Looking Back on Eight is Enough

Recently we "cut the cord" and got rid of cable stations other than local TV. I discovered the wide array of programming via Tubi, which is a free service with lots of programming, especially classic TV. I saw they had the show Eight is Enough (ABC, 1977-1981), which I only watched sparingly as a kid. It's a show I have rarely seen in syndication. I dicovered I liked it since it had good characters and storylines. It was a show with a mixture of comedy and drama. It starred Dick Van Patten as the family patriarch, Tom Bradford, who worked as a newspaper columnist in Sacramento, California. Van Patten passed in 2015. Diana Hyland was the original wife, but she only shot 4 episodes, and passed away. Betty Buckley as Abby Bradford replaced her and was in 102 episodes, all but the first 10. Abby was a tutor for son Tommy when he got injured in season 2. Betty has been a successful Broadway star, winning a Tony. The family had 8 kids, 5 girls and 3 boys. Most of the actors who played the 8 kids did not have memorable roles after leaving this show. The oldest was David Bradford, originally played by Mark Hammill, who was only in the first episode, he left since he did Star Wars. The night the pilot aired, Mark Hammill was involved in a serious auto accident where he sustained serious facial injuries. Therefore, he quit the show. The role of David Bradford was taken over by Grant Goodeve. His character had already moved out of the house from the beginning and had his own apartment. In the late seasons, the theme song was written and sung by Grant Goodeve. Lani O’Grady played Mary Bradford, (died in 2001 of a drug overdose). Susan Richardson played Susan Bradford, (she appeared in the film American Graffiti (1973). She has struggled with health and financial challenges. Laurie Walters played Joanie Bradford, Dianne Kay played Nancy Bradford, Connie Needham played Elizabeth Bradford, and Willie Aames played Tommy Bradford, (was in the sitcom Charles in Charge with Scott Baio, 1984-1990, 126 episodes). Adam Rich played the youngest in the family, Nicholas Bradford. (died in 2023 of a drug overdose). For the first four seasons, they tried to give the eight kids an equal amount of lines. But, certain kids became popular, such as Willie Aames in later seasons, so he got more lines. Grant Goodeve, Lani O’Grady and Susan Richardson saw their roles get smaller and smaller. The final season had Ralph Macchio (Karate Kid, The Outsiders and Cobra Kai) in 19 episodes. Two Eight is Enough reunion movies aired in 1987 and 1989. *Some information from imdb.com.