin fever eventually drives the family crazy.

Original Air Date: Apr 19, 1977 (99% sure)

Guests: Dennis Kort, Ray Buktenica as Chalmers, Leonard Stone as Drug Store Manager, Damon Raskin as Arnold, Holly Smith as Health Dept. Lady

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#7 V is for Vivian

Tom's sister shows up for a visit and turns the Bradford house upside-down when she encourages the kids to pursue their dreams and goals.

David gets laid off and Vivian gets him a job as an architect.

Mary gets a "C" in Introductory Philosophy.

Joanie considers traveling in an acting company if she gets accepted by the director.

Susan tries skydiving and injures herself.

Nancy gets a tan and tries modeling.

Elizabeth wants to wear makeup, but Tom refuses.

Tommy takes up CB.

Nicholas practices basketball.

Original Air Date: Apr 26, 1977 (99% sure)

Guests: ***Janis Paige*** as Auntie V, Jack De Leon, Michael Thoma, Virginia Vincent as Daisy Maxwell, Stephen Johnson as Leonard, Steven Marlo as Attendant

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#8 Hit and Run

Joannie has a fender-bender with a real estate developer who is already upset with Bradford's column opposing his project.

Meanwhile, Elizabeth goes from three prom dates to none when they all show up at the same time.

Tommy breaks the window of a local church house.

Original Air Date: May 3, 1977 (99% sure)

Guests: Peter Coffield, (The Secret Pre-Life of) Molly Dodd, Jennifer Darling, Frank Cady, Steve Bonino as Michael Thompson, Dudley Knight as Mitch, Ernest Sarracino as Mr. Do Gioia, Marc McClure as Jeremy, Rusty Keeler as Billy Kleinkenecht, Brett Ericson as Mark