Julie Farr, M.D.

Julie Farr, M.D. (a.k.a. Having Babies) is an American television show that aired on the ABC network in 1978. It followed three television movies called Having Babies which aired from 1976 to 1978, and was not renewed after its initial run of episodes aired in March–April 1978. The show began airing as Having Babies but was renamed Julie Farr, M.D. during its run after its lead character.

Julie Farr, M.D.
GenreMedical drama
StarringSusan Sullivan
Mitchell Ryan
Dennis Howard
Beverly Todd
Theme music composerFred Karlin
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
Production
ProducerGerald W. Abrams and Gerald Isenberg (executive producers)
Production locationUnited States
Production companiesThe Jozak Company
Paramount Television
Release
Original networkABC
Picture formatColor
Audio formatMono
Original release1978 (1978)

Background

A series of three movie specials called Having Babies (II and III for the latter installments) aired on ABC from 1976 to 1978.[1] Following the airing of Having Babies III as the ABC Friday Night Movie on March 3, 1978, the storyline was continued as a six-episode "trial" one-hour series on Tuesday nights.[2][3][4]

As of March 28, 1978, the show began airing under the title of Julie Farr, M.D.,[5][6] apparently to try to attract more male viewers.[7] After the initial episode run was completed on April 18, 1978, the show was not renewed, though three unaired episodes were later shown in June 1979.[5][8]

The show was the first American hospital drama that centered on a female character, and its failure caused some concern in Hollywood that such a show could not succeed, even though the poor quality of the story lines and fairly poor reviews of the show likely also played a part.[9][10]

Plot

The show starred Susan Sullivan as Dr. Julie Farr, a role which debuted in the Having Babies II movie.[11]

Reception

Initial reviews of the show, as it transitioned from its movie-status to a series, were somewhat negative. One review opined that Sullivan "plays a better than average medico," but that the show was "one of the finer comedies of the season," which was a rather big problem since the show was a drama.[12] The National PTA, however, ranked it number 7 among the top 10 shows on television.[13][14] Sullivan was also nominated for an Emmy for her performance.[15][16]

The ratings for the series were far from stellar. Though the March 7, 1978 debut ranked 26th,[17] the final episode tied for 60th place out of 68 prime time shows.[18]

Primary cast

References
  1. Terrace, Vincent. Encyclopedia of Television Series, Pilots and Specials: 1974-1984, Vol. II, p. 186-87 (1985)
  2. Witbeck,Charles (3 March 1978). 'Having Babies' to return Tuesday as a six-week series, Boca Raton News (King Features Syndicate article)
  3. O'Connor, John J. (3 March 1978). TV: More On Having Babies, The New York Times
  4. Elze, Winifred (26 March 1978). Susan Doctors Her New Series, The Vindicator
  5. Brooks, Tim & Marsh, Earle. The complete directory to prime time network and cable TV shows, 1946-present, p. 513 (8th ed. 2003)
  6. (28 March 1978). Previews, Evening Independent
  7. Hanauer, Joan (7 April 1978). How Sweet It Was, Bryan Times
  8. Associated Press (28 June 1979). New Show Rate Well, Toledo Blade (in a week filled with mostly re-runs, a newly aired episode of Julie Farr, M.D. ranked number 15)
  9. Llewellyn-Jones, Margaret & Carson, Bruce (eds.) Frames and fictions on television: the politics of identity within drama, p.53 (2000)
  10. (2 March 1978). Symbol of a Woman, The Hour (newspaper) (UPI article)
  11. Scheuer, Steven H. (11 March 1978). Susan jumps from soap to nighttime drama, The Miami News
  12. Moody, Greg. TV Today: Having Babies Is No More Trying Than 'Having Babies', Milwaukee Sentinel
  13. (11 August 1978). PTA's top--and bottom--10 on TV, Boston Globe
  14. Associated Press (12 August 1978). Parents Object to Kojak, Leader Post
  15. (17 October 1981). Susan Sullivan to star in 'Falcon Crest', Lewiston Daily Sun
  16. Julie Farr, M.D. - Outstanding Lead Actress In A Drama Series - 1978, emmys.com, Retrieved September 2, 2011 (Sada Thompson won)
  17. (15 March 1978). Happy Days Rerun Tops Weekly Nielsen Poll, Los Angeles Times ("Having Babies placed 26th in its debut as a weekly series")
  18. Hanauer, Joan (26 April 1978). On the bottom line: 'Holocaust' sold, Ellensburg Daily Record
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