thirtysomething 1987
“The '80s never looked so good.”
What is thirtysomething?
Thirtysomething is an American drama television series created by Edward Zwick and Marshall Herskovitz that aired on ABC from September 29, 1987, to May 28, 1991. The series was produced by United Artists Television and The Bedford Falls Company.
- Type
- TV series
- Year
- 1987
- Status
- Ended
- Episodes
- 85
- Runtime
- 60 minutes
- First aired
- Sep 29, 1987
- Last aired
- May 28, 1991
- Original language
- EN
- Origin
- US
- Networks
- ABC
- Genres
- Drama
- Updated
How long to binge?
Estimate the schedule using 85 episodes and an average 60-minute runtime.
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Find the trailer on YouTube ↗Overview
Thirtysomething is an American drama television series created by Edward Zwick and Marshall Herskovitz that aired on ABC from September 29, 1987, to May 28, 1991. The series was produced by United Artists Television and The Bedford Falls Company. It focuses on a group of baby boomers in their thirties who live in Philadelphia. The show premiered in the U.S. on September 29, 1987, and lasted four seasons, with a total of 85 episodes. The title of the show was designed by Kathie Broyles, who combined the words of the original title, Thirty Something. The series features a cast including Timothy Busfield, Polly Draper, Mel Harris, and Peter Horton. Two episodes, "The Go Between" and "Samurai Ad Man", were ranked #22 on TV Guide's 100 Greatest Episodes in 1997. The show has been recognized as an Emmy-winning drama series.
Should you watch it?
“Seven friends navigate the complexities of life and adult angst in this classic baby boomer drama.”
- explores everyday adult challenges
- features an ensemble cast
- depicts mature themes of adult life
Watch it if you enjoy character-focused dramas about the transition into middle age.
The series contains mature themes appropriate for adult viewers.
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Cast
Episode guide
Season 1 · 21 episodes
Open the complete Season 1 guide →- E1 Pilot Sep 29, 1987
- E2 The Parents Are Coming, the Parents Are Coming Oct 6, 1987
- E3 Housewarming Oct 13, 1987
- E4 Couples Oct 27, 1987
- E5 But Not for Me Nov 3, 1987
- E6 We Gather Together Nov 17, 1987
- E7 Nice Work If You Can Get It Dec 1, 1987
- E8 Weaning Dec 8, 1987
- E9 I'll Be Home for Christmas Dec 15, 1987
- E10 South by Southeast Jan 5, 1988
- E11 Therapy Jan 12, 1988
- E12 Competition Jan 19, 1988
- E13 Separation Jan 26, 1988
- E14 I'm in Love, I'm in Love, I'm in Love with a Wonderful Gynecologist Feb 2, 1988
- E15 Business as Usual Feb 9, 1988
- E16 Accounts Receivable Mar 1, 1988
- E17 Whose Forest Is This? Mar 15, 1988
- E18 Nancy's First Date Mar 22, 1988
- E19 Undone Apr 12, 1988
- E20 Tenure May 3, 1988
- E21 Born to Be Mild May 10, 1988
Season 2 · 17 episodes
- E1 We'll Meet Again Dec 6, 1988
- E2 In Re: the Marriage of Weston Dec 13, 1988
- E3 The Mike Van Dyke Show Dec 20, 1988
- E4 Trust Me Jan 3, 1989
- E5 No Promises Jan 10, 1989
- E6 Politics Jan 17, 1989
- E7 Success Jan 31, 1989
- E8 First Day / Last Day Feb 7, 1989
- E9 About Last Night Feb 14, 1989
- E10 Elliot's Dad Feb 28, 1989
- E11 Payment Due Mar 7, 1989
- E12 Deliverance Mar 21, 1989
- E13 Michael Writes a Story Apr 4, 1989
- E14 New Job Apr 11, 1989
- E15 Be a Good Girl Apr 25, 1989
- E16 Courting Nancy May 2, 1989
- E17 Best of Enemies May 16, 1989
Season 3 · 24 episodes
- E1 Nancy's Mom Sep 19, 1989
- E2 Love and Sex Oct 3, 1989
- E3 Mr. Right Oct 10, 1989
- E4 New Baby Oct 24, 1989
- E5 Legacy Oct 31, 1989
- E6 Strangers Nov 7, 1989
- E7 Pilgrims Nov 21, 1989
- E8 The Burning Bush Nov 28, 1989
- E9 New Parents Dec 5, 1989
- E10 Michael's Campaign Dec 12, 1989
- E11 Pulling Away Jan 9, 1990
- E12 Another Country Jan 16, 1990
- E13 Post-Op Jan 23, 1990
- E14 Once a Mermaid Feb 6, 1990
- E15 Fathers and Lovers Feb 13, 1990
- E16 Her Cup Runneth Over Feb 20, 1990
- E17 Good Sex, Bad Sex, What Sex, No Sex Feb 27, 1990
- E18 The Other Shoe Mar 20, 1990
- E19 The Three Year Itch Apr 3, 1990
- E20 I'm Nobody, Who Are You? Apr 10, 1990
- E21 Arizona Apr 17, 1990
- E22 Going Limp May 1, 1990
- E23 Towers of Zenith Part 1: The Go-Between May 15, 1990
- E24 Towers of Zenith Part 2: Samurai Adman May 22, 1990
Season 4 · 23 episodes
- E1 Prelude to a Bris Sep 22, 1990
- E2 Life Class Oct 2, 1990
- E3 Control Oct 9, 1990
- E4 The Distance Oct 16, 1990
- E5 The Haunting of DAA Oct 30, 1990
- E6 The Guilty Party Nov 13, 1990
- E7 Photo Opportunity Nov 27, 1990
- E8 Never Better Dec 4, 1990
- E9 Guns & Roses Dec 11, 1990
- E10 Happy New Year Dec 18, 1990
- E11 Melissa and Men Jan 8, 1991
- E12 Advanced Beginners Jan 22, 1991
- E13 Sifting the Ashes Feb 5, 1991
- E14 A Second Look Feb 12, 1991
- E15 Fighting the Cold Feb 19, 1991
- E16 The Difference Between Men and Women Feb 26, 1991
- E17 The Wedding Apr 9, 1991
- E18 Closing the Circle Apr 16, 1991
- E19 Out the Door Apr 30, 1991
- E20 Hopeless May 7, 1991
- E21 A Stop at Willoughby May 14, 1991
- E22 Melissa in Wonderland May 21, 1991
- E23 California May 28, 1991
Frequently asked questions
When did the show premiere?
The series premiered in the United States on September 29, 1987.
How many episodes were produced?
There were 85 episodes produced over the course of four seasons.
Who created the series?
The show was created by Marshall Herskovitz and Edward Zwick.
Where is the show set?
The series is set in Philadelphia.
When did the series conclude?
The final episode aired on May 28, 1991.