The Royal Family (TV series)
Encyclopedia
The Royal Family is an American sitcom
starring Redd Foxx
and Della Reese
. The series was created and produced by Eddie Murphy
(as part of a development deal with CBS
), who had previously worked with Redd Foxx and Della Reese in the 1989
film Harlem Nights
. It ran for one season on CBS from 1991
-1992
. The working title for the series was Chest Pains.
mailman Alexander Alphonso "Al" Royal (Redd Foxx
) and wife Victoria (Della Reese
), who were anticipating peaceful retirement years, until marital problems brought an extended visit from their daughter Elizabeth (Mariann Aalda
) and her three children: Kim (Sylver Gregory), Curtis (Larenz Tate
) and Hilary (Naya Rivera
).
), but on October 11, 1991, he suffered a fatal heart attack
during rehearsals on the set. Having only completed seven episodes before his death, the producers opted to end the series. However, they ultimately decided to continue. Special promotions were run by CBS (run in memory of Foxx) stating "Like any family, The Royal Family will go on."
The producers immediately added Jackée Harry
to the show as Victoria's younger sister Ruth, who moved in to help the family cope with the sudden loss of Al. The Royal Family then went on hiatus
after November sweeps, and returned the following April. By then, Harry's character had been altered; while she was still named Ruth, she had now become Al and Victoria's sexy eldest daughter, and went by the name nickname "CoCo". An additional seven episodes were completed (bringing the total to 15) in order to finish up the episode run originally ordered by CBS.
Before Foxx's death, ratings for the series were high, but shortly after the retooled version returned, the series was cancelled by CBS due to poor ratings.
Situation comedy
A 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...
starring Redd Foxx
Redd Foxx
John Elroy Sanford , better known by his stage name Redd Foxx, was an American comedian and actor, best known for his starring role on the sitcom Sanford and Son.-Early life:...
and Della Reese
Della Reese
Delloreese Patricia Early, known professionally as Della Reese , is an American actress, singer, game show panelist of the 1970s, one-time talk-show hostess and ordained minister. She started her career in the 1950s as a gospel, pop and jazz singer, scoring a hit with her 1959 single "Don't You...
. The series was created and produced by Eddie Murphy
Eddie Murphy
Edward Regan "Eddie" Murphy is an American stand-up comedian, actor, writer, singer, director, and musician....
(as part of a development deal with CBS
CBS
CBS 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...
), who had previously worked with Redd Foxx and Della Reese in the 1989
1989 in film
-Events:* Batman is released on June 23, and goes on to gross over $410 million worldwide.* Actress Kim Basinger and her brother Mick purchase Braselton, Georgia, for $20 million...
film Harlem Nights
Harlem Nights
Harlem Nights is a 1989 comedy-drama crime film starring Eddie Murphy and Richard Pryor. The film also featured Michael Lerner, Danny Aiello, Redd Foxx, Della Reese and Murphy's brother Charlie Murphy...
. It ran for one season on CBS from 1991
1991 in television
For the American TV schedule, see: 1991-92 United States network television schedule.The year 1991 in television involved some significant events.Below is a list of television-related events in 1991.-Events:-Debuts:-1950s:...
-1992
1991 in television
For the American TV schedule, see: 1991-92 United States network television schedule.The year 1991 in television involved some significant events.Below is a list of television-related events in 1991.-Events:-Debuts:-1950s:...
. The working title for the series was Chest Pains.
Premise
The series chronicled the lives of AtlantaAtlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...
mailman Alexander Alphonso "Al" Royal (Redd Foxx
Redd Foxx
John Elroy Sanford , better known by his stage name Redd Foxx, was an American comedian and actor, best known for his starring role on the sitcom Sanford and Son.-Early life:...
) and wife Victoria (Della Reese
Della Reese
Delloreese Patricia Early, known professionally as Della Reese , is an American actress, singer, game show panelist of the 1970s, one-time talk-show hostess and ordained minister. She started her career in the 1950s as a gospel, pop and jazz singer, scoring a hit with her 1959 single "Don't You...
), who were anticipating peaceful retirement years, until marital problems brought an extended visit from their daughter Elizabeth (Mariann Aalda
Mariann Aalda
Mariann Aalda is an American television, stage, and film actress. Aalda is primarily known for her work in television.-Career:She portrayed DiDi Bannister on the long-running ABC soap opera Edge of Night, and had a regular roles on the CBS sitcom The Royal Family, as the daughter of Redd Foxx and...
) and her three children: Kim (Sylver Gregory), Curtis (Larenz Tate
Larenz Tate
Larenz Tate is an American film and television actor.-Early life:Tate was born on the west side of Chicago, Illinois, the son of Peggy and Larry Tate. He is the youngest of three siblings whose family moved to California when he was nine years old...
) and Hilary (Naya Rivera
Naya Rivera
Naya Marie Rivera is an American actress and singer known for her role in the musical comedy television series Glee, as cheerleader Santana Lopez.-Early life:...
).
Redd Foxx's death and aftermath
The series was intended to be a comeback vehicle for Foxx (best known for Sanford and SonSanford and Son
Sanford and Son is an American sitcom, based on the BBC's Steptoe and Son, that ran on the NBC television network from January 14, 1972, to March 25, 1977....
), but on October 11, 1991, he suffered a fatal heart attack
Myocardial infarction
Myocardial infarction or acute myocardial infarction , commonly known as a heart attack, results from the interruption of blood supply to a part of the heart, causing heart cells to die...
during rehearsals on the set. Having only completed seven episodes before his death, the producers opted to end the series. However, they ultimately decided to continue. Special promotions were run by CBS (run in memory of Foxx) stating "Like any family, The Royal Family will go on."
The producers immediately added Jackée Harry
Jackée Harry
Jacqueline Yvonne "Jackée" Harry , better known by her professional name Jackée, is an American actress and television personality, primarily known for her roles on sitcoms and other types of television shows...
to the show as Victoria's younger sister Ruth, who moved in to help the family cope with the sudden loss of Al. The Royal Family then went on hiatus
Hiatus (television)
In television scheduling, a hiatus refers to a break of at least several weeks in the normal schedule of a broadcast programming. It can occur during a season of a television program, or can be between television seasons .- Planned hiatus :Many times television stations will implement a hiatus...
after November sweeps, and returned the following April. By then, Harry's character had been altered; while she was still named Ruth, she had now become Al and Victoria's sexy eldest daughter, and went by the name nickname "CoCo". An additional seven episodes were completed (bringing the total to 15) in order to finish up the episode run originally ordered by CBS.
Before Foxx's death, ratings for the series were high, but shortly after the retooled version returned, the series was cancelled by CBS due to poor ratings.
Cast
- Redd FoxxRedd FoxxJohn Elroy Sanford , better known by his stage name Redd Foxx, was an American comedian and actor, best known for his starring role on the sitcom Sanford and Son.-Early life:...
.... Alexander Alfonso Royal (September–October 1991) - Della ReeseDella ReeseDelloreese Patricia Early, known professionally as Della Reese , is an American actress, singer, game show panelist of the 1970s, one-time talk-show hostess and ordained minister. She started her career in the 1950s as a gospel, pop and jazz singer, scoring a hit with her 1959 single "Don't You...
.... Victoria Royal - Mariann AaldaMariann AaldaMariann Aalda is an American television, stage, and film actress. Aalda is primarily known for her work in television.-Career:She portrayed DiDi Bannister on the long-running ABC soap opera Edge of Night, and had a regular roles on the CBS sitcom The Royal Family, as the daughter of Redd Foxx and...
.... Elizabeth Royal Winston - Sylver Gregory .... Kim Winston
- Jackée HarryJackée HarryJacqueline Yvonne "Jackée" Harry , better known by her professional name Jackée, is an American actress and television personality, primarily known for her roles on sitcoms and other types of television shows...
.... Ruth "CoCo" Royal (November 1991–May 1992) - Barry Shabaka HenleyBarry Shabaka HenleyBarry Shabaka Henley is an American character actor. Henley is a fixture in many films, most often the films of director Michael Mann, having worked with the director four times....
.... Willis Tillis - Naya RiveraNaya RiveraNaya Marie Rivera is an American actress and singer known for her role in the musical comedy television series Glee, as cheerleader Santana Lopez.-Early life:...
.... Hillary Winston - Larenz TateLarenz TateLarenz Tate is an American film and television actor.-Early life:Tate was born on the west side of Chicago, Illinois, the son of Peggy and Larry Tate. He is the youngest of three siblings whose family moved to California when he was nine years old...
.... Curtis Winston
Episodes
| Series # | Title | Notes | Original air date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot | Atlanta mailman Al Royal and wife Victoria are anticipating peaceful retirement years, until marital problems bring an extended visit from their daughter and her three children, including 15-year-old Curtis who borrows Grandpa's truck in this opener. | September 18, 1991 |
| 2 | "Homework Bound" | Thanks to, or in spite of, Al's history tutelage (at the bowling alley), Curtis scores an A on a test, but not without having something up his sleeve. | September 25, 1991 |
| 3 | "Me and My Stuff" | No synopsis available. | October 2, 1991 |
| 4 | "Talkin' Baseball" | Her knuckleball success against Curtis and a friend inspires Kim to try out for varsity baseball, starting a rhubarb with Al about a woman's place in a man's game. | October 9, 1991 |
| 5 | "A Mid-Summer Night's Barbeque" | No synopsis available. | October 30, 1991 |
| 6 | "What's Love Got to Do with It?" | The budding relationship between Elizabeth and a doctor thrills Al, but Victoria notices there's something missing, and something missing between her and Al as well. | November 13, 1991 |
| 7 | "Educating Al" | Victoria turns the house into a preschool, but the flu makes her hand over the reins to Al for "a day of fun and accomplishment." | November 20, 1991 |
| 8 | "New Beginnings" | The passing of Al Royal is marked by warm goodbyes from friends and family, including sister-in-law Ruth, whose arrival at a time of need may be as much for her own need as for Victoria's. | November 27, 1991 |
| 9 | "The Sneakin' Deacon" | Victoria sees a match with Elizabeth and the new church deacon, but the deacon makes a play for Ruth, who doesn't like his game plan. | April 8, 1992 |
| 10 | "Status, Bro" | Ruth regrets being cool towards Willis, while Curtis is anything but cool after being gifted with a discount version of an expensive jacket. | April 15, 1992 |
| 11 | "Hello, I Must Be Going" | Ruth takes off after Victoria takes her to task for being a poor influence on Kim and Curtis. | April 22, 1992 |
| 12 | "The Frame Game" | Curtis gets a swelled head after being chosen to appear with Dr. Dre and Ed Lover of Yo! MTV raps. | May 6, 1992 |
| 13 | "Mo' Money" | Curtis finds his part-time job taxing timewise when he has to work extra hours to cover the taxman's share, previously earmarked for other expenses. | May 13, 1992 |
| 14 | "Cocoa in Charge" | No synopsis available. | Unaired |
| 15 | "The Big Stink" | No synopsis available. | Unaired |
Award nominations
| Year | Award | Result | Category | Recipient |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | Young Artist Awards | Nominated | Exceptional Performance by a Young Actress Under Ten | Naya Rivera |
| Best Young Actor Starring in a New Television Series | Larenz Tate | |||
| Best Young Actress Starring in a New Television Series | Sylver Gregory |