Gimme a Break! (1981)
The beloved NBC sitcom that made Nell Carter a household name, blending big laughs with genuine heart across six unforgettable seasons.
Gimme a Break! - Series Information
- Original Title: Gimme a Break!
- First Air Year: 1981
- Last Air Year: 1987
- Created by: Morton Lachman, Sy Rosen
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Comedy, Family
- Content Rating (US): TV-G
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (30 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 6
- Number of Episodes: 137
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- First Air Date: October 29, 1981 (United States - TV-G)
- Networks: NBC
- Production Companies: Reeves Entertainment Group, Alan Landsburg Productions, Mort Lachman & Associates
- Production Countries: United States of America
Gimme a Break! - Plot
Gimme a Break! is an American sitcom which aired on NBC for six seasons, October 29, 1981, until May 12, 1987. The series stars Nell Carter as the housekeeper for a widowed police chief and his three daughters.
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Gimme a Break! - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Morton Lachman
- Sy Rosen
Main Cast
- Nell Carter
- Lara Jill Miller
- John Hoyt
- Kari Michaelsen
- Lauri Hendler
- Joey Lawrence
- Dolph Sweet
- Howard Morton
- Telma Hopkins
- Jonathan Silverman
Writers
- Booker Bradshaw
- Ed Jurist
- Geoffrey Neigher
- Rod Parker
- Erik Tarloff
- Jerry Ross
Gimme a Break! - FAQs
Who played Nell Harper in Gimme a Break!?
Nell Carter brought Nell Harper to life across all six seasons of the show. Her powerhouse personality and genuine warmth made the character iconic — a big-voiced, big-hearted housekeeper who became the emotional center of the Kanisky household and one of the most memorable figures in 1980s television.
Is Gimme a Break! worth watching today?
Absolutely worth revisiting. The show holds up as a warm, funny snapshot of 1980s family television, anchored by Nell Carter's magnetic, Emmy-nominated performance. Its blend of humor and heart, along with a diverse ensemble cast, gives it a charm that still resonates with fans of classic sitcoms.
Where can you stream Gimme a Break! online?
Gimme a Break! is currently available to stream for free with ads on The Roku Channel. For other viewing options, availability may vary by region, so it's worth checking your local streaming services for the latest updates.
Did Nell Carter win any awards for Gimme a Break!?
Nell Carter received Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for her role as Nell Harper. She had already won a Tony Award for Broadway before the show launched, and her work on Gimme a Break! cemented her status as one of the most talented performers of her generation.
Who are the main characters in Gimme a Break!?
The show centers on Nell Harper, the spirited housekeeper played by Nell Carter, and the Kanisky family she cares for — police chief Carl (Dolph Sweet) and his daughters Katie, Julie, and Sam. The ensemble also includes Telma Hopkins as Addy and a young Joey Lawrence as Joey Donovan.
Why did Gimme a Break! end after six seasons?
The show ran its natural course on NBC, concluding in May 1987 after six seasons and 137 episodes. By the later seasons, significant cast changes — including the departure of Dolph Sweet following his death in 1985 — shifted the show's dynamic considerably, and NBC ultimately chose not to renew it.
What shows are similar to Gimme a Break!?
Fans of Gimme a Break! tend to enjoy other warm family comedies of the era. The Cosby Show, Family Matters, and Alice share a similar blend of humor and heart. For something more recent, American Housewife and Raising Hope capture that same spirit of unconventional family dynamics done with genuine affection.
Did any notable stars appear on Gimme a Break! early in their careers?
Several future stars made early appearances on the show. Joey Lawrence and his brother Matthew Lawrence were both regulars, launching careers that lasted decades. Rosie O'Donnell also joined the cast in later seasons as Maggie O'Brien, just before her own rise to mainstream fame in the early 1990s.
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