"Gimme a Break!" (1981) TV series 1981-1987

User Rating:

5.8/10   

Creators:

Mort Lachman
Sy Rosen
(more)

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

Release Date:

29 October 1981 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy

Plot:

Carl Kanisky is chief of police in Glenlawn, California. After the death of his wife, Margaret, he asks her friend...

Plot Keywords:

California | Housekeeper | Widower | Polish | African American

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Golden Globes. Another 12 nominations

Cast

Nell Carter	...	Nellie Ruth 'Nell' Harper (137 episodes, 1981-1987)
Lara Jill Miller	...	Samantha 'Sam' Kanisky (107 episodes, 1981-1987)
Lauri Hendler	...	Julie Kanisky / ... (97 episodes, 1981-1986)
Kari Michaelson	...	Katie Kanisky (96 episodes, 1981-1986)
Dolph Sweet	...	Chief Carl Kanisky (83 episodes, 1981-1985)
John Hoyt	...	Grandpa Stanley Kanisky (78 episodes, 1982-1987)
Joseph Lawrence	...	Joey Donovan (77 episodes, 1983-1987)
Telma Hopkins	...	Addy Wilson (68 episodes, 1983-1987)
Howard Morton	...	Officer Ralph Simpson (50 episodes, 1981-1986)

(more)

Series Directed by
Hal Cooper		(81 episodes, 1983-1987)
Jim Drake		(14 episodes, 1982-1983)
Linda Day		(10 episodes, 1981-1987)
Will Mackenzie		(7 episodes, 1981-1982)
Tony Singletary		(5 episodes, 1982-1987)
Patrick Maloney		(4 episodes, 1986-1987)
Phil Ramuno		(3 episodes, 1986-1987)
Dick Harwood		(2 episodes, 1981-1982)
Howard Storm		(2 episodes, 1981)
John Bowab		(2 episodes, 1983-1984)
Oz Scott		(2 episodes, 1983)
Jules Lichtman		(2 episodes, 1986-1987)

Series Writing credits
Arthur Julian		(28 episodes, 1983-1987)
Mady Julian		(20 episodes, 1984-1987)
Ted Bergmann		(13 episodes, 1981-1983)
Terry Hart		(13 episodes, 1985-1987)
Chip Keyes		(8 episodes, 1981-1982)
Doug Keyes		(8 episodes, 1981-1982)
Rod Parker		(8 episodes, 1983-1987)
Tom Biener		(8 episodes, 1983-1985)
Ron Landry		(8 episodes, 1983-1985)
Gary H. Miller		(7 episodes, 1983-1985)
Pam Veasey		(6 episodes, 1986-1987)
Ron Bloomberg		(5 episodes, 1984-1985)
J. Stanford Parker		(4 episodes, 1981-1983)
Chet Dowling		(4 episodes, 1982-1983)
Sandy Krinski		(4 episodes, 1982-1983)
Joan Brooker		(4 episodes, 1985-1987)
Nancy Eddo		(4 episodes, 1985-1987)
Mort Lachman		(3 episodes, 1981-1985)
Sy Rosen		(3 episodes, 1981-1985)
Booker Bradshaw		(3 episodes, 1981-1983)
Coleman Mitchell		(3 episodes, 1981-1983)
Geoffrey Neigher		(3 episodes, 1981-1983)
Hal Cooper		(3 episodes, 1983-1985)
Ed Jurist		(3 episodes, 1983)
Larry Rhine		(3 episodes, 1983)
Erik Tarloff		(2 episodes, 1981-1982)
Gina Goldman		(2 episodes, 1983-1984)
Rob Kaplan		(2 episodes, 1983-1984)
Pamela Norris		(2 episodes, 1985-1986)

Series Produced by
Mort Lachman	....	executive producer (5 episodes, 1981-1985)
Terri Guarnieri	....	associate producer (3 episodes, 1983-1986)
Hal Cooper	....	executive producer (3 episodes, 1983-1985)
Arthur Julian	....	producer (3 episodes, 1983-1985)
Rod Parker	....	executive producer (3 episodes, 1983-1985)
Coleman Mitchell	....	producer (2 episodes, 1981-1983)
Geoffrey Neigher	....	producer (2 episodes, 1981-1983)
Jan Siegelman	....	associate producer (1 episode, 1982-1983)
Marica Govons	....	associate producer (unknown episodes, 1986-1987)
Brigit Jensen	....	associate producer (unknown episodes)
Gayle S. Maffeo	....	associate producer (unknown episodes)

Series Original Music by
Bob Christianson		(unknown episodes)

Series Film Editing by
Kelly Sandefur		(1 episode, 1983)

Series Casting by
Randy Stone		(2 episodes, 1985)

Series Art Direction by
Chris Idoine		(3 episodes, 1983-1985)
Chuck Murawski		(3 episodes, 1983-1985)

Series Costume Design by
Palmer Brown		(3 episodes, 1983-1985)

Series Makeup Department
Linda Cowan	....	makeup artist (2 episodes, 1985)
Pamela Huggins	....	hair stylist: Nell Carter (2 episodes, 1985)
June Josef	....	makeup artist (2 episodes, 1985)
Jaren Millard	....	makeup artist (2 episodes, 1985)
Maria Valdivia	....	hair stylist (2 episodes, 1985)

Series Production Management
Mary Ellen Jones	....	unit manager (22 episodes, 1982-1983)
Douglas Wellman	....	unit manager (19 episodes, 1981-1982)
Howard Lipstone	....	executive in charge of production (3 episodes, 1983-1985)
Patty Gary Cox	....	unit manager (2 episodes, 1985)
Debbie Elbin Penchina	....	unit production manager: NY (unknown episodes)

Series Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Patrick Maloney	....	associate director (3 episodes, 1983-1985)

Series Art Department
Ed Beceril	....	property master (2 episodes, 1985)
Larry Buck	....	property master (2 episodes, 1985)

Series Sound Department
Sam Mallaun	....	audio (3 episodes, 1983-1985)

Series Camera and Electrical Department
Chris Roberts	....	lighting director (3 episodes, 1983-1985)

Series Casting Department
Randy Stone	....	casting (1 episode, 1983)

Series Costume and Wardrobe Department
Shawna McGee	....	costumes: Nell Carter (2 episodes, 1985)
Jefferson Beeker	....	costumes: Miss Carter (unknown episodes, 1985-1986)

Series Editorial Department
Harold McKenzie	....	editor: videotape (2 episodes, 1985)

Series Music Department
Jay Graydon	....	composer: theme music (3 episodes, 1983-1985)

Series Other crew
Franco Bario	....	production assistant / production coordinator (48 episodes, 1985-1987)
Michael Mount	....	production executive (31 episodes, 1982-1983)
Tom Biener	....	executive story consultant / executive script consultant (3 episodes, 1983-1985)
Ron Landry	....	executive story consultant / executive script consultant (3 episodes, 1983-1985)
Gary H. Miller	....	executive story editor / story editor (3 episodes, 1983-1985)
Rod Parker	....	executive story supervisor / script supervisor (3 episodes, 1983-1985)
Lorraine Sevre-Richmond	....	production associate (3 episodes, 1983-1985)
Tom Milo	....	stage manager (2 episodes, 1984-1986)
Gus Hornsby	....	story editor (2 episodes, 1985)
Franklin Jones	....	assistant to producers (2 episodes, 1985)
Arthur Julian	....	executive story supervisor (2 episodes, 1985)
Bill Koshoway	....	assistant to producers (2 episodes, 1985)
Kate McCallum	....	assistant to producers (2 episodes, 1985)
Gwen McCracken	....	assistant to producers (2 episodes, 1985)
Jeffrey M. Meyer	....	stage manager (2 episodes, 1985)
Wendy Murphey	....	assistant to producers (2 episodes, 1985)
Meredith Siler	....	assistant to producers (2 episodes, 1985)
Adam Waynert	....	assistant to producers (2 episodes, 1985)
Dick Woodka	....	technical director (unknown episodes)

Production Companies

• Alan Landsburg Productions
• Mort Lachman & Associates
• Reeves Entertainment Group

Distributors

• National Broadcasting Company (NBC) (1981) (USA) (TV) (original airing)
• Fremantle Media (2001-) (non-USA) (TV)
• MCA Television
• MCA/Universal Home Video (199?) (USA) (VHS)
• Studios USA Television
• The Program Exchange (2006-) (USA) (TV) (syndication)
• Universal Studios Home Video (2006) (USA) (DVD)
• Universal TV
• VEI Entertainment (2006) (Canada) (DVD)

Other Companies

• Metromedia Square  videotaping location

Runtime:

30 min (137 episodes)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Filming Locations:

Metromedia Square - 5746 W. Sunset Boulevard, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Alan Landsburg Productions

Trivia:

Tracey Gold was originally tapped to play Samantha, but at the last moment was replaced by Lara Jill Miller.

Goofs:

Continuity: The front door of the set has a brass mail slot, but exterior shots are of a door with no slot.

Quotes:

Chief: Joey, this is your brother Matt.
Nell: He said that he always wanted a dog.

Movie Connections:

Featured in TV's Illest Minority Moments Presented by Ego Trip (2004) (TV)

Soundtrack:

Gimme a Break

Good show

I used to watch this show when I was a little girl. Although I don't remember much about it, I must say that it was a pretty good show. Also, I don't think I've seen every episode. However, if you ask me, it was still a good show. I vaguely remember the theme song. Everyone was ideally cast, the costume design was great. The performances were top-grade, too. I just hope some network brings this series back one day so that I'll be able to see every episode. Before I wrap this up, I'd like to say that I'll always remember this show in my memory forever, even though I don't think I've seen every episode. Now, in conclusion, when and if this show is ever brought back on the air, I hope that you catch it one day before it goes off the air for good. Enough said.