MR. SUNSHINE: PILOT {SERIES PREMIERE} (TV)
Summary
The first of two programs found on B:06855. The premiere in this short-lived comedy series about a blind college professor and his attempts to rebuild his life after separating from his wife. In this episode, Professor Paul Stark, having spent two months in a motel, moves into his new attic apartment with the help of his teenage son, Chris. High-strung landlady Mrs. Swinford is shocked to learn that her new tenant is in fact blind, telling Paul's acerbic typist, Grace D'Angelo, that she wished to rent to a man who could offer "protection" in the home. Paul sends Chris off to his mother, assuring his son that he is entirely self-sufficient, though Grace opines that he needs to start dating again. At school, Paul's graduate assistant Gary Franz flirts with attractive transfer student Bernice, who is determined to land a much-coveted spot in Paul's class, and the other students are impressed when he shrewdly critiques their writing from memory, reminding them that "language is precious."
Grace then pleads with Paul to attend a singles' event that night, lamenting that he has become a "sour, friendless old coot" since separating from his wife, and he finally relents. Later, Mrs. Swinford tells Grace that she has decided to oust Paul, but Grace convinces her to delay her announcement until the following day. Gary accompanies a very reluctant Paul to the event, but Paul soon sends him away, determined to be independent for the evening, and he soon strikes up a conversation with a woman, Janice. After some uncomfortable chitchat with Janice's tablemates, who assure him that he is "really amazing," Paul takes to the dance floor with Janice, explaining that his wife stayed with him for many loveless years out of pity. When he trips and then refuses to accept her help, however, she loudly informs him that he is stubborn and irascible before storming off. Back at the apartment, Mrs. Swinford nervously admits that she "never had to cope" with anything difficult before, but Grace informs her that Paul is capable of managing his own life. Chris stops by with a painting that his father still loves and remembers, and when Paul returns home from the disastrous date night, he voices his deep affection for his thoughtful son before realizing that he is, in fact, in the room. Mrs. Swinford hastily changes her mind about kicking her new tenant out, and Paul allows Mrs. Swinford to serve them all tea as a show of his newly accepting attitude. Includes commercials, promos, and an "ABC News Break."
(For the second program on this asset, the pilot of "Joe Bash," see ACCNUM 131107.)
Details
- NETWORK: ABC
- DATE: March 28, 1986 9:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:29:00
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: B:06855
- GENRE: Comedy
- SUBJECT HEADING: Comedy; Teaching as a profession; Blindness - Comedy
- SERIES RUN: ABC - TV series, 1986
- COMMERCIALS:
- TV - Commercials - Anheuser-Busch Eagle Snacks honey-roast peanuts
- TV - Commercials - Arrid Extra Dry anti-perspirant
- TV - Commercials - Bud Light beers
- TV - Commercials - Children's Sucrets throat lozenges
- TV - Commercials - Cling-Free laundry sheets
- TV - Commercials - JCPenney stores
- TV - Commercials - Miller Lite beers
- TV - Commercials - Murphy's oil soap
- TV - Commercials - Nair hair removal cream
- TV - Commercials - Speed Stick deodorant
- TV - Promo - "The Redd Foxx Show"
- TV - Promos - "Benson"
- TV - Promos - "Joe Bash"
- TV - Promos - "Perfect Strangers"
- TV - Promos - "The Love Boat"
- TV - Promos - "The Ten Commandments"
CREDITS
- Henry Winkler … Executive Producer
- John Rich … Executive Producer, Director
- Gregory Morrow … Associate Producer
- David Lloyd … Writer
- Randy Edelman … Music by
- Jeffrey Tambor … Cast, Professor Paul Stark
- Nan Martin … Cast, Grace D'Angelo
- Cecilia Hart … Cast, Janice Hall
- Brian Benben … Cast, Gary Franz
- John P. Navin Jr. … Cast, Chris
- Barbara Babcock … Cast, Mrs. Swinford
- Mark L. Taylor … Cast, Dr. Leavitt
- Debbie Christoffersen … Cast, Maureen
- Becca C. Ashley … Cast, Bernice Carver
- Juney Smith … Cast, Mr. Probst
- Laura Kamins … Cast, Miss Ellison
- Richmond Shepard … Cast, Dancing Man
- For "ABC News Brief":
- Sam Donaldson … Anchor