Dear John (1988)
A warm and witty NBC sitcom following a heartbroken New York teacher who finds unexpected community among fellow survivors of love gone wrong.
Dear John - Series Information
- Original Title: Dear John
- First Air Year: 1988
- Last Air Year: 1992
- Created by: John Sullivan
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Comedy
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (30 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 4
- Number of Episodes: 90
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Networks: NBC
- Production Companies: Paramount Television, Ed Weinberger Productions
Dear John - Plot
Dear John starred Judd Hirsch as easygoing Drake Prep high school teacher John Lacey who is dumped by his wife, Wendy, via a Dear John letter. Wendy ends up with everything in the divorce settlement, including custody of the couple's son, forcing John to move into an apartment in Ozone Park, Queens. John soon joins the One-2-One Club, a self help group for divorced, widowed or lonely people. The group is led by Louise (Jane Carr), a sex-obsessed British woman. Other members of the group include Kate McCarron (Isabella Hofmann), a sweet divorcée; Kirk Morris (Jere Burns), a cocky ladies' man; Ralph Drang (Harry Groener), a shy and neurotic tollbooth collector; Bonnie Philbert (Billie Bird), a feisty senior citizen; and Tom, Mrs. Philbert's quiet boyfriend (Tom Willett).
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Dear John - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- John Sullivan
Main Cast
- Judd Hirsch
- Jere Burns
- Jane Carr
- Isabella Hofmann
- Tom Willett
- Billie Bird
- Harry Groener
- Susan Walters
- William O'Leary
- Marietta DePrima
Writers
- Howard Meyers
- Marco Pennette
- Rod Parker
- Mark Reisman
- Jeremy Stevens
Dear John - FAQs
What is Dear John about?
Dear John follows John Lacey, a New York high school teacher dumped by his wife via a letter, who joins the One-2-One Club — a self-help group for divorced, widowed, and lonely people. The sitcom mines warmth and humor from the group's eccentric members as they navigate life after heartbreak together.
Is Dear John based on a true story?
Dear John is not based on a true story. It is an American adaptation of a British sitcom of the same name, created by John Sullivan, which aired on the BBC from 1986 to 1987. The US version transplanted the premise to New York City while retaining the support-group format.
Who are the main actors in Dear John?
Dear John stars Judd Hirsch as John Lacey, alongside Jere Burns as Kirk Morris, Jane Carr as Louise Mercer, Isabella Hofmann as Kate McCarron, Harry Groener as Ralph Drang, Billie Bird as Margie Philbert, Tom Willett as Tom, Susan Walters, William O'Leary, and Marietta DePrima.
When did Dear John first air?
Dear John first aired in 1988 on NBC. The series ran for four seasons, concluding in 1992. It was produced by Paramount Television and Ed Weinberger Productions, and became a modest but enduring hit in NBC's Thursday night comedy lineup during its run.
How many seasons does Dear John have?
Dear John ran for four seasons on NBC, comprising 90 episodes in total. Season 1 contained 22 episodes, Season 2 had 24 episodes, and both Seasons 3 and 4 featured 22 episodes each. The series concluded in 1992 after its fourth and final season.
Is Dear John a remake or original series?
Dear John is an American remake of the British sitcom of the same name, originally created by John Sullivan for the BBC. The US version adapted the core premise — a man joining a support group after his wife leaves him — and relocated the setting to New York City.
Where can you stream Dear John online?
Streaming availability for Dear John varies by region and platform. For the most up-to-date information on where to watch or stream Dear John, check JustWatch, which aggregates current viewing options across all major streaming services and digital rental platforms in your area.
Who created the US version of Dear John?
The original British sitcom Dear John was created by John Sullivan, who also served as the creative foundation for the American adaptation. The US version was developed for NBC and produced by Paramount Television and Ed Weinberger Productions, with a writing team that included Howard Meyers, Marco Pennette, and Rod Parker.
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