On this day May 23, 1981, the final episode of Eight Is Enough aired on ABC, closing out a heartfelt five-season run that began in 1977. The show followed Tom Bradford, a newspaper columnist living in Sacramento, California, as he raised his eight children after the death of his wife. With a cast that included Dick Van Patten, Grant Goodeve, Lani O’Grady, and Willie Aames, the series blended comedy, drama, and family values in a way that resonated with audiences during a changing era of television.
Over the course of 112 episodes, Eight Is Enough tackled real-life issues with warmth and sincerity. From sibling rivalries to coming of age moments, it was a staple of late 70s and early 80s family programming. The show also helped launch the careers of several cast members and even spun off a few reunion movies in the years that followed.
Fun fact: The series was inspired by the life of journalist Tom Braden, who actually had eight children and wrote a book by the same name.
Over the course of 112 episodes, Eight Is Enough tackled real-life issues with warmth and sincerity. From sibling rivalries to coming of age moments, it was a staple of late 70s and early 80s family programming. The show also helped launch the careers of several cast members and even spun off a few reunion movies in the years that followed.
Fun fact: The series was inspired by the life of journalist Tom Braden, who actually had eight children and wrote a book by the same name.
