---
title: "Alice"
year: 1976
canonical_url: "https://www.archytele.com/show/alice-1976"
media_type: "tv"
tmdb_id: 494
imdb_id: "tt0073955"
status: "Ended"
seasons_count: 9
episodes_count: 202
community_rating: 7.0
vote_count: 60
content_rating: "TV-PG"
---

# Alice (1976) — Television & Cinema Intelligence Dossier

> **Archytele Living Vault Canonical Record**: https://www.archytele.com/show/alice-1976

## Executive Summary & Cultural Positioning

Alice is an American sitcom television series that aired on CBS from August 31, 1976, to March 19, 1985. Created by Robert Getchell, the program is based on the 1974 film Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore, which was directed by Martin Scorsese. The series stars Linda Lavin as Alice Hyatt, an aspiring singer and widow who moves to Phoenix, Arizona, with her young son, Tommy, to start her life over following the death of her husband. Upon arriving in the area, Alice finds employment at a roadside diner. The narrative primarily focuses on the misadventures and trials involving Alice, her son, and her co-workers at the establishment, which is owned by Mel Sharples. With more than 200 episodes produced over nine seasons, the show held the record as the longest-running American television sitcom to feature a woman in the starring role until it was surpassed by Roseanne in 1996. The cast also includes Vic Tayback, Beth Howland, and Philip McKeon.

## The Hook & The Verdict

**The Hook**: "A widowed mother relocates to Arizona to start a new life working at a roadside diner."

### Why Watch
- based on a feature film
- relatable premise

### Caveats & Content Note
- dated production style
- Tone & Suitability: The series is a standard television sitcom suitable for general family viewing.

**Micro-Themes & Vibe Matrix**: sitcom, classic, humorous

## Streaming Availability Matrix

| Region | Stream (Subscription) | Free / Ads | Rent / Buy |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| **United States (US)** | None | None | Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies |
| **United Kingdom (GB)** | None | None | Apple TV Store, Amazon Video |
| **Canada (CA)** | None | None | Apple TV Store |
| **Australia (AU)** | None | None | Apple TV Store |

## Season Architecture & Lore Primers

### Season 1 (24 Episodes)
## Filler vs. Essential Episode Classifier

- **Total Tracked Episodes**: 116
- **Crucial Mytharc Episodes**: 13 (11%)
- **Character Core Episodes**: 103 (89%)
- **Side Quest / Filler Episodes**: 0 (0%)

## Creative Credits

- **Created by**: Robert Getchell
- **Networks / Studios**: CBS

## Key Cast Continuity

- **Linda Lavin** as *Alice Hyatt*
- **Philip McKeon** as *Tommy Hyatt*
- **Vic Tayback** as *Mel Sharples*
- **Beth Howland** as *Vera Louise Gorman-Novak*
- **Celia Weston** as *Jolene Hunnicutt*
- **Polly Holliday** as *Florence Jean Castleberry*
- **Diane Ladd** as *Belle Dupree*
- **Dave Madden**
- **Charles Levin** as *Elliot Novak*
- **Marvin Kaplan** as *Henry*

## Canonical Frequently Asked Questions

### Q: What is the premise of Alice?
A widow moves with her young son to Arizona and finds employment at a roadside diner.

### Q: When did the series air?
The show ran from August 31, 1976, to March 19, 1985.

### Q: What is the show based on?
The series is based on the 1974 film Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore.

### Q: Who stars in the series?
Linda Lavin stars in the title role.

### Q: Where does the show take place?
Most episodes revolve around events at a diner on the outskirts of Phoenix, Arizona.

## Grounded Source Citations

- [ALICE App | Service on Demand Technology for Hospitality](https://auth.aliceapp.com/login-staff)
- [Alice (American TV series) - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alice_(American_TV_series))
- [Alice (American TV series) - Wikipedia](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alice_(American_TV_series))
- [Alice (TV Series 1976-1985) - IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0073955/)
- [Alice (TV Series 1976-1985) - The Movie Database (TMDB)](https://www.themoviedb.org/tv/494-alice/cast)
- [Alice (TV Series 1976–1985) - IMDb](https://m.imdb.com/title/tt0073955/)

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*Generated by Archytele Open Intelligence Systems. Data verified against TMDB and JustWatch APIs.*