My Sister Sam is an American
situation comedyA situation comedy, often shortened to sitcom, is a genre of comedy that features characters sharing the same common environment, such as a home or workplace, accompanied with jokes as part of the dialogue...
series that aired on
CBSCBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
from
1986The year 1986 in television involved some significant events.Below is a list of television-related events in 1986.For the American network television schedule, please see 1986-87 American network television schedule.-Events:-Debuts:*September 6 –...
to
1988The year 1988 in television involved some significant events.Below is a list of television-related events in 1988.For the American TV schedule, see: 1988-89 United States network television schedule.-Events:-Debuts:...
. It was created by Stephen Fischer and executive produced by
Diane EnglishDiane English is an American film director, screenwriter and producer, known for creating the sitcom Murphy Brown. She also served as writer and executive producer of the sitcom My Sister Sam.-Life and career:...
.
Synopsis
The sitcom tells the story of a San Francisco photographer named Sam Russell (
Pam DawberPam Dawber is an American actress best known for her lead television sitcom roles as Mindy McConnell in Mork & Mindy and Samantha Russell in My Sister Sam .-Life and career:...
), whose life is disrupted when her teenage sister Patti (
Rebecca SchaefferRebecca Lucile Schaeffer was an American actress best known for her role in the sitcom My Sister Sam...
) comes to live with her.
Production
The series premiered in 1986. After it achieved success on Monday nights, CBS changed its schedule and moved
My Sister Sam to Saturday night opposite
NBCThe 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...
's successful comedy lineup. The show's audience dwindled to one of the lowest on network TV, and CBS cancelled
My Sister Sam in mid-1988 after only half of the second season had aired.
Rebecca Schaeffer's death
Series cast member Rebecca Schaeffer was murdered July 18, 1989, more than a year after the show had been canceled and had left the air.
Dawber, Brooks, Naughton and O'Hara reunited to film a
public service announcementA public service announcement or public service ad is a type of advertisement featured on television, radio, print or other media...
about violence prevention.
Cast
- Pam Dawber
Pam Dawber is an American actress best known for her lead television sitcom roles as Mindy McConnell in Mork & Mindy and Samantha Russell in My Sister Sam .-Life and career:...
as Samantha "Sam" Russell
- Rebecca Schaeffer
Rebecca Lucile Schaeffer was an American actress best known for her role in the sitcom My Sister Sam...
as Patricia "Patti" Russell
- Joel Brooks
Joel Brooks is an American actor, known for his roles in My Sister Sam, Six Feet Under, The Mostly Unfabulous Social Life of Ethan Green and Phil of the Future...
as Jordan Dylan "J.D." Lucas
- Jenny O'Hara as Dixie Randazzo
- David Naughton
David Walsh Naughton is an American actor and singer best known for his starring roles in the 1981 horror film An American Werewolf in London, the 1980 Walt Disney comedy, Midnight Madness, the 1984 comedies Hot Dog.....
as Jack Kincaid
Guest stars
Notable guest stars in the series included
Scott BakulaScott Stewart Bakula is an American actor, known for his role as Sam Beckett in the television series Quantum Leap, for which he won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Television Series Drama in 1991 and was nominated for four Emmy Awards. He also had a prominent role as Captain Jonathan...
(episode 1.7),
JoAnn WilletteJoAnn Willette is an American actress.Willette is best known for appearing in the role of Constance "Connie" Lubbock in the television series Just the Ten of Us from 1988 to 1990. She has also made appearances on a number of other shows including The Facts of Life, T.J...
(episode 1.18),
Rob EstesRobert Estes is an American actor. He is best known for his roles as Harry Wilson on the Teen drama 90210, as Sgt. Chris Lorenzo on the Crime drama Silk Stalkings, and as Kyle McBride on the Primetime Soap opera Melrose Place.-Career:Estes first became interested in an acting career while training...
(episode 2.18),
Ed MarinaroEd Marinaro is an American former football player turned actor.-Football career:Marinaro played high school football in New Milford, New Jersey, for the New Milford High School Knights....
(episode 2.19), and
Cristine RoseCristine Sue Rose is an American actress. She has also been credited as Christine Rose. She's best known for her role as Angela Petrelli on the hit NBC science fiction drama Heroes.-Early life:...
(episode 2.20).
Theme song
The theme song "Room Enough for Two" was written by Steve Dorff and
John BettisJohn Bettis is an American lyricist who has co-written many famous popular songs over the years. In 2011, John was inducted into both the Songwriters Hall of Fame as well as the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame....
and performed by
Kim CarnesKim Carnes is an American singer-songwriter. She is a two-time Grammy Award winner noted for her distinctive raspy vocal style. Some people have called her "The Female Rod Stewart" due to her raspy voice....
. Dorff won a BMI TV Music Award in 1987 for his work on the series.
Syndication
USA NetworkUSA Network is an American cable television channel launched in 1971. Once a minor player in basic cable, the network has steadily gained popularity because of breakout hits like Monk, Psych, Burn Notice, Royal Pains, Covert Affairs, White Collar, Monday Night RAW, Suits, and reruns of the various...
picked up syndication rights to the series, eventually running all 44 episodes, including those never shown on CBS.
Awards and nominations
| Year |
Award |
Result |
Category |
Recipient |
| 1987 |
BMI Film & TV Awards |
Won |
BMI TV Music Award |
Steve Dorff |
| 1987 |
Primetime Emmy Award The Primetime Emmy Awards are awards presented by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences in recognition of excellence in American primetime television programming...
|
Nominated |
Outstanding Costume Design for a Series |
Bill Hargate (costume designer)
(For episode "Jingle Bell Rock Bottom") |