Watch Family Ties

Family Ties was one of the most popular sitcoms during its run on CBS from 1982 to 1989. The series was created by Gary David Goldberg and revolved around the Keaton family, based in Columbus, Ohio. The show featured Meredith Baxter as Elyse Keaton, a proud feminist and architect, and Michael Gross as Steven Keaton, a former hippie who had become a public television manager. Together, they raised their four children: Alex, Mallory, Jennifer, and Andrew.

Michael J. Fox played the character of Alex P. Keaton, the oldest and most ambitious of the Keaton children. Alex was a staunch conservative who held President Ronald Reagan in high esteem and aspired to be a rich and powerful businessman in the future. Justine Bateman played Mallory Keaton, the eldest daughter, who was more interested in fashion and boys than education. They were joined by Tina Yothers as Jennifer Keaton, the youngest daughter, and Brian Bonsall as Andrew Keaton, the youngest son.

Throughout its seven seasons, Family Ties was distinguished for its sharp writing, strong performances, and its ability to address relevant issues while remaining funny and engaging. The show tackled various political and social issues, including feminism, Reaganomics, the Cold War, and the AIDS crisis. One of the show's most memorable episodes was "A, My Name Is Alex," where Alex deals with the emotional aftermath of a friend's suicide attempt.

In addition to the family dynamic, the show also highlighted the close relationship between Alex and his best friend, Skippy (played by Marc Price). Skippy was the goofy, lovable neighbor who was always around the Keaton household, whether for dinner or for advice from Steven. Tracy Pollan, who later became Michael J. Fox's wife, appeared on the show as Ellen Reed, Alex's college girlfriend.

Towards the end of its run, Family Ties introduced a new character, Nick Moore, played by Scott Valentine. Nick was a former bandmate of Steven's who became a love interest for Mallory. Courteney Cox also had a recurring role on the show as Alex's girlfriend, Lauren Miller.

Family Ties was known for its exceptional cast, especially Michael J. Fox, who became a breakout star and solidified his place in pop culture history. His portrayal of Alex P. Keaton earned him three consecutive Emmy awards for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series from 1986 to 1988. The show itself was also a critical and commercial success, winning numerous awards and consistently ranking in the top ten highest-rated shows on TV.

Overall, Family Ties was a beloved sitcom that captured the zeitgeist of its time while remaining timeless in its portrayal of a loving and quirky family. Its legacy continues to be felt in countless other family comedies that have followed in its footsteps.

Family Ties is a series that ran for 7 seasons (176 episodes) between September 22, 1982 and on CBS