Phenom (TV series)

Phenom
Genre Sitcom
Created by Dick Blasucci
Marc Flanagan
Sam Simon
Written by Adam Chase
Beverly Donofrio
Marc Flanagan
Fred Garver
Danny Kallis
Lawrence Meyers
Frank Mula
David Richardson
Steve Sanders
Sam Simon
Kathy Ann Stumpe
Ira Ungerleider
Jon Vitti
Directed by Art Dielhenn
Danny Kallis
Will Mackenzie
Ed. Weinberger
Starring Angela Goethals
Ashley Johnson
Jennifer Lien
Judith Light
Todd Louiso
Sara Rue
William Devane
Beverley Mitchell
Theme music composer Carly Simon
Opening theme "The Promise and the Prize" performed by Carly Simon
Composer(s) Michael Andreas
Stephen Graziano
Scott Harper
Fred Mollin
Tom Scott
Country of origin United States
Language(s) English
No. of seasons 1
No. of episodes 22
Production
Executive producer(s) Dick Blasucci
James L. Brooks
Danny Kallis
Producer(s) Hudson Hickman
Richard Sakai
Kathy Ann Stumpe
Cinematography Jo Mayer
Running time 22 - 24 min
Production company(s) Columbia Pictures Television
ELP Communications
Gracie Films
Broadcast
Original channel ABC
Original run September 14, 1993 (1993-09-14) – May 10, 1994 (1994-05-10)

Phenom is an American sitcom about a tennis wunderkind that aired on ABC from September 14, 1993 to May 10, 1994. The series stars Angela Goethals, Judith Light, and William Devane.

Contents

Synopsis

Fifteen-year-old Angela Doolan (Goethals) has the potential to be a sports superstar but worries about losing her normality and severing her family ties. Angela's father has deserted the family to rediscover his youth and dally with younger women, leaving her mother Dianne (Light) to raise her children (including older son Brian and youngest daughter Mary Margaret) and try to keep a lid on her bitterness. Added to the fray is Angela's obsessive tennis coach Lou (Devane), who is determined to bring out the champion in Angela regardless of the cost to her growth as a person.

Phenom was placed in the ideal time slot of Tuesdays at 8:30/7:30c, between Full House and Roseanne. The series initially did well in the ratings but failed to sustain strong numbers; ABC pulled the plug on the show after one season.

Cast

Production notes

The series was created by Dick Blasucci, Marc Flanagan, and Sam Simon. Dick Blasucci also served as executive producer alongside Emmy Award-winner James L. Brooks and Danny Kallis.

Phenom's theme song, "The Promise and the Prize", was written and performed by Carly Simon.

Episodes

Episode # Episode title Original airdate
1-1 Pilot September 14, 1993
1-2 "Angela's First Kiss" September 14, 1993
1-3 "Secrets" September 28, 1993
1-4 "Angela Gets Crushed" October 5, 1993
1-5 "Daddy's Home" October 12, 1993
1-6 "Game Face" October 19, 1993
1-7 "Angela's Wild Ride" October 26, 1993
1-8 "Answered Prayers" November 2, 1993
1-9 "Crazy for You" November 9, 1993
1-10 "There's No Place Like Home" November 16, 1993
1-11 "A Lou-Daughter Picnic" November 30, 1993
1-12 "A Very Doolan Christmas" December 14, 1993
1-13 "Brian and the Tennis Star" January 4, 1994
1-14 "My Little Tony" January 11, 1994
1-15 "Men are Dogs" February 1, 1994
1-16 "Spring Break-Out" February 8, 1994
1-17 "What's in a Vow?" February 15, 1994
1-18 "Dianne's Young Buck" February 22, 1994
1-19 "Angela's Fifteen Minutes" March 15, 1994
1-20 "It's a Wonderful Mid-Life Crisis" April 5, 1994
1-21 "Just a Family of Doolans Sittin' Around Talkin'" May 3, 1994
1-22 "Strictly Lunchroom" May 10, 1994

Awards and nominations

Year Award Result Category Recipient
1994 Young Artist Awards Nominated Youth Actress Leading Role in a Television Series Angela Goethals
Best New Television Series
-
Won Best Actress Under Ten in a Television Series or Show Ashley Johnson
(Tied with Ashley Peldon for Shameful Secrets)

External links