The show aimed to tackle serious issues such as generational conflicts, labor struggles, and health crises, offering a more grounded and gritty look at working-class life than many other series of the time. Despite its ambition and strong performance from Malden, Skag aired for only one season, with just five episodes produced.
Fun Fact:
Karl Malden was a veteran actor best known for his Oscar-winning role in A Streetcar Named Desire and his TV success on The Streets of San Francisco. Skag was his attempt to bring depth and realism to primetime television.
Discussion Starter:
Have you seen Skag? What are your thoughts on TV dramas that focus on working-class families?
On this day, January 6, 1980, Skag premiered on NBC. This drama series starred Karl Malden as Pete “Skag” Skagska, a Pittsburgh steelworker and family man navigating the challenges of middle age, family dynamics, and workplace struggles.
The show aimed to tackle serious issues such as generational conflicts, labor struggles, and health crises, offering a more grounded and gritty look at working-class life than many other series of the time. Despite its ambition and strong performance from Malden, Skag aired for only one season, with just five episodes produced.
Fun Fact: Karl Malden was a veteran actor best known for his Oscar-winning role in A Streetcar Named Desire and his TV success on The Streets of San Francisco. Skag was his attempt to bring depth and realism to primetime television.
Have you seen Skag? What are your thoughts on TV dramas that focus on working-class families?