Brett Ferino
11-04-2000, 11:16 AM
They are all grown up. You watch reruns of them in syndication on Disney Channel. Do you want to know what happened to all of 'em?
One of the most beloved family comedies of the '80s returns with "The Growing Pains Movie," a two-hour original movie that reunites the Seavers one more time when Jason asks his now-grown kids to return home to run Maggie's campaign for Congress. The film will air as a presentation of "The Wonderful World of Disney" Sunday, November 5 (7-9 p.m. /6C), on the ABC Television Network.
For seven seasons on ABC, the "Growing Pains" series chronicled the adventures of the Seaver family as Jason (Alan Thicke), a psychiatrist, moved his practice home and became a househusband after Maggie (Joanna Kerns) returned to the workforce. Parenting was a constant challenge: Budding con man Mike (Kirk Cameron) and his talent for trouble kept the family on red alert; brainy daughter Carol (Tracey Gold) barely tolerated her brother's antics; and Ben (Jeremy Miller) aspired to follow in Mike's footsteps. The appearance of baby sister Chrissy (Ashley Johnson) helped them all stay young. The final episode found the family packing up and moving to Washington, D.C., where Maggie had been offered a great job.
Now, eight years later, it's funny how the more things change, the more they stay the same. Fast-talking Mike has found the perfect job as an advertising executive and is happily married to Kate (Chelsea Noble). Carol is now a ruthless corporate lawyer. Ben has failed in the dot.com business and is now cleaning pools in Beverly Hills. Teenage Chrissy, the only kid still living at home, is about to be valedictorian of her high school class ... if only she can keep from getting suspended first. Jason has started a second career, writing mystery novels; and Maggie is press secretary for a millionaire who's running for Congress.
But despite their love for one another, the family has drifted apart. The kids very reluctantly agree to come together for Jason and Maggie's 30th anniversary.
They're in for a surprise when Maggie makes a startling announcement: The rich guy has fired her as his press secretary, but she's decided to run against him in the upcoming primary. She wants Jason and Chrissy to move back to Long Island and Mike, Carol, and Ben to help her run the campaign. Can the family pull together one more time -- without killing another -- before election day comes?
"The Growing Pains Movie" stars Alan Thicke as Jason Seaver, Joanna Kerns as Maggie Seaver, Kirk Cameron as Mike Seaver, Tracey Gold as Carol Seaver, Jeremy Miller as Ben Seaver, Ashley Johnson as Chrissy Seaver, and Chelsea Noble as Kate Seaver. Also starring are Brandon Douglas as Scott Kaufer, Matthew Harbour as Jack Kaufer, and Francis Xavier McCarthy as Mac Robinson. Featured are Timothy James as John Moore, Simon Peacock as the staffer, Teresa Esmezyan as Eve Seaver, Marlyne Afflack as Jody, Danny Wells as the street person, Tracy Braunstein as Carol's assistant, Mike Shute as the first policeman, Peter Colvey as Mr. Trotter, Marine Saint-Cyr as Nikki Seaver, Andreya Sullivan as Dandreena Seaver, Noel Burton as the director, and Michelle Lipper as the assistant director.
The film was written by David Kendall & Mike Sullivan and is based on the series created by Neal Marlens. Alan Metter directed. Mike Sullivan & David Kendall are executive producers. Andre Rouleau is supervising producer. "The Growing Pains Movie" is from How Do These Things Happen? Productions and Green/Epstein/Bacino Productions, Inc., in association with Warner Bros. Television.
One of the most beloved family comedies of the '80s returns with "The Growing Pains Movie," a two-hour original movie that reunites the Seavers one more time when Jason asks his now-grown kids to return home to run Maggie's campaign for Congress. The film will air as a presentation of "The Wonderful World of Disney" Sunday, November 5 (7-9 p.m. /6C), on the ABC Television Network.
For seven seasons on ABC, the "Growing Pains" series chronicled the adventures of the Seaver family as Jason (Alan Thicke), a psychiatrist, moved his practice home and became a househusband after Maggie (Joanna Kerns) returned to the workforce. Parenting was a constant challenge: Budding con man Mike (Kirk Cameron) and his talent for trouble kept the family on red alert; brainy daughter Carol (Tracey Gold) barely tolerated her brother's antics; and Ben (Jeremy Miller) aspired to follow in Mike's footsteps. The appearance of baby sister Chrissy (Ashley Johnson) helped them all stay young. The final episode found the family packing up and moving to Washington, D.C., where Maggie had been offered a great job.
Now, eight years later, it's funny how the more things change, the more they stay the same. Fast-talking Mike has found the perfect job as an advertising executive and is happily married to Kate (Chelsea Noble). Carol is now a ruthless corporate lawyer. Ben has failed in the dot.com business and is now cleaning pools in Beverly Hills. Teenage Chrissy, the only kid still living at home, is about to be valedictorian of her high school class ... if only she can keep from getting suspended first. Jason has started a second career, writing mystery novels; and Maggie is press secretary for a millionaire who's running for Congress.
But despite their love for one another, the family has drifted apart. The kids very reluctantly agree to come together for Jason and Maggie's 30th anniversary.
They're in for a surprise when Maggie makes a startling announcement: The rich guy has fired her as his press secretary, but she's decided to run against him in the upcoming primary. She wants Jason and Chrissy to move back to Long Island and Mike, Carol, and Ben to help her run the campaign. Can the family pull together one more time -- without killing another -- before election day comes?
"The Growing Pains Movie" stars Alan Thicke as Jason Seaver, Joanna Kerns as Maggie Seaver, Kirk Cameron as Mike Seaver, Tracey Gold as Carol Seaver, Jeremy Miller as Ben Seaver, Ashley Johnson as Chrissy Seaver, and Chelsea Noble as Kate Seaver. Also starring are Brandon Douglas as Scott Kaufer, Matthew Harbour as Jack Kaufer, and Francis Xavier McCarthy as Mac Robinson. Featured are Timothy James as John Moore, Simon Peacock as the staffer, Teresa Esmezyan as Eve Seaver, Marlyne Afflack as Jody, Danny Wells as the street person, Tracy Braunstein as Carol's assistant, Mike Shute as the first policeman, Peter Colvey as Mr. Trotter, Marine Saint-Cyr as Nikki Seaver, Andreya Sullivan as Dandreena Seaver, Noel Burton as the director, and Michelle Lipper as the assistant director.
The film was written by David Kendall & Mike Sullivan and is based on the series created by Neal Marlens. Alan Metter directed. Mike Sullivan & David Kendall are executive producers. Andre Rouleau is supervising producer. "The Growing Pains Movie" is from How Do These Things Happen? Productions and Green/Epstein/Bacino Productions, Inc., in association with Warner Bros. Television.