Major Dad 1989
What is Major Dad?
Major Dad is an American sitcom that originally aired on CBS from 1989 to 1993. The series was created by Richard C.
- Type
- TV series
- Year
- 1989
- Status
- Ended
- Episodes
- 96
- Runtime
- 30 minutes
- First aired
- Sep 17, 1989
- Last aired
- Apr 16, 1993
- Original language
- EN
- Origin
- US
- Networks
- CBS
- Genres
- Comedy, Family
- Updated
Where to watch
With ads
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How long to binge?
Estimate the schedule using 96 episodes and an average 30-minute runtime.
Trailer
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Find the trailer on YouTube ↗Overview
Major Dad is an American sitcom that originally aired on CBS from 1989 to 1993. The series was created by Richard C. Okie and John G. Stephens and was developed for television by Earl Pomerantz. The program stars Gerald McRaney in the title role as Major John D. MacGillis alongside Shanna Reed, who portrays his wife, Polly. The ensemble cast featured in the production includes Beverly Archer, Matt Mulhern, Jon Cypher, Marisa Ryan, Nicole Dubuc, and Chelsea Hertford. As a television sitcom, the show focuses on the life of the central character, Major John D. MacGillis, and his family dynamics. The series maintained its presence on the CBS network throughout its four-year run. By documenting the interactions between the Major and his household, the program explored themes common to the sitcom genre during the late 1980s and early 1990s. The show remains a notable entry in the television career of Gerald McRaney, who led the cast throughout the entire duration of the series.
Should you watch it?
“A Marine officer balances military life with family antics in a light‑hearted sitcom.”
- Humorous look at military family life
- Strong lead performance by Gerald McRaney
- Blend of comedy and family themes
- Period sitcom style may feel dated
- Limited to its 1989‑1993 run
Watch it if you enjoy light family comedy with a military backdrop.
The show is TV‑PG, offering gentle humor suitable for most viewers, including families.
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Cast
Episode guide
Season 1 · 26 episodes
- E1 Major Dad Sep 17, 1989
- E2 Just Polly & Me, and the Kids Make Five Sep 18, 1989
- E3 Rescue Mission Sep 25, 1989
- E4 Wedding Oct 2, 1989
- E5 Wounded Flyboy and the Nurse Who Gave Him Reason to Live Oct 8, 1989
- E6 Twinkle Oct 16, 1989
- E7 Jane Wayne Day Oct 23, 1989
- E8 Robin's Awakening Nov 6, 1989
- E9 Major Mom Nov 13, 1989
- E10 Love Doctor Nov 20, 1989
- E11 See the Hill ... Over the Hill Nov 27, 1989
- E12 Boxer Rebellion Dec 4, 1989
- E13 Discipline Dec 11, 1989
- E14 Lemon Jan 1, 1990
- E15 That Connell Woman Jan 8, 1990
- E16 Jr. Jan 29, 1990
- E17 Major Coach Feb 5, 1990
- E18 Camp MacGillis Feb 19, 1990
- E19 Not with My Daughter You Don't Feb 26, 1990
- E20 Officer of the Day Mar 12, 1990
- E21 All Quiet on the Home Front, pt. 1 Apr 2, 1990
- E22 All Quiet on the Home Front, pt. 2 Apr 9, 1990
- E23 See the Bridge Apr 30, 1990
- E24 Standing Tall May 7, 1990
- E25 Face the Music ... and Dance, pt. 1 May 14, 1990
- E26 Face the Music ... and Dance, pt. 2 May 21, 1990
Season 2 · 24 episodes
- E1 Safe at First Base Sep 17, 1990
- E2 Welcome to Hollister Sep 24, 1990
- E3 Get a Job Oct 1, 1990
- E4 The Goat Oct 8, 1990
- E5 First Anniversary Oct 15, 1990
- E6 Wetting Down Oct 22, 1990
- E7 Infant-ry Oct 29, 1990
- E8 Birthday Ball Nov 5, 1990
- E9 Wish You Were Here Nov 12, 1990
- E10 Love on the Run Nov 19, 1990
- E11 Operation Fun Run Nov 26, 1990
- E12 Gift of the Major Dec 19, 1990
- E13 Flying Solo Jan 7, 1991
- E14 A Bird in the Hand Jan 14, 1991
- E15 Learning to Drive Jan 21, 1991
- E16 The Name is Over Here Feb 4, 1991
- E17 Valentine's Day Feb 11, 1991
- E18 Sins of the Father Feb 18, 1991
- E19 The Possible Dream Feb 25, 1991
- E20 Private Affair Mar 11, 1991
- E21 Polly's Choice Mar 18, 1991
- E22 Silent Drill Team Apr 8, 1991
- E23 Elmo Come Home Apr 29, 1991
- E24 Together May 13, 1991
Season 3 · 24 episodes
- E1 The Shut Down Sep 16, 1991
- E2 Major Moonlighting Sep 23, 1991
- E3 Polly's Pen Pal Sep 30, 1991
- E4 A Few Good Men Oct 7, 1991
- E5 Poker Night Oct 14, 1991
- E6 Anything You Can Do I Can Do Perky Oct 21, 1991
- E7 Educating Casey Oct 28, 1991
- E8 Lady in Waiting Nov 4, 1991
- E9 General Unrest Nov 11, 1991
- E10 Steel Magnolia Nov 18, 1991
- E11 On the Line Nov 25, 1991
- E12 The Shell Game Dec 9, 1991
- E13 Who's That Blonde ? Dec 16, 1991
- E14 We've Got Trouble Jan 6, 1992
- E15 Three's a Crowd Jan 13, 1992
- E16 Three Angry Marines Jan 20, 1992
- E17 Close Encounters Feb 3, 1992
- E18 Base Desires Feb 24, 1992
- E19 When Gunny Talks Mar 2, 1992
- E20 The L Word Mar 9, 1992
- E21 Sick Bay Mar 16, 1992
- E22 Charlotte's Web Apr 27, 1992
- E23 The Noisy Drill Team May 4, 1992
- E24 In the Brick of Time May 11, 1992
Season 4 · 22 episodes
- E1 The People's Choice, pt. 1 Sep 25, 1992
- E2 The People's Choice, pt. 2 Oct 2, 1992
- E3 Here's Looking at You, Pol Oct 16, 1992
- E4 Catered Affair Oct 23, 1992
- E5 There's No Place Like Farlow Oct 30, 1992
- E6 The Election Show Nov 6, 1992
- E7 Gunny's Veiled Threat Nov 13, 1992
- E8 One for the Road Nov 20, 1992
- E9 Blue Tenant Holowachuk Dec 4, 1992
- E10 Old Acquaintance Dec 18, 1992
- E11 About Face Jan 8, 1993
- E12 I'll Be Seeing You Jan 15, 1993
- E13 Night School Jan 22, 1993
- E14 Piano Lesson Jan 29, 1993
- E15 Come Rain or Come Shine Feb 5, 1993
- E16 Colonel of Truth Feb 12, 1993
- E17 From Russia with Like Feb 19, 1993
- E18 The Spell of Grease Paint Mar 5, 1993
- E19 Gunny Gets Robbed Mar 12, 1993
- E20 Conduct Unbecoming Apr 2, 1993
- E21 General Disturbance Apr 9, 1993
- E22 Oops, a Daisy Apr 16, 1993
Frequently asked questions
Who created Major Dad?
It was created by Richard C. Okie and John G. Stephens.
Who developed the series?
Earl Pomerantz developed the sitcom.
Who are the lead actors?
Gerald McRaney stars as Major John D. MacGillis and Shanna Reed plays his wife Polly.
When did the series originally air?
It originally ran from 1989 to 1993 on CBS.
What is the show's content rating?
The series is rated TV‑PG and is classified as comedy and family.