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Minor Adjustments aired from September 1995 until August 1996 on NBC and UPN.
Black stand-up comic Rondell Sheridan often cited Bill Cosby as one of his inspirations and this gentile Cosby-esque sitcom proved he meant it. Dr. Ron ( Rondell Sheridan), was a Philadelphia child psychologist who had a special way with youngsters, perhaps because he was basically an overgrown kid himself. Joking, mugging, winning their trust, he found ways to help them deal with their problems. Rachel ( Wendy Raquel Robinson) was his savvy wife, Tevor ( Bobby E. McAdams ll) his son, a little operator on whom Ron sometimes practiced, and Emma ( Camille Winbush) the adorable 4-year old. Ron shared an office with fussy orthodontist Bruce ( Mitchell Whitfield), neurotic pediatrician Francine ( Linda Kash), who was recently divorced and reveling in her bitterness, and spaced out receptionist Darby ( Sara Rue), who was Ron's niece.
Minor Adjustments was an unusual example of a series that switched networks in the middle of a season, moving from NBC to UPN. It fared no better on the smaller network and was canceled at the end of the first year.
A Review from Variety
Minor Adjustments
((Sat. (16), 9-9:30 p.m., NBC))
By TODD EVERETT
Filmed in Los Angeles by Witt/Thomas Prods. in association with Warner Bros. Television. Executive producers, Ken Estin, Paul Junger Witt, Tony Thomas, Gary S. Levine; co-executive producer, Nina Feinberg; producer, Gil Junger; director, Peter Bonerz; script, Estin. #Cast: Rondell Sheridan, Wendy Raquel Robinson, Mitchell Whitfield, Linda Kash, Sara Rue, Bobby E. McAdams II, Camille Winbush. #(Remaining cast and tech credits unavailable.)
A psychologist, played by a former standup comedian, is the main figure in one of NBC's new sitcoms, sharing office space with an orthodontist and a slightly ditzy receptionist. If producers hadn't intended any resemblance to "The Bob Newhart Show," similarity might have been pointed out by this episode's director, Peter Bonerz, who played the orthodontist sharing office space and receptionist with Newhart in his 1972- 78 CBS series. There are minor adjustments that separate this one and that classic. Standup comedian Rondell Sheridan stars as Dr. Ron Aimes, a child psychologist: Instead of dealing with a regular clientele played by talented adults off the improv theater circuit, Aimes treats a succession of kids.
Unlike Newhart's childless Bob Hartley, Aimes and wife, Rachel (Wendy Raquel Robinson), are the parents of 10-year-old Trevor (Bobby E. McAdams II) and 4 -year-old Emma (Camille Winbush).
And in addition to womanizing orthodontist Dr. Bruce Hampton (Mitchell Whitfield) and retro-Valley Girl receptionist Darby Gladstone (Sara Rue) -- who keeps her job because she's Hampton's niece -- the medical group includes the show's potentially funniest character, pediatrician Francine Bailey (Linda Kash) , whose hatred of her former husband takes precedence over any other concern. For her, at least, "Newhart" has no analogue.
First episode finds Aimes dealing with kids on their own level, with lots of childlike play suggesting that show's creators might be aware of "The Cosby Show" as well as "Newhart." Secondary plot has bright Trevor afraid to attend school for the gifted, a fear that his parents combat successfully -- while having the good taste to point out that just because Trevor is bright, he doesn't have to sound so much like a teenage Steve Urkel.
Adult actors are gifted enough that show might bear repeated viewing, especially if Darby is toned down a bit and Hampton is given a more rounded character. If Aimes family has a neighbor who's a commercial airline navigator, it's being kept for an upcoming episode.
Following Saturday night debut, show moved to its regular 7:30 p.m. Sunday slot, following "Brotherly Love."
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