Alice (1976)
The classic CBS sitcom following a widowed single mother finding her footing at a lively Arizona diner — one shift at a time.
Alice - Series Information
- Original Title: Alice
- First Air Year: 1976
- Last Air Year: 1985
- Created by: Robert Getchell
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Comedy, Drama
- Content Rating (US): TV-PG
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (30 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 9
- Number of Episodes: 202
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- First Air Date: August 31, 1976 (United States - NR), August 31, 1976 (Germany - 12), August 31, 1976 (France - 12), August 31, 1976 (Mexico - A), August 31, 1976 (Spain - 13)
- Networks: CBS
- Production Companies: Warner Bros. Television
- Production Countries: United States of America, Italy
Alice - Plot
Alice is an American sitcom television series that ran from August 31, 1976 to March 19, 1985 on CBS. The series is based on the 1974 film Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore. The show stars Linda Lavin in the title role, a widow who moves with her young son to start her life over again, and finds a job working at a roadside diner on the outskirts of Phoenix, Arizona. Most of the episodes revolve around events at Mel's Diner.
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Alice - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Robert Getchell
Main Cast
- Linda Lavin
- Vic Tayback
- Beth Howland
- Philip McKeon
- Celia Weston
- Polly Holliday
- Diane Ladd
- Dave Madden
- Charles Levin
- Marvin Kaplan
Writers
- Tom Whedon
- Linda Morris
- Vic Rauseo
- Bob Bendetson
- Stephen Sustarsic
Alice - FAQs
Where can you watch Alice (1976) online?
Alice (1976) is available to purchase digitally through Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, and Fandango At Home. There is currently no subscription streaming service offering the series for free, so buying individual episodes or full seasons is the primary viewing option.
Is Alice based on a true story or film?
Alice is not based on a true story, but it is adapted from the acclaimed 1974 film Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore, directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Ellen Burstyn. The sitcom retains the core premise of a widowed woman rebuilding her life while working at a roadside diner.
Who are the main cast members of Alice?
The principal cast includes Linda Lavin as Alice Hyatt, Vic Tayback as diner owner Mel Sharples, Beth Howland as Vera, Philip McKeon as Tommy, Polly Holliday as Flo, Diane Ladd as Belle, Celia Weston as Jolene, Charles Levin as Elliot, Dave Madden, and Marvin Kaplan.
What is Alice (1976) about?
Alice follows Alice Hyatt, a recently widowed woman who relocates to Phoenix, Arizona with her young son Tommy. Unable to pursue her singing dreams immediately, she takes a waitressing job at Mel's Diner, where the colorful staff and daily workplace chaos form the heart of this warm, character-driven sitcom.
What is the famous catchphrase from Alice?
The most iconic catchphrase from Alice is "Kiss my grits!", delivered by the sassy waitress Flo Castleberry, played by Polly Holliday. The line became a defining pop-culture moment of late-1970s American television and remains closely associated with the series decades after its finale.
Why did Polly Holliday leave Alice?
Polly Holliday departed Alice after Season 4 to star in her own spin-off series, Flo, which aired on CBS from 1980 to 1981. Her character Flo Castleberry had become enormously popular, prompting the network to build a vehicle around her. Diane Ladd joined Alice as replacement waitress Belle Dupree.
How many seasons and episodes does Alice have?
Alice ran for 9 seasons and 202 episodes in total on CBS. Each of the first four seasons contained 24 episodes, while later seasons ranged from 16 to 24 episodes. The series premiered on August 31, 1976, and concluded on March 19, 1985, making it one of CBS's longest-running sitcoms of its era.
How was Alice received by critics and audiences?
Alice was warmly received throughout its run, earning strong ratings and consistent praise for Linda Lavin's lead performance. The show resonated with audiences for its relatable portrayal of working-class single motherhood. Lavin received multiple Golden Globe and Emmy nominations, and the series became a staple of CBS's primetime lineup for nearly a decade.
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