What is eight is enough?

Eight Is Enough

Eight Is Enough is an American television comedy-drama series that aired on ABC from March 15, 1977, to May 23, 1981. The show focuses on the Bradford family, living in Sacramento, California, and their daily lives.

Key Information:

• Premise: The show revolves around Tom Bradford, a newspaper columnist, and his wife, Joan, as they raise their eight children: David, Mary, Joanie, Susan, Nancy, Elizabeth, Tommy, and Nicholas. After Joan's death, the family navigates the challenges of grief and adjusts to life without her. Later, Tom remarries Sandra Sue Abbott, a schoolteacher.

• Characters: The show is known for its large ensemble cast and the development of each character's individual storylines. The children grapple with issues such as adolescence, romance, career aspirations, and personal identity. The parents navigate parenting dilemmas and marital challenges. Key characters include:

  • Tom Bradford: The patriarch of the family, a newspaper columnist trying to balance work and family life.
  • Joan Bradford: (Seasons 1-3) The mother of the eight children, providing warmth and stability to the family. (Diana Hyland played Joan in the pilot and first few episodes of season one but sadly passed away.)
  • Sandra Sue Abbott Bradford: (Seasons 4-5) Tom's second wife.
  • David Bradford: The eldest son.
  • Mary Bradford: The eldest daughter.
  • Joanie Bradford
  • Susan Bradford
  • Nancy Bradford
  • Elizabeth Bradford
  • Tommy Bradford
  • Nicholas Bradford

• Themes: Eight Is Enough explored various themes relevant to family life, including love, loss, communication, responsibility, and personal growth. It often dealt with social issues and challenges facing American families in the late 1970s and early 1980s.

• Impact: The show was popular for its portrayal of a large, loving family and its optimistic tone. It helped launch the careers of several young actors and contributed to the popularity of family-oriented television programming.

• Production: The series was produced by Lorimar Productions. The show's theme song, "Eight Is Enough," was written by Grant and Baker Knight and performed by Grant.