On this day April 29 1980, the final episode of Hello Larry aired on NBC. Starring McLean Stevenson as a radio talk show host raising his two teenage daughters in Portland, Oregon, the sitcom tried to build on Stevenson’s earlier fame from MASH but never quite found its audience.
Hello Larry ran for two seasons with a total of 38 episodes. Despite attempts to boost ratings by tying the show loosely to Diff’rent Strokes through crossover episodes, it struggled with low viewership and mixed reviews. Over time it became more remembered for its reputation as a flop than for its actual storylines.
Still, Hello Larry remains a curious part of 80s TV history and an example of how tough it can be to strike sitcom gold twice.
Fun fact: The character of Larry Alder made guest appearances on Diff’rent Strokes during the same time to help promote both shows.
Hello Larry ran for two seasons with a total of 38 episodes. Despite attempts to boost ratings by tying the show loosely to Diff’rent Strokes through crossover episodes, it struggled with low viewership and mixed reviews. Over time it became more remembered for its reputation as a flop than for its actual storylines.
Still, Hello Larry remains a curious part of 80s TV history and an example of how tough it can be to strike sitcom gold twice.
Fun fact: The character of Larry Alder made guest appearances on Diff’rent Strokes during the same time to help promote both shows.
