"Perfect Strangers" (1986) TV series 1986-1993

Creator:

Dale McRaven
(more)

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | unknown

Release Date:

25 March 1986 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Family

Plot:

A high strung and cynical man's life is never the same when his naive but good-natured cousin comes to America to live with him.

Plot Keywords:

Cousin | Problem Solving | Roommate | Friendship | Idealism

Awards:

Nominated for 3 Primetime Emmys. Another 1 win & 1 nomination

Cast

Bronson Pinchot	...	Balki Bartokomous / ... (150 episodes, 1986-1993)
Mark Linn-Baker	...	Larry Appleton (149 episodes, 1986-1993)
Melanie Wilson	...	Jennifer (102 episodes, 1986-1993)
Rebeca Arthur	...	Mary Anne (93 episodes, 1986-1993)

Series Directed by
Joel Zwick		(97 episodes, 1986-1992)
Judy Pioli		(39 episodes, 1990-1993)
Richard Correll		(4 episodes, 1990)
Greg Antonacci		(2 episodes, 1990)
James O'Keefe		(2 episodes, 1990)

Series Writing credits
Dale McRaven		(145 episodes, 1986-1993)
John B. Collins		(19 episodes, 1987-1991)
Paula A. Roth		(16 episodes, 1986-1991)
Howard Adler		(15 episodes, 1987-1990)
Robert Griffard		(15 episodes, 1987-1990)
Tom Devanney		(15 episodes, 1989-1992)
Barry O'Brien		(14 episodes, 1987-1993)
Cheryl Alu		(14 episodes, 1989-1993)
Terry Hart		(11 episodes, 1990-1992)
William Bickley		(10 episodes, 1986-1989)
Michael Warren		(9 episodes, 1986-1989)
Tom Amundsen		(9 episodes, 1989-1992)
Bob Keyes		(7 episodes, 1986-1988)
Robert Blair		(6 episodes, 1988-1989)
Tom Nance		(6 episodes, 1991-1993)
Chip Keyes		(3 episodes, 1986-1987)
Doug Keyes		(3 episodes, 1986-1987)
Mark Fink		(2 episodes, 1986-1987)
Barry Stringfellow		(unknown episodes)

Series Produced by
William Bickley	....	supervising producer / executive producer / ... (146 episodes, 1986-1993)
Michael Warren	....	supervising producer / executive producer / ... (146 episodes, 1986-1993)
Robert L. Boyett	....	executive producer (145 episodes, 1986-1993)
Thomas L. Miller	....	executive producer (145 episodes, 1986-1993)
James O'Keefe	....	producer / consulting producer / ... (143 episodes, 1986-1992)
Paula A. Roth	....	producer / co-executive producer / ... (140 episodes, 1986-1993)
Alan Plotkin	....	associate producer / producer / ... (118 episodes, 1987-1993)
Terry Hart	....	supervising producer / producer (61 episodes, 1989-1992)
Michael Morris	....	associate producer / co-producer (52 episodes, 1990-1993)
Tom Devanney	....	producer (47 episodes, 1990-1992)
Harriette Regan	....	coordinating producer (43 episodes, 1987-1989)
Cheryl Alu	....	producer / co-producer / ... (42 episodes, 1990-1993)
Barry O'Brien	....	producer / co-producer / ... (42 episodes, 1990-1993)
Howard Adler	....	producer (24 episodes, 1989-1990)
Robert Griffard	....	producer (24 episodes, 1989-1990)
Ronny Hallin	....	coordinating producer (24 episodes, 1989-1990)
John B. Collins	....	producer (24 episodes, 1990-1991)
Mark Fink	....	producer (21 episodes, 1986-1987)
Dale McRaven	....	executive producer (15 episodes, 1986-1987)
Bill Daley	....	co-producer (8 episodes, 1990-1991)
Chip Keyes	....	producer (6 episodes, 1986)
Doug Keyes	....	producer (6 episodes, 1986)
Shari Hearn	....	producer (5 episodes, 1993)

Series Original Music by
Jesse Frederick		(96 episodes, 1986-1992)
Bennett Salvay		(96 episodes, 1986-1992)
Steven Chesne		(44 episodes, 1988-1993)
Gary Boren		(6 episodes, 1991-1993)

Series Cinematography by
Sherman Kunkel		(48 episodes, 1986-1988)
Monroe P. Askins Jr.		(46 episodes, 1988-1990)
Tony Askins		(39 episodes, 1991-1993)
Gregg Heschong		(13 episodes, 1990-1991)
David B. Nowell		(2 episodes, 1990)

Series Film Editing by
Kelly Sandefur		(70 episodes, 1986-1990)
John Randle		(28 episodes, 1990-1993)
Robert Bramwell		(25 episodes, 1987-1990)
Pam Marshall		(23 episodes, 1991-1992)
Jerry Davis		(3 episodes, 1990-1993)
John Neal		(2 episodes, 1988)

Series Casting by
Joanne Koehler		(52 episodes, 1990-1993)
Camille H. Patton		(34 episodes, 1986-1988)
Melinda Gartzman		(26 episodes, 1987-1989)
Jacklynn Briskey		(26 episodes, 1988-1990)
Jamie Tarses		(12 episodes, 1987-1988)
Cami Hursey		(2 episodes, 1986)
Barbara Miller		(unknown episodes)

Series Art Direction by
Lynn Griffin		(146 episodes, 1986-1993)
David Marshall		(23 episodes, 1990-1991)

Series Set Decoration by
James Ira Colburn		(46 episodes, 1988-1990)
Bonnie Dermer		(28 episodes, 1991-1993)
Jim Mees		(27 episodes, 1986-1987)
Melody Lavigna		(24 episodes, 1990-1991)
Tom Cost		(14 episodes, 1987-1988)
Jeannie Laughlin		(6 episodes, 1987-1988)

Series Costume Design by
Bob Squire		(unknown episodes)

Series Makeup Department
Gail Rowell-Ryan	....	hair stylist (98 episodes, 1986-1993)
Robert Ryan	....	makeup artist (83 episodes, 1986-1990)
Joe Hailey	....	makeup artist (45 episodes, 1990-1993)
Laurel Van Dyke	....	hair stylist (16 episodes, 1990-1991)
Linda Trainoff	....	hair stylist (10 episodes, 1988-1989)
Robert Ostermann	....	makeup artist (7 episodes, 1986-1988)
Irene De'Atley	....	hair stylist (5 episodes, 1987-1988)
Tommy Cole	....	makeup artist (5 episodes, 1989)
Terri Cannon	....	hair stylist (3 episodes, 1989)
Sylvia Surdu	....	hair stylist (3 episodes, 1990)
Katherine Kotorakos	....	hair stylist (3 episodes, 1992-1993)
Lisa Pharren	....	makeup artist (2 episodes, 1989-1990)
Judy Crown	....	hair stylist (2 episodes, 1989)
Nadia DiPaulo	....	makeup artist (2 episodes, 1989)
Dorinda Carey	....	makeup artist (2 episodes, 1990)
Joy Zapata	....	hair stylist (2 episodes, 1990)
Matthew W. Mungle	....	special makeup (2 episodes, 1991)

Series Production Management
Miles Kristman	....	unit production manager (113 episodes, 1987-1993)
R. Robert Rosenbaum	....	executive in charge of production (90 episodes, 1987-1991)
Harriette Regan	....	unit production manager (32 episodes, 1986-1988)
Edward O. Denault	....	executive production supervisor (26 episodes, 1986-1987)

Series Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Connie Garcia-Singer	....	second assistant director / first assistant director (120 episodes, 1986-1993)
Miles Kristman	....	first assistant director (107 episodes, 1986-1991)
Robert Altshuler	....	second assistant director / first assistant director (46 episodes, 1988-1992)
Harriette Regan	....	first assistant director (6 episodes, 1986)
Jennifer Kingry	....	second assistant director (5 episodes, 1993)
Sharon Gerhard	....	second assistant director (3 episodes, 1986)
Hilary Leach	....	second assistant director (2 episodes, 1986)
Larry Lerner	....	second assistant director (2 episodes, 1990)
Fred M. Waugh	....	second unit director (2 episodes, 1990)

Series Art Department
Dominic Belmonte	....	property master (137 episodes, 1986-1993)
Frank Michalovich	....	property master (6 episodes, 1986)
Greg Richards	....	construction grip (6 episodes, 1991)
Ron Yates	....	set designer (unknown episodes)

Series Sound Department
Rick Himot	....	sound re-recording mixer (140 episodes, 1986-1993)
David E. Fluhr	....	sound re-recording mixer (118 episodes, 1986-1993)
Jim Ford	....	sound mixer (117 episodes, 1986-1991)
Deni King	....	sound editor (48 episodes, 1986-1990)
Leslie Baerwitz	....	sound editor (33 episodes, 1987-1989)
Walter Baker	....	sound mixer (28 episodes, 1991-1993)
Catherine Flynn	....	sound editor (24 episodes, 1990-1991)
Thomas J. Huth	....	sound re-recording mixer (24 episodes, 1991-1993)
Andre Caporaso	....	sound editor (22 episodes, 1991-1993)
Sam Black	....	sound re-recording mixer (18 episodes, 1991-1993)
Robin Haskins	....	adr mixer (9 episodes, 1992)
Ross Davis	....	sound editor (5 episodes, 1986-1987)
Miguel Rivera	....	sound editor (5 episodes, 1987)
Steve Quinn	....	sound editor (3 episodes, 1986)
Eric Levinson	....	sound re-recording mixer (2 episodes, 1986)
Clark King	....	sound mixer (2 episodes, 1990)
Charlie McDaniel	....	sound re-recording mixer (2 episodes, 1991)
Craig M. Otte	....	sound effects editor (unknown episodes, 1991)
Marty Church	....	adr mixer (unknown episodes)
Ross Deane	....	sound utility (unknown episodes)

Series Stunts
Rick Avery	....	stunts (unknown episodes)
Gene LeBell	....	stunts (unknown episodes)
Thomas Schrank	....	stunt double (unknown episodes)

Series Camera and Electrical Department
Travers Hill Jr.	....	camera operator (30 episodes, 1991-1993)
John Burnett	....	first assistant camera: "a" camera, second unit, title sequence (unknown episodes)
Doug J. Campbell	....	dolly grip (unknown episodes)
Michael Hofstein	....	camera operator (unknown episodes)
Jeff Kunkel	....	dolly grip (unknown episodes)
Carl Manoogian	....	key grip (unknown episodes)
Randy Paik	....	second assistant camera: "a" camera, location episode (unknown episodes)
Gary Sherman	....	dolly grip (unknown episodes)
Bill Sordal	....	best boy grip (unknown episodes)

Series Casting Department
Barbara Miller	....	executive in charge of casting (146 episodes, 1986-1993)

Series Costume and Wardrobe Department
Bob Squire	....	wardrobe: men (143 episodes, 1986-1993)
Gina Trikonis	....	wardrobe: women (143 episodes, 1986-1993)
Mitchell Ray Kenney	....	set costumer (28 episodes, 1986-1987)

Series Music Department
Bennett Salvay	....	theme song: "Nothing's Gonna Stop Me Now" / composer: theme music (103 episodes, 1986-1993)
David Pomeranz	....	performer: theme song "Nothing's Gonna Stop Me Now" (102 episodes, 1986-1993)
Richard Berres	....	music director (85 episodes, 1986-1990)
Laurie Higgins Tobias	....	music coordinator / music editor (64 episodes, 1986-1990)
Gregory Sill	....	music supervisor (58 episodes, 1990-1993)
Robert H. Raff	....	music editor (51 episodes, 1990-1993)
Jesse Frederick	....	theme song: "Nothing's Gonna Stop Me Now" / composer: theme music (38 episodes, 1986-1993)

Series Transportation Department
Mitch Friedman	....	driver (3 episodes, 1986)

Series Other crew
Erik Emi	....	technical coordinator (125 episodes, 1986-1993)
Dale McRaven	....	executive consultant (125 episodes, 1986-1993)
Marilyn Bagley	....	special assistant / continuity supervisor (114 episodes, 1987-1992)
John B. Collins	....	executive script consultant / executive story editor / ... (76 episodes, 1986-1990)
Tom Nance	....	story editor / executive script consultant (52 episodes, 1990-1993)
Howard Adler	....	story editor / executive story editor (50 episodes, 1987-1989)
Robert Griffard	....	story editor / executive story editor (50 episodes, 1987-1989)
Tom Amundsen	....	story editor / executive story consultant (47 episodes, 1990-1992)
Tom Devanney	....	executive script consultant / story editor / ... (46 episodes, 1988-1990)
Bob Keyes	....	executive script consultant / story editor (42 episodes, 1986-1988)
Robert Blair	....	executive story editor (39 episodes, 1987-1989)
Cheryl Alu	....	executive story editor (34 episodes, 1989-1990)
Barry O'Brien	....	executive story editor (34 episodes, 1989-1990)
Phil Perez	....	technical coordinator (11 episodes, 1990-1991)
Bill Fraley	....	technical coordinator (6 episodes, 1986)
Marty Nadler	....	executive script consultant (6 episodes, 1986)
Tom Tenowich	....	creative consultant (6 episodes, 1986)
Judy Pioli	....	creative consultant (6 episodes, 1990-1991)
Scott Spencer Gordon	....	executive story editor (5 episodes, 1993)
Bruce Chudacoff	....	location scout (unknown episodes)
Roderic Kavanagh	....	assistant to writer (unknown episodes)
Dan Speaker	....	sword master (unknown episodes)

Production Companies

• Lorimar Television
• Miller/Boyett Productions

Distributors

• American Broadcasting Company (ABC) (1986-1993) (USA) (TV) (original airing)
• Cuatro (2005) (Spain) (TV)
• Warner Bros. Pictures
• Warner Bros. Television
• Warner Home Video (2008) (Netherlands) (DVD) (seasons 1 and 2)

Other Companies

• Compact Video  sound re-recording
• Laser Edit  post-production services
• Warner Bros. Studios  filming location

Runtime:

30 min (150 episodes) | Argentina:30 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Argentina:Atp | USA:TV-PG | Australia:G

Filming Locations:

Chicago, Illinois, USA

Company:

Lorimar Television

Trivia:

The building used for the exterior shots of Larry and Balki's apartment for the first two seasons was the now non-existent Santa Rita Hotel, located at the south corner of S. Main St. and E. 11th St. in downtown Los Angeles, California. Since the series, the building has been remodeled and the upper stories removed. What remains of the building now houses several small shops and importers. Larry & Balki's second apartment as of March 2008: The apartment building seen in the exterior shots from seasons three through six is located at the northwest corner of West Dickens Avenue and North Clark Street in Lincoln Park, Chicago, and little has changed in appearance.

Quotes:

[Larry is installing a shower head]
Balki Bartokomous: Where are the instructions?
Larry Appleton: I threw them out.
Balki Bartokomous: You threw them out?
Larry Appleton: Appletons have never used instructions. My dad completely rewired the house in Denver without instructions.
Balki Bartokomous: Isn't that the house that burned to the ground?
[Larry pauses for a second]
Larry Appleton: [sheepishly] They never proved it was the wiring.

Movie Connections:

Featured in It (1990) (TV)

Soundtrack:

Nothing's Gonna Stop Me Now

One of the BEST Comedies of All Time!

We've loved this show for almost 20 years now! It's good, clean fun that the whole family can enjoy. The first-year episodes were really funny; all the typical "immigrant-new-to-America" situations like: Balki getting a driver's license, Balki wanting to meet girls, Balki opening a checking account. Just watching Balki discover potato chips was a treat.

Later, some priceless episodes were: when Larry and Balki meet Jennifer and Mariann in the health club, the camping trip, the ski trip, learning karate, the guys 're-doing' the girls' upstairs bathroom plumbing, etc... I started watching when I was newly married and then, as I had kids, I really appreciated the wholesomeness of the show. The comedy was very physical (sort of ala "I Love Lucy"), yet there were no profanities or sexual references that are so prevalent in today's prime time lineup.

I SO wish these were out on DVD!