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Season 1 – Party of Five

Play trailer Poster for Season 1 – Party of Five Sep 1994 Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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85% Tomatometer 13 Reviews 80% Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
After their parents die in a car accident, the five Salinger siblings are forced to live on their own, with oldest son Charlie appointed the guardian of his brothers and sisters. Their new situation means putting aside personal goals to help make ends meet and keep the family together.
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Party of Five — Season 1

Party of Five — Season 1

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Critics Consensus

A sincere family drama full of tear-jerking moments, Party of Five excels at its authentic depiction of young adult issues.

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Critics Reviews

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Tom Shales Washington Post 06/24/2019
While the pilot is overloaded with calamities, there's an earnestness and an honesty about the show and the characters that draw one in. Go to Full Review Amy Amatangelo Paste Magazine 06/24/2019
Party of Five was the This is Us of its day. The series dealt with alcoholism, cancer and domestic violence with grace and reached its primarily teenage/young adult audience by never dumbing down its topics. Go to Full Review John J. O'Connor New York Times 06/21/2019
Chris Keyser and Amy Lippman manage to transcend an off-putting concept by making their young characters quite credible and likable as they encounter the obstacles of growing up. Go to Full Review Bruce R. Miller Sioux City Journal 02/03/2021
A-
"Kids alone" may be the big theme of '94 but here it doesn't come off as gimmick. That's because excellent acting gives it strength... Scott Wolf as the middle brother looms as one of the year's breakout stars. Go to Full Review Robert Bianco Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 02/03/2021
Chalk this up as the season's most pleasant surprise: a quality family drama built around that most dubious of sentimental premises struggling orphans. Go to Full Review Bob Langford News & Observer (Raleigh, NC) 02/03/2021
1.5/4
"Mom and Dad get killed in a car crash so the kids raise themselves." Verdict: How does it sound? You don't need to be a professional TV critic to figure this stuff out Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Trafalgar L @TDWaterLaw93 01/12/2024 Season one of "Party of Five" sets the tone for the series. Parents are unfortunately killed in a car crash and now the oldest brother must be the guardian and the others are forced to put aside personal issues and band together. In season one we see some serious topics (death, menstrual cycle, substance abuse and overdose, etc.) and the show does not talk down to its audience. It's definitely a good series but it's not for anyone under the age of thirteen. See more 03/08/2020 Such an incredible show. A story that needs to be told. Please renew the show.💛 See more 01/27/2020 I went with 5 stars across the board I never give a show or a movie 5 stars like ever. 90's nostalgic show from my child, I have now since began watching it again since I was young on d.v.d. box set. You should watch it or rewatch it sometime as I did I love this show. See more 01/12/2020 This show was forgettable. It did not need a remake See more 01/03/2020 Incredible cast, amazing story! See more 08/09/2018 Truly amazing show, watched it when it first came out back in 94 now with Netflix I can’t stop watching enjoying all the memories that it brings back! Great storytelling, amazing characters and a great 90’s show overall. Simply put a must watch show for any nostalgic person out there craving for some 90’s life style, in a world far away from smartphones, internet being the norm, afternoons at the coffee shop no Facebook or Twitter and more!! See more Read all reviews
Party of Five — Season 1

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Cast & Crew

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Matthew Fox

Charlie Salinger

Scott Wolf

Bailey Salinger

Neve Campbell

Julia Salinger

Megan Ward

Guest Star

Lacey Chabert

Claudia Salinger

Peter Dobson

Guest Star

Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Sep 12, 1994 Pilot Orphaned siblings struggle to stay together; with Matthew Fox; Scott Wolf; Neve Campbell; Lacey Chabert. Details Episode 2 Aired Sep 19, 1994 Homework Bailey's crush on Kirsten has one small problem -- Kirsten's crush on Charlie; Claudia believes she may have found her grandfather; Julia wants to hang with the "in" crowd. Details Episode 3 Aired Sep 26, 1994 Good Sports Claudia has no peace when Julia allows her new friends to throw wild parties; Bailey's coach threatens to suspend him from the team. Details Episode 4 Aired Oct 3, 1994 Worth Waiting For Bailey starts working more hours at the store and ends up meeting Kate; the passion builds between Charlie and Kirsten; Claudia starts asking questions. Details Episode 5 Aired Oct 10, 1994 All's Fair Bailey makes Kate choose between him and her boyfriend; Charlie gets a visit from an old girlfriend; Claudia is obsessed with winning the violin competition. Details Episode 6 Aired Oct 17, 1994 Fathers and Sons Bailey has to justify everything about his life to Kate's father; Julia finds out P.K. has been beaten by his stepfather. Details Episode 7 Aired Oct 24, 1994 Much Ado Owen becomes sick and has to be hospitalized; Claudia becomes jealous of Bailey and Kate's relationship; Kirsten finds out about Charlie's cheating. Details Episode 8 Aired Nov 2, 1994 Kiss Me, Kate Kate tells Bailey she wants to remain a virgin until marriage; a newspaper story gives Claudia a swelled head. Details Episode 9 Aired Nov 7, 1994 Something Out of Nothing An old family friend comes to visit and becomes intimate with Bailey; Claudia learns that Ross is gay. Details Episode 10 Aired Nov 14, 1994 Thanksgiving The drunken driver responsible for the deaths of the Salingers' parents visits the family and attempts to answer some difficult questions. Details Episode 11 Aired Nov 21, 1994 Private Lies A surprise Social Services visit coincides with Claudia's disappearance; Kirsten returns; Julia and her boss hit it off. Details Episode 12 Aired Nov 28, 1994 Games People Play Kate shares some bad news with Bailey; Charlie's and Kirsten's paths cross again; Julia gives Claudia some tips about relationships. Details Episode 13 Aired Dec 12, 1994 Grownups Kirsten thinks about moving home; a wild and reckless girl comes into Bailey's life; Claudia turns to Bailey for help when she can't find Julia. Details Episode 14 Aired Jan 4, 1995 Not Fade Away Kirsten moves in with the Salingers; Bailey continues to spend all his free time with his new girlfriend. Details Episode 15 Aired Jan 11, 1995 It's Not Easy Being Green Charlie feels threatened when Kirsten starts spending time with her dissertation adviser; Bailey's new girlfriend comes between him and Will. Details Episode 16 Aired Jan 18, 1995 Aftershocks After an earthquake hits San Francisco, Claudia becomes obsessed with earthquake safety; Charlie finds out that Jill, Bailey's girlfriend, is a drug user. Details Episode 17 Aired Feb 1, 1995 In Loco Parentis Bailey goes to Jill's mom after he believes Jill broke her promise to stop using drugs; Charlie is urged to spend more time with Owen. Details Episode 18 Aired Feb 15, 1995 Who Cares? Claudia's 12th birthday approaches but no one seems to notice; Bailey goes to Los Angeles in search of Jill; Julia helps her friend Danny write lyrics. Details Episode 19 Aired Feb 22, 1995 Brother's Keeper The Salingers may have to move when Charlie gets an offer to expand his furniture company; Bailey fails a math test. Details Episode 20 Aired Mar 1, 1995 The Trouble With Charlie After breaking up with Jill, Bailey runs into Kate; Julia's short story about her family wins a contest. Details Episode 21 Aired Mar 8, 1995 All-Nighters Charlie decides to move out and begins looking for an apartment; Claudia and Artie witness a crime; Bailey and Jill are reunited. Details Episode 22 Aired Mar 15, 1995 Ides of March Jill's drug problem becomes disastrous; Charlie proposes to Kirsten; a hitch develops in Ross' attempt at adoption. Details

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Party of Five — Season 1

Party of Five Party of Five Party of Five Party of Five View more photos

Season Info

Director
Michael Engler, Ken Topolsky
Network
Fox
Rating
TV-PG (V)
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date
Sep 12, 1994