PARENTHOOD: MY DAD CAN BEAT UP YOUR BMW (TV)
Summary
One in this comedy-drama series based on the 1989 film of the same name, about the multigenerational Buckman family and the issues they face while raising their children. Garry’s Little League team makes the playoffs but his father Ed is too busy to attend the game. Helen offers to go in his stead and Garry hesitantly agrees. Kevin is upset about his balloon, which Gil released earlier to quell an argument between the children, and causes Gil and Karen some distress. Nathan is upset that Patty is playing with Susan’s childhood doll, which Marilyn unearthed from her attic, as he feels it has no educational value and reinforces negative gender stereotypes. Kevin is still upset, remarking that he got in trouble despite doing no wrong. Gil apologizes and explains that such things happen before sending him off to school. However, Gil notices the original balloon stuck in a tree on his front lawn, remarking that he is “haunted.” Helen talks to Garry about his father and he reveals he spoke to him and he said he would try to attend his game, which gives Garry hope. He becomes angry when Helen suggests that he was only saying that not to hurt his feelings and leaves in a huff. Helen calls Gil and invites him to come to Garry’s game. Patty tells Nathan that she’s lost interest in her doll, seemingly for the very reasons Nathan was opposed to it. However, it is clear that she is lying and still loves the doll, leaving Nathan with second thoughts. Helen and Gil watch Garry during his game and Helen expresses her frustration at Ed getting Garry’s hopes up. Frank arrives unexpectedly to lend his support, and Helen glimpses Ed briefly arriving to wave to Garry before leaving. Gil goes after him and tries to convince him to stay to watch Garry play, but Ed explains that he feels uncomfortable there since he has a new family and wants to move on with his life. Frank yells at Ed for leaving and slashes his tire to prevent him from doing so. Gil assists Frank when Ed insults him. Feeling guilty about manipulating Patty, Nathan buys her a pair of new dolls more to his liking, even to the point of being completely anatomically correct. After the game Garry spots Ed getting his car towed and is excited to see him despite only watching the game briefly. Helen tries to convince Garry that Ed didn’t actually want to come, but Garry blames them for making him leave and runs after him. Ed quickly rejects Garry’s pleas, leaving him behind. Gil remains haunted by the balloon incident, viewing it as a metaphor for parenting. Karen tries to give him some perspective and tells him that Kevin feels guilty about it as well. Gil decides to leave the balloon behind and try to move on. Garry thanks Helen for coming to his game, and she asks him to stay so they can talk about Ed. Kevin pops the balloon with his slingshot, putting his and Gil’s minds at ease. Commercials deleted.
Details
- NETWORK: NBC
- DATE: September 22, 1990 8:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:24:12
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: B:52518
- GENRE: Comedy; Drama
- SUBJECT HEADING: Comedy; Drama
- SERIES RUN: NBC - TV series, 1990-1991
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- David Tyron King … Executive Producer, Writer
- Ron Howard … Executive Producer, Based on characters created by
- Brian Grazer … Executive Producer
- Allan Arkush … Co-Executive Producer, Director
- Lowell Ganz … Co-Executive Producer, Based on characters created by
- Babaloo Mandell … Co-Executive Producer, Based on characters created by
- Russ Woody … Supervising Producer
- April Smith … Producer
- Sascha Schneider … Producer
- Joss Whedon … Co-Producer
- Gary Chandler … Associate Producer
- Walter Von Huene … Associate Producer
- Mason Daring … Music by
- Randy Newman … Theme Music by
- Ed Begley Jr. … Cast, Gil Buckman
- Jayne Atkinson … Cast, Karen Buckman
- Max Elliott Slade … Cast, Kevin Buckman
- William Windom … Cast, Frank Buckman
- Sheila MacRae … Cast, Marilyn Buckman
- Ken Ober … Cast, Nathan Merrick
- Susan Gayle Norman (See also: Susan Norman) … Cast, Susan Buckman Merrick
- Ivyann Schwan … Cast, Patty Merrick
- Maryedith Burrell … Cast, Helen Buckman
- David Arquette … Cast, Tod Hawks
- Bess Meyer … Cast, Julie Buckman Hawks
- Leonardo DiCaprio … Cast, Garry Buckman
- Thora (See also: Thora Birch) … Cast, Taylor Buckman
- Zachary La Voy … Cast, Justin Buckman
- Gerrit Graham … Cast, Ed