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Season 1 – Growing Pains

Play trailer Poster for Season 1 – Growing Pains 1985 Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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27% Tomatometer 26 Reviews 25% Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
The "Father Knows Best" of the 1980s, Dr. Jason Seaver is a psychiatrist who has moved his practice into his Long Island, N.Y., home so that his wife, Maggie, can resume her career. Their children are girl-crazy Mike, brainiac Carol and cute little Ben (later, precocious Chrissie was born). This series, however, tackles issues that "Father Knows Best" wouldn't have: drugs, suicide, peer pressure, alcohol. But the Seavers pull through problems with a sense of humor and usually emerge stronger than before.
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Growing Pains — Season 1

Growing Pains — Season 1

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Critics Consensus

While this Alan Thicke vehicle establishes a believable enough family unit, the clichéd setup and groan-inducing quips portend a lot of Growing Pains before the laughs come honestly.

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Critics Reviews

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Tom Shales Washington Post The premiere ends with Thicke pulling down his pants and "mooning" his wife in the kitchen. Earlier, one child insulting another could be addressing the show: "You give a new meaning to the word 'vacuous.'" Aug 24, 2021 Full Review Eric Mink St. Louis Post-Dispatch The contrast between these two clearly drawn characters, each deeply in love with the other, may make for some real comedy -- assuming they're given solid, reality-based scripts to work with. Aug 24, 2021 Full Review Kay Gardella New York Daily News The show is funny at times, offensive at others. Despite its faults, with a little more attention, Growing Pains could become a series with the same potential as Family Ties. Aug 23, 2021 Full Review Karl Vick Tampa Bay Times The show has an appealing easiness and children that behave credibly. Thicke's comic touch is light. And Kerns has some Teri Garr appeal, plus her own. Aug 24, 2021 Full Review Ron Weiskind Pittsburgh Post-Gazette If the American public were as stupid as this family, it would make Growing Pains into a hit. That's about as likely as appendicitis becoming popular. Aug 23, 2021 Full Review James Endrst Hartford Courant There's not much to say because there's really not much going on here. It's neither here nor there, and eventually, it will probably be nowhere at all. Aug 23, 2021 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (1) audience reviews
unknown 1 passed the time saw a little potential so kept on watching Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 12/26/22 Full Review Read all reviews
Growing Pains — Season 1

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Cast & Crew

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Alan Thicke

Dr. Jason Seaver

Joanna Kerns

Maggie Seaver

Kirk Cameron

Mike Seaver

Tracey Gold

Carol Seaver

Jeremy Miller

Ben Seaver

K.C. Martel

Eddie

Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Sep 24, 1985 Pilot Psychologist Jason Seaver decides to move his private practice into his home. Details Episode 2 Aired Oct 1, 1985 Springsteen Jason (Alan Thicke) inadvertently embarrasses Mike (Kirk Cameron) with his enthusiastic behavior at a Bruce Springsteen concert. Details Episode 3 Aired Oct 8, 1985 Jealousy Jason (Alan Thicke) is jealous when Maggie (Joanna Kerns) stays late at the office with a handsome co-worker. Details Episode 4 Aired Oct 15, 1985 Carol's Article Carol's hopes of becoming a writer are crushed by Maggie's honest criticism of her work. Details Episode 5 Aired Oct 29, 1985 Superdad Maggie (Joanna Kerns) feels she is losing her children's love after Carol (Tracey Gold) confides in Jason (Alan Thicke) about a school crush. Details Episode 6 Aired Nov 5, 1985 Mike's Madonna Story Maggie and Jason disagree over how to handle Mike's date with a teenage sexpot. Details Episode 7 Aired Nov 12, 1985 The Weekend Fantasy While on a weekend trip, Maggie and Jason panic when they call home and no one answers. Details Episode 8 Aired Nov 19, 1985 Slice of Life Jason and Maggie decide that they will take a compatibility test. Details Episode 9 Aired Nov 26, 1985 Carol's Crush A lovestruck Carol goes to wild extremes to impress a visiting family friend. Details Episode 10 Aired Dec 3, 1985 Dirt Bike Mike lands in hot water when he disobeys his parents to ride a dirt bike. Details Episode 11 Aired Dec 5, 1985 Standardized Test Mike fails an aptitude test after doodling on it, putting his IQ at 27. Details Episode 12 Aired Dec 10, 1985 A Christmas Story A patient of Jason's, frustrated by his disastrous portrayal of Santa Claus, makes a bizarre attempt to redeem himself. Details Episode 13 Aired Jan 7, 1986 The Love Song of M. Aaron Seaver Mike must choose between a bowling match with his family or a date with a dream girl. Details Episode 14 Aired Jan 14, 1986 First Blood Jason's dispute with Ben's hockey coach ends in a fist fight. Details Episode 15 Aired Jan 21, 1986 Slice of Life II Maggie believes she may be pregnant; Mike accidentally breaks a window. Details Episode 16 Aired Jan 28, 1986 The Seavers vs. the Cleavers Jason and Maggie protest when a PTA president considers them unfit as student chaperons. Guest: Annette Funicello. Details Episode 17 Aired Feb 18, 1986 Charity Begins at Home Ben cooks up a scheme to raise enough money to buy his father a birthday present. Details Episode 18 Aired Feb 25, 1986 Reputation Jason and Maggie (Alan Thicke, Joanna Kerns) suspect Mike (Kirk Cameron) has cheated on a history exam. Details Episode 19 Aired Mar 4, 1986 The Anniversary That Never Was Jason and Maggie attempt to celebrate their wedding anniversary. Details Episode 20 Aired Mar 11, 1986 Be a Man Mike's small get-together turns into a riotous party while his parents are away. Details Episode 21 Aired May 6, 1986 Career Decision Reporter Maggie and psychiatrist Jason face career decisions. Details Episode 22 Aired May 13, 1986 Extra Lap Mike is (Kirk Cameron) devastated when his joke-playing uncle (James Callahan) -- who's also his jogging partner -- dies suddenly. Details

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Growing Pains — Season 1

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Season Info

Director
John Pasquin, John Tracy, Nick Havinga
Executive Producer
Michael Sullivan, Neal Marlens, Steve Marshall, Dan Guntzelman
Screenwriter
Tom Walla, Neal Marlens, David Kendall, Stephen J. Curwick, Arnold Margolin, Carol Black, Dave Wollert, Rich Reinhart
Network
ABC
Rating
TV-G
Genre
Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date
Sep 24, 1985