On this day September 12 1987, Down and Out in Beverly Hills aired its final episode, closing out the short lived sitcom based on the 1986 film of the same name. The series brought the eccentric and comedic culture clash of the movie to television, following the wealthy but dysfunctional Whiteman family as their lives were upended by a homeless man who becomes part of their household.
Starring Hector Elizondo, Anita Morris, and Evan Richards, the show attempted to capture the quirky humor of the film while adapting it to a weekly television format. Despite its premise and talent, the series struggled to find an audience and ended after just one season.
Though brief, Down and Out in Beverly Hills stands as an example of the 1980s trend of adapting hit movies into sitcoms, sometimes with mixed results.
80s insight: The end of Down and Out in Beverly Hills reflected how networks experimented with film to TV adaptations in the 1980s, though not every attempt found long term success.
Starring Hector Elizondo, Anita Morris, and Evan Richards, the show attempted to capture the quirky humor of the film while adapting it to a weekly television format. Despite its premise and talent, the series struggled to find an audience and ended after just one season.
Though brief, Down and Out in Beverly Hills stands as an example of the 1980s trend of adapting hit movies into sitcoms, sometimes with mixed results.
80s insight: The end of Down and Out in Beverly Hills reflected how networks experimented with film to TV adaptations in the 1980s, though not every attempt found long term success.
