Down to Earth was an
AmericanThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
fantasy
situation comedyA situation comedy, usually referred to as a sitcom, is a genre of comedy programs which originated in radio. Today, sitcoms are found almost exclusively on television as one of its dominant narrative forms...
series that ran on Superstation TBS from
1984The year 1984 in television involved some significant events.Below is a list of television-related events in 1984.-Events:*January 2 - RTL Television launched a second programme, this one in German...
to
1987The year 1987 in television involved some significant events.Below is a list of television-related events in 1987.For American TV schedule, see: 1987-88 United States network television schedule.-Events:...
. It was produced by
Procter & Gamble ProductionsProcter & Gamble Co. is a Fortune 500, American multinational corporation headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, that manufactures a wide range of consumer goods. As of 2008, P&G is the 8th largest corporation in the world by market capitalization and 14th largest US company by profit...
and was the superstation's first original series.
Premise
The series revolved around Ethel MacDoogan, a free-spirited gal from the roarin' 1920s. Unfortunately (as told in the lyrics to the show's theme song), that would all come to an end for Ethel in 1925 when "...she was struck down by a trolley, golly." Ethel waits in Heaven for 60 years for a chance to earn her wings, until finally she is sent to earth in the 1980s to help the Preston family.
The Prestons are a typical modern-day family with modern-day situations: widowed father Richard is a realtor; older son Duane is very class-conscious; daughter Lissy is very opinionated; J.J. (the youngest) just wants someone who can fill their late mother's void. It's J.J.'s prayer that an angel would come into their lives that summons Ethel, and J.J. is the only one who knows her true identity.
Infiltrating the household as housekeeper/maid, Ethel is clueless about even the simplest conveniences of modern-day life. J.J. helps cover for her when it comes to adapting to the newfangled inventions of the past 60 years, and she eventually wins over the Prestons by helping them deal with their problems.
In addition to her earthly employer, Ethel is under the constant eye of her heavenly boss (and their successors), who watch her every move—and her every mistake. Her first overseer, Mr. Divine, kept a close eye on her. He was later replaced by the very concerned Lester Luster, followed by her ex-fiance/con-man Jake, with the outrageous Stanley McCloud (played by
Rip TaylorRip Taylor is an American actor and comedian.-Comic trademarks:Taylor is known for his high-voiced yells, wacky toupée, and handlebar moustache over a perpetually toothy grin...
) taking over in the show's final years.
Popping in from time to time is their ditzy (and attractive) next door neighbor Candy Carlysle.
The series made several changes to its cast. Besides the ethereal bosses, it changed the earthly father as well, becoming the second series in which
Dick SargentDick Sargent was an American actor, best known for his portrayal of "the second Darrin Stephens" on the television series Bewitched...
replaced another actor in the same role.
The series was co-created by
Star SearchStar Search was a television show that was produced from 1983 to 1995, hosted by Ed McMahon, and created by Al Masini. A relaunch was produced in 2002 - 2004. The show was originally filmed at the old Earl Carroll Theatre at 6230 Sunset Blvd...
winner, singer, actor and
AIDSAcquired immune deficiency syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is a disease of the human immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus ....
activist
Sam HarrisSam Harris is an American pop and musical theatre recording artist as well as a television, stage and film actor.-Singing:...
. Harris wrote several episodes of the show.
Cast
- Carol Mansell
Carol Mansell is an American film and television actress, most notable for her first television role: Ethel MacDoogan, the main character in the sitcom Down to Earth, running on TBS from 1983 to 1987....
(Ethel MacDoogan)
- Stephen Johnson (Richard Preston, 1984)
- Dick Sargent
Dick Sargent was an American actor, best known for his portrayal of "the second Darrin Stephens" on the television series Bewitched...
(Richard Preston, 1984-1987)
- David Kaufman
David Kaufman is an American voice-over artist and character actor, best-known for his recent roles as the voice of Danny Fenton on Danny Phantom, the voice of Maggie's brother Aldrin on The Buzz on Maggie, and the voice of Marty McFly, Michael J...
(Duane Preston)
- Kyle Richards
-Personal life:Richards was born in Hollywood, California, the daughter of Kenneth E. Richards and Kathleen Dugan . The couple separated in 1972 and Kathleen later remarried. Richards' siblings are the actresses Kathy Richards and Kim Richards...
(Elizabeth "Lissy" Preston)
- Randy Josselyn
Randy Josselyn is an American actor whose TV appearances include Undessed, 7th Heaven, The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, Picket Fences and Full House.-Early Life and Education:He was born on February 1, 1974 in Los Angeles, California...
(J.J. Preston)
- Marla Rubinoff (Candy Carlysle, 1985-1987)
- Lester Fletcher (Mr. Divine, 1984)
- Ronnie Schell
Ronald Ralph "Ronnie" Schell is an American actor, stand-up comedian and cartoon voice actor . Early in his career he appeared as himself as a contestant on You Bet Your Life opposite Groucho Marx, demonstrating a comic barrage of jive talk.-Life and career:Schell was born in Richmond, California...
(Lester Luster, 1984-1985)
- Michael DeLano
Michael Delano is an American actor who portrayed Walsh, Terry Benedict's casino manager in the movie Ocean's Eleven and its sequel Ocean's Twelve. He also portrayed Dr. Mark Dante in General Hospital , and he is known for his short role as Forrestal in the 1985 movie Commando....
(Jake Fiore, 1985-1986)
- Rip Taylor
Rip Taylor is an American actor and comedian.-Comic trademarks:Taylor is known for his high-voiced yells, wacky toupée, and handlebar moustache over a perpetually toothy grin...
(Stanley McCloud, 1985-1987)
External links