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Life Goes On is an American drama television series that aired on ABC from September 12, 1989, to May 23, 1993. The show centers on the Thatcher family living in suburban Chicago: Drew, his wife Libby, and their children Paige, Rebecca and Charles, who is known as Corky. Life Goes On was the first television series to have a major character with Down syndrome.

Cast and characters[]

Main[]

  • Bill Smitrovich as Andrew "Drew" Thatcher:

Drew is the husband of Libby Thatcher and the father of Paige, Corky, and Becca Thatcher. He is a Special Olympics coach who formerly worked for a construction company before going into the restaurant business.

Drew's wife, Paige's stepmother, and Corky and Becca's mother, who has been a singer and actress. She is very supportive of Corky and proud that Corky and Becca take part in their church's drama group and that Becca is in her school's drama club. At the end of Season 2, she gives birth to her and Drew's third child, a son named Nicholas.

  • Monique Lanier (season 1); Tracey Needham (seasons 2-4), as Paige Thatcher:

Drew's daughter, Libby's stepdaughter, and Corky and Becca's older half-sister. Paige frequently dates men of whom her father does not approve. She is very caring of Corky but has a love-hate relationship with Becca.

  • Chris Burke as Corky Thatcher:

Corky is the middle child: younger brother of Paige and older brother of Becca. Despite having Down Syndrome, he takes mostly regular classes in high school. He occasionally struggles, and indicated that mathematics was his hardest subject, but he improves through tutoring sessions.

Becca is the younger sister of Corky and Paige. She is nerdy but attractive; at school, she is socially awkward, especially around her crushes, such as Tyler and Jesse.

  • Tommy Puett (recurring, season 1; main, seasons 2-3) as Tyler Benchfield: Corky's best friend and Becca's first boyfriend. He dies from drinking and driving in his last appearance.
  • Chad Lowe (recurring, season 3; main, season 4) as Jesse McKenna: Becca's second boyfriend.

Recurring[]

  • Ray Buktenica (guest, season 1; recurring, seasons 2-3) as Jerry Berkson, Libby's boss at Berkson & Berkson, an advertising agency. Jerry is eccentric and somewhat egomaniacal; he never fails to show his temper, but Libby always stands up to him. Jerry later becomes a partner in Drew's restaurant, The Glen Brook Grill.
  • Tanya Fenmore (seasons 1-3) as Maxie, Becca's best friend. Maxie leaves early in season 3 for a study-abroad in Paris and is never seen again.
  • Michele Matheson (seasons 1-2) as Rona Lieberman, a popular girl at school who is Becca's rival and a love interest for Tyler.
  • David Byrd (guest, season 1; recurring, seasons 2-4) as Hans, a chef who works at the Glen Brook Grill. He is a German immigrant.
  • Mary Page Keller (season 2) as Gina Giordano, Libby's sister, who comes to live in the Thatcher household for a time.
  • Leigh Ann Orsi (season 2) as Zoe, Gina's daughter, who comes to live in the Thatcher household for a time.
  • Troy Evans (seasons 3-4) as Artie McDonald, a welding foreman and Paige's boss at Stollmark Industries. In season 4, Artie and Paige are laid off from the Stollmark factory and they launch a contracting business together.
  • Lance Guest (seasons 3-4) as Michael Romanov, a welder and artist. He is Paige's co-worker at Stollmark Industries and becomes her love interest.
  • Andrea Friedman (seasons 3-4) as Amanda Swanson, Corky's girlfriend, a college student. Like Corky, Amanda also has Down Syndrome. Early in season 4, Corky and Amanda elope, which comes as a shock to their families.
  • Kiersten Warren (season 4) as Kathy Goodman, Becca's friend and co-worker at a bookstore. She is usually referred to by her last name only. A recent high school dropout, Goodman is convinced by Becca to enroll at Marshall High, which she does during their senior year, after having quit a previous school.

Guest stars[]

  • Al Ruscio as Sal Giordano, Libby's father
  • Penny Santon as Teresa Giordano, Libby's mother
  • Gloria Gifford as Mrs. Kneffer, principal of Marshall High
  • Gina Hecht as Angela, Libby's cousin, an attorney
  • Rick Rosenthal as Richard Thatcher, Drew's brother
  • Peter Van Norden (seasons 1-3) as Coach Paintz Kutner, a former classmate of Drew's
  • Alan Blumenfeld (seasons 1-3) as John Khatchadourian, a former classmate of Drew's
  • Whip Hubley as Dr. Oliver Matthews (season 1), the veterinarian that Paige works for, and as Coach Eric Bradford (season 2), a gymnastics coach at Marshall High.
  • Michael Rankin as Donnie Benchfield, Tyler's younger brother who has Down Syndrome.
  • Michael Alldredge as Mr. Seedling
  • Alfred Dennis as Miller
  • Shannen Doherty (season 1) as Ginny Green, a new student in school whom Corky has a crush on
  • Adam Carl (season 1-2) as Matt Hardy, a friend of Becca's whom she briefly dates
  • Viveca Lindfors (season 1) as Mrs. Doubcha, Becca's dance instructor
  • Elyssa Davalos (season 2) as Doreen Gillespie, a waitress at the Glen Brook Grill
  • Barney Martin (seasons 3-4) as Stan Baker, owner of the movie theater where Corky works
  • Mitzi McCall (season 3) as Midge, a waitress at the Glen Brook Grill
  • Dorothy Lyman (seasons 3-4) as Mary McKenna, Jesse's mother
  • Steven Eckholdt (season 3) as Kenny Stollmark, Jr., son of the Stollmark Industries president. He becomes romantically involved with Paige and they nearly get married.
  • Drew Snyder (seasons 3-4) as Bill Swanson, Amanda's father
  • Charlotte Stewart (seasons 3-4) as Collette Swanson, Amanda's mother
  • Ned Vaughn (season 4) as Eric, manager of the bookstore where Becca works. He has romantic feelings for Becca.
  • Martin Milner (season 4) as Harris Cassidy, owner of the bookstore where Becca works
  • Michael Goorjian (season 4) as Ray Nelson, a classmate of Becca's
  • Christopher and Kevin Graves (season 4) as Nicholas Thatcher
  • Richard Frank (season 4) as Chester, a patient that Jesse meets while being hospitalized for the effects of AIDS

Overview[]

The drama featured the Thatcher family, whose son, Charles "Corky" Thatcher (played by Chris Burke), has Down syndrome, while their daughter Becca (played by Kellie Martin) did well at school but was socially awkward. Tony Award-winning stage actress Patti LuPone played the mother Elizabeth ("Libby") and Bill Smitrovich played the father Drew. Eldest sister Paige Thatcher was played by Monique Lanier during the 1989–1990 seasons and by Tracey Needham during the 1990–1993 seasons as Lanier left the series to have a child. Becca's boyfriend and Corky's buddy, Tyler Benchfield, was played by Tommy Puett. Jerry Berkson (Ray Buktenica) was Libby's quirky boss. In the last two seasons, Becca's boyfriend Jesse McKenna was played by Chad Lowe.

The show is set in the Chicago suburb Glenbrook, Illinois, which is named after the high school which one of Braverman's children attended at the time. The name itself is a blend of the real suburbs served by the school, Glenview and Northbrook.

Each episode's opening credits end with a shot of Arnold, the family dog (billed as "Arnold the Semi-Wonder Dog"). Apparently forgotten by the family in their rush to get ready for the day, he sits in the kitchen with his empty food bowl in his mouth and lets it drop to the floor. The show's producers received a constant trickle of letters each week from viewers who thought this was cruel, so in the final episode's opening credits, a bag of dog food spills out of a nearby cabinet.

Early seasons[]

During the show's first year, the main focus was on Corky. Much of the show examined the challenges of a family whose son had Down Syndrome. The Thatchers sought to have Corky interact with regular society after spending years socializing him amongst other kids with Down syndrome in "special" classes. The need to integrate Corky into normal society was Season 1's main storyline, as the Thatchers opted to enroll Corky in a regular high school despite the principal's demand that he be placed in an alternative program for those with Down syndrome.

In addition, during the first three seasons, episodes included Tyler Benchfield (Tommy Puett), Becca's high school crush, who also had a brother with Down syndrome.

Corky eventually got a job as an usher at a local movie theater. He later found a girlfriend, Amanda Swanson (Andrea Friedman), who also had Down Syndrome. They married by the series' end.

Later seasons[]

By the second season, the writers began to expand the show's scope beyond Corky, and the third and fourth seasons centered on Becca and a new character, Jesse (Chad Lowe), a junior who met Becca through the school's theatre department. As they become friends, Jesse told Becca he was HIV positive. Tyler became less prominent in Becca's life and was jealous of Becca's closeness with Jesse. His character was written out and he was given the memorable sendoff of dying in a car accident with Corky as passenger.

Much to the surprise of those around them, Becca and Jesse began a relationship despite his HIV. The writers explored life with HIV through Jesse's character, and the difficulties the disease causes with romantic relationships. The relationship between Corky and Becca, previously portrayed as close, was also explored, as Corky briefly turned his back on his sister for dumping a mutual friend to date Jesse.

The fourth season's first episode, in which a 40-something Becca (Pamela Bellwood) tours the house she grew up in while remembering the events of 25 years earlier, establishes that Jesse would ultimately die from AIDS and that Becca would move on and marry a man named David. The series itself ended ambiguously but on an upbeat note, showing Becca five years later, married with a son named Jesse. In the final episode Corky was set to graduate from high school, but he did not because the school board did not waive the math requirement.

Episodes[]

Season 1 (1989–90)[]

No.
overall
No. in
season
Title Directed by Written by Original air date
11 PilotRick RosenthalMichael Braverman[1]September 12, 1989 (1989-09-12)
 
22 Corky for PresidentKim FriedmanPaul WolffSeptember 24, 1989 (1989-09-24)
 
33 The Baby-SitterRick RosenthalJule SelboOctober 1, 1989 (1989-10-01)
 
44 Break a Leg, MomRick RosenthalMichael BravermanOctober 8, 1989 (1989-10-08)
 
55 Becca's First LoveRick RosenthalJule SelboOctober 15, 1989 (1989-10-15)
 
66 Paige's DateJerry JamesonJoe ShulkinOctober 22, 1989 (1989-10-22)
 
77 Paige's MomGene ReynoldsRonald RubinNovember 5, 1989 (1989-11-05)
 
88 Call of the WildGeorg FenadyLinda CowgillNovember 12, 1989 (1989-11-12)
 
99 Corky Witnesses a CrimeKim FriedmanTom O'BrienNovember 26, 1989 (1989-11-26)
 
1010 Ordinary HeroesGene ReynoldsPaul WolffDecember 3, 1989 (1989-12-03)
 
1111 Pets, Guys and VideotapeMel DamskiStar FrohmanDecember 10, 1989 (1989-12-10)
 
1212 Corky's CrushGene ReynoldsJule SelboJanuary 14, 1990 (1990-01-14)
 
1313 Thatcher and HendersonRick RosenthalMichael NankinJanuary 21, 1990 (1990-01-21)
 
1414 The Return of Uncle RichardKim FriedmanMichael BravermanFebruary 4, 1990 (1990-02-04)
 
1515 BrothersJerry JamesonRonald RubinFebruary 11, 1990 (1990-02-11)
 
1616 Corky RebelsGene ReynoldsPaul WolffFebruary 18, 1990 (1990-02-18)
 
1717 It Ain't All It's Cracked Up to BeKim FriedmanStar FrohmanMarch 4, 1990 (1990-03-04)
 
1818 Pig O' My HeartMichael BravermanMichael NankinMarch 25, 1990 (1990-03-25)
 
1919 Becca and the Underground NewspaperRick RosenthalJule SelboApril 1, 1990 (1990-04-01)
 
2020 Save the Last Dance for MeLarry ShawJudith FeinApril 15, 1990 (1990-04-15)
 
2121 With a Mighty HeartPaul WolffPaul WolffApril 29, 1990 (1990-04-29)
 
2222 The Spring FlingLarry ShawRonald RubinMay 13, 1990 (1990-05-13)
 

Season 2 (1990–91)[]

No.
overall
No. in
season
Title Directed by Written by Original air date
231 Honeymoon from HellRick RosenthalMichael BravermanSeptember 16, 1990 (1990-09-16)
 
242 Corky and the DolphinsRick RosenthalJule SelboSeptember 23, 1990 (1990-09-23)
 
253 The VisitorMichael NankinMichael NankinSeptember 30, 1990 (1990-09-30)
 
264 Becca and the BandKim FriedmanSusan WaldOctober 7, 1990 (1990-10-07)
 
275 The Banquet Room RenovationE.W. SwackhamerWesley BishopOctober 14, 1990 (1990-10-14)
 
286 HalloweenKim FriedmanLiz CoeOctober 28, 1990 (1990-10-28)
 
297 Chicken PoxCharles BravermanDavid M. WolfNovember 4, 1990 (1990-11-04)
 
308 La Dolce BeccaMiles WatkinsStar FrohmanNovember 11, 1990 (1990-11-11)
 
319 A Thatcher ThanksgivingCharles BravermanMichael Nankin & Michael BravermanNovember 18, 1990 (1990-11-18)
 
3210 Libby's SisterRick RosenthalLiz CoeNovember 25, 1990 (1990-11-25)
 
3311 The BuddyRoy Campanella IIBrad MarkowitzDecember 9, 1990 (1990-12-09)
 
3412 The Bicycle ThiefMel DamskiDavid M. WolfDecember 16, 1990 (1990-12-16)
 
3513 Isn't It Romantic?Michael LangeMichael NankinJanuary 6, 1991 (1991-01-06)
 
3614 The Bigger PictureJerry JamesonStar FrohmanJanuary 13, 1991 (1991-01-13)
 
3715 Last Stand in Glen BrookLarry ShawMarti NoxonFebruary 3, 1991 (1991-02-03)
 
3816 Head Over HeelsDick RogersLiz CoeFebruary 10, 1991 (1991-02-10)
 
3917 Corky's TravelsRick RosenthalDavid M. WolfMarch 10, 1991 (1991-03-10)
 
4018 Thanks a Bunch, Dr. LamazeMichael LangeBrad MarkowitzMarch 17, 1991 (1991-03-17)
 
4119 Ghost of Grandpa PastKim FriedmanMichael BravermanMarch 31, 1991 (1991-03-31)
 
4220 ArthurMichael NankinMichael NankinApril 7, 1991 (1991-04-07)
 
4321 Lighter Than AirMichael BravermanDick LochteApril 28, 1991 (1991-04-28)
 
4422 Proms and PramsKim FriedmanLiz CoeMay 5, 1991 (1991-05-05)
 

Season 3 (1991–92)[]

No.
overall
No. in
season
Title Directed by Written by Original air date
451 ToastMichael LangeMichael NankinSeptember 22, 1991 (1991-09-22)
 
462 Hello, GoodbyeJerry JamesonBryce ZabelSeptember 29, 1991 (1991-09-29)
 
473 Out of the MainstreamKim FriedmanBrad MarkowitzOctober 6, 1991 (1991-10-06)
 
484 ArmageddonMichael LangeCharles Pratt Jr.October 13, 1991 (1991-10-13)
 
495 Sweet 16Michael LangeToni GraphiaOctober 20, 1991 (1991-10-20)
 
506 Life After DeathLarry ShawThania St. JohnNovember 3, 1991 (1991-11-03)
 
517 Dueling DivasKim FriedmanCharles Pratt Jr.November 10, 1991 (1991-11-10)
 
528 Invasion of the Thatcher SnatchersMichael NankinMichael NankinNovember 17, 1991 (1991-11-17)
 
539 Loaded QuestionDavid CarsonBrad MarkowitzNovember 24, 1991 (1991-11-24)
 
5410 TrianglesKim FriedmanToni Graphia[1]December 1, 1991 (1991-12-01)
 
5511 The Smell of FearMichael LangeThania St. JohnDecember 15, 1991 (1991-12-15)
 
5612 Struck by LightingLarry ShawCharles Pratt Jr.January 5, 1992 (1992-01-05)
 
5713 Jerry's DeliLarry ShawE.F. WallengrenJanuary 19, 1992 (1992-01-19)
 
5814 The RoomMichael LangeStory by : Michael Nankin & Toni Graphia
Teleplay by : Michael Nankin, Toni Graphia,
Thania St. John & Charles Pratt Jr.
February 9, 1992 (1992-02-09)
 
5915 The WallMichael LangeBrad MarkowitzFebruary 16, 1992 (1992-02-16)
 
6016 The BluesMichael NankinToni GraphiaFebruary 23, 1992 (1992-02-23)
 
6117 The Fairy TaleMichael LangeThania St. JohnMarch 1, 1992 (1992-03-01)
 
6218 Hearts and FlowersLarry ShawCharles Pratt Jr.March 15, 1992 (1992-03-15)
 
6319 Corky's RomanceKim FriedmanE.F. WallengrenMarch 29, 1992 (1992-03-29)
 
6420 More Than FriendsBill SmitrovichBrad MarkowitzApril 26, 1992 (1992-04-26)
 
6521 ConfessionsMichael LangeToni GraphiaMay 3, 1992 (1992-05-03)
 
6622 Consenting AdultsMichael NankinCharles Pratt Jr.May 10, 1992 (1992-05-10)
 

Season 4 (1992–93)[]

No.
overall
No. in
season
Title Directed by Written by Original air date
671 Bec to the FutureMichael NankinThania St. John & Toni GraphiaSeptember 20, 1992 (1992-09-20)
 
682 ExposedMichael LangeE F. WallengrenSeptember 27, 1992 (1992-09-27)
 
693 Premarital SyndromeMichael BravermanToni Graphia & Thania St. John[1]October 4, 1992 (1992-10-04)
 
704 The Whole TruthMichael LangeScott FrostOctober 18, 1992 (1992-10-18)
 
715 Love LettersGeorg FenadyMarshall GoldbergNovember 8, 1992 (1992-11-08)
 
726 WindowsMichael NankinToni GraphiaNovember 22, 1992 (1992-11-22)
 
737 Babes in the WoodsSandy SmolanThania St. JohnNovember 29, 1992 (1992-11-29)
 
748 Udder MadnessKim FriedmanE.F. WallengrenDecember 13, 1992 (1992-12-13)
 
759 Happy HolidaysRandall William CookMarshall GoldbergDecember 20, 1992 (1992-12-20)
 
7610 ChoicesMichael LangeToni GraphiaJanuary 3, 1993 (1993-01-03)
 
7711 Incident on MainR.W. GoodwinScott FrostJanuary 10, 1993 (1993-01-10)
 
7812 Lost WeekendLorenzo DestefanoThania St. JohnJanuary 24, 1993 (1993-01-24)
 
7913 VisionsMichael LangeE.F. WallengrenFebruary 14, 1993 (1993-02-14)
 
8014 Five to MidnightMichael NankinScott FrostFebruary 21, 1993 (1993-02-21)
 
8115 BedfellowsMichael LangeMarshall GoldbergFebruary 28, 1993 (1993-02-28)
 
8216 Last WishJoe PennellaToni GraphiaMarch 7, 1993 (1993-03-07)
 
8317 Life Goes On (and On and On)Michael LangeE.F. WallengrenMay 23, 1993 (1993-05-23)
 

Broadcast history and U.S. television ratings[]

Season Timeslot (ET) Season Premiere Season Finale TV Season Nielsen Ranking
1 Sunday 7:00 pm September 21, 1989 May 13, 1990 19891990 #75 (8.7 rating)[2]
2 Sunday 7:00 pm September 16, 1990 May 5, 1991 19901991 #68 (8.92 rating)
3 Sunday 7:00 pm September 22, 1991 May 10, 1992 19911992 #68 (9.21 rating)
4 Sunday 7:00 pm September 20, 1992 May 23, 1993 19921993 #66 (9.11 rating)

In Canada, the show aired on Crossroads Television System. In New Zealand, the show aired Saturday afternoons on TVNZ's Channel 2.

In the United States, reruns have previously aired on The Family Channel, FX and PAX TV.

Awards and nominations[]

Year Award Category Recipient Result
1993 American Television Awards[3][4] Best Supporting Actress, Dramatic Series Kellie Martin Won
1990 Golden Globe Award Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film Chris Burke Nominated
1993 Humanitas Prize 60 Minute Category Marshall Goldberg
(For episode "Bedfellows")
Nominated
1990 Primetime Emmy Award Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series Viveca Lindfors Won
1991 Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics Mark Mueller and Craig Safan
(For episode "Corky's Travels")
Nominated
1993 Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series Chad Lowe Won
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series Kellie Martin Nominated
1990 Viewers for Quality Television Award Best Actress in a Quality Drama Series Patti LuPone Nominated
1991 Nominated
1992 Best Supporting Actress in a Quality Drama Series Kellie Martin Won
Founder's Award Won
1993 Best Quality Drama Series Nominated
Best Supporting Actor in a Quality Drama Series Chad Lowe Won
Best Supporting Actress in a Quality Drama Series Kellie Martin Nominated
1994 Writers Guild of America Award Episodic Drama Toni Graphia (For episode "Last Wish") Nominated
1990 Young Artist Award Best Young Actor Supporting Role in a Television Series Tommy Puett Nominated
Kevin Telles Nominated
Best Young Actress Supporting Role in a Television Series Kellie Martin Nominated
Best Young Actor Guest Starring in a Television Series Michael Bays Nominated
Ryan Bollman Nominated
Best New Television Series Nominated
Inspiration to Youth Chris Burke Won
1991 Best Young Actor Starring in a Television Series Nominated
Best Young Actress Starring in a Television Series Kellie Martin Won
Best Young Actress Supporting or Recurring Role For a TV Series Tanya Fenmore Nominated
Leigh Ann Orsi Nominated
1992 Best Young Actress Starring in a Television Series Kellie Martin Won
1993 Best Young Actress Starring in a Television Series Nominated
Best Young Actress Recurring in a Television Series Kiersten Warren Nominated

Home media[]

On May 9, 2006, Warner Home Video released Season 1 of Life Goes On on DVD in Region 1. It is unknown if the remaining three seasons will be released. The DVD release has a replacement theme song at the beginning of each episode, with the exception of the show's pilot. The replacement was due to high licensing costs for the Beatles' song "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da." The new song aptly titled "Life Goes On" was written by composer Marc Jackson of MoonLab Music and sung by singer/songwriter Tara Johnston. The song was written specifically for the DVD release.

Possible sequel[]

In September 2021, it was reported that a possible sequel series with original cast members Kellie Martin, Chad Lowe and Nkechi Okoro Carroll is in the works.[5] In January 2022, it was announced that NBC had given a pilot commitment for a sequel series with Martin set to return as star. Carroll will write and executive produce under her production company Rocky My Soul Productions banner, Lindsay Dunn will also executive produce, while Martin and Lowe will produce.[6]

References[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Life Goes On - WGA Directory".
  2. "The Best and Worst by the Numbers". TV Guide: 12–13. July 11, 1990.Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.
  3. Lowry, Brian (1993-04-16). "CBS leads noms for Emmy rival". variety.com.
  4. "American TV Awards to 'Seinfeld,' 'Fly Away'". variety.com (1993-05-24).
  5. Ausiello, Michael (September 2, 2021). "Life Goes On Revival in Development; Kellie Martin to Star and Produce". TVLine.
  6. "'Life Goes On': Sequel Series From Nkechi Okoro Carroll Lands Put Pilot Commitment At NBC". Deadline Hollywood (January 12, 2022).


External links[]

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