United States(1980)
DramaComedy
No Photo
First Air Date: 1980-03-11
Average Runtime: 30m
Rating: 7.5
Votes: 2
Seasons: 1
Episodes: 13
United States is a short-lived half-hour comedy-drama that NBC added to its Tuesday primetime schedule in March 1980. Larry Gelbart, the show's executive producer and chief writer, said the name United States was not a reference to the country but rather to "the state of being united in a relationship". Gelbart envisioned a series that would be "a situation comedy based on the real things that happen in my marriage and in the marriages of my friends". Episodes tackled such topics as marital infidelity, household debt, friends who drink too much, death within the family, and sexual misunderstandings. United States focused on Richard and Libby Chapin, an upwardly mobile couple who lived in a Los Angeles suburb. Beau Bridges played Richard, and Helen Shaver played Libby. Gelbart reverted to black-and-white script for the show's titles. He said that was to convey the mood of "a sophisticated '30s film." Gelbart also avoided use of background music and a laugh track. Scripts featured dialogue such as, "Just for once I'd like to be treated like a friend instead of a husband," and "Maybe you and Bob can go out and get yourselves one redhead with two straws." United States premiered at 10:30 p.m. on March 11, 1980. NBC pulled it from the schedule within two months, after only six of 13 episodes had aired. The remaining episodes were not broadcast until 1986, when the A&E cable channel aired United States.
Keywords
marriagelos angeles, california
Seasons & Episodes
Season 1
Episodes: 13E01
All Our Weapons
Air Date: 1980-03-11
""sex, death and television..."" When Uncle Charlie dies, the Chapins have to figure out how to explain it to their ...
E02
Uncle Charlie
Air Date: 1980-03-18
""getting ready..."" The Chapins' dinner party with another couple turns into a disaster when the main topic of conv...
E03
A Touching Story
Air Date: 1980-03-25
""advantage Richard..."" An old friend for the past 30 years suddenly reveals to the Chapins that he has been hiding...
E04
Sometimes
Air Date: 1980-04-08
""April, '67 moo goo gai panic"" The Chapins panic when they think that Libby is pregnant.
E05
Better Than Burning
Air Date: 1980-04-15
""the Late Show..."" Richard and Libby have a fight over his refusal to ask her father for a loan.
E06
Room Service
Air Date: 1980-04-22
""breaking out..."" Libby's ex-husband makes a surprise visit to the Chapin home.
E07
Josh
Air Date: 1980-04-29
""sometimes it's like this... he's wrong""
E08
Windmills
Air Date: 1980-04-15
Richard and Libby separately reveal their thoughts to interviewers for a book survey.
E09
Touching Story
Air Date: N/A
""night shift..."" Libby finally confesses a shocking childhood secret.
E10
Slide Area
Air Date: N/A
""good samaritans..."" A severe storm causes their friends to have to stay over because their house is about to slid...
E11
Broccoli
Air Date: 1980-03-18
""$28 a day... plus tax."" Staying in a motel after a fight with his wife, Richard is tempted to stray when a female...
E12
And Baby Makes Two...
Air Date: 1980-04-01
""Laura..."" When Nicky's teacher comes to talk to them about his difficulties learning how to read, Libby feels pan...
E13
Lysdexia is No Joek
Air Date: N/A
""Monday, probably..."" An already depressed Richard becomes even more so when Libby tells him that their son Nicky ...
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