thirtysomething — Season 1
The '80s never looked so good.
About this season
Thirtysomething is an American television drama about a group of baby boomers in their late thirties. It was created by Marshall Herskovitz and Edward Zwick for MGM/UA Television Group and The Bedford Falls Company, and aired on ABC. It premiered in the U.S. on September 29, 1987. It lasted four seasons, with the last of its 85 episodes airing on May 28, 1991. The title of the show was designed as thirtysomething by Kathie Broyles, who combined the words of the original title, Thirty Something. In 1997, "The Go Between" and "Samurai Ad Man" were ranked #22 on TV Guide′s 100 Greatest Episodes of All Time. In 2002, Thirtysomething was ranked #19 on TV Guide′s 50 Greatest TV Shows of All Time, and in 2013 TV Guide ranked it #10 in its list of The 60 Greatest Dramas of All Time.
Episodes (21)
1. Pilot
Aired 29 September 1987 • 60 min
Hope and Michael Steadman are still adjusting to parenthood while struggling with money problems and best-friend crises.
2. The Parents Are Coming, the Parents Are Coming
Aired 6 October 1987 • 60 min
Hope's anxiety over her parents' impending visit taxes everyone's patience.
3. Housewarming
Aired 13 October 1987 • 60 min
Michael and Hope race to renovate their crumbling mansion for a huge housewarming party.
4. Couples
Aired 27 October 1987 • 60 min
A night out with friends degenerates as Nancy and Elliot's marital woes become apparent.
5. But Not for Me
Aired 3 November 1987 • 60 min
Gary and Melissa rekindle their affair; Michael and Hope's first date in months is a disaster.
6. We Gather Together
Aired 17 November 1987 • 60 min
Hope and Michael plan a quiet Thanksgiving but learn friends are counting on being invited.
7. Nice Work If You Can Get It
Aired 1 December 1987 • 60 min
Before a deadline, Michael and Elliot wrestle with a creativity block; Ellyn develops a crush on an associate.
8. Weaning
Aired 8 December 1987 • 60 min
Sensing baby Janey's decreasing dependency on her, depressed Hope decides to go back to work.
9. I'll Be Home for Christmas
Aired 15 December 1987 • 60 min
Michael and Hope argue about whether their infant's first holiday should be Christmas or Hanukkah. A famous photographer shows interest in Melissa's work.
10. South by Southeast
Aired 5 January 1988 • 60 min
It's a Hitchcockian nightmare as Gary falls in love; as the romance progresses, he begins receiving a series of threats against his life.
11. Therapy
Aired 12 January 1988 • 60 min
Elliot and Nancy seek professional help for their troubled marriage; Michael finds it hard to keep it a secret.
12. Competition
Aired 19 January 1988 • 60 min
Michael's jealousy is aroused when an important client make it clear he prefers Elliot. Meanwhile, Hope and Nancy try to come to terms with computers.
13. Separation
Aired 26 January 1988 • 60 min
Elliot temporarily moves in with Michael and Hope after separating from Nancy.
14. I'm in Love, I'm in Love, I'm in Love with a Wonderful Gynecologist
Aired 2 February 1988 • 60 min
Competing for the attention of the same man jeopardizes the new found friendship between Ellyn and Melissa.
15. Business as Usual
Aired 9 February 1988 • 60 min
Michael's hopes for a joyous reunion with his father are destroyed when he discovers the real reason for the visit.
16. Accounts Receivable
Aired 1 March 1988 • 60 min
A rocky relationship between Michael and his brother Brad is further strained when Michael learns the family business is almost bankrupt.
17. Whose Forest Is This?
Aired 15 March 1988 • 60 min
Nancy and Elliot's separation takes its toll on their son; Elliot prepares for a blind date with a chiropractor.
18. Nancy's First Date
Aired 22 March 1988 • 60 min
Melissa's burgeoning romance slows when she learns he doesn't want any more kids. Nancy has her first date since the separation.
19. Undone
Aired 12 April 1988 • 60 min
Michael's old girlfriend from college pays a visit.
20. Tenure
Aired 3 May 1988 • 60 min
Gary evaluates the fate of his academic career as he undergoes tenure review at the college. Ellyn learns her building is going co-op, leaving her to decide whether to buy her apartment.
21. Born to Be Mild
Aired 10 May 1988 • 60 min
Ellyn and Woodman's weekend is ruined when they are forced to babysit Janey.