Down to Earth (American TV series)
A 1920s angel helps a 1980s family.
Superstation WTBS launched its first original series, the fantasy sitcom Down to Earth, which aired from 1984 to 1987. The Arthur Company initially produced the show, with Procter & Gamble Productions later taking over.
Quick Facts
- Genre
- Sitcom
- Company
- Arthur Company; Procter & Gamble
- Creator
- Sam Harris; Bruce H. Newberg
- Composer
- Tom Wells
- Executive producers
- Arthur Annecharico
- Producer
- Jerry Brown; Rick Miner
- Country
- United States
- Language
- English
Facts from the source article.
Premise
The series centered on Ethel MacDoogan, a free-spirited woman who lived in the 1920s and died in 1925 after colliding with a trolley. She waited in Heaven for 60 years for a chance to earn her wings, then was sent to Earth in the 1980s to assist the Preston family. The Prestons consisted of widowed father Richard, a realtor who later became a licensing agent for inventors; older son Duane, who was class-conscious; teenage daughter Lissy, who was opinionated; and youngest son Jay Jay, who wanted someone to fill their late mother's void. Jay Jay's prayer for an angel summoned Ethel, and he was the only one who knew her true identity. Ethel infiltrated the household as a housekeeper and maid, clueless about modern 1980s conveniences. Jay Jay helped cover for her as she adapted, and she eventually won over the Prestons by helping them with their problems. The Prestons' ditsy next-door neighbor Candy Carlysle became a regular character in 1985. Ethel was overseen by a series of heavenly bosses: Mr. Divine, then Lester Luster, then her ex-fiancé Jake, and finally Stanley McCloud. After her mission proved successful, she begged Lester Luster to postpone her return to Heaven, and they made a deal that she would help him with Earthly crises and would have to return if unsuccessful.
Production notes
The series made several cast changes, including replacing the actor playing the earthly father, making it the second series in which Dick Sargent replaced another actor in the same role. Sam Harris and Arthur L. Annecharico jointly created the central characters and developed the core format; Harris also wrote several episodes. Down to Earth later had subsequent runs on Good Life TV.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who created Down to Earth (American TV series)?
Down to Earth was created by Sam Harris and Bruce H. Newberg.
How many episodes of Down to Earth (American TV series) are there?
Down to Earth has 106 episodes across 7 seasons.
When did Down to Earth (American TV series) first air?
Down to Earth first aired on 10 March 1984.
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