Kate & Allie
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that this hit '80s sitcom -- which follows two best friends who combine households after getting divorced -- highlights some of the tricky issues that arise as a result of divorce and blending families together. Teen and adult characters date (though kissing is about as "graphic" as it gets), and there's some mild (especially by today's standards) sexual innuendo that will likely go over younger viewers' heads. Some episodes include discussion of topics like infidelity, and the show in general looks at the changing roles of women in society.
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What's the Story?
Hit '80s sitcom KATE & ALLIE focuses on two women who find that friendship and humor are the keys to surviving life after a failed marriage. When high school buddies Allie Lowell (Jane Curtin) and Kate McArdle (Susan St. James) both find themselves newly divorced and facing single parenthood, they decide to move in together and move on. So -- with Kate's daughter Emma (Ari Meyers) and Allie's children Jennie (Allison Smith) and Chip (Frederick Koehler) in tow -- they start afresh in a basement apartment in New York City's Greenwich Village.
Is It Any Good?
Life as a blended family isn't always smooth for the free-spirited Kate and the more straitlaced Allie. But the women rely on their strong friendship to get them through the tough times while they focus on building happy lives. Together they struggle with achieving financial security, raising their kids, and facing their fears about dating and starting new romantic relationships.
Along with issues related to divorce, single parenthood, and non-traditional families, the series also focuses on the transition of women's roles during the '80s. Allie evaluates her sense of self-worth after surviving a marriage with a cheating husband, while the more-confident Kate strives for respect and gender equality in the workplace. The best part is that even with all those heavy topics in play, the show is still lighthearted and fun (though later episodes include major lifestyle changes for the gang that fail to capture the show's original spirit). It successfully captures some of the major issues faced by aging female (and some male) Baby Boomers in the mid-'80s.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what it's like to live in a blended family. What are some of the challenges that come with merging two families? Are television's examples of blended family realistic? Can you think of other shows that feature blended families? Families can also discuss women's changing roles in society. How are divorced women and/or single parents seen now? How were they seen when this show originally aired in the '80s? Has a lot changed? What's different?
TV Details
- Premiere date: March 19, 1984
- Cast: Ari Meyers, Jane Curtin, Susan St. James
- Networks: Syndicated, WE
- Genre: Comedy
- TV rating: TV-PG
- Last updated: March 1, 2022
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