Just the Ten of Us

This show contained the same hammy acting that could be found on "Growing Pains", but it was still pretty fun. Every kid wondered what it would be like to have a really large family and this show played into that fantasy. Brooke Theiss and Jamie Lunar both turned up in Aaron Spelling shows later -- Theiss on 90210 and Lunar on Melrose Place.

This Growing Pains spin-off only lasted a little more than two seasons but it managed to leave a few good laughs behind before biting the dust. The show was well-cast even if the scripts were lightweight and nobody can deny that Brooke Theiss, Jamie Luner, and Heather Langenkamp didn't make excellent eye candy. Reruns of Just the Ten of Us still pop up occasionally on the USA Network and I'll still tune in when I get the chance. Take special note of the performance of Deborah Harmon as mother Elizabeth Lubbock. Harmon did excellent work although she hasn't appeared in very much since the show went off the air.moreless

This show fit in perfectly with ABC's TGIF line-up. After it was cancelled, I don't think ABC ever found another show that fit it on TGIF like this one did. It wasn't rocket science but it wasn't meant to be. It was a great companion show to Full House, Family Matters and Perfect Strangers. The best line-up TGIF ever had!