United States

1980

Seasons & Episodes

  • 1
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Released: 11 March 1980 Ended
Producted By: OTP Productions
Country: United States of America
Budget: 0
Revenue: 0
Official Website:
Info

United States is a short-lived half-hour comedy-drama that NBC added to its Tuesday primetime schedule in March 1980. Larry Gelbart, the show's executive producer and chief writer, said the name United States was not a reference to the country but rather to "the state of being united in a relationship". Gelbart envisioned a series that would be "a situation comedy based on the real things that happen in my marriage and in the marriages of my friends". Episodes tackled such topics as marital infidelity, household debt, friends who drink too much, death within the family, and sexual misunderstandings. United States focused on Richard and Libby Chapin, an upwardly mobile couple who lived in a Los Angeles suburb. Beau Bridges played Richard, and Helen Shaver played Libby. Gelbart reverted to black-and-white script for the show's titles. He said that was to convey the mood of "a sophisticated '30s film." Gelbart also avoided use of background music and a laugh track. Scripts featured dialogue such as, "Just for once I'd like to be treated like a friend instead of a husband," and "Maybe you and Bob can go out and get yourselves one redhead with two straws." United States premiered at 10:30 p.m. on March 11, 1980. NBC pulled it from the schedule within two months, after only six of 13 episodes had aired. The remaining episodes were not broadcast until 1986, when the A&E cable channel aired United States.

Genre

Drama, Comedy

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United States (1980) is currently not available on any services.

Director

Production Companies

OTP Productions

United States Videos and Images

United States Audience Reviews

GarnettTeenage The film was still a fun one that will make you laugh and have you leaving the theater feeling like you just stole something valuable and got away with it.
ChicDragon It's a mild crowd pleaser for people who are exhausted by blockbusters.
Ketrivie It isn't all that great, actually. Really cheesy and very predicable of how certain scenes are gonna turn play out. However, I guess that's the charm of it all, because I would consider this one of my guilty pleasures.
Fairaher The film makes a home in your brain and the only cure is to see it again.
jvadc Just did not remember the name of the series. Was looking for the show on which Beau Bridges discussed e.g the education of the children etc. with his wife. A very unusual series. So different from the mainstream. A couple really trying to solve their problems. Obviously not a series for a wide audience. Never understood why Beau Bridges was more or less forgotten. The relationship seemed so equal. A kind of marriage to be envied. For me the quality of this series almost equaled "The wonder years". A real television Icon. Both series made you think about life. I really was surprised finding out that there were only 6 episodes of United States, seemed like so much more. Unfortunately, I think that a series like this, today would not be appreciated enough by the advertisers.
jeremy_shops A witty couple, obviously nuts about each other, who relate to each other the way people relate to each other in real life, albeit, a bit smarter.One wonders how it might have worked if they'd layered in canned laughter. In 1980, people weren't ready to decide what is funny on their own, perhaps. As if sit-coms have advanced all that much since them.There was genuine chemistry between Bridges and Shaver, but one wonders if it's the actors' contribution or the sheer honesty of the writing.I saw all "United States" episodes at the Museum of Radio & Television in Beverly Hills. (There are a couple of episodes that were never run before it was canceled.) It's not consistently brilliant, but there are plenty of moments that (had it been given a chance) might have changed the way half-hour episodic television works.A quarter of a century later, "United States" still seems ahead of its time. It's almost voyeuristic in its honest portrayal of people who deal with situations that, as in all of our lives, combine humor, pathos, irony, love, naiveté (even the kids aren't all *that* obnoxious), and honesty.Alas, it appeared on television the same year America preferred to elect Ronald Reagan. I don't think America was in the mood for honesty just then. I'm not sure we're ready for it yet.Instead, people tune in to "reality" shows, which are fake as hell.
rob-broekhof When I was in my early twenties I saw this show in the Netherlands (I am Dutch and still live in the Netherlands). It was totally different from other sitcoms. It was even so different that I found out just now through IMDb that it actually was a sitcom. I will never forget the husband (played by Beau) telling about having a "rear view mirror affair". When I see either Helen Shaver or Beau Bridges in a movie or on TV I always remember their role in that show and hope that it comes back. After a couple of items suddenly the show was gone and I missed it. It really influenced my outlook on life and relationships. Still I could understand, because sustaining such a high level of dealing with true issues in life, in a very funny and amusing way is extremely difficult. Now I am in my forties and can understand that probably there was a lack of interest in going on with the show. Thanks for sharing the information on IMDb! I surely hope that this comes out on DVD. When someone knows, please let me know.
woodyweaver This was a short lived gem. Man and wife, adult, discussing adult issues with sensitivity and humor, and without the comic "all ends happily after" at the end of each 30 minutes. Entertaining, and made you smile without demeaning. If it ever comes back (unlikely) worth a view.