thirtysomething program guide by eric r. jorgensen (jorgy@refuge.colorado.edu) jon conrad (conrad@brahms.udel.edu) loring s. holden (hold ltd@uhura.cc.rochester.edu) Revision: 1.4 created by marshall herskovitz edward zwick starring timothy busfield as elliott weston polly draper as ellyn warren mel harris as hope murdoch steadman peter horton as gary shepherd melanie mayron as melissa steadman ken olin as michael steadman patricia wettig as nancy krieger weston co-starring brittany and lacey craven as janey steadman luke rossi as ethan weston jordana ``bink'' shapiro as brittany weston patricia kalember as susannah hart david clennon as miles drentell terry kinney as steve woodman corey parker as lee owens erich anderson as billy sidel david marshall grant as russell weller with faith ford as janine rosalind cash as val shilliday richard gilliland as jeffrey milgrom richard cummings jr. as mark harriton holly fulger as hollis amato andra millian as angel wasserman peter frechette as peter montefiore and maxx the dog as grendel executive producers marshall herskovitz edward zwick supervising producer scott winant producers richard kramer ann lewis hamilton joseph dougherty ellen s. pressman coordinating producer lindsley parsons III season 1 1987-1988 thirtysomething 9/29/87 12/22/87 10/23/90 Series Premiere Hope and Michael Steadman are still adjusting to par- enthood while struggling with money problems and best-friend crises. [In this episode only, Janey Steadman is played by Jade and Lauren Mortimer. In this and the Hitchcock episode, Ethan and Brittany Weston are played by Jason and Rachel Nagler.] writer: marshall herskovitz writer: edward zwick director: marshall herskovitz attack of the killer parents 10/6/87 12/29/87 Hope's anxiety over her parent's (Shirley Knight, George Coe) impending visit taxes everyone's patience. writer: marshall herskovitz writer: edward zwick director: edward zwick housewarming 10/13/87 8/2/88 While preparing for a housewarning, Michael feels pangs of guilt about leading a yuppie existence, and the carpenter and Hope flirt with each other. Faith Ford is introduced as Janine. Dave Firland: Tom O'Brien. writer: marshall herskovitz writer: edward zwick director: john pasquin couples (or ``level of misery'') 10/27/87 4/5/88 A night out degenerates into an argument between Nancy and Elliott as their marital woes become apparent. Hostess- es: Karen L. Gannon, Chris Rennolds, Annette Marroquin, Pa- tricia Lindley. writer: marshall herskovitz writer: edward zwick director: marshall herskovitz but not for me (or ``saturday night'') 11/3/87 3/29/88 3/14/89 Gary and Melissa rekindle their long-dormant love af- fair; Hope and Michael's ``date'' turns into a disaster. Michael Feinstein appears as himself. Irritants: Lucy Webb, Tim Stack. writer: richard kramer director: tom moore we gather together 11/17/87 Hope and Michael plan a quiet Thanksgiving alone but learn their friends are counting on being invited over. Jeff: Jack Blessing. writer: susan miller writer: richard kramer writer: edward zwick writer: story by susan miller director: mark cullingham nice work if you can get it (or ``yo! it's my arts center!'') 12/1/87 4/19/88 As a deadline approaches, ad men Michael and Elliott wrestle with a creativity block, Ellyn develops a crush on a business associate. Terry Kinney is introduced as Steve Woodman. Amy: Amy Benedict. Fear, Dread, and Anxiety: Daniel W. Frishman, Tony Cox, Phil Fondacaro. writer: paul haggis writer: story by jean vallely director: claudia weill weaning 12/8/87 7/26/88 Sensing baby Janey's decreasing dependency on her, de- pressed Hope decides to go back to work. Rosalind Cash is introcued as Val Shilliday. Cooper: Marg Helgenberger. Amy: Amy Benedict. Alex Miller: Meg Wittner. Larry Richards: Clive Rosengren. writer: liberty godshall director: john pasquin i'll be home for christmas 12/15/87 6/14/88 Michael and Hope argue about whether their infant's first holiday should be Christmas or Hanukkah. A famous photographer (Andy Aronson: Paul Sand) shows interest in Melissa's work. Melissa age 12: Danielle Rioux. writer: richard kramer director: robert lieberman south by southwest 1/5/88 It's a Hitchcockian nightmare as Gary falls in love; as the romance progresses, he begins receiving a series of threats against his life. Eve: Dana Delaney. Philip Van- damm: Christopher Carroll. writer: paul haggis director: dan lerner therapy episode 8711 1/12/88 6/7/88 4/18/89 Elliott and Nancy seek professional help for their troubled marriage; Michael finds it hard to keep it a se- cret. Dr. Nicolson: Marshall Herskovitz. writer: susan shilliday director: marshall herskovitz competition 1/19/88 8/9/88 3/13/90 Michael's jealousy is aroused when an important client (Werner Breslow: Richard Masur) make it clear he prefers El- liot. Meanwhile, Hope and Nancy try to come to terms with computers. writer: joseph dougherty director: rob cohen separation 1/26/88 9/6/88 Elliott temporarily moves in with Michael and Hope af- ter separating from Nancy. writer: susan shilliday director: paul haggis ? 2/2/88 5/24/88 Competing for the attention of the same man jeopardizes the new found friendship between Ellyn and Melissa. Dr. Bob Kramer: Robin Thomas. writer: ann lewis hamilton writer: richard kramer writer: story by ann lewis hamilton director: scott winant business as usual 2/9/88 6/21/88 Michael's hopes for a joyous reunion with his father (Leo Steadman: Steven Hill) are destroyed when he discovers the real reason for the visit. Linda (Michael's Stepmoth- er): Barbara Rhoades. Dr. Turlow: David Wohl. writer: paul haggis writer: marshall herskovitz director: claudia weill accounts receivable 3/1/88 6/21/88 A rocky relationship between Michael and his brother Brad (Danton Stone) is further strained when Michael learns the family business is almost bankrupt. Barbara Steadman: Barbara Barrie. Birdie Kravitz: Dena Dietrich. Maury Pressman: Ron Young Mike: Jay Lambert. Young Brad: Jacob Kenner. writer: richard kramer director: edward zwick whose forest is this? episode 8717 3/15/88 3/28/89 Nancy and Elliot's separation takes its toll on their son, Elliot prepares for a blind date with a chiropractor (Sharon Berman: Lisa Jane Persky). Includes Ethan's fairy- tale nightmares, with acknowledgments to Maurice Sendak. The Beast: Irwin Keyes. writer: richard kramer writer: story by kathleen tolan director: peter horton nancy's first date 3/22/88 Melissa's burgeoning romance slows when she learns he doesn't want any more kids. Nancy has her first date since the separation. writer: susan shilliday director: ron lagormarsino undone 4/12/88 1/24/89 Michael's old girlfriend from college (Chelsea Field) pays a visit. writer: joseph dougherty director: dan lerner tenure 5/3/88 Gary evaluates the fate of his academic career as he undergoes tenure review at the college. Ellyn learns her building is going co-op, leaving her to decide whether to buy her apartment. Dr. Weiss: Allan Miller. Mary: Devon Williams. Roger: Grant Heslov. writer: ann lewis hamilton writer: story by john olive director: ken gilbert born to be mild 5/10/88 8/23/88 Season finale Ellyn and Woodman's weekend is ruined when they are forced to babysit Janey. Dr. Butler: Robert Crow. Robin Leach appears as himself. writer: jerry stahl director: ron lagormarsino season 2 1988-1989 we'll meet again 12/6/88 5/30/89 3/6/90 Season Premiere Michael wants to have another baby, Hope finds heir- looms while checking for radon contamination in the attic. Sally Spangler: Jo Anderson. Roy MacCaulay: Lenny Von Dohlen. writer: richard kramer director: scott winant in re: the marriage of weston 12/13/88 8/1/89 Having consulted a divorce arbitrator, Elliott and Nan- cy embark on a new relationship. Jack Bronstein: Lyman Ward. Anna Trautman: Millie Perkins. Derry: David Packer. Adri- enne: Rita Wilson. writer: susan shilliday director: paul haggis the mike van dyke show 12/20/88 6/6/89 12/19/89 With the arrival of Christmas and Hanukkah, the Stead- man home is once again fraught with religious uncertainty. Old Gentleman: Jack Gilford. Dr. Richards: Clyde Kusatsu. Rabbi Markowitz: Craig Berenson. writer: marshall herskovitz writer: edward zwick director: robert lieberman trust me 1/3/89 8/8/89 Melissa decides she wants to have a baby - and chooses Gary as the father. Gary begins to get involved in communi- ty work. David Marshall Grant and Patricia Kalember are in- troduced as Russell Weller and Susannah Hart. Curtis Cald- well: Courtney Vance. Rosie: Lynne Thigpen. Monty Ovary: Jeff Altman. writer: richard kramer director: steven robman no promises 1/10/89 8/15/89 Ellyn's shock over her parents' impending divorce threatens her relationship with Woodman. James Warren: Charles Cioffi. Marjorie Warren: Betsy Blair. Young Ellyn: Hayley Carr. politics 1/17/89 12/25/90 Michael and Elliott manage an offensive candidates' ad campaign; Gary and Susannah dine at the Steadmans. Jerry Kravitz: James Eckhouse. success 1/31/89 6/13/89 Melissa photographs a famous singer's album cover. With Carly Simon. David Clennon and Richard Cummings, Jr. are introduced as Miles Drentell and Mark Harriton. first day / last day 2/7/89 6/20/89 With tensions building between Michael and Elliot, flashbacks review their first meeting and how they came to establish their company. Al Pressman: Art La Fleur. Amos Bordon: Nicolas Coster. Cheryl Eastman: Sheila Kelley. about last night 2/14/89 Susannah has surprising news for Gary; Nancy fears she'll never meet her deadline. Jack Bronstein: Lyman Ward. Alex: Charles Noland. elliot's dad 2/28/89 8/22/89 Elliott hopes a visit from his dad (Eddie Albert) will solve his personal problems. Ruthie Weston Tresh: Meagen Fay. Donald Tresh: Paul Eiding. Matt Enwright: Timothy Carhart. Roberta Sessions: Linda Sorenson. payment due 3/7/89 7/14/89 Ellyn's sudden change in behavior shocks her friends and strains her relationship with Woodman. Dave Calloman: Jeff McCracken. Dr. Meyer: Philip Abbott. deliverance 3/21/89 With the women away on a camping trip, Michael and El- liott care for the children and corroborate on their first project since bankruptcy. Mrs. Moore: Peggy Doyle. Carla: Courtney Gebhart. michael writes a story 4/4/89 7/11/89 1/2/90 Michael signs up for a creative writing class, only to find Nancy is already a student in the class. Ivy Dunbar: Lorinne Vozoff. Matt Enwright: Timothy Carhart. new job 4/11/89 7/18/89 Michael and Hope deal with a devastating loss, while he and Elliott work for DAA, Miles Drentell's agency. Holly Fulger Andra Millian are introduced as Hollis Amato Angel Wasserman. be a good girl 4/25/89 7/25/89 Melissa's grandmother (Rose: Sylvia Sidney) asks for her help with the family business. Elaine Steadman: Phyllis Newman. Murray Steadman: Herbert Edelman. courting nancy 5/2/89 9/5/89 Elliott sets out to win Nancy back when she becomes more involved with Matt. Drew: Charles Stratton. best of enemies 5/16/89 1/29/91 While researching a magazine story, Hope learns that Susannah may have diverted social center funds. season 3 1989-1990 nancy's mom 9/19/89 5/8/90 Just as Nancy and Elliott settle into a comfortable dating groove, Nancy's mom (Eleanor Krieger: Elizabeth Hoff- man) comes for a visit. love and sex 10/3/89 1/30/90 Michael and Hope find themselves sexually out of sync, while seeing their babysitter in the raptures of young love. Lauren: Cheryl Pollack. Bernard: Brad Pitt. Danny: Richard Murphy. mr. right episode 8903 10/10/89 Melissa and Ellyn turn to video dating in their search for the right man. Corey Parker is introduced as Lee Owens. Kelly: Susie Duff. new baby 10/24/89 6/5/90 Gary tries to keep Susannah's spirits up as she goes into labor. Dr. Silverman: Patricia Heaton. Clara: Andi Chapman. Isabel: Diane Delano. legacy 10/24/89 6/12/90 A brush with death convinces Michael to draw up a will; career success changes Michael's relationship with Drentell. Elliott and Nancy get back together. Jeffrey Milgrom: Richard Gilliland. Kit: Dan Shor. strangers 11/7/89 Melissa and Lee's relationship parallels Russell and Peter's. Peter Frechette is introduced as Peter Montefiore. pilgrims 11/21/89 As Thanksgiving nears, Ethan is troubled by Elliott moving back in and by a rash of neighborhood robberies. the burning bush 11/28/89 1/15/91 Ellyn's contemplation of an affair with a married man leads to recollections of her and Hope's longtime friend- ship. Hope at 17: Kate Hodge. Ellyn at 17: Kelly Wolf. Ricky Bianca: Tyra Ferrell. new parents 12/5/89 Gary's plan to stay home with Emma is interrupted by a visit from his mother (Georgann Johnson). David Hall: Jeff Perry. michael's campaign 12/12/89 6/19/90 Michael goes through a power struggle at work. Leo Steadman: Scott Marlowe. John Dunaway: J.D. Souther. pulling away 1/9/90 Michael gets a promotion at work, and has trouble deal- ing with Elliot. Page: Tasia Balsam. Congressman Mainway: Bruce Davison. Tony Gilchrist: Stephen Kearney. another country 1/16/90 After getting her book published, Nancy discovers she has cancer. post op 1/23/90 7/24/90 Nancy recovers from her cancer surgery, and her sister Deb (Tess Harper) seems to be the only one who understnads. Dr. Silverman: Patricia Heaton. Dr. Verney: Chip Zien. once a mermaid 2/6/90 7/10/90 Ellyn starts dating a married man. Richard Gilliland returns as Jeffrey Milgrom. Valerie Milgrom: Felicity La Fortune. Erich Anderson is introduced as Billy Sidel. Ger- aldo Rivera appears as himself. father and lovers 2/13/90 7/4/90 Melissa gets her boyfriend a job with Michael's ad agency, and fears she's turned him into a huppie monster. Courtney Dunn: Mariska Hargitay. Herb Segal: John Moskiff. her cup runneth over 2/20/90 Jeffrey leaves his wife Valerie (Felicity La Fortune) and moves in with Ellyn. Christie: Mya Akerling. Thera- pist: Brian Smiar. good sex, bad sex, what sex, no sex 2/27/90 7/31/90 Sex problems plague Melissa and Lee, Gary and Susannah, and Nancy and Elliot. Stephanie: Patricia Arquette. the other shoe 3/20/90 8/7/90 Nancy becomes more involved with a new from from her support group (Katherine Cortez). Gloria: Jane Alden: Arthur: Robert Levine. three year itch 4/3/90 The incinerator campaign ends, but Hope is reluctant to end her relationship with John Dunaway. Michael gets a long-awaited raise. Margaux: Anne De Salvo i'm nobody, who are you? 4/10/90 8/14/90 Gary refuses Michael's offer of financial help. Emily Dickinson: Mary Beth Hurt. Catherine: Robin Morse. arizona 4/17/90 8/21/90 Hope and Michael see the problems in their marriage as they visit Hope's parents (George Coe, Shirley Knight). Peggy York: Charlotte Stewart. going limp 5/1/90 8/28/90 4/23/91 Elliott is nervous about directing his first commer- cial. Don DeLise: Charles Rocket. towers of zenith, part 1 (or ``the go-between'') 5/15/90 9/4/90 Michael is approached by Minnesota Brands to help in a corporate takeover. Bob Spano: Paul Dooley. Gus Hen- nessy: Marc Levy. towers of zenith, part 2 5/22/90 Season Finale Michael and Elliott help the takeover DAA while Miles fights the buyout. Mrs. Arthur: Cassie Yates. Jack Ash- ley: Robert Symonds. season 4 1990-1991 ? 9/25/90 Season premiere Leo Steadman is born, and the question of his bris arises. Dr. Ben Teitleman: Alan King. Rabbi Frankel: Philip Sterling. Dr. Silverman: Patricia Heaton. Barbara Steadman: Barbara Barrie. life class 10/2/90 7/23/91 Nancy's constantly changing sexual feelings start to affect her marriage; Hope feels overwhelmed by two children. Art: Eric Rose. Dr. Eilerton: Christopher Curry. control 10/9/90 A photography assignment brings Melissa and Miles to- gether; Jeffrey and Ellyn look for an apartment. the distance 10/16/90 Susannah's New York job offer threatens her relation- ship with Gary; Ellyn's relationship with Jeffrey ends. Kate: Elizabeth Kemp. Judge Allan: Beverly Hope Atkinson. Gail: Lauren Tom. the guilty party episode 9006 11/13/90 Hope throws a surprise party for Michael to make up for giving all her attention to the baby; the Japanese arrive. Electra Rosenbloom: Renee Taylor. Preceptor: Debra Mooney. Ernest Leight: Andrew Lauer. photo opportunity 11/27/90 Family and career demands pull Melissa in opposite di- rections. Brendan Norris: jOseph Maher. Jill Steadman: Gail Mayron. Ms. Alexander: Roberta Wallach. Aunt Muriel: Cynthia Frost. never better 12/4/90 After beginning an unlikely relationship with Gary, El- lyn is attracted to a former date (Erich Anderson returns as Billy Sidel). Claire: Jill Novick. Therapist: Frank Diels. guns & roses 12/11/90 Nancy's problems with cancer therapy affects her rela- tionship with her children; Elliott is jealous of award- nominee Michael. As of this episode, Brittany Weston is played by Lindsay Riddell. Ted Brunel: Joseph Brutsman. happy new year 12/18/90 7/30/91 A New Year's Eve party brings new friendships, the re- newal of old ones, and sobering news for Hope. Patsy Klein: May Kay Place. Melody Klein: Heahter McComb. Russell, Pe- ter, Mark, Kate, and Angel appear. melissa and men 1/8/91 Melissa has a photo exhibition at a gallery, causing her to reflect on her history with men. Cindy: Noelle Parker. Leonard: Mark Nelson. Melissa at 16: Alexandra Lee. advanced beginners 1/22/91 Billy's old girlfriend (Liberty Godshall) visits and stays with the two of them in Ellyn's apartment. Dr. Rawl- ins: Bruce Winant. Lina: April Ortiz. 2/5/91 Nancy's last chemotherapy coincides with Elliot's visit to Baltimore, to see a prospective client and his mother (Eileen Brennan). Tommy McArthur: Jeff Perry. Father Tierney: Richard Brestoff. second look 2/12/91 8/6/91 A harrowing incident and the results of Nancys surgery force everyone to re-evaluate themselves. fighting the cold 2/19/91 Everyone tries to deal with the devastating occurance, as well as the lack of heat in the STeadman's house. the difference between men and women 2/26/91 The men plan a bachelor party for Billy. The women schedule one of their own. George: Chris Mulkey. Hostess: Laura Tate. our wedding 4/9/91 8/13/91 Billy's family and Ellyn experience doubt on the eve of their wedding. MArjorie Warren: Lois Smith. Mrs. Sidel: Rita Zohar. Mr. Sidel: Len Lesser. sifting the ashes 4/16/91 8/20/91 Agency crises, his role in the administration of Gary's estate, and a disturbing health report for Peter pull Michael in opposite directions. Catherine: Deborah Offner. out the door 4/30/91 Major changes are in the air at DAA. Verdoving: Rein- er Schoene. Terry: Michael Ayr. hopeless 5/7/91 As a volunteer at a homeless shelter, Hope befriends two of its occupants. Alice: L. Scott Caldwell. Jenna: Brooke Fontaine. a stop at willoughby episode 9021 5/14/91 8/27/91 Long hours and a demanding client stress Michael to the limit. Rita: Shawn Weatherly. Durstin: Ken Jenkins. Dr. Flick: Dierk Torsek. Randy: Richard Comeau. melissa in wonderland 5/21/91 In Hollywood, Melissa gets caught in the bizarre machi- nations of television. Bree Ann: Brooke Adams. Warren: Matthew Laurance. Callie: Carrie Hamilton. Debrah: Colleen Camp. Daniel: David Brisbin. california 5/28/91 Michael faces decisions that will affect personal and professional lives. Robert Gould Shaw: David Bowe. Willa: Rosalind Chao. Fiona: Dana Stevens. Laurence: Peter Henry Schroeder.