thirtysomething

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thirtysomething ranks 18,587 out of the 18,229 shows on TV.com.

The 159 users who count themselves as thirtysomething fans have written a total of 3 reviews.

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Ended

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When thirtysomething debuted in 1987 it was attacked by some critics as being a self-indulgent examination of the minutiae of yuppie life. Before the first season was over, some of those same critics were covering their tracks by calling it "the most improved show on television." Producers Ed Zwick and... more »

When thirtysomething debuted in 1987 it was attacked by some critics as being a self-indulgent examination of the minutiae of yuppie life. Before the first season was over, some of those same critics were covering their tracks by calling it "the most improved show on television." Producers Ed Zwick and Marshall Herskovitz had teamed up before on Family and would go on to create My So-Called Life, Relativity and Once and Again. Often using feature-film techniques, their brand of what could be called "reality" television tackled not only the small subjects, but the big ones too, all the way from life to death, as they followed their characters on the road from the idealism of youth to the search for security and responsiblity as they glided toward middle age. And it was even funny sometimes.
After its network run came to an end in 1991, thirtysomething became a staple rerun on the Lifetime network for quite some time. Then in July 2001 the Bravo Channel began airing the series. As of February 2002, though, thirtysometing finds itself without a regular home on US television.

thirtysomething around the world
thirtysomething may be absent from the US airwaves, but some spots around the globe are lucky enough to be receiving it. A TV Tome user from Scotland has told us that as of early 2003, thirtysomething is being shown in the UK weeknights at 8 on the Ftn channel. And another viewer in Germany has let us know that as of May 2004, the show can be seen on Channel 1 ARD German TV in that country at 2:40AM Thursday evening (or Friday morning). It's dubbed in German. As of September 2004, thirtysomething has been seen at 11:00 Monday through Thursday on the Women's Television network, and we've also been informed that the cable channel Sic Muhler is broadcasting the show in Portugal on Fridays at 9PM with repeats on Sunday 8PM and Monday 3PM. It's called Os Trintoes over there!

thirtysomething on DVD--more disappointment
TV Guide reported in their Q&A column in January 2005 to "look for" the first season of thirtysomething to be released on DVD by September 2005. No specific details were given, but that would normally be a reliable source. Well, even normally reliable sources make mistakes, it seems. The news was followed almost immediately by retractions. So once again the depressing answer to the oft-asked question "When will thirtysomething be released on DVD?" is "We don't know." Once again fans of the the show are left disappointed and empty-handed. And once again it would seem that someone is missing out on a sure thing by refusing to commercially release this show that there appears to be a great demand for.less «

• DVD Release?

  This was such a popular show, that I'm surprised that I haven't heard anything about a DVD release. Has anyone heard anything about a possible DVD release for this show?

  This was such a popular show, that I'm surprised that I haven't heard anything about a DVD release. Has anyone heard anything about a possible DVD release for this show?less «

  jkdowney Last online Apr 8, 2008
  9 comments, last one May 29, 2009 + Add Comment

• Favorite episode and/or character

  My favorite character was Melissa, she was a bit screwed up but I could relate to her on so many different levels.  I think...more »

  My favorite character was Melissa, she was a bit screwed up but I could relate to her on so many different levels.  I think my favorite espisode was when Lee & Melissa broke up. While watching my videos of this show the other day I realized something amazing, I am now 30something.  I was 19 when I used to watch the show on Lifetime, but now I am one of them!  Yikes! less «

  sllimeeda Last online Jun 8, 2009
  5 comments, last one Nov 3, 2008 + Add Comment

•  

  10 Perfect

  The best tv drama of the 1980's! The drama is about seven friends from Philadelphia, who survives the yuppie angst in the 1980's. It involves two married couples (The Steadmans and The Westons), their friends Melissa (Michael's cousin), Gary, and Ellyn. hide « show »

  I remember watching the show when I was in elementary school. I was six years old when the drama began and became a hit. I was ten years old when the show ended after four seasons. It was attacked by critics when they portrayed the yuppie life. The characters on the show are Micheal Steadman and Hope Murdoch Steadman are an interfaith couple. Michael is Jewish and Hope is Christian. Michael owns the advertising business and works for DAA. Hope is a stay-at-home mother and writer who is struggling with her desire to be at home with her daughter, Janey and later her son, Leo and her need to work. There's Melissa Steadman, Michael's cousin, who is a photographer whoose career includes an album by Carly Simon and in the magazine "Vanity Fair". Elliot Weston and Nancy Krieger Weston, good friends of the Steadmans. Elliot owns the advertising business with Michael and later worked for DAA with Michael. Nancy is an artist and a stay-at-home mother to their school-age children, Ethan and Brittany. Elliot and Nancy separated, then divorce, and then got back together again after years of reconcilliation. Nancy was suffered from ovarian cancer and survived the disease. There is Ellyn Warren, Hope's childhood friend, who works with City Hall. She became involved with Steve Woodman, who works at City Hall. Then she had an affair with a married man named Jeffrey Milgram. In the show's fourth and final season, she becomes involved with and then marries Billy Sidel, a graphic designer. There is Prof. Gary Shepherd and Susannah Hart Shepherd. Gary is Michael's college roommate and a free-spirited professor of English literature. He was denied tenure at the University of Pennsylvania, he still thinks about being a social worker. At point he meets Susannah Hart, who is a social worker. Gary marries Susannah when they have a baby girl named Emma. Gary dies in the last season in a traffic accident, as Nancy recovers from cancer. After Gary's death, Susannah moves away with Emma. Finally there's Miles Drentell, Michael and Elliot's boss at DAA. He ruins Michael's life, which caused him to go through depression. Michael was forced to fire Elliot.

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  RaineRP Added Aug 13, 2006 All my reviews
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  9 Superb

  Rediscovery on Lifetime hide « show »

  I couldn't get into this show in its initial run-seemed distanced plus usual big city non-cable lousy reception didn't help.But cable finally arrived in my neighborhood in 1990 and eventually I started watching it daily on Lifetime.The characters were just enough like me(age,Philadelphians,college-educated)and unlike me(more affluent)to be fascinating.I loved the whole Miles storyline-was he evil or benevolent?So I became hooked.Early Kellie Martin-wow did she blossom later on Life Goes On-and rocker John David Souther in a small role.The kicker for me was the whole Gary(the character who most resembled me,physically and otherwise)death episode:the way it opened being ostensibly about Nancy's cancer,then WHAM! that scene at the hospital.I cried all the way to work the next morning!How many shows reach that level of emotional resonance?

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  rockerreds Added Feb 18, 2006 All my reviews
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  10 Perfect

  I use to love this show. hide « show »

  I remember I would try not to miss an episode when it come on Lifetime. I was so upset when they stop making more episodes. I still don't see it on TV. I still remember my final words: I'm going to get this show on tape (when movies were on tape then) whether I have to contact the boardcasting company myself. And know that you can get just about anything on DVD know a days I said to myself: Yes! This is so great! Now I can really get my show... So, now I'm just waiting for it to be released on DVD and I can't wait. I'll be the first one (if I can help it} to get a copy.
  
  I believe this was a great show during the 80's because it showed how you can have a variety of friends know matter there life style and still be able for them all to be best or great friends. To be honest, I loved most of the 80's shows/movies during these times compared to now in the 2000's. I hate most of the shows or crap they put on TV now. Most of the shows don't have any good values or meaning at all or good quality. So, please "to all critics out there" please put "Thirtysomething" on DVD right away because it was and will always be a great show.
  
  Thanks
  

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  sweathoneyglaze Added Oct 27, 2005 All my reviews