# It's Not Easy

It's Not Easy is an American sitcom that aired on ABC from September 29 until October 27, 1983.

## Premise

A divorced couple decides to live across the street from each other to make it easier for the kids.

## Cast

* Evan Cohen as Johnny Long
* Bert Convy as Neal Townsend
* Ken Howard as Jack Long
* Rachel Jacobs as Carol Long
* Billy Jayne as Matthew Townsend
* Jayne Meadows as Ruth Long
* Carlene Watkins as Sharon Long Townsend

## Development

The series was picked up by ABC in the spring of 1982, with it set to premiere that fall. Gerald McRaney was originally cast as Jack Long, with Larry Breeding co-starring as Neal Townsend. McRaney signed on for It's Not Easy when it appeared that his CBS detective series Simon & Simon was on the cancellation block. A test pilot was shot with McRaney and Breeding, and after ABC picked up the show, the project soon faced recasts. Shortly after ABC ordered episodes for the fall, CBS announced that Simon & Simon was renewed for the 1982-83 season, rendering McRaney unavailable. The producers then sought out a replacement while ABC moved It's Not Easy off the September schedule. By late in the summer, Ken Howard was chosen to replace McRaney. Plans were moving forward to shoot a second pilot when Larry Breeding was killed in a car accident on the Hollywood Freeway on September 28, 1982, and dealing with his loss preempted the show's development for several more months. It's Not Easy finally resurfaced on ABC's development slate in the spring of 1983, with Bert Convy taking over the role of Neal Townsend, and with a fall premiere date that year. The show did not last and was cancelled after only five weeks on air.

## Filming

It's Not Easy was filmed at Radford Studio Center, at Los Angeles, California, but it is set in Lyndhurst, New Jersey

## Episodes

| No. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date |
| 1 | "Pilot" | Robert Moore | Patricia Nardo | September 29, 1983 (1983-09-29) |
| The kids finally meet the woman their dad has been dating. |||||
| 2 | "Did He or Didn't He?" | John Tracy | Anne Convy and Mitzi McCall | October 6, 1983 (1983-10-06) |
| While visiting his ex-wife Evelyn, Neal drinks too much and spends the night after passing out on her couch, much to Sharon's dismay. |||||
| 3 | "Jack Kills Sharon's Grandmother" | John Tracy | Robert Sternin and Prudence Fraser | October 13, 1983 (1983-10-13) |
| Sharon and Jack pretend that they are still married when Sharon's grandmother comes for a visit. |||||
| 4 | "Betrayal" | John Tracy | Gary Kott | October 20, 1983 (1983-10-20) |
| Sharon has a personal conversation with Jack and tells Neal all about it. |||||
| 5 | "Teacher Pets" | Tony Singletary | Michael Cassutt | October 27, 1983 (1983-10-27) |
| Sharon has an argument with Johnny's teacher. |||||
| 6 | "My Dinner with Andrea" | John Tracy | Carmen Finestra | UNAIRED |
| 7 | "Taking Sides" | Tony Singletary | Robert Stevens | UNAIRED |
| 8 | "All Night Long" | Charlotte Brown | Carmen Finestra | UNAIRED |
| 9 | "Neal Kills Johnny's Fish" | Charlotte Brown | Anne Convy and Mitzi McCall | UNAIRED |
| 10 | "You Made Her Love You" | Charlotte Brown | Gary Kott | UNAIRED |