thirtysomething
thirtysomething
1987
4 Seasons
6.1
Drama

Thirtysomething is an American television drama about a group of baby boomers in their late thirties. It was created by Marshall Herskovitz and Edward Zwick for MGM/UA Television Group and The Bedford Falls Company, and aired on ABC. It premiered in the U.S. on September 29, 1987. It lasted four seasons, with the last of its 85 episodes airing on May 28, 1991. The title of the show was designed as thirtysomething by Kathie Broyles, who combined the words of the original title, Thirty Something. In 1997, "The Go Between" and "Samurai Ad Man" were ranked #22 on TV Guide′s 100 Greatest Episodes of All Time. In 2002, Thirtysomething was ranked #19 on TV Guide′s 50 Greatest TV Shows of All Time, and in 2013 TV Guide ranked it #10 in its list of The 60 Greatest Dramas of All Time.

Episodes

Pilot
E1Sep 29, 19871h

Pilot

Hope and Michael Steadman are still adjusting to parenthood while struggling with money problems and best-friend crises.

The Parents Are Coming, the Parents Are Coming
E2Oct 6, 19871h

The Parents Are Coming, the Parents Are Coming

Hope's anxiety over her parents' impending visit taxes everyone's patience.

Housewarming
E3Oct 13, 19871h

Housewarming

Michael and Hope race to renovate their crumbling mansion for a huge housewarming party.

Couples
E4Oct 27, 19871h

Couples

A night out with friends degenerates as Nancy and Elliot's marital woes become apparent.

But Not for Me
E5Nov 3, 19871h

But Not for Me

Gary and Melissa rekindle their affair; Michael and Hope's first date in months is a disaster.

We Gather Together
E6Nov 17, 19871h

We Gather Together

Hope and Michael plan a quiet Thanksgiving but learn friends are counting on being invited.

Nice Work If You Can Get It
E7Dec 1, 19871h

Nice Work If You Can Get It

Before a deadline, Michael and Elliot wrestle with a creativity block; Ellyn develops a crush on an associate.

Weaning
E8Dec 8, 19871h

Weaning

Sensing baby Janey's decreasing dependency on her, depressed Hope decides to go back to work.

I'll Be Home for Christmas
E9Dec 15, 19871h

I'll Be Home for Christmas

Michael and Hope argue about whether their infant's first holiday should be Christmas or Hanukkah. A famous photographer shows interest in Melissa's work.

South by Southeast
E10Jan 5, 19881h

South by Southeast

It's a Hitchcockian nightmare as Gary falls in love; as the romance progresses, he begins receiving a series of threats against his life.

Therapy
E11Jan 12, 19881h

Therapy

Elliot and Nancy seek professional help for their troubled marriage; Michael finds it hard to keep it a secret.

Competition
E12Jan 19, 19881h

Competition

Michael's jealousy is aroused when an important client make it clear he prefers Elliot. Meanwhile, Hope and Nancy try to come to terms with computers.

Separation
E13Jan 26, 19881h

Separation

Elliot temporarily moves in with Michael and Hope after separating from Nancy.

I'm in Love, I'm in Love, I'm in Love with a Wonderful Gynecologist
E14Feb 2, 19881h

I'm in Love, I'm in Love, I'm in Love with a Wonderful Gynecologist

Competing for the attention of the same man jeopardizes the new found friendship between Ellyn and Melissa.

Business as Usual
E15Feb 9, 19881h

Business as Usual

Michael's hopes for a joyous reunion with his father are destroyed when he discovers the real reason for the visit.

Accounts Receivable
E16Mar 1, 19881h

Accounts Receivable

A rocky relationship between Michael and his brother Brad is further strained when Michael learns the family business is almost bankrupt.

Whose Forest Is This?
E17Mar 15, 19881h

Whose Forest Is This?

Nancy and Elliot's separation takes its toll on their son; Elliot prepares for a blind date with a chiropractor.

Nancy's First Date
E18Mar 22, 19881h

Nancy's First Date

Melissa's burgeoning romance slows when she learns he doesn't want any more kids. Nancy has her first date since the separation.

Undone
E19Apr 12, 19881h

Undone

Michael's old girlfriend from college pays a visit.

Tenure
E20May 3, 19881h

Tenure

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.

Born to Be Mild
E21May 10, 19881h

Born to Be Mild

Ellyn and Woodman's weekend is ruined when they are forced to babysit Janey.

Top Cast

Ken Olin

Ken Olin

Michael Steadman

Mel Harris

Mel Harris

Hope Steadman

Timothy Busfield

Timothy Busfield

Elliot Weston

Patricia Wettig

Patricia Wettig

Nancy Weston

Peter Horton

Peter Horton

Gary Shepherd

Melanie Mayron

Melanie Mayron

Melissa Steadman

Polly Draper

Polly Draper

Ellyn Warren

Patricia Kalember

Patricia Kalember