The White Shadow (1978)
A bold, socially conscious CBS drama that put inner-city youth and racial tension at the center of primetime television.
The White Shadow - Series Information
- First Air Year: 1978
- Last Air Year: 1981
- Created by: Bruce Paltrow
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Drama, Family
- Content Rating (US): TV-14
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (60 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 3
- Number of Episodes: 54
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- First Air Date: November 27, 1978 (United States - TV-14)
- Networks: CBS
- Production Companies: MTM Enterprises, Company Four
- Production Countries: United States of America
The White Shadow - Plot
The White Shadow is an American drama television series that ran on the CBS network from November 27 1978, to March 16 1981.
The White Shadow - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see what made this series a landmark of 1970s television:
Can a straight shooter cut it with this bunch of rough, razor-sharp kids from the street?
Where to Watch The White Shadow
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The White Shadow - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Bruce Paltrow
Main Cast
- Ken Howard
- Kevin Hooks
- Byron Stewart
- Tim Van Patten
- Stoney Jackson
- Ed Bernard
- Erik Kilpatrick
- Nathan Cook
- Ira Angustain
- Ken Michelman
Writers
- Steven Bochco
- Mark Tinker
- Bruce Paltrow
- Joshua Brand
- Bob DeLaurentis
Executive Producers
- Bruce Paltrow
The White Shadow - FAQs
What is The White Shadow about?
The White Shadow follows Ken Reeves, a former NBA player who takes a job coaching basketball at Carver High, a predominantly Black inner-city school in Los Angeles. The series tackles race relations, poverty, drugs, and adolescent struggles with unusual honesty for late-1970s network television.
Why was The White Shadow considered groundbreaking for its era?
The show was remarkably ahead of its time, addressing racism, drug abuse, teen pregnancy, and gang violence on primetime CBS in 1978. Its racially diverse cast and willingness to let episodes end without tidy resolutions set it apart from nearly every other network drama of the period.
Where can you stream The White Shadow today?
The White Shadow is currently available to stream on fuboTV. Availability may vary by region, so check your local streaming services for the most up-to-date options.
Who created The White Shadow and who produced it?
The series was created and executive produced by Bruce Paltrow, who went on to become one of television's most respected drama producers. The show was produced by MTM Enterprises, the same company behind The Mary Tyler Moore Show and Hill Street Blues, and aired on CBS.
Did The White Shadow win any awards or critical recognition?
The White Shadow earned Emmy Award nominations during its run and is widely celebrated by critics as a pioneering work in socially conscious television drama. It is frequently cited as a major influence on later prestige TV series that tackled difficult real-world themes with unflinching honesty.
Who are the main actors in The White Shadow?
Ken Howard leads the cast as Coach Ken Reeves. He is joined by Kevin Hooks as Morris Thorpe, Byron Stewart as Warren Coolidge, Tim Van Patten as Mario 'Salami' Pettrino, Stoney Jackson as Jesse B. Mitchell, and Nathan Cook as Milton Reese, among others.
Did The White Shadow launch any notable careers?
Absolutely. The show served as an early proving ground for several major television talents. Writer Steven Bochco went on to create Hill Street Blues and NYPD Blue, while director and writer Mark Tinker became a prolific TV producer. Several cast members also built long careers in Hollywood following the series.
What are some shows similar to The White Shadow?
Fans of The White Shadow often enjoy Boston Public, which shares its inner-city school setting and social drama tone, as well as One Tree Hill for its basketball focus. Hit the Floor and Big Shot also explore sports coaching dynamics with compelling character-driven storytelling.
More About The White Shadow
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