IMDb > "Gimme a Break!" (1981)
"Gimme a Break!"
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"Gimme a Break!" (1981) More at IMDbPro »TV series 1981-1987

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Overview

User Rating:
5.8/10   249 votes
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View company contact information for Gimme a Break! on IMDbPro.
Seasons:
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 full episode list
Release Date:
29 October 1981 (USA) more
Genre:
Plot:
Carl Kanisky is chief of police in Glenlawn, California. After the death of his wife, Margaret, he asks her friend... more
Awards:
Nominated for 2 Golden Globes. Another 12 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(2 articles)
User Reviews:
Gimme A Stroke! Only Kidding! This show made Nell famous! more (8 total)

Cast

 (Series Cast Summary - 9 of 77)

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)
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Additional Details

Runtime:
30 min (137 episodes)
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.33 : 1 more
Sound Mix:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
In the third season, several changes were made including a new theme song, new producers and writers (only co-creator Mort Lachman was left of the original production staff), and drastic character changes: the death of Grandma Kanisky, the dropping of Uncle Ed from the cast (having been married in a season 2 episode, there was no mention of him or his wife again), and the additions of Addy Wilson, Nell's longtime friend, and Joey Donovan, an abandoned 7-year-old. more
Goofs:
Continuity: The front door of the set has a brass mail slot, but exterior shots are of a door with no slot. more
Quotes:
Chief: Joey, this is your brother Matt.
Nell: He said that he always wanted a dog.
more
Movie Connections:
Soundtrack:
Merry Christmas Stranger more

FAQ

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2 out of 2 people found the following review useful.
Gimme A Stroke! Only Kidding! This show made Nell famous!, 21 March 2007
7/10
Author: Sylvia Marciniak (sylviastel@aol.com) from United States

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.

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Recent Posts (updated daily)User
season 1 dvds halloweentowngirl
How did they explain the cheifs death JAlexa9898
I Miss Her malena85
GIMME A BREAK! THE COMPLETE SERIES DVD COMING IN 2010!!!!!!! centipede84
Greatest Episode jojopuppyfish
Dolph Sweet + his belt... FlickerFella
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