In the Beginning (TV series)
| In the Beginning | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Sitcom |
| Created by | Norman Lear |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language(s) | English |
| No. of seasons | 1 |
| No. of episodes | 9 (4 unaired) (list of episodes) |
| Production | |
| Camera setup | Multi-camera |
| Running time | 30 minutes |
| Production company(s) | TAT Communications Company |
| Distributor | Sony Pictures Television |
| Broadcast | |
| Original channel | CBS |
| Original run | September 20 – October 18, 1978 |
In the Beginning is an American sitcom television series, created by Norman Lear and produced by his Tandem Productions company, which aired on CBS from September 20 until October 18, 1978.
Premise
The series was a semi-update of the film Going My Way, centered around conservative priest Father Cleary and liberal, streetwise nun Sister Agnes (known as "Aggie") running a ghetto mission together in Baltimore.[1] While Aggie was from the area and enjoyed the assignment, Father Clearly had difficulty dealing with her (frequently referring to her as "Atilla the Nun"), as well as the neighborhood prostitutes, hustlers and winos.[2]
Cast
- McLean Stevenson as Father Cleary
- Priscilla Lopez as Sister Agnes
- Priscilla Morrill as Sister Lillian
- Olivia Barash as Willie
- Bobby Ellerbee as Jerome
- Jack Dodson as Msgr. Barlow
Episodes
| No. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Pilot" | September 20, 1978 | ||
| A conservative priest and a liberal nun open up a mission together. | ||||
| 2 | "What's It All About?" | Doug Rogers | Patt Shea and Harriett Weiss | September 27, 1978 |
| Aggie has feelings for a travelling musician. | ||||
| 3 | "Father Cleary's Crisis" | Doug Rogers | Leonara Thuna | October 4, 1978 |
| Father Cleary is passed over for monsignor. | ||||
| 4 | "The Good Thief" | Will Mackenzie | Joseph Bonaduce | October 11, 1978 |
| A neighborhood kid is accused of stealing from the church. | ||||
| 5 | "Aggie's Love Story" | Doug Rogers | Patt Shea and Harriett Weiss | October 18, 1978 |
| Aggie and Cleary attempt to start a sex education class for the kids who come to the mission. | ||||
| 6 | "The Poker Game" | Randy Winburn | Ron Bloomberg | Unaired |
| Aggie and Lillian raise money for the kids' camping trip by playing poker. | ||||
| 7 | "The Kook" | Bob Lally | Michael Morris | Unaired |
| 8 | "Well Healed" | Marc Daniels | Stephen A. Miller | Unaired |
| 9 | "Wedding for Thee" | Doug Rogers | Charles Stewart and Arthur Phillips | Unaired |
Production
First developed in 1977, the series was originally intended as a starring vehicle for Broadway actress Priscilla Lopez, and was to have been titled Aggie, after her character. However, McLean Stevenson was later added to the cast, and in addition to the title change, it also moved the show's focus from its original premise of Aggie against the establishment to Aggie and her battles with Father Cleary.[3]
In the Beginning also marked McLean Stevenson's second attempt at a successful post-M*A*S*H vehicle. However, the series fared even worse than his short-lived 1976 sitcom The McLean Stevenson Show and was cancelled after only 5 of its 9 episodes had aired.
References
- ↑ TV Guide. "In the Beginning Cast and Details". TV Guide. Retrieved 2013-02-12.
- ↑ Sitcomsonline. "In the Beginning - McLean Stevenson and Priscilla Lopez". Sitcomsonline. Retrieved 2014-04-03.
- ↑ Sitcomsonline. "In the Beginning - McLean Stevenson and Priscilla Lopez". Sitcomsonline. Retrieved 2014-04-03.