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On Our Own (1994 TV series)
Encyclopedia
On Our Own is an American sitcom that aired on ABC
during the 1994-1995 season. The series starred six real life siblings: Jazz, Jocqui, Jake
, Jojo, Jurnee
, and Jussie Smollett
.
The series was created and executive produced by David W. Duclon, one of the executive producers of Family Matters. The series was also produced by Tom Miller and Robert Boyett, who developed the show (this time, without associates William Bickley and Michael Warren), Suzanne dePasse and Suzanne Coston, and Gary Menteer (who also was a producer/writer Family Matters, and who returned to that show when On Our Own was cancelled).
The series was produced by Miller-Boyett Productions
and is the only short-lived Miller-Boyett sitcom that was produced by Warner Bros. Television
for its entire run.
). The early episodes focused on the siblings attempting to not be split up by authorities. This leads to Josh, the eldest brother who was trying to raise the family alone, to dress in drag and pose as older guardian, Aunt Jelcinda (also known as "Mama J"), to fool their case worker, Alana Michaels (Kimberley Kates
). Alana quickly sees through the charade, but decides to help the family stay together. Alana and the family attempt to fool Alana's boss, Mr. Ormsby (Roger Aaron Brown
), that "Mama J" is actually taking care of the family. Problems arise when Mr. Ormsby becomes enamored with "Mama J" and pursues her. Ultimately, "Mama J" tells Mr. Ormsby that she cannot enter into a relationship with him because she is focused on the well being of the children.
In December 1994, the series was put on hiatus and retooled. When it returned to the air in March 1995, Josh was granted full custody of his siblings thus ending the need for the Aunt Jelcinda/Mama J character. The characters of Alana Michaels and Mr. Ormsby were also written out of the show, and a new character, Scotti Decker (T'Keyah Crystal Keymáh
) was introduced. Scotti, a young, attractive professional contractor, rented a room from the Jerricos in order to help the family make ends meet.
Having aired on Sunday nights at 7:30/6:30c during the first half of the season, On Our Own was granted the 8:30/7:30c time slot following Family Matters on TGIF
when it returned in March 1995 (temporarily bumping Boy Meets World
off the schedule). The changes to the series in the spring didn't help ratings, and after six more episodes, the show was canceled by ABC.
American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
during the 1994-1995 season. The series starred six real life siblings: Jazz, Jocqui, Jake
Jake Smollett
-Early life and career:Smollett was born in New York City to a family full of actors. Jake Smollett began his career as a baby diaper-model. He got his scripted start on the series Hangin' with Mr. Cooper before starring alongside his five brothers and sisters in their ABC sitcom, On Our Own....
, Jojo, Jurnee
Jurnee Smollett
Jurnee Diana Smollett-Bell is an American actress. She is best known for the role of Jess Merriweather on the critically acclaimed television series Friday Night Lights...
, and Jussie Smollett
Jussie Smollett
Jussie Smollett is an American actor and photographer, and is the older brother of actress Jurnee Smollett.He was born in Santa Rosa, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. He is known primarily for his work on On Our Own with his brothers Jojo, Jake, and Jocqui and his sisters Jazz and Jurnee Smollett...
.
The series was created and executive produced by David W. Duclon, one of the executive producers of Family Matters. The series was also produced by Tom Miller and Robert Boyett, who developed the show (this time, without associates William Bickley and Michael Warren), Suzanne dePasse and Suzanne Coston, and Gary Menteer (who also was a producer/writer Family Matters, and who returned to that show when On Our Own was cancelled).
The series was produced by Miller-Boyett Productions
Miller-Boyett Productions
Miller-Boyett Productions was an American television production company that mainly developed television sitcoms from the 1970s through the 1990s...
and is the only short-lived Miller-Boyett sitcom that was produced by Warner Bros. Television
Warner Bros. Television
Warner Bros. Television is the television production arm of Warner Bros. Entertainment, itself part of Time Warner. Alongside CBS Television Studios, it serves as a television production arm of The CW Television Network , though it also produces shows for other networks, such as Shameless on...
for its entire run.
Synopsis
The series centered on seven brothers and sisters (all of whom have names that start with "J") in the O'Fallon Park neighborhood of St. Louis who lose their parents and are being raised by the eldest brother, Josh Jerrico (Ralph Louis HarrisRalph Harris (comedian)
Ralph Louis Harris is an American comedian, actor, and writer. Harris is best known for his role as Josh Jerrico in the TGIF sitcom On Our Own, and his stand up routines.-Biography:...
). The early episodes focused on the siblings attempting to not be split up by authorities. This leads to Josh, the eldest brother who was trying to raise the family alone, to dress in drag and pose as older guardian, Aunt Jelcinda (also known as "Mama J"), to fool their case worker, Alana Michaels (Kimberley Kates
Kimberley Kates
Kimberley Kates is an American actress and film producer.-Early life:Born in California, Kates grew up there and in Montana. Her biological father was killed by a drunk driver when she was a child. Kimberley was pre-med in College before winning a modeling contest which brought her back to Southern...
). Alana quickly sees through the charade, but decides to help the family stay together. Alana and the family attempt to fool Alana's boss, Mr. Ormsby (Roger Aaron Brown
Roger Aaron Brown
Roger Aaron Brown is an American character actor known for his role as Deputy Chief Joe Noland on the hit CBS drama television series The District from 2000 to 2004, and for his minor role in the 1988 science fiction film Alien Nation as Det. Bill "Tug" Tuggle, the partner and friend of Matthew...
), that "Mama J" is actually taking care of the family. Problems arise when Mr. Ormsby becomes enamored with "Mama J" and pursues her. Ultimately, "Mama J" tells Mr. Ormsby that she cannot enter into a relationship with him because she is focused on the well being of the children.
In December 1994, the series was put on hiatus and retooled. When it returned to the air in March 1995, Josh was granted full custody of his siblings thus ending the need for the Aunt Jelcinda/Mama J character. The characters of Alana Michaels and Mr. Ormsby were also written out of the show, and a new character, Scotti Decker (T'Keyah Crystal Keymáh
T'Keyah Crystal Keymáh
T'Keyah Crystal Keymáh is an American actress, writer, director, producer, singer, and comedian. In addition to her status as an original cast member of the Fox sketch comedy series In Living Color, she is perhaps best known for her roles as Erica Lucas on the CBS sitcom Cosby, and as Tanya...
) was introduced. Scotti, a young, attractive professional contractor, rented a room from the Jerricos in order to help the family make ends meet.
Having aired on Sunday nights at 7:30/6:30c during the first half of the season, On Our Own was granted the 8:30/7:30c time slot following Family Matters on TGIF
TGIF (ABC)
TGIF was the name of an American family-friendly prime time television programming block on the ABC network. The name comes from the initials of the popular phrase "Thank God It's Friday"...
when it returned in March 1995 (temporarily bumping Boy Meets World
Boy Meets World
Boy Meets World is an American comedy-drama series that chronicles the events and everyday life lessons of Cory Matthews, played by Ben Savage, a kid from suburban Philadelphia who grows up from a young boy to a married man. The show aired for seven seasons from 1993 to 2000 on ABC, part of the...
off the schedule). The changes to the series in the spring didn't help ratings, and after six more episodes, the show was canceled by ABC.
Main
- Ralph Louis HarrisRalph Harris (comedian)Ralph Louis Harris is an American comedian, actor, and writer. Harris is best known for his role as Josh Jerrico in the TGIF sitcom On Our Own, and his stand up routines.-Biography:...
- Josh Jerrico/Aunt Jelcinda ("Mama J") - Jurnee SmollettJurnee SmollettJurnee Diana Smollett-Bell is an American actress. She is best known for the role of Jess Merriweather on the critically acclaimed television series Friday Night Lights...
- Jordee Jerrico - Jussie SmollettJussie SmollettJussie Smollett is an American actor and photographer, and is the older brother of actress Jurnee Smollett.He was born in Santa Rosa, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. He is known primarily for his work on On Our Own with his brothers Jojo, Jake, and Jocqui and his sisters Jazz and Jurnee Smollett...
- Jesse Jerrico - Jake SmollettJake Smollett-Early life and career:Smollett was born in New York City to a family full of actors. Jake Smollett began his career as a baby diaper-model. He got his scripted start on the series Hangin' with Mr. Cooper before starring alongside his five brothers and sisters in their ABC sitcom, On Our Own....
- Joc Jerrico - Jazz Smollett - Jai Jerrico
- Jocqui Smollett - Jarreau Jerrico
- Jojo Smollett - Jimi Jerrico
- Kimberley KatesKimberley KatesKimberley Kates is an American actress and film producer.-Early life:Born in California, Kates grew up there and in Montana. Her biological father was killed by a drunk driver when she was a child. Kimberley was pre-med in College before winning a modeling contest which brought her back to Southern...
- Alana Michaels - Roger Aaron BrownRoger Aaron BrownRoger Aaron Brown is an American character actor known for his role as Deputy Chief Joe Noland on the hit CBS drama television series The District from 2000 to 2004, and for his minor role in the 1988 science fiction film Alien Nation as Det. Bill "Tug" Tuggle, the partner and friend of Matthew...
- Gordon Ormsby - T'Keyah Crystal KeymáhT'Keyah Crystal KeymáhT'Keyah Crystal Keymáh is an American actress, writer, director, producer, singer, and comedian. In addition to her status as an original cast member of the Fox sketch comedy series In Living Color, she is perhaps best known for her roles as Erica Lucas on the CBS sitcom Cosby, and as Tanya...
- Scotti Decker
Episodes
| Series # | Season # | Title | Notes | Original air date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Pilot | After their parents die in an automobile accident, twenty-year-old Josh takes over as the authority figure of his six younger siblings. But the by-the-rules head of Department of Children Services, Gordon Ormsby, hears of the Jerricos' case and sends new social worker Alana Michaels to investigate and, if accurate, prepare for foster care. Josh assumes the identity of "Aunt Jelcinda" to combat the authorities. | September 13, 1994 |
| 2 | 2 | "Last Tango in St. Louis" a.k.a. "Dog Day After Groom" | Josh has a problem: Gordon asks "Aunt Jelcinda" for a date, and he cannot refuse if he wants the family to stay together. | September 18, 1994 |
| 3 | 3 | "Matchmaker Mama" | "Aunt Jelcinda" finds a distraught young woman in a restaurant ladies' room and sets her up with her alter ego, Josh. She eventually becomes his girlfriend. | September 25, 1994 |
| 4 | 4 | "A Matter of Principal" | When Jesse is unjustly suspended from school for fighting, Jimi poses as Jesse's grandfather for a meeting with the principal. | October 2, 1994 |
| 5 | 5 | "Nok Till You Drop" | Jimi loses money he doesn't have to a con man on a game of Nok-Hockey. Meanwhile, Jai readies for her first dance. | October 9, 1994 |
| 6 | 6 | "Swiss Family Jerrico's" | Josh thinks a camping trip will provide relief from his impersonation, but Gordon tags along. | October 16, 1994 |
| 7 | 7 | "Bargain Basement" | The Jerricos discover a trunk full of memories of their parents -- and Alana too may soon be a memory, since Gordon wants to take her off their case. | October 23, 1994 |
| 8 | 8 | "Bonnie is Really Clyde" | "Aunt Jelcinda" befriends a runaway teen while Joc threatens to do so. | October 30, 1994 |
| 9 | 9 | "A Family Affair" | Josh is getting serious about his new girlfriend. "The trouble is," sighs Jimi, "if a girl gets serious with Josh, she gets a free six-pack of assorted Jerricos." | November 13, 1994 |
| 10 | 10 | "Baby Blues" | The kids try to raise money for tickets to a Whitney Houston concert, with mixed success. Meanwhile, Josh gets stuck in an elevator with a very pregnant woman. | December 4, 1994 |
| 11 | 11 | "That's My Car and I'm Sticking to It" | Neighborhood gossip gets the Jerricos investigated. | December 11, 1994 |
| 12 | 12 | "All I Want for Christmas" | When a kindergarten bully tells Joc that Santa Claus doesn't exist, Josh dons a Santa suit to prove the bully wrong -- and succeeds only too well. | December 18, 1994 |
| 13 | 13 | "Parents' Night" | Josh can not attend parents' night at Jordee's school because he has to finish an article. | December 28, 1994 |
| 14 | 14 | "The Boarder" | Josh wins custody of the kids, and the family takes in a boarder: live-in contractor Scotti. | March 3, 1995 |
| 15 | 15 | "Obstacle Illusion" | Jordee gets into remote-control cars. Meanwhile, Jimi is shot down by a girl who admits she is a jinx and proves it. | March 10, 1995 |
| 16 | 16 | "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother" | While poking around in the attic, Josh discovers love letters to his mom from his dad -- who was not the father of his siblings. | March 17, 1995 |
| 17 | 17 | "Girl Talk" | A football star eyes Jai, who wants a particular shy boy to ask her out. Meanwhile, Josh gets in trouble with his girlfriend because of Scotti. | March 24, 1995 |
| 18 | 18 | "Little Rascals" | Josh, a cracker-jack coffee shop manager, has a crisis to manage: his staff has the flu. Enter the replacement staff: his siblings and Scotti. | March 31, 1995 |
| 19 | 19 | "The Easy Way" | Jordee takes the easy way out of a geography exam: she cheats. And a girl with a "bad rep" has her eye on Jimi. | April 7, 1995 |
| 20 | 20 | "The Tonsil Tale" | Joc needs a doc -- "Someone pulled a Christmas tree from my throat" -- so it's tonsillectomy time for the first-grader. Meanwhile, Jesse takes up hypnosis. | April 14, 1995 |
Award nominations
| Year | Award | Result | Category | Recipient |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | Young Artist Awards | Nominated | Best Performance by an Actor Under Ten in a TV Series | Jake Smollett |
| Best Performance by an Actress Under Ten in a TV Series | Jurnee Smollett | |||