This was almost one of the first series to have a gay lead character. Almost, in that in the made-for-TV movie pilot, the character had in fact been openly gay, but that fact was never mentioned when the series premiered. His sexual orientation was hinted at in some episodes, however, such as when the building super's wife tried to win his affections and in the show's final episode. The producers were afraid that a show with an openly gay lead would not get many sponsors. After Love, Sidney ended its two-year run in 1983, its network NBC screened the previously mentioned Brothers pilot, but turned that one down over concern on how to accurately portray a homosexual. It would be more than a decade until NBC debuted the gay-led Will and Grace.
Tony Randall (in his final TV series, after The Odd Couple and The Tony Randall Show) played the main character Sidney Shorr, an ad designer who shared his apartment with single mother and actress Laurie Morgan (Swoosie Kurtz; Lorna Patterson had played the role in the TV movie, but was already starring on the TV adaptation of Private Benjamin) and her daughter Patti (Kaleena Kiff, later to play Wally's daughter in the Leave It to Beaver sequel, The New Leave It to Beaver). Laurie starred on a fictional soap opera, As Thus We Are. Barbara Byrne was also seen as Mrs. Gaffney, the wife of the building super, and Chip Zien was Jason Stoller, an ad agency director for whom Sidney designed ads.
The three main stars sang the theme song for the first season, but in season two, a new version by Gladys Knight and her brother Bubba (one of the Pips) was used.
I watched this one regularly, and vaguely remember a few episodes, such as one where Patti sets fire to the apartment. As I recall, the show's time slot was shifted once or twice during the second season, though I do know it was on Mondays just before it was cancelled. It has not been rerun as far as I have seen.
On a side note, an episode of Gimme a Break! was titled "Love, Kidney," a reference to this series title. Both shows debuted in 1981, with Gimme a Break! lasting until 1987.
Hari OM
ReplyDeleteI think this one did hit our screens here - my mother was a Tony Randall fan, which is likely why I recall it; probably not something I would watch myself. YAM xx
L=Love
Not familiar with this one either, though I always enjoyed Tony Randall:)
ReplyDeleteI remember watching and liking this show. I really liked Tony Randall as a kid. I never knew that his character was supposed to be gay until much later in life.
ReplyDeleteI did watch this one sometimes, but don't remember much about it, besides a couple of the actors. :)
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