Eight is Enough - wikipedia Eight is Enough Eight Is Enough Genre Comedy - drama Developed by William Blinn Starring Dick Van Patten Diana Hyland Betty Buckley Grant Goodeve Lani O'Grady Laurie Walters Susan Richardson Dianne Kay Connie Newton Willie Aames Adam Rich Theme music composer Fred Werner ( Season 1 & 2 opening theme ) Song : from Season 3 onwards -- `` Eight Is Enough '' Music by Lee Holdridge Lyrics by Molly - Ann Leikin Composer ( s ) John Beal Alexander Courage Earle Hagen Miles Goodman Country of origin United States Original language ( s ) English No. of seasons 5 No. of episodes 112 Production Executive producer ( s ) Philip Capice Lee Rich Producer ( s ) Robert L. Jacks Gary Adelson Greg Strangis Phil Fehrle Camera setup Single - camera Running time 50 minutes Production company ( s ) Lorimar Productions Distributor Warner Bros. Television Distribution Release Original network ABC Audio format Monaural Original release March 15, 1977 ( 1977 - 03 - 15 ) -- May 23, 1981 ( 1981 - 05 - 23 ) Chronology Followed by Eight Is Enough : A Family Reunion ( 1987 ) and Eight Is Enough : A Wedding ( 1989 ) Eight Is Enough is an American television comedy - drama series that ran on ABC from March 15, 1977 until May 23, 1981. The show was modeled on the life of syndicated newspaper columnist Thomas Braden, a real - life parent with eight children, who wrote a book by the same title. Contents 1 Synopsis 2 Cast and characters 2.1 Main 2.2 Recurring 3 Production 4 Music 4.1 Theme 5 Score 6 Reception and cancellation 7 Nielsen Ratings 8 Series overview 9 Episodes 9.1 Season 1 ( 1977 ) 9.2 Season 2 ( 1977 -- 78 ) 9.3 Season 3 ( 1978 -- 79 ) 9.4 Season 4 ( 1979 -- 80 ) 9.5 Season 5 ( 1980 -- 81 ) 10 Post-series movies 11 Syndication 11.1 International 12 DVD releases 13 See also 14 References 15 External links Synopsis The show centers on a Sacramento, California family with eight children ( from oldest to youngest : David, Mary, Joanie, Susan, Nancy, Elizabeth, Tommy, and Nicholas ). The father, Tom Bradford ( Dick Van Patten ), was a newspaper columnist for the fictional Sacramento Register. His wife Joan ( Diana Hyland ) took care of the children. Hyland was only in four episodes before falling ill. She died soon after, and her character 's death was written into the script. The second season began in the fall of 1977 with the revelation that Tom had become a widower. Tom fell in love with Sandra Sue `` Abby '' Abbott ( Betty Buckley ), a schoolteacher who came to the house to tutor Tommy when he broke his leg in a football game. They were married in one of the series ' TV movie broadcasts on November 9, 1977. The role went to Buckley after being approved by network chief Brandon Tartikoff, who felt the character of the sympathetic teacher she had played in the 1976 film Carrie would also be great for the series. In another TV movie event in September 1979, David and Susan were both married in a double wedding. As the series progressed, Abby got her Ph. D. in education and started a job counseling students at the local high school, oldest daughter Mary became a doctor, and second - youngest son Tommy became a singer in a rock - and - roll band. Cast and characters Main Dick Van Patten as Tom Bradford Diana Hyland as Joan Wells Bradford ( season 1 ) Betty Buckley as Sandra Sue `` Abby '' Abbott Bradford ( seasons 2 -- 5 ) Grant Goodeve ( Mark Hamill in the series pilot ) as David Bradford Lani O'Grady as Mary Bradford Laurie Walters as Joanie Bradford Susan Richardson as Susan Bradford Dianne Kay ( Kimberly Beck in the series pilot ) as Nancy Bradford Connie Needham as Elizabeth Bradford ( originally credited as Connie Newton ) Willie Aames ( Chris English in the series pilot ) as Tommy Bradford Adam Rich as Nicholas Bradford In the pilot, the role of David was played by Mark Hamill, Nancy was played by Kimberly Beck, and Tommy was played by Chris English. When ABC screened the pilot, they were unhappy with a couple of performances. Beck and English were let go and replaced respectively by Dianne Kay and Willie Aames. Hamill sought to get out of his 5 - year contract on Eight Is Enough to take the opportunity to star in George Lucas ' Star Wars. Lorimar Productions granted his request and the role was re-cast with Grant Goodeve. The cast of Eight Is Enough Top row ( left to right ) : Kay, Van Patten, Goodeve, and Walters. Middle row : Richardson, Newton, and Buckley. Bottom row : Rich, O'Grady, and Aames Recurring Brian Patrick Clarke as Merle `` The Pearl '' Stockwell ( 1979 -- 1981 ) Jennifer Darling as Donna ( 1977 -- 1981 ) Janis Paige as Vivian `` Auntie V '' Bradford ( 1977 -- 1980 ) Michael Goodrow as Ernie Fields ( 1979 -- 1981 ) James Karen as Eliot Randolph Ralph Macchio as Jeremy Andretti ( 1980 -- 1981 ) Michele Greene as Jill ( 1980 -- 1981 ) Joan Prather as Janet McArthur Bradford ( 1977 -- 1981 ) Michael Thoma as Dr. Greg Maxwell ( 1977 -- 1981 ) Virginia Vincent as Daisy Maxwell ( 1977 -- 1981 ) Production The show was developed by writer William Blinn and was a Lorimar Production. It was originally distributed by Worldvision Enterprises. For the first three years the show filmed interior scenes at The Burbank Studios now known as the Warner Bros. Ranch. From the fourth season the show filmed interiors at MGM Studios in Culver City. The home featured in the exterior shots was on Chiquita St, near Lankershim Boulevard in Los Angeles. The house has since been demolished and replaced. The interiors were filmed on two separate sound stages at the studio : one for the main floor and one for the upstairs. The show 's team of producers included Robert L. Jacks, Gary Adelson, Greg Strangis, and Phil Fehrle. Executive producers were Lee Rich and Philip Capice. As a production of the Lorimar stable, who were concurrently producing CBS 's The Waltons, writers were often contracted by the producers and were shared between both programs. ( Waltons costar Will Geer also made an Eight is Enough guest appearance during season 2. ) Regular writers included Peter Lefcourt, the writing teams of Gwen Bagni and Paul Dubov, Rod Peterson and Claire Whittaker, Bill Nuss and Dusty Kay, Nick Thiel and David Braff, J. Miyoko Hensley and Steven Hensley, Bruce Shelly, Sandra Kay Siegel, Gil Grant, Karen I. Hall, and Hindi Brooks, who soon became the show 's long - time story editor. In - house directors included Philip Leacock, Harry Harris, and Irving J. Moore. As an in - joke, the character name of one of Nicholas Bradford 's best friends was Irving Julius Moore, a nod to the director of the same name whose middle name was, in fact, Joseph. Music Theme For the show 's first two seasons, an upbeat instrumental piece written by Fred Werner was used as the show 's opening theme. Beginning with the show 's third season, this was replaced by a slowed - down vocal theme titled `` Eight Is Enough, '' which was sung by series co-star Grant Goodeve. The song had music by Lee Holdridge and lyrics by Molly - Ann Leikin, and was first heard in a longer arrangement on the last episode of the second season titled `` Who 's on First ? '', which was also performed by Goodeve. Score Early episodes had instrumental music by Fred Werner and the prolific Alexander Courage, but the show 's real musical stamp came from veteran composer Earle Hagen, who had a knack of composing memorable cues as he had previously been the in - house composer on The Andy Griffith Show. He composed a love theme for Tom and Abby, a theme that permeated the show in various incarnations throughout the remainder of the series. Some later episodes were scored by John Beal and Miles Goodman. In 1980 there was a writers ' strike in Hollywood, and one of the offshoots of this industry problem was making cost - cutting measures in the music department on the show. Some of the later episodes were tracked with a combination of uncredited library music and with some original music by those of the aforementioned Messrs. Hagen, Beal, and Goodman. Reception and cancellation The series jump - started acting careers for several of its young stars. It cemented teen idol status for Grant Goodeve ( David ), Willie Aames ( Tommy ), and Ralph Macchio, who played Abby 's orphaned nephew Jeremy later in the show 's last season. Aames would go on to star with Scott Baio in Charles in Charge. Goodeve started a minor singing career, following his rendition of the show 's theme song ( see `` Theme music '' ) and initially hosted HGTV 's If Walls Could Talk. Macchio would gain the most fame in feature films such as The Karate Kid and its sequels, as well as My Cousin Vinny. After the end of the show 's fifth season ( 112 one - hour episodes ), production costs and declining ratings caused the show to be cancelled, along with seven other shows that season ( including The Waltons ). Variety 's headline on the cancellation stated, `` Eight Shows In, Eight Shows Out ''. In a 2000 episode of E ! True Hollywood Story, Dick Van Patten stated that no one contacted him to inform him of the cancellation. Instead, he read about it in a newspaper. The series had two reunion movies on NBC. In An Eight Is Enough Reunion on October 18, 1987, Mary Frann replaced Betty Buckley as Abby ; Buckley had been filming Frantic during its production. This was followed by An Eight Is Enough Wedding on October 22, 1989, this time with Sandy Faison as Abby. By coincidence, both movies aired opposite game two of the World Series on ABC. Nielsen Ratings 1976 -- 1977 -- # 23 1977 -- 1978 -- # 12 1978 -- 1979 -- # 11 1979 -- 1980 -- # 12 1980 -- 1981 -- Not in Top 30 Series overview Season Episodes Originally aired First aired Last aired 9 March 15, 1977 ( 1977 - 03 - 15 ) August 10, 1977 ( 1977 - 08 - 10 ) 24 September 14, 1977 ( 1977 - 09 - 14 ) May 10, 1978 ( 1978 - 05 - 10 ) 25 September 6, 1978 ( 1978 - 09 - 06 ) May 23, 1979 ( 1979 - 05 - 23 ) 26 September 5, 1979 ( 1979 - 09 - 05 ) April 30, 1980 ( 1980 - 04 - 30 ) 5 21 October 29, 1980 ( 1980 - 10 - 29 ) May 23, 1981 ( 1981 - 05 - 23 ) Episodes All airdates have been compiled from either TV listings in the Los Angeles Times or publicity photos. Unless otherwise specified, all episodes, including the pilot, were standard hour - long ones. No = Overall episode number Ep = Episode number by season Season 1 ( 1977 ) No Ep Title Directed by : Written by : Original air date `` Never Try Eating Nectarines Since Juice May Dispense '' E.W. Swackhamer William Blinn March 15, 1977 ( 1977 - 03 - 15 ) Pilot episode : After 15 - year - old Elizabeth is arrested for the possession of narcotics, Tom and Joan Bradford are faced with the dual problems of raising money for her defense and trying to understand why 21 - year - old David Bradford moved away from home after objecting to the way they handled the drug bust. Note : In the Pilot, David was played by Mark Hamill, Nancy was played by Kimberly Beck, and Tommy played by Chris English. When ABC picked up the show, they were recast respectively with Grant Goodeve, Dianne Kay, and Willie Aames. `` Schussboomer '' David Moessinger Norman Lessing March 22, 1977 ( 1977 - 03 - 22 ) Tom and Joan are reluctant to let Susan go away for an unchaperoned ski weekend. `` The Gipper Caper '' William F. Claxton William Blinn March 29, 1977 ( 1977 - 03 - 29 ) Filming date : February 23 -- March 4, 1977 A football game becomes a blood - and - guts event. Note : This episode 's working title was `` What Hath Roone Arledge Wrought ? '' `` Pieces of Eight '' Reza Badiyi Greg Strangis April 5, 1977 ( 1977 - 04 - 05 ) Tom is forced to face a newspaper strike, a wife who wants a job, and a daughter who wants to become a model. 5 5 `` Women, Ducks, and the Domino Theory '' TBA TBA April 12, 1977 ( 1977 - 04 - 12 ) Tommy falls in love for the first time and learns life 's most difficult lesson. 6 6 `` Turnabout '' TBA TBA April 19, 1977 ( 1977 - 04 - 19 ) David 's romance with an older woman becomes a topic for argument. Note : Adrienne Barbeau guest stars. Note : Originally scheduled for March 29, 1977. 7 7 `` Quarantine '' TBA TBA April 26, 1977 ( 1977 - 04 - 26 ) When Mary 's new boyfriend is hospitalized with an exotic illness, the Bradford family and a visitor are questioned by the health department. 8 8 `` V Is for Vivian '' TBA TBA May 3, 1977 ( 1977 - 05 - 03 ) Tom 's swinging sister visits and the family is impressed. Note : Janis Paige guest stars. 9 9 `` Hit and Run '' TBA TBA August 10, 1977 ( 1977 - 08 - 10 ) Tom finds that Joanie has been blackmailed into asking for a retraction in his newspaper column after she crumples the fender on a classic sports car. Notes : Peter Coffield and Molly Dodd guest - star. This was held back by ABC until the show moved to Wednesday nights, after a 13 - week hiatus. Season 2 ( 1977 -- 78 ) No Ep Title Directed by : Written by : Original air date 10 `` Is There a Doctor in the House ? '' TBA TBA September 14, 1977 ( 1977 - 09 - 14 ) Tom and the temporary single Doctor Maxwell try their luck as middle - aged swinging singles. 11 `` Trial Marriage '' TBA TBA September 21, 1977 ( 1977 - 09 - 21 ) Tom disapproves when his oldest daughter moves in with her new boyfriend ( Don Johnson ). Enter a teacher named Sandra Sue `` Abby '' Abbott ( Betty Buckley 's first appearance ) to sort all this out while tutoring Tommy. 12 `` Triangles '' TBA TBA September 28, 1977 ( 1977 - 09 - 28 ) David 's roommate dates both Joanie and Susan. 13 `` Double Trouble '' TBA TBA October 5, 1977 ( 1977 - 10 - 05 ) Problems develop when Tom and Abby break up and he begins dating divorcee Ellen Manning. 14 5 `` Mortgage Burnin ' Blues '' TBA TBA October 19, 1977 ( 1977 - 10 - 19 ) A party at the Bradfords ' spirals out of control. 15 6 `` Dark Horse '' TBA TBA October 26, 1977 ( 1977 - 10 - 26 ) Tom and Abby decide to get married after having put aside their own problems to help Mary run for the board of education. 16 7 `` The Bard and the Bod '' TBA TBA November 2, 1977 ( 1977 - 11 - 02 ) Joanie is all excited about winning the lead in a Shakesperean production, but Tom is not. 17 8 `` Children of the Groom '' TBA TBA November 9, 1977 ( 1977 - 11 - 09 ) Tom and Abby decide to marry despite complications caused by his children. Note : This was a special 2 - hour episode ; syndicated versions of this episode split it into two hour - long parts, cutting some scenes out. 18 9 `` I Quit '' TBA TBA November 16, 1977 ( 1977 - 11 - 16 ) Tom Bradford `` resigns '' as father when the kids accuse him of being a dictator. 19 10 `` All 's Fair in Love and War '' TBA TBA November 23, 1977 ( 1977 - 11 - 23 ) Tom 's liberal attitudes are put to the test when Mary dates the black son of his old Navy friend. 20 11 `` The Return of Auntie V '' TBA TBA November 30, 1977 ( 1977 - 11 - 30 ) Tom 's flamboyant sister gives the newlyweds the down - payment on a new mansion. Note : Janis Paige guests. 21 12 `` Yes, Nicholas, There Is a Santa Claus '' TBA TBA December 14, 1977 ( 1977 - 12 - 14 ) A present Joan hid before her death restores the Bradfords ' spirit after a Christmas burglar ( dressed as Santa Claus ) steals their gifts. Note : This was a special 2 - hour episode ; syndicated versions of this episode split it into two hour - long parts, cutting some scenes out. Will Geer and Judy Strangis guest - star. 22 13 `` Dear Miss Dinah '' TBA TBA December 21, 1977 ( 1977 - 12 - 21 ) Tom doles out sage advice in the hometown newspaper 's advice - to - the - lovelorn column but loses his cool when Elizabeth asks if she should take `` The Pill ''. 23 14 `` A Hair of the Dog '' TBA TBA January 11, 1978 ( 1978 - 01 - 11 ) On Tom 's birthday, he and Tommy have a man - to - man talk. 24 15 `` Author ! Author ! '' TBA TBA January 18, 1978 ( 1978 - 01 - 18 ) Tom receives unexpected resistance from his family when he decides to write a novel. 25 16 `` Much Ado About Garbage '' TBA TBA January 25, 1978 ( 1978 - 01 - 25 ) Tom has been suspended from his job without pay after accusing the city officials and garbage company of corruption and refusing to reveal his sources to a grand jury. 26 17 `` Seven Days in February '' TBA TBA February 1, 1978 ( 1978 - 02 - 01 ) Nancy decides to convert to Judaism when she falls in love with a man she thinks is Jewish. 27 18 `` Hard Hats and Hard Heads '' TBA TBA February 8, 1978 ( 1978 - 02 - 08 ) Encouraged by his friend 's success, David trades in his hard hat for a newsman 's notepad. 28 19 `` The Boyfriend '' TBA TBA February 15, 1978 ( 1978 - 02 - 15 ) Susan 's boyfriend and Abby are suspected of having an affair when they work together on a project. 29 20 `` Great Expectations '' TBA TBA February 22, 1978 ( 1978 - 02 - 22 ) Tommy cheats in school in order to meet his father 's expectations. 30 21 `` Long Night 's Journey into Day '' TBA TBA March 1, 1978 ( 1978 - 03 - 01 ) Members of the Bradford family are forced to take shifts to keep Abby awake for 24 hours after she falls and suffers a concussion. 31 22 `` Poor Little Rich Girl '' TBA TBA March 22, 1978 ( 1978 - 03 - 22 ) Filming date : February 8 -- 17, 1978 The self - assured daughter of a prominent contractor showers David with expensive gifts in an attempt to buy his affections. 32 23 `` The Lost Weekend '' TBA TBA May 3, 1978 ( 1978 - 05 - 03 ) The Bradford children quickly transform an idyllic holiday away from parents. 33 24 `` Who 's on First ? '' TBA TBA May 10, 1978 ( 1978 - 05 - 10 ) The Bradfords stage a show to support a local orphanage. Note : The first appearance of the season three theme song. Season 3 ( 1978 -- 79 ) No Ep Title Directed by : Written by : Original air date 34 `` Nine Is Too Much '' TBA TBA September 6, 1978 ( 1978 - 09 - 06 ) When Abby manages Nicholas ' Little League team, Tom provides unwanted coaching from the bleachers, and America 's favorite pastime becomes the Bradfords ' biggest headache. 35 `` Here We Go Again ! '' `` Oh No -- Not Again ! '' TBA TBA September 13, 1978 ( 1978 - 09 - 13 ) All the Bradfords wonder if there is going to be a new Bradford. 36 `` Who 's Crazy Here ? '' TBA TBA September 20, 1978 ( 1978 - 09 - 20 ) Abby is convinced Tom is having an affair with another woman. 37 `` Cinderella 's Understudy '' TBA TBA September 27, 1978 ( 1978 - 09 - 27 ) Joanne 's debut as an actress becomes a conflict of interests for Tom, torn between his role of proud parent, and his unexpected role as theater critic. 38 5 `` Milk and Sympathy '' TBA TBA October 11, 1978 ( 1978 - 10 - 11 ) Nicholas falls head - over-heels in puppy love with his fourth - grade teacher. 39 6 `` The Flunked and the Funked '' TBA TBA October 18, 1978 ( 1978 - 10 - 18 ) Nancy drops out of school to get a job and finds that excitement and wealth are not part of the life of an unskilled worker. 40 7 `` Cops and Toddlers '' TBA TBA October 25, 1978 ( 1978 - 10 - 25 ) Nancy brings home a group of toddlers, and Susan goes into basic training as a police cadet. 41 8 `` The Hipbone 's Connected to the Thighbone '' TBA TBA November 1, 1978 ( 1978 - 11 - 01 ) Mary is banished from the Bradford household after making her father angry. 42 9 `` Fast and Loose '' TBA TBA November 8, 1978 ( 1978 - 11 - 08 ) David struggles to cope with the loss of a close friend, and ends up being arrested for bar - room brawling. 43 10 `` War Between the Bradfords '' TBA TBA November 15, 1978 ( 1978 - 11 - 15 ) Abby 's schoolboard speech on modern women in society creates a Bradford battle of the sexes. 44 11 `` All the Vice-President's Men '' TBA TBA November 22, 1978 ( 1978 - 11 - 22 ) Thanksgiving for the Bradford clan arrives in a storm of red tape when the nation 's Vice-President accepts an invitation from Nicholas to visit their home for the holiday. 45 12 `` You Wo n't Have Nicholas to Kick Around Anymore '' TBA TBA November 29, 1978 ( 1978 - 11 - 29 ) When Nicholas accidentally starts a fire that destroys the celebration of Tom and Abby 's first anniversary, the unhappy youngster leaves home in search of a new family. Notes : This was a special 2 - hour episode ; syndicated versions of this episode split it into two hour - long parts, cutting some scenes out. Jack Elam guest stars. 46 13 `` Alone at Last '' TBA TBA December 6, 1978 ( 1978 - 12 - 06 ) After bundling their brood off to the mountains for a camping trip, Tom and Abby soon find their romantic weekend alone disturbed by too much peace and quiet. 47 14 `` The Yearning Point '' TBA TBA January 10, 1979 ( 1979 - 01 - 10 ) Elizabeth 's dream of going to a posh Eastern school conflicts with the Bradford household budget. 48 15 `` Moving Out '' `` Mother 's Rule '' TBA TBA January 17, 1979 ( 1979 - 01 - 17 ) When Tom gets upset about Susan 's boyfriend taking a shower in the upstairs bedroom, Joannie coming in after curfew, and Nancy sunbathing topless in the backyard, the girls move out of the house into their own apartment. Note : This was a special 2 - hour episode ; syndicated versions of this episode split it into two hour - long parts, cutting some scenes out. 49 16 `` Inlaws and Outlaws '' TBA TBA January 24, 1979 ( 1979 - 01 - 24 ) The mutiny by Susan, Joannie, and Nancy continues, and Abby 's parents announce their marital estrangement. 50 17 `` Horror Story '' TBA TBA January 31, 1979 ( 1979 - 01 - 31 ) When a thunderstorm causes power failure, the Bradford children use their vivid imaginations to transform the old homestead into a hysterical Haunted House. 51 18 `` Just the Ten of Us '' TBA TBA February 14, 1979 ( 1979 - 02 - 14 ) When David and his girlfriend decide to live together, their decision threatens Tom 's chance to win the `` Father of the Year '' award, along with an all - expenses - paid trip to Hawaii for the entire Bradford family. 52 19 `` Best of Friends '' TBA TBA February 21, 1979 ( 1979 - 02 - 21 ) Tommy rocks the Bradford family foundation with the shocking news of his impending marriage and fatherhood. 53 20 `` The Kid Who Came to Dinner '' TBA TBA February 28, 1979 ( 1979 - 02 - 28 ) When Nicholas Bradford discovers that his new playmate has no parents, the youngest Bradford tries to turn friendship into brotherhood. 54 21 `` The Better Part of Valor '' TBA TBA March 7, 1979 ( 1979 - 03 - 07 ) Abby finds her relationship with Tommy threatened when she returns to teaching and flunks a failed basketball star, causing Tommy peer - group problems. 55 22 `` Dads, Daughters, Different Drummers '' TBA TBA March 14, 1979 ( 1979 - 03 - 14 ) When Tom forbids Joannie to see her new boyfriend, she runs away from home to be with the handsome young writer she loves. 56 23 `` The Final Days '' TBA TBA May 2, 1979 ( 1979 - 05 - 02 ) Tom 's editorial, on `` Passing the torch to a younger generation '', ignites a Grey Power demonstration by Sacramento 's indignant senior citizens. 57 24 `` Marriage and Other Flights of Fancy '' `` The Two of Us '' TBA TBA May 9, 1979 ( 1979 - 05 - 09 ) David, despite the family 's concern and his father 's objections, teams up with an outspoken female in a cross-country quest for new beginnings. Note : This was a special 2 - hour episode ; syndicated versions of this episode split it into two hour - long parts, cutting some scenes out. 58 25 `` The Graduates '' TBA TBA May 23, 1979 ( 1979 - 05 - 23 ) Graduation is hardly what the Bradfords expected -- with Joanne upset over her future and Elizabeth suspended from her commencement exercises where her father is to be the guest speaker. Season 4 ( 1979 -- 80 ) No Ep Title Directed by : Written by : Original air date 59 `` Merle the Pearl '' TBA TBA September 5, 1979 ( 1979 - 09 - 05 ) Nicholas 's plan to impress his little girlfriend backfires when star pitcher Merle ( Brian Patrick Clarke in his debut appearance ) ignores him at the ballpark. 60 `` The Cupid Crisis '' TBA TBA September 12, 1979 ( 1979 - 09 - 12 ) When Tom makes a `` losers pay for the dinners '' bet on a touch football game between his family and his neighbor 's, it 's a wild `` hut, hut, hut ''. 61 `` I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do '' TBA TBA September 19, 1979 ( 1979 - 09 - 19 ) David and Janet set a wedding night, which turns out to be the same day Merle and Susan accommodate Merle 's ball - playing career move. 62 `` Ten Ships in the Night '' TBA TBA 1979 ( 1979 ) 63 5 `` The Night They Raided Bradfords '' TBA TBA October 3, 1979 ( 1979 - 10 - 03 ) Merle 's sister, Linda Mae, pays the Bradfords a visit. However, she is shocked when she finds out they are not who they seem. 64 6 `` Letter to One Bradford '' TBA TBA October 17, 1979 ( 1979 - 10 - 17 ) Because he broke a chain letter, Nicholas believes he is to blame for Tommy being rushed to the hospital for surgery. 65 7 `` The Devil and Mr. Bradford '' TBA TBA October 24, 1979 ( 1979 - 10 - 24 ) Tom Bradford makes a hasty exit from a movie theater with little Nicholas in tow after he discovers too late that the movie -- `` Snow White... '' -- is X-rated. 66 8 `` Big Shoes, Little Feet '' TBA TBA October 31, 1979 ( 1979 - 10 - 31 ) Nicholas plays hooky because his new teacher is holding him to ridicule because she feels he has not lived up to the academic standards of a Bradford. 67 9 `` Fathers and Other Strangers '' TBA TBA November 7, 1979 ( 1979 - 11 - 07 ) Aunt Vivian comes up with a plan to take the entire Bradford clan to Hawaii. Notes : This was a special 2 - hour episode ; syndicated versions of this episode split it into two hour - long parts, cutting some scenes out. Janis Paige and David Wayne guest star. 68 10 `` Separate Ways '' TBA TBA November 21, 1979 ( 1979 - 11 - 21 ) Susan and Merle reach an impasse regarding their careers when he wants to fly to Puerto Rico to play winter baseball and she wants to finish her last semester of college at home. 69 11 `` Arrivals '' TBA TBA 1979 ( 1979 ) 70 12 `` Brotherhood, Sisterhood '' TBA TBA 1979 ( 1979 ) 71 13 `` Mary, He 's Married '' TBA TBA December 12, 1979 ( 1979 - 12 - 12 ) Mary 's friendship with a doctor begins to develop into a romance. Nicholas dabbles in sales with face cream. Joannie tries to produce a documentary on her family for a promotion at work. 72 14 `` My Son, The Prom Queen '' TBA TBA January 9, 1980 ( 1980 - 01 - 09 ) When Tommy gets embroiled in a battle of the sexes -- he runs for the title of Prom Queen at high school -- he gets some unexpected help from the female population at the school. 73 15 `` The Courage to Be '' TBA TBA 1980 ( 1980 ) 74 16 `` Semi-Centennial Bradford '' TBA TBA 1980 ( 1980 ) 75 17 `` The Commitment '' TBA TBA 1980 ( 1980 ) 76 18 `` Seven More Days in February '' TBA TBA February 6, 1980 ( 1980 - 02 - 06 ) Cupid runs amok in the Bradford household during Spring Break, causing Mary to fall for a young psychiatrist who really wants to be a stand - up comic, Nancy to swoon over an archaeologist on his way to his first dig, and Joannie to be swept away by an SAP ( self - analysis programmer ). 77 19 `` The Return of Joe Simons '' TBA TBA February 13, 1980 ( 1980 - 02 - 13 ) When Joe Simons returns promising Nicholas gold nuggets, Tom questions the motives of both Joe and his secretary ( Mary Betten ) as well. 78 20 `` Bradford vs. Bradford '' TBA TBA February 27, 1980 ( 1980 - 02 - 27 ) Janet and David 's marriage is threatened when she starts working in overtime at the office with a handsome lawyer. 79 21 `` Memories '' TBA TBA 1980 ( 1980 ) 80 22 `` Official Positions '' TBA TBA March 19, 1980 ( 1980 - 03 - 19 ) Merle recruits the girls for a charity basketball team, Tom is jealous when a publisher offers to publish Abby 's thesis and Tom ca n't get his accepted, and Nicholas gets his friend 's mom a job helping with the book. 81 23 `` A Matter of Mentors '' TBA TBA March 26, 1980 ( 1980 - 03 - 26 ) Joannie gets an important assignment at work but Jeffrey believes that the boss will be expecting a favor in return. Joannie blows her chance at a big story. An experienced reporter makes her his partner and the result is an important scoop. Meanwhile, Nicholas has a problem with a bully that he ca n't hit back, and fed up with the way that Tom divvies up the family 's discretionary funds, Tommy takes over budgeting for it. 82 24 `` Roll Over Bradford '' TBA TBA 1980 ( 1980 ) 83 25 `` A Little Triangle '' TBA TBA 1980 ( 1980 ) 84 26 `` Grad Night '' TBA TBA April 30, 1980 ( 1980 - 04 - 30 ) The Bradford clan vacates the house for Tommy, Ernie and their girlfriends on Graduation Night. Season 5 ( 1980 -- 81 ) No Ep Title Directed by : Written by : Original air date 85 `` And Baby Makes Nine '' TBA TBA October 29, 1980 ( 1980 - 10 - 29 ) A very pregnant Susan is in an automobile accident ; Elizabeth moves in with her boyfriend and Merle pitches for the New York Mets. Notes : This was a special 90 - minute episode ; syndicated versions of this episode split it into two hour - long parts, cutting some scenes out. This season started later than normal due to the actors ' strike of 1980. 86 `` Jeremy '' TBA TBA November 5, 1980 ( 1980 - 11 - 05 ) There 's trouble brewing when the newest member of the Bradford household ( Ralph Macchio ) shares a smoke with Nicholas. 87 `` Welcome to Memorial Dr. Bradford '' TBA TBA 1980 ( 1980 ) 88 `` Generations '' TBA TBA 1980 ( 1980 ) 89 5 `` Holly '' TBA TBA 1980 ( 1980 ) Tommy falls for a girl who 's a lyricist. The garage is transformed into a small nursery for Susan and her baby. 90 6 `` The Maltese Airline Bag '' TBA TBA December 10, 1980 ( 1980 - 12 - 10 ) Nicholas and his friend Marvin ( John Louie ) split up the loot when they come into possession of an airlines bag a mysterious woman in a blonde wig gave them to deliver to an equally mysterious red - haired woman who ran off before they could finish their mission. 91 7 `` Strike '' TBA TBA 1980 ( 1980 ) 92 8 `` Bradfordgate '' TBA TBA January 7, 1981 ( 1981 - 01 - 07 ) Tom 's nomination to the Board of Education makes him compromise his beliefs. Meanwhile, Joannie goes undercover as a TV reporter, and Nicholas tries to change his `` cute '' image. 93 9 `` The Darlene Dilemma '' TBA TBA January 14, 1981 ( 1981 - 01 - 14 ) Tommy has a new girlfriend ; unfortunately, he is n't her only boyfriend -- in fact, he is n't even her only boyfriend in his own house. 94 10 `` Second Thoughts '' TBA TBA 1981 ( 1981 ) 95 11 `` David 's Rib '' TBA TBA 1981 ( 1981 ) 96 12 `` Vows '' TBA TBA 1981 ( 1981 ) 97 13 `` The Way We Were '' TBA TBA 1981 ( 1981 ) Tommy tries to get back with Jill when she starts liking Ernie. David 's depressed over his new bachelor apartment complex. Nicholas & Jeremy deliver papers for the Sacramento Tribune. 98 14 `` If the Glass Slipper Fits '' TBA TBA 1981 ( 1981 ) 99 15 `` The Best Little Telethon in Sacramento '' TBA TBA 1981 ( 1981 ) Joanie organizes a telethon for Channel 8. Jeremy tries to be Tommy 's manager. The episode features performances by Willie Aames, Connie Needham, Betty Buckley, Grant Goodeve, Dianne Kay & Adam Rich. 100 16 `` Yet Another Seven Days in February '' TBA TBA 1981 ( 1981 ) This time, the boys get weird dates. 101 17 `` The Idolbreaker : Part 1 '' TBA TBA April 11, 1981 ( 1981 - 04 - 11 ) Tommy 's band gets the biggest gig of its career when the group 's agent signs them for a national tour with a top star. 102 18 `` The Idolbreaker : Part 2 '' TBA TBA April 18, 1981 ( 1981 - 04 - 18 ) Tommy moves into Ellen 's apartment and makes plans for their future wedding ; a new sexy female reporter stirs jealousy in Joanie ; Jeremy celebrates his 16th birthday. 103 19 `` Starting Over '' TBA TBA 1981 ( 1981 ) 104 20 `` Goals '' TBA TBA 1981 ( 1981 ) 105 21 `` Father Knows Best ? '' TBA TBA May 23, 1981 ( 1981 - 05 - 23 ) Filming date : March 21 - 27, 1981 Jeremy 's father shows up to assert his parental rights. David 's old high school classmates arrive for their reunion. Post-series movies Eight Is Enough : A Family Reunion ( 1987 ) An Eight Is Enough Wedding ( 1989 ) Syndication Reruns of all 112 episodes of Eight Is Enough have aired sporadically since the show 's syndication debut in September 1982. The show aired on FX in 1994, on PAX in 1998, and as part of a 50th - anniversary Warner Bros. marathon on TV Land in 2005. Eight Is Enough also aired on the Chicago - based MeTV and MeToo, a sister station of MeTV, from 2008 to 2010 before MeTV spread to other markets around the U.S. During its network run, the show was distributed by Worldvision Enterprises ( also internationally in rebroadcasts ), and later by Lorimar - Telepictures. All syndication rights are now held by ( Lorimar successor ) Warner Bros. Television. International In Italy, RAI public networks aired the first season of Eight Is Enough under the title Otto Bastano in 1978, the literal Italian translation of the original title. The remaining seasons were aired in the 1980s on Retequattro, a commercial network from Fininvest ( now Mediaset ), under the title La Famiglia Bradford. The Italian version excludes the laugh track. The French version, Huit, ça suffit ! was a big success in the 1980s both in France and Quebec, Canada, and among all Francophone ( French - speaking ) Canadians. In Spain, Eight Is Enough was aired also in the 1980s. RTVE ( public network ) aired all the seasons under the title Con Ocho Basta ( the Spanish translation ) in Friday 's evening time. In the Philippines, Eight Is Enough aired on GMA 7 from 1978 to 1981. DVD releases On April 17, 2012, Warner Home Video released the complete first season of Eight Is Enough on DVD in Region 1 for the very first time. The release includes the pilot episode ( featuring Mark Hamill in the role of eldest son David ) and a cast reunion special. Several of the episodes have the wrong end credits, and the Lorimar Productions logo has also been edited out of the end credits. On November 13, 2012, Warner Bros. released Season 2, parts one and two on DVD - R via their Warner Archive Collection. These are Manufacture - on - Demand ( MOD ) releases and are available through Warner 's online store and Amazon.com. Season 3, Parts One and Two were released on April 30, 2013. Season 4, parts one and two were released on August 13, 2013. The fifth and final season was released on March 11, 2014. DVD name Episodes Release date The Complete First Season 9 April 17, 2012 The Complete Second Season, Part 1 14 November 13, 2012 The Complete Second Season, Part 2 12 November 13, 2012 The Complete Third Season, Part 1 14 April 30, 2013 The Complete Third Season, Part 2 14 April 30, 2013 The Complete Fourth Season, Part 1 14 August 13, 2013 The Complete Fourth Season, Part 2 13 August 13, 2013 The Complete Fifth Season 22 March 11, 2014 See also The Brady Bunch ( 1969 ) Just the Ten of Us ( 1988 ) References Jump up ^ `` ONSTAGE & BACKSTAGE : Cable Is a Harsh Mistress, Plus Betty Buckley and Ilene Kristen - Playbill.com ''. playbill.com. Retrieved 2015 - 09 - 06. Jump up ^ E ! True Hollywood Story, `` Eight Is Enough '' ( 2000 ) Jump up ^ `` Image : 1_Pilot_Never_Try_Eating_Nectarines_Since_Jui. jpg, ( 1164 × 1600 px ) ''. s22.postimg.org. Retrieved 2015 - 09 - 06. Jump up ^ `` Image : image. jpg, ( 1200 × 1600 px ) ''. s29.postimg.org. Retrieved 2015 - 09 - 06. Jump up ^ `` Image : image. jpg, ( 1200 × 1600 px ) ''. s29.postimg.org. Retrieved 2015 - 09 - 06. Jump up ^ https://i.imgur.com/TyfTQg2.jpg Jump up ^ http://s24.postimg.org/ajhsq040l/rak1272.jpg Jump up ^ `` Image : 01_Is_There_a_Doctor_in_the_House_September_14. jpg, ( 1095 × 1600 px ) ''. s2.postimg.org. Retrieved 2015 - 09 - 06. Jump up ^ `` Image : 11028022_10203680361683099_4166322259125080184_o. jpg ''. s8.postimg.org. Retrieved 2015 - 09 - 06. Jump up ^ `` Image : 02_I_Quit_November_16_1977. jpg, ( 1036 × 1600 px ) ''. s24.postimg.org. Retrieved 2015 - 09 - 06. Jump up ^ http://s27.postimg.org/n4b9439sh/s_l1600.jpg Jump up ^ http://s23.postimg.org/y23hrzih6/s_l1600.jpg Jump up ^ `` Image : 03_Long_Night_s_Journey_into_Day_March_01_197. jpg ''. s8.postimg.org. Retrieved 2015 - 09 - 06. Jump up ^ `` Image : image. jpg, ( 966 × 1600 px ) ''. s8.postimg.org. Retrieved 2015 - 09 - 06. Jump up ^ `` Image : 1743577_10203680351162836_705332190937296926_n. jpg, ( 603 × 960 px ) ''. s17.postimg.org. Retrieved 2015 - 09 - 06. Jump up ^ https://i.imgur.com/I6WCijM.jpg Jump up ^ http://s15.postimg.org/9pdtezxmx/s_l1600.jpg Jump up ^ `` Image : 01_Cinderella_s_Understudy_September_27_1978. jpg, ( 1078 × 1600 px ) ''. s13.postimg.org. Retrieved 2015 - 09 - 06. Jump up ^ https://i.imgur.com/1Gq2vDg.jpg Jump up ^ http://s14.postimg.org/5deidtt3l/s_l1600.jpg Jump up ^ https://i.imgur.com/7984naF.jpg Jump up ^ http://s11.postimg.org/81nj1ep2r/image.jpg Jump up ^ https://i.imgur.com/fyK05mR.jpg Jump up ^ https://i.imgur.com/rR6qoci.jpg Jump up ^ `` Image : 01_I_Do_I_Do_I_Do_I_Do_September_19_1979. jpg, ( 1036 × 1600 px ) ''. s8.postimg.org. Retrieved 2015 - 09 - 06. Jump up ^ `` Image : 02_The_Night_They_Raided_the_Bradfords_October. jpg, ( 1200 × 1600 px ) ''. s12.postimg.org. Retrieved 2015 - 09 - 06. Jump up ^ `` Image : 03_Letter_to_One_Bradford_October_17_1979. jpg ''. s1.postimg.org. Retrieved 2015 - 09 - 06. Jump up ^ `` Image : 04_The_Devil_and_Mr_Bradford_October_24_1979. jpg, ( 1244 × 1600 px ) ''. s27.postimg.org. Retrieved 2015 - 09 - 06. Jump up ^ https://s29.postimg.org/4j5zii96v/s_l1600.jpg Jump up ^ http://s21.postimg.org/82mmjm4ly/Eight_is_Enough_Fathers_and_Other_Strangers.jpg Jump up ^ `` Image : 05_Separate_Ways_November_21_1979. jpg, ( 1018 × 1600 px ) ''. s23.postimg.org. Retrieved 2015 - 09 - 06. Jump up ^ http://s24.postimg.org/pyjzxmfn9/My_Son_the_Prom_Queen.jpg Jump up ^ http://s10.postimg.org/e0mff10m1/ABC_Primetime_February_06_1980.jpg Jump up ^ http://s21.postimg.org/gr0cwagxj/image.jpg Jump up ^ `` Image : 06_Bradford_vs_Bradford_February_27_1980. jpg, ( 916 × 1600 px ) ''. s14.postimg.org. Retrieved 2015 - 09 - 06. Jump up ^ https://s3.postimg.io/pwbm8xy9v/s_l1600.jpg Jump up ^ http://s12.postimg.org/gegwu3n65/s_l1600.jpg Jump up ^ `` Image : 01_And_Baby_Makes_Nine_Part_1_October_29_19. jpg, ( 1235 × 1600 px ) ''. s18.postimg.org. Retrieved 2015 - 09 - 06. Jump up ^ `` Image : 03_Jeremy_November_05_1980. jpg, ( 920 × 1600 px ) ''. s21.postimg.org. Retrieved 2015 - 09 - 06. Jump up ^ http://s23.postimg.org/qht870h6z/image.jpg Jump up ^ `` Image : 04_Bradfordgate_January_07_1981. jpg, ( 946 × 1600 px ) ''. s15.postimg.org. Retrieved 2015 - 09 - 06. Jump up ^ http://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/zYsAAOSwFe5X0IB0/s-l1600.jpg ^ Jump up to : https://s3.postimg.io/95ca9lkbn/s_l1600.jpg Jump up ^ http://i.imgur.com/EYWjxA6.jpg Jump up ^ `` http://www.americanradiohistory.com/hd2/Archive-BC-IDX/81-OCR/1981-10-12-BC-OCR-Page-0011.pdf#search=%22eight%20enough%22 '' ( PDF ). americanradiohistory.com. Retrieved 2015 - 09 - 06. External link in title = ( help ) Jump up ^ `` ME - Too in Chicago ''. Sitcoms Online. Retrieved 24 November 2016. Jump up ^ `` Chicago 's Me - TV and Me - Too Winter 2009 Schedules ; BET January 2009 ''. Sitcoms Online. Retrieved 24 November 2016. Jump up ^ `` Watching Classic Television on Television ''. Television Obscurities. Retrieved 24 November 2016. Jump up ^ `` Archived copy ''. Archived from the original on 2013 - 12 - 25. Retrieved 2012 - 09 - 09. TV Sorrisi e Canzoni # 33, 1978 Jump up ^ `` Eight Is Enough DVD news : Press Release for Eight Is Enough - The Complete 1st Season TVShowsOnDVD.com ''. tvshowsondvd.com. Retrieved 2015 - 09 - 06. Jump up ^ `` Eight Is Enough - Warner Archive Releases - The Complete 2nd Season, Part 1 and Part 2 ''. tvshowsondvd.com. Retrieved 2015 - 09 - 06. Jump up ^ `` Your Plate of Homemade Wishes Comes True : Season 3 DVDs are Out ! ''. tvshowsondvd.com. Retrieved 2015 - 09 - 06. Jump up ^ `` Eight Is Enough DVD news : Announcement for Eight Is Enough - The Complete 4th Season TVShowsOnDVD.com ''. tvshowsondvd.com. Retrieved 2015 - 09 - 06. Jump up ^ `` Eight Is Enough DVD news : Announcement for Eight Is Enough - The Complete 5th Season TVShowsOnDVD.com ''. tvshowsondvd.com. Retrieved 2015 - 09 - 06. External links Eight Is Enough on IMDb Eight Is Enough at TV.com Eight Is Enough : A Family Reunion on IMDb ( 1987 reunion movie ) An Eight Is Enough Wedding on IMDb ( 1989 reunion movie ) Eightisenough.com contains episode summaries People 's Choice Awards for Favorite New TV Drama Eight Is Enough ( 1978 ) Battlestar Galactica ( 1979 ) Hart to Hart ( 1980 ) Magnum, P.I. ( 1981 ) Hill Street Blues ( 1982 ) St. Elsewhere ( 1983 ) Hotel ( 1984 ) Miami Vice ( 1985 ) Dynasty II : The Colbys ( 1986 ) L.A. Law ( 1987 ) Thirtysomething ( 1988 ) China Beach ( 1989 ) Rescue 911 ( 1990 ) Equal Justice ( 1991 ) Homefront ( 1992 ) Melrose Place ( 1993 ) NYPD Blue ( 1994 ) ER ( 1995 ) Murder One ( 1996 ) Millennium ( 1997 ) Brooklyn South ( 1998 ) L.A. Doctors ( 1999 ) Providence ( 2000 ) Dark Angel ( 2001 ) Alias ( 2002 ) CSI : Miami ( 2003 ) Joan of Arcadia ( 2004 ) Desperate Housewives ( 2005 ) Prison Break ( 2006 ) Heroes ( 2007 ) Moonlight ( 2008 ) The Mentalist ( 2009 ) The Vampire Diaries ( 2010 ) Hawaii Five - 0 ( 2011 ) Person of Interest ( 2012 ) Beauty & the Beast ( 2013 ) Reign ( 2014 ) The Flash ( 2015 ) Supergirl ( 2016 ) This Is Us ( 2017 ) Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Eight_Is_Enough&oldid=835126883 '' Categories : 1977 American television series debuts 1981 American television series endings 1970s American comedy - drama television series 1980s American comedy - drama television series American Broadcasting Company network shows English - language television programs Television series by Lorimar Television Television shows set in Sacramento, California Television series about families Hidden categories : CS1 errors : external links Talk Contents About Wikipedia Español Français Italiano Русский Edit links This page was last edited on 6 April 2018, at 18 : 36. 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Question: who played the father in eight is enough
Answer: Dick Van Patten