True Colors (TV series)
Encyclopedia
True Colors is an American sitcom
that aired on Fox from September 2, 1990 to April 12, 1992 for a total of 45 episodes. The series was created by Michael J. Weithorn
, and featured an interracial
marriage
and a subsequent blended family.
) is a widowed African-American dentist
who marries Ellen Davis (Stephanie Faracy
), a divorced white kindergarten teacher who was one of his patients. Ron has two sons from his first marriage, 17-year-old earnest consevative Terry (Claude Brooks) and daydreaming 14-year-old troublemaker Lester (Adam Jeffries
), while Ellen has a teenage daughter, studious, cause-driven Katie (Brigid Conley Walsh
). Ellen's ex-husband, Leonard (played in guest appearances by Paul Sand
), who is accepting of her second marriage, would occasionally visit her while attempting to get his life back on track. Although the series did focus on race issues, most episodes focused on the family adjusting to their new living situation and the three children going through adolescence
. Another source of contention for the family was Ellen's divorced mother, Sara Bower (Nancy Walker
), who also had moved into the household. Sara disapproved of her daughter's marriage, although in a more subdued manner than previous bigoted TV characters confronted with race relations (Archie Bunker
, et al). Despite her wry jokes centering around the occasional pains she had in her life, Sara posessed spunk, had an active dating life, and even in time, formed an increasingly close, if adversarial, relationship with Lester, who thought that his step-grandmother was quite hip. The basement of the Freeman home was converted into a dentist's office, where Ron operated a private practice.
One instance in which the series directly tacked the issue of race was the first season episode "A Matter of Principal" (April 14, 1991). It was career week for Ellen's kindergarten class, and time for the students to choose what kind of profession to visit for a field trip. Ellen successfully coaxed the kids into visiting Ron's dental office. The plans coincided with a $250,000 donation that the family of one of Ellen's students was making to the school, in order for a new library to be built. When the mother of Ellen's student found out that her daughter's teacher was in an interracial marriage, she threatened to revoke her generous donation--unless Ellen agreed to cancel the field trip. This spurred an in-depth debate amongst Ellen, Ron and the entire family, which, after a showdown between Ellen, the mother and the school principal, culminated in her quitting the position at the school.
as Ron Freeman. Walker, who was suffering from lung cancer
, continued to star on the series, but ultimately only appeared in half the season's episodes due to her treatments and conpromised health. Before long, due to the sudden loss of her physical mobility, Walker went on to appear in a motorized wheelchair for the majority of her second season episodes. Terry went off to Marshall State University that fall, not far from home. Ellen accepted a new teaching job at Cortez Junior High, and during the season, she finally realized her long-time talent as a painter. She began to showcase some of her work at local art exhibits, in hopes of launching a new side career. Early in 1992, perhaps to compensate for Walker's absences in certain episodes and most likely because of falling ratings, a new regular character, Robert (Norman D. Golden II
), was introduced. Robert, who went by the nickname "Twist", was a young neighbor boy who attached himself to the Freemans, stealing scenes and causing an uproar, usually involving Lester and Terry along the way.
, symptoms of which he had also struggled with for years.
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...
that aired on Fox from September 2, 1990 to April 12, 1992 for a total of 45 episodes. The series was created by Michael J. Weithorn
Michael J. Weithorn
Michael J. Weithorn, born December 17, 1956, is a director and writer known for his works including King of Queens.Weithorn's first major writing opportunity was an episode of the television series Benson in 1981, entitled "Stress". From there he moved on to several other scripts...
, and featured an interracial
Interracial marriage
Interracial marriage occurs when two people of differing racial groups marry. This is a form of exogamy and can be seen in the broader context of miscegenation .-Legality of interracial marriage:In the Western world certain jurisdictions have had regulations...
marriage
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
and a subsequent blended family.
Premise and first season
Ronald Freeman (Frankie FaisonFrankie Faison
Frankie Russel Faison , often credited as Frankie R. Faison, is an American actor.-Personal life:Faison was born in Newport News, Virginia, the son of Carmena and Edgar Faison. He studied drama at Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, Illinois, where he joined Theta Chi Fraternity...
) is a widowed African-American dentist
Dentist
A dentist, also known as a 'dental surgeon', is a doctor that specializes in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases and conditions of the oral cavity. The dentist's supporting team aides in providing oral health services...
who marries Ellen Davis (Stephanie Faracy
Stephanie Faracy
Stephanie Faracy is an American film and television actress.Faracy was born in Brooklyn, New York. One of her earliest notable roles was as Mary Carson's servant "Judy", in the 1983 television mini-series The Thorn Birds.Faracy also appeared with Frankie Faison and Nancy Walker in True Colors , a...
), a divorced white kindergarten teacher who was one of his patients. Ron has two sons from his first marriage, 17-year-old earnest consevative Terry (Claude Brooks) and daydreaming 14-year-old troublemaker Lester (Adam Jeffries
Adam Jeffries
Adam Berry Jeffries Adam Berry Jeffries Adam Berry Jeffries (born on November 3, 1976, is an American actor. He is best known for his roles as Lester Freeman on the Fox sitcom True Colors, and as Jarvis Turrell, Jr. on the ABC sitcom Thea.-Career:...
), while Ellen has a teenage daughter, studious, cause-driven Katie (Brigid Conley Walsh
Brigid Brannagh
Brigid Brannagh is an American actress. She has been credited as Brigid Brannagh, Brigid Walsh, and Brigid Conley Walsh.-Career:Born in San Francisco, California, Brannagh is of Irish ancestry...
). Ellen's ex-husband, Leonard (played in guest appearances by Paul Sand
Paul Sand
Paul Sand is an American comedic actor.-Background:Sand was born Paul Sanchez in Santa Monica, California, the son of Sonia Borodiansky, a writer, and Ernest Rivera Sanchez, an aerospace tool designer. His father was Mexican and his mother of Russian descent.-Career:At the age of 11, he started at...
), who is accepting of her second marriage, would occasionally visit her while attempting to get his life back on track. Although the series did focus on race issues, most episodes focused on the family adjusting to their new living situation and the three children going through adolescence
Adolescence
Adolescence is a transitional stage of physical and mental human development generally occurring between puberty and legal adulthood , but largely characterized as beginning and ending with the teenage stage...
. Another source of contention for the family was Ellen's divorced mother, Sara Bower (Nancy Walker
Nancy Walker
Nancy Walker was an American actress and comedienne of stage, screen, and television. She was also a film and television director...
), who also had moved into the household. Sara disapproved of her daughter's marriage, although in a more subdued manner than previous bigoted TV characters confronted with race relations (Archie Bunker
Archie Bunker
Archibald "Archie" Bunker is a fictional New Yorker in the 1970s top-rated American television sitcom All in the Family and its spin-off Archie Bunker's Place, played to acclaim by Carroll O'Connor. Bunker is a veteran of World War II, reactionary, bigoted, conservative, blue-collar worker, and...
, et al). Despite her wry jokes centering around the occasional pains she had in her life, Sara posessed spunk, had an active dating life, and even in time, formed an increasingly close, if adversarial, relationship with Lester, who thought that his step-grandmother was quite hip. The basement of the Freeman home was converted into a dentist's office, where Ron operated a private practice.
One instance in which the series directly tacked the issue of race was the first season episode "A Matter of Principal" (April 14, 1991). It was career week for Ellen's kindergarten class, and time for the students to choose what kind of profession to visit for a field trip. Ellen successfully coaxed the kids into visiting Ron's dental office. The plans coincided with a $250,000 donation that the family of one of Ellen's students was making to the school, in order for a new library to be built. When the mother of Ellen's student found out that her daughter's teacher was in an interracial marriage, she threatened to revoke her generous donation--unless Ellen agreed to cancel the field trip. This spurred an in-depth debate amongst Ellen, Ron and the entire family, which, after a showdown between Ellen, the mother and the school principal, culminated in her quitting the position at the school.
Second season
In the second season of the series, Faison was replaced by Cleavon LittleCleavon Little
Cleavon Jake Little was an American film and theatre actor.Little was widely known for his lead role as Sheriff Bart in the 1974 Mel Brooks comedy Blazing Saddles. He also was the irreverent Dr...
as Ron Freeman. Walker, who was suffering from lung cancer
Lung cancer
Lung cancer is a disease characterized by uncontrolled cell growth in tissues of the lung. If left untreated, this growth can spread beyond the lung in a process called metastasis into nearby tissue and, eventually, into other parts of the body. Most cancers that start in lung, known as primary...
, continued to star on the series, but ultimately only appeared in half the season's episodes due to her treatments and conpromised health. Before long, due to the sudden loss of her physical mobility, Walker went on to appear in a motorized wheelchair for the majority of her second season episodes. Terry went off to Marshall State University that fall, not far from home. Ellen accepted a new teaching job at Cortez Junior High, and during the season, she finally realized her long-time talent as a painter. She began to showcase some of her work at local art exhibits, in hopes of launching a new side career. Early in 1992, perhaps to compensate for Walker's absences in certain episodes and most likely because of falling ratings, a new regular character, Robert (Norman D. Golden II
Norman D. Golden II
Norman D. Golden II was an American child actor.- Biography :Norman was noticeably talented and outgoing from the age of three. Norman would often entertain the women at his grandmother's beauty salon with his mimicry and monologues. Norman's mother decided to enroll him in a TV commercial...
), was introduced. Robert, who went by the nickname "Twist", was a young neighbor boy who attached himself to the Freemans, stealing scenes and causing an uproar, usually involving Lester and Terry along the way.
Cancellation and cast deaths
Despite the new plotlines, Fox shortened the season order for True Colors by February sweeps, and kept the episode total at 21. The new episode aired on April 12, 1992 wound up being the series' last, as Fox cancelled True Colors one month later. However, Nancy Walker, who had continued working into the winter of 1992 until she absolutely couldn't, died of lung cancer on March 25th of that year. This was after the series had produced what ultimately became its last episode, but less than a month before the last original episode aired. Still, soon after its cancelation, the series would quickly lose another of its stars. On October 22, 1992, two months after True Colors reruns had left the Fox primetime schedule, Cleavon Little died of colorectal cancerColorectal cancer
Colorectal cancer, commonly known as bowel cancer, is a cancer caused by uncontrolled cell growth , in the colon, rectum, or vermiform appendix. Colorectal cancer is clinically distinct from anal cancer, which affects the anus....
, symptoms of which he had also struggled with for years.
Cast
- Frankie FaisonFrankie FaisonFrankie Russel Faison , often credited as Frankie R. Faison, is an American actor.-Personal life:Faison was born in Newport News, Virginia, the son of Carmena and Edgar Faison. He studied drama at Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, Illinois, where he joined Theta Chi Fraternity...
.....Ronald Freeman (1990–1991) - Cleavon LittleCleavon LittleCleavon Jake Little was an American film and theatre actor.Little was widely known for his lead role as Sheriff Bart in the 1974 Mel Brooks comedy Blazing Saddles. He also was the irreverent Dr...
.....Ronald Freeman (1991–1992) - Stephanie FaracyStephanie FaracyStephanie Faracy is an American film and television actress.Faracy was born in Brooklyn, New York. One of her earliest notable roles was as Mary Carson's servant "Judy", in the 1983 television mini-series The Thorn Birds.Faracy also appeared with Frankie Faison and Nancy Walker in True Colors , a...
.....Ellen Davis Freeman - Nancy WalkerNancy WalkerNancy Walker was an American actress and comedienne of stage, screen, and television. She was also a film and television director...
.....Sara Bower - Brigid Conley WalshBrigid BrannaghBrigid Brannagh is an American actress. She has been credited as Brigid Brannagh, Brigid Walsh, and Brigid Conley Walsh.-Career:Born in San Francisco, California, Brannagh is of Irish ancestry...
.....Katie Davis - Claude Brooks.....Terry Freeman
- Adam JeffriesAdam JeffriesAdam Berry Jeffries Adam Berry Jeffries Adam Berry Jeffries (born on November 3, 1976, is an American actor. He is best known for his roles as Lester Freeman on the Fox sitcom True Colors, and as Jarvis Turrell, Jr. on the ABC sitcom Thea.-Career:...
.....Lester Freeman - Norman D. Golden IINorman D. Golden IINorman D. Golden II was an American child actor.- Biography :Norman was noticeably talented and outgoing from the age of three. Norman would often entertain the women at his grandmother's beauty salon with his mimicry and monologues. Norman's mother decided to enroll him in a TV commercial...
....Twist (aka Robert) (1992)
Season 1
| Series # | Title | Notes | Original air date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot | No synopsis available. | September 2, 1990 |
| 2 | "A Pair of Cranks" | No synopsis available. | September 9, 1990 |
| 3 | "One of the Girls" | No synopsis available. | September 16, 1990 |
| 4 | "A Dog's Life" | No synopsis available. | September 23, 1990 |
| 5 | "Step Lightly" | No synopsis available. | September 30, 1990 |
| 6 | "Life with Fathers" | No synopsis available. | October 7, 1990 |
| 7 | "What's Wrong with that Boy?" | No synopsis available. | October 21, 1990 |
| 8 | "Tooth and Consequences" | No synopsis available. | October 28, 1990 |
| 9 | "Soft Shell" | No synopsis available. | November 4, 1990 |
| 10 | "Young at Heart" | No synopsis available. | November 11, 1990 |
| 11 | "Occasional Wife" | No synopsis available. | November 18, 1990 |
| 12 | "High Anxiety" | No synopsis available. | November 25, 1990 |
| 13 | "Puppet Regime" | No synopsis available. | December 16, 1990 |
| 14 | "Christmas Show '90" | No synopsis available. | December 23, 1990 |
| 15 | "Moment of Ruth" | No synopsis available. | January 13, 1991 |
| 16 | | "A Real Pain" | No synopsis available. | February 3, 1991 |
| 17 | "The Tender Trap" | No synopsis available. | February 10, 1991 |
| 18 | "Opposites Attract" | No synopsis available. | February 17, 1991 |
| 19 | "Homies Alone" | No synopsis available. | March 3, 1991 |
| 20 | "Daughter Dearest" | No synopsis available. | March 24, 1991 |
| 21 | "A Matter of Principal" | No synopsis available. | April 14, 1991 |
| 22 | | "Superman, Superego" | No synopsis available. | April 21, 1991 |
| 23 | "Prisoners of Love" | No synopsis available. | April 28, 1991 |
| 24 | "Favorite Son" | No synopsis available. | May 12, 1991 |
Season 2
| Series # | Title | Notes | Original air date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25 | "Seems Like Old Times" | No synopsis available. | August 7, 1991 |
| 26 | "Yo' House Mama (Part 1)" | No synopsis available. | September 19, 1991 |
| 27 | "Yo' House Mama (Part 2)" | No synopsis available. | September 17, 1991 |
| 28 | "Not My Sister, Brother" | No synopsis available. | October 10, 1991 |
| 29 | "Shades of a Difference (a.k.a. White Lies)" | No synopsis available. | October 15, 1991 |
| 30 | "Three for All" | No synopsis available. | October 23, 1991 |
| 31 | "Brotherly Love?" | No synopsis available. | October 29, 1991 |
| 32 | "Broken Home (Part 1)" | No synopsis available. | November 13, 1991 |
| 33 | "Broken Home (Part 2)" | No synopsis available. | November 20, 1991 |
| 34 | "Photo Opportunity" | No synopsis available. | December 13, 1991 |
| 35 | "Art Attack" | No synopsis available. | December 17, 1991 |
| 36 | "Readin', Ritin' and Runnin'" | No synopsis available. | December 22, 1991 |
| 37 | "Half a Man" | No synopsis available. | January 21, 1992 |
| 38 | "Word to the Mother" | No synopsis available. | January 31, 1992 |
| 39 | "Feeling Up!" | No synopsis available. | February 27, 1992 |