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Season 1 – Hogan Family

Play trailer Poster for Season 1 – Hogan Family Mar 1986 Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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61% Tomatometer 23 Reviews Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
It starts out as a standard family sitcom called "Valerie" about a mom juggling the demands of work, three boys and a frequently absent airline pilot husband. Then after star Valerie Harper has a falling-out with producers, her character is killed off. Enter Sandy Duncan as the live-in aunt and surrogate mother figure, which leads to renaming the show first "Valerie's Family" and then "The Hogan Family." In addition to light sitcom fare, the show tackles "very special episode" topics like the death of a parent, drunken driving, teen sex and AIDS.
Hogan Family — Season 1

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Valerie Harper's gift with a quip elevates this domestic -- and tediously domesticated -- sitcom, although Jason Bateman's precocious performance as her eldest son may just steal the show.

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Critics Reviews

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Nick Coleman Minneapolis Star Tribune 09/28/2021
Much of the show's appeal can be attributed to Harper's style. She still delivers her lines in that cynical, drop-dead kind of way she used as Rhoda and it still works to win laughs. Go to Full Review Tom Shales Washington Post 09/23/2021
Bateman is no Michael J. Fox; he is even less interesting. Bateman did a snappy job of playing a youthful con man on last year's short-lived It's Your Move, but a year in the life of a kid can be devastating to his charisma. Bateman lost his. Go to Full Review John J. O'Connor New York Times 09/23/2021
It is always a pleasure to watch Miss Harper do wonders with her sense of timing in delivering a gag line, but this time around she is forced to prop up a somewhat limp situation almost single-handedly. Go to Full Review Bruce R. Miller Sioux City Journal 09/28/2021
C
The story premises are familiar; the responses dull. Jason Bateman needs to be devious; Valerie has to be cutting. Neither are. Go to Full Review Tom Long Santa Cruz Sentinel 09/28/2021
Even though the writing for Valerie is serviceable -- there are some laughs -- it would seem as if the entire situation itself was born stagnant. Where are these people going to go? Why will we care about them in two years? What will set this show apart? Go to Full Review Arthur Unger Christian Science Monitor 09/23/2021
It won't win awards for innovation; but, if future scripts add a bit more depth and breadth to the basic relationships, the Hogan family could turn out to be almost as delightful to share a half-hour with as, say, the Huxtables. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Mike P @RT09890132 08/19/2023 Valerie Harper and her gift for the straight faced deadpan sarcasm lift this 80s riff on the Brady Brady bunch from mediocrity. And Valerie, as Mrs. Sarcastic Mom; has excellent chemistry with demon seed Jason Bateman; as Sarcastic Son #1. (It's lovely how they show sarcasm begets sarcasm this way on this show!) Sandy Duncan is fine as the substitute. This is a light show that mostly plays it for laughs; and works; 60 to 70% of the time. Not a masterpiece like Roseanne or Modern Family, (or The Mary Tyler Moore Show!!), but it works. (By the way Roseanne Barr's antics and getting fired from her namesake show are eerily similar to Valerie Harper's antics on hers; also culminating with her termination. Talk about history repeating itself!) See more Read all reviews
Hogan Family — Season 1

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Cast & Crew

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Jason Bateman

David Hogan

Valerie Harper

Valerie Hogan

Jeremy Licht

Mark Hogan

Danny Ponce

Willie Hogan

Josh Taylor

Michael Hogan

Bruce Tuthill

Guest Star

Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Mar 1, 1986 Old Enough David (Jason Bateman) defies his mother's (Valerie Harper) orders and dates an older woman. Details Episode 2 Aired Mar 3, 1986 The Six Valerie (Valerie Harper) is shocked at David (Jason Bateman) when he won't introduce his new girlfriend to his friends. Details Episode 3 Aired Mar 10, 1986 The Wrong Stuff When Michael's (Josh Taylor) military mentor visits, Willie and David (Danny Ponce, Jason Bateman) adopt his macho attitudes. Details Episode 4 Aired Mar 17, 1986 One of the Boys Mark attempts to change his brainy image by trying out for the school wrestling team. Details Episode 5 Aired Mar 24, 1986 Benefit of the Doubt Willie (Danny Ponce) faces a crisis when he tires of competing for better grades with super-smart Mark (Jeremy Licht). Details Episode 6 Aired Mar 31, 1986 Dog Day Afternoon The family is divided on whether to put their sickly old dog to sleep. With Jason Bateman and Valerie Harper. Details Episode 7 Aired Apr 7, 1986 Happy Anniversary The boys (Jason Bateman, Jeremy Licht, Danny Ponce) attempt to cheer up Valerie (Valerie Harper) when she is alone on her wedding anniversary. Details Episode 8 Aired Apr 14, 1986 This Son for Hire Valerie (Valerie Harper) panics after David (Jason Bateman) gets a part-time job at the auction house she manages. Details Episode 9 Aired May 5, 1986 Sick House The flu bug hits the Hogan household, throwing David's big date into jeopardy. Details Episode 10 Aired May 19, 1986 Executive Material Valerie accepts a promotion at the auction house, leaving her little time at home. Details

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Season Info

Director
Ellen Gittelsohn, James Burrows, Asaad Kelada, Jim Drake, Peter Baldwin
Screenwriter
Chip Keyes, Linda Marsh, Jace Richdale, Charlie Hauck, Eric Cohen, Doug Keyes, Margie Peters
Network
NBC
Rating
TV-PG
Genre
Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date
Mar 1, 1986