Family Ties was a sitcom drama series that ran from 1982-1989 on NBC. [It was one of the first of family comedies that emerged in the 1980's. With a rocky start in the ratings, Family Ties rose to number 2 after it was placed in the prized time-slot right after The Cosby Show and remained there from 1984 until 1987.<citiation needed>
The synopsis is centered on the Keaton family, where ex-hippy liberals Steve (Michael Gross) and Elyse (Meredith Baxter Birney) who four children, Alex (Michael J Fox), Mallory (Justine Bateman), Jennifer (Tina Yothers) and Andrew (Brian Bonsall), who was born in 1985. What was unique about Family Ties was that it blended family comedy with politics. The 1960s flower children, Steven and Elyse clashed with the 1980s conservative, Alex. The show, in a way, showed the changing values during the Reagan era. Besides political views, Family Ties covered a number of controversial topics ranging from suicide to racism to drug dependency. Skippy was a neighbor who had a never-ending crush on Mallory. Ellen was Alex's first serious girlfriend. After breaking up with her, he became seriously involved with Lauren, a psychology student and Nick Moore was Mallory's serious boyfriend. Many episodes promote conservative and other positive values.
Season 1 (1982/83): This list includes episodes and their plots
1) Pilot: Alex wins a date with a pretty rich girl, but the dates involves him attending a privileged club which does not amuse his liberal father.
2)Not with my Sister you don't: When his parents are away, Alex throws a party in the house where many classmates attend. But when Mallory runs off with the high school Romeo he is filled with anguish.
3) I Know Jennifer's Boyfriend: Jennifer faces peer ridicule for her interest in a boy.
4) Summer of '82: Seduced by a woman four years older than he, inexperienced Alex becomes heartbroken when he sees their relationship as casual.
5) I Never Killed for my Father: Sensitive liberal Steve clashes with his macho conservative father during his visit. In this episode we learn the tragic truth that Steve's father is dying.
6) Give Uncle Arthur A Kiss: Mallory is shocked when a close family friend Arthur makes a pass at her.
7) Big Brother is Watching: As new editor of the school paper, Alex reports a scandal where a list of students are cheating. He doesn't realize that he's hurting Mallory at the same time.
8) No Nukes is Good Nukes: To the dismay of the Keaton children and their equally conservative grandparents, Steve and Elyse take time out from Thanksgiving and attend an Anti-Nuclear Demonstration. They spend the holiday weekend in jail.
9) Death of A Grocer: Alex is indispensable to Sy Adler and they enjoy a close relationship. But when the budding teenage entrepreneur hears of a better opportunity he takes it.
10) Have Gun, Will Unravel: When the house is burgled, Steve and Elyse have a debate on whether to buy a gun for protection
11) A Christmas Story: When a blizzard forces the Keatons to spend Christmas at home, Elyse's gift to Steven, an album filled with some fascinating old photos, sparks flashbacks to the birth of their three children.
12) Oops:Unable to face her own mother, Mallory's pregnant friend Cindy Sullivan confides in Elyse, whose advice to the teenager seems to backfire - and causes a rift between Mallory and Elyse.
13)Sherry Baby: