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

Creators:

Mort Lachman
Sy Rosen

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)

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:

'Helen Hunt' auditioned for the role of Katie Kanisky.

Goofs:

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

Quotes:

Katie: Dad, it's hard for Nell to stick to her diet when you're stuffing your face like that.
Chief: I'm not stuffing.
Nell: Right. He's eating for two in case he gets pregnant.
Chief: See what happens? You take away their trough and they get vicious?
Nell: It's no problem. I'm eating clean, lean, and healthy. After all, you are what you eat. Another helping of jackass, Chief?

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Night of 100 Stars II (1985) (TV)

Soundtrack:

Sing A Song

Gimme A Stroke! Only Kidding! This show made Nell famous!

Nell Carter will always be known as Nell from Gimme a Break than her Broadway background which included singing and dancing. Sadly, she died in her fifties. She plays a beloved housekeeper in a Caucasian American home led by the wonderful Dolph Sweet who passed away during the show's run. The cast also included three teenage daughters. The show had an extended family of regular cast members like Telma Hopkins who played Nell's best friend. Sweet's character was a police chief of Glenlawn, California. Over the years during it's run, Nell welcomed Joey and Matthew Laurence and other cast members. The show dealt with sensitive topics like depression, suicide, teenage angst, death, loss, racism, etc., without being preachy or dumb. It was never a critical favorite but you felt at home with Nell and the gang.