Joe Gardner, a child of the Depression, is a successful plastics manufacturer in Seattle, Washington. After his wife dies, his four adult children move back in.Joe Gardner, a child of the Depression, is a successful plastics manufacturer in Seattle, Washington. After his wife dies, his four adult children move back in.Joe Gardner, a child of the Depression, is a successful plastics manufacturer in Seattle, Washington. After his wife dies, his four adult children move back in.
- Won 1 Primetime Emmy
- 4 wins & 3 nominations total
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Featured reviews
The Best TV Show That Never Was
This show was an instant hit with me when it first aired. It had a quality that is rarely seen on network TV anymore. Even though the show was in the upper echelon of quality, I knew it wasn't gonna last. It was too different, too smart for the general population. It was kind of like 30-something which appeared a year or two later in that it made you feel and think more than maybe the average American suburbanite wants to when they plop themselves down on their living room couch.
The show will probably never be aired again since it only lasted 1 year--unfortunately the title foreshadowed it's own life span. What may be even sadder is that it could've been the start of a nice acting career for Amanda Peterson who had just done "Can't Buy Me Love" a short time earlier. Once the show cancelled, her career went on a tailspin she never recovered from.
I managed to only tape 1/2 of an episode so if someone has the season on tape, please get in contact with me so we can do business.
The show will probably never be aired again since it only lasted 1 year--unfortunately the title foreshadowed it's own life span. What may be even sadder is that it could've been the start of a nice acting career for Amanda Peterson who had just done "Can't Buy Me Love" a short time earlier. Once the show cancelled, her career went on a tailspin she never recovered from.
I managed to only tape 1/2 of an episode so if someone has the season on tape, please get in contact with me so we can do business.
I've just watched the entire series ....
I was fortunate to have gotten the entire series & just watched it from beginning to end. (It was hard not to!) I had forgotten how good this series was. I found myself laughing and crying - all within the same episode. The chemistry between all of the characters was magical. Was it the writers? the actors? the director? .... all of the above? I particularly enjoyed the relationship between Joe (Richard Kiley) and his grandson David.
When this series first came out, I appreciated that it was one of the only thing on TV worth watching. When it was abruptly canceled, there was no explanation to be found anywhere - though I recalled Richard Kiley remarking that it was "political". Perhaps this was the reason why it was never shown as a rerun nor likely to be aired again? In any event, I have the complete series ... and it's definitely a keeper!
When this series first came out, I appreciated that it was one of the only thing on TV worth watching. When it was abruptly canceled, there was no explanation to be found anywhere - though I recalled Richard Kiley remarking that it was "political". Perhaps this was the reason why it was never shown as a rerun nor likely to be aired again? In any event, I have the complete series ... and it's definitely a keeper!
Best series!!
A Year in the Life was, in my opinion, a good solid representation of the values and tribulations of the American family. I was very upset when it was discontinued. I loved watching the family play football in their yard and I loved Richard Kiley as the Dad. He was such a strong character. I also loved the way he would "talk" to his dog. I have always wondered,in all the articles I've read on Sarah J. Parker, why I have never seen a mention of her acting in this show. I thought she was beautiful and I would think it would be a credit to her list of accomplishments. It was sad to see it canceled. Is there a way it could ever be brought back as a mini-series? I think the folks in TV land would love it.
This show never received the attention it deserved
This was a mini-series that became a television show. It was a great series that I felt was not given a fair shake by the network. I loved watching it, but the time slot changed about three times during a six-month period which made it difficult for even faithful watchers to keep up with.
It was a warm, well-written dramatic series that also had it's funny moments. It was about a family and their daily lives. I am a big fan of the series "Family" and felt that same sort of warmth toward this show. It was so well done and it seemed criminal that it really wasn't given a chance to gain a following.
It was a warm, well-written dramatic series that also had it's funny moments. It was about a family and their daily lives. I am a big fan of the series "Family" and felt that same sort of warmth toward this show. It was so well done and it seemed criminal that it really wasn't given a chance to gain a following.
I Knew It....
The subject matter, acting and directing of this series were, in its time, on the level of cable television -- and I knew upon viewing it that it would never last. I've got every episode, including the miniseries on videocasette, but they are now very hard to watch (on the edge of extinction), but I still have a "Year in the Life" marathon about once a year when I feel like visiting this most interesting Seattle family. My favorite scene, and the crowning glory of this series was when Anne explains to Sunny that she was not responsible for a friend's suicide.....just excellent. I don't know if this will ever be run again, perhaps on cable...but someone send a shoutout because I will resubscribe to cable just to tape fresh copies of every episode....network television is rarely this excellent.
Did you know
- TriviaIt rarely happens that a cancelled series will win any awards but Richard Kiley won both the Emmy and the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor for his role of Joe Gardner on A Year in the Life. In his acceptance speech he joked "I'm proud to accept this award for the show that TV Guide rightly calls 'The best show on television' A show that I only wish a few more of you had watched"
- ConnectionsFeatured in The 40th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards (1988)
- How many seasons does A Year in the Life have?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- Un año en la vida
- Filming locations
- Woodway, Washington, USA(Exterior house shots)
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
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