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{{unreferenced|date=June 2010}}
{{more citations needed|date=March 2016}}
{{Infobox television
{{Infobox television
| show_name = Double Trouble
| image = SagalTwins M2.jpg
| image = [[Image:SagalTwins M2.jpg|220px]]
| caption = Publicity shot of the Sagal twins
| caption = Publicity shot of the Sagal twins
| genre = [[Sitcom]]
| genre = [[Situation comedy|Sitcom]]
| creator = David W. Duclon<br />[[Robert Illes]]<br />[[James R. Stein]]
| writer =
| writer = Judith D. Allison<br>David W. Duclon<br>Deidre Fay<br>Jill Gordon<br>Janis Hirsch<br>[[Robert Illes]]<br>Lissa Levin<br>Susan Jane Lindner<br>Bernie Orenstein<br>Ellen Potter<br>[[Don Reo]]<br>[[Bill Richmond (writer)|Bill Richmond]]<br>[[James R. Stein]]<br>Saul Turteltaub<br>Deidre Fay
| director = [[John Bowab]]<br>[[Jim Drake (director)|Jim Drake]]<br>[[Ellen Gittelsohn|Ellen Falcon]]<br>Marlene Laird<br>[[John Pasquin]]
| director = [[John Bowab]]<br />[[Jim Drake (director)|Jim Drake]]<br />[[Ellen Gittelsohn|Ellen Falcon]]<br />Marlene Laird<br />[[John Pasquin]]
| starring = [[Jean Sagal]]<br>[[Liz Sagal]]
| starring = [[Jean Sagal]]<br />[[Liz Sagal]]
| composer = [[Ray Colcord]]<br>[[Mark Snow]]
| composer = [[Ray Colcord]]<br />[[Mark Snow]]
| country = United States
| country = United States
| language = English
| language = English
| num_seasons = 2
| num_seasons = 2
| num_episodes = 23
| num_episodes = 23
| executive_producer = Judith Allison<br>Janis Hirsch<br>Robert Illes<br>Bernie Orenstein<br>Bill Richmond<br>Saul Turteltaub
| executive_producer = Judith Allison<br />[[Janis Hirsch]]<br />Robert Illes<br />[[Bernie Orenstein]]<br />Bill Richmond<br />[[Saul Turteltaub]]
| producer =
| producer =
| camera = [[Multi-camera setup|Multi-camera]]
| camera = [[Multi-camera setup|Multi-camera]]
| runtime = 22&ndash;24 minutes
| runtime = 22&ndash;24 minutes
| company = [[Embassy Television]]
| company = [[Embassy Television]]
| distributor = [[Sony Pictures Television]]
| network = [[NBC]]
| channel = [[NBC]]
| first_aired = {{Start date|1984|04|04}}
| first_aired = {{Start date|1984|04|04}}
| last_aired = {{End date|1985|03|30}}
| last_aired = {{End date|1985|03|30}}
| status = Ended
}}
}}


'''''Double Trouble''''' is an American [[sitcom]] that aired from 1984 to 1985 on [[NBC]]. The series stars identical twins [[Jean Sagal|Jean]] and [[Liz Sagal]] as Kate and Allison Foster, two teenagers living under the watchful eye of their widowed father. The show was considered an updating of the "twins in mischief" concept seen in films like ''[[The Parent Trap (1961 film)|The Parent Trap]]'' or the ''[[Patty Duke Show]]'' of the 1960s.
'''''Double Trouble''''' is an American [[sitcom]] television series that aired on [[NBC]] from April 4, 1984 to March 30, 1985. The series stars identical twins [[Jean Sagal|Jean]] and [[Liz Sagal]] as Kate and Allison Foster, two teenagers living under the watchful eye of their widowed father. The show was considered an updating of the "twins in mischief" concept seen in films like ''[[The Parent Trap (1961 film)|The Parent Trap]]'' or ''[[The Patty Duke Show]]'' of the 1960s. The Sagal sisters acknowledged that [[Norman Lear]], the Sagal family's [[Godparent|godfather]],<ref>{{cite web | url=http://richestnetworth.org/katey-sagal-net-worth/ | title=Married Biography | date=17 July 2023 }}</ref> was the one who held influence over the show's concept.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1665&dat=19840425&id=cz4aAAAAIBAJ&sjid=aCQEAAAAIBAJ&pg=5549,8671982&hl=en | title=The Times-News - Google News Archive Search }}</ref>


==Synopsis==
==Synopsis==
''Double Trouble'' premiered in April 1984. The series was set in [[Des Moines, Iowa]], and generally revolved around the twins' high school or their father's dance studio (thus giving the girls a chance to show off their real-life dancing skills). Most of the show's comedy was generated from the fact that one twin was serious while the other more laid-back and happy-go-lucky.
''Double Trouble'' premiered in April 1984. Initially, the series was set in [[Des Moines, Iowa]], and generally revolved around the twins' high school or their father's dance studio (thus giving the girls a chance to show off their real-life dancing skills). Most of the show's comedy was generated from the fact that one twin was serious while the other more laid-back and happy-go-lucky.


Beginning as a mid-season replacement, the show also starred [[Donnelly Rhodes]] as the girls' father, Art Foster. The show did not generate high enough ratings in its initial debut to be included in NBC's fall schedule, however it was brought back for a second go-'round as a mid-season replacement in December 1984. After some retooling, the setting of the show was relocated to New York City. Rhodes was replaced by [[Barbara Barrie]] as the twins' aunt. The second season ran for fifteen episodes. The series was not renewed after the second season, but it was seen in reruns on NBC until August 21, 1985 and for several years on [[USA Network]] in the late '80s and early '90s.
Beginning as a mid-season replacement, the show also starred [[Donnelly Rhodes]] as the girls' father, Art Foster. The show did not generate high enough ratings in its initial debut to be included in NBC's fall schedule; however, it was brought back for a second go-'round as a mid-season replacement in December 1984. After some retooling, the setting of the show was relocated to New York City. Rhodes was replaced by [[Barbara Barrie]] as the twins' aunt. The second season ran for fifteen episodes. The series was not renewed after the second season, but it was seen in reruns on NBC until August 21, 1985, and for several years on [[USA Network]] in the late 1980s and early 1990s.


==Cast==
==Cast==
<!-- Cast should be listed in credits order, and order of appearance on series, as per [[WP:TVCAST]] -->
* [[Jean Sagal]] as Kate Foster
* [[Jean Sagal]] as Kate Foster
* [[Liz Sagal]] as Allison Foster
* [[Liz Sagal]] as Allison Foster
* [[Barbara Barrie]] as Margo Foster (Season 2)
* [[Donnelly Rhodes]] as Art Foster (season 1)
* [[Anne-Marie Johnson]] as Aileen Lewis (Season 2)
* [[Patricia Richardson]] as Beth McConnell (season 1)
* [[Donnelly Rhodes]] as Art Foster (Season 1)
* [[Barbara Barrie]] as Margo Foster (season 2)
* [[Patricia Richardson]] as Beth McConnell (Season 1)
* [[Anne-Marie Johnson]] as Aileen Lewis (season 2)
* [[Michael D. Roberts]] as Mr. Arrechia (Season 2)
* [[Michael D. Roberts]] as Mr. Arrechia (season 2)
* [[Jonathan Schmock]] as Billy Batalato (Season 2)
* [[Jonathan Schmock]] as Billy Batalato (season 2)
* [[Jim Vallely|James Vallely]] as Charles Kincaid (Season 2)
* [[Jim Vallely|James Vallely]] as Charles Kincaid (season 2)


==Episodes==
== Episodes ==
===Season 1===
{| style="border-collapse: collapse;" border="1" cellpadding="3" width="500"
|- bgcolor="#CCCCCC"
! '''Episode #''' !! '''Episode title''' !! '''Original airdate'''
|-
| 1-1 || "One Drives, the Other Doesn't" || April 4, 1984
|-
| 1-2 || "Lust" || April 11, 1984
|-
| 1-3 || "First Day" || April 18, 1984
|-
| 1-4 || "Bad Chemistry" || April 25, 1984
|-
| 1-5 || "Dueling Feet" || May 2, 1984
|-
| 1-6 || "Separate Birthdays" || May 16, 1984
|-
| 1-7 || "Hearthache" || May 23, 1984
|-
| 1-8 || "Bombshell" || May 30, 1984
|-
|}


===Season 2===
=== Series overview ===
{{Series overview
{| style="border-collapse: collapse;" border="1" cellpadding="3" width="500"

|- bgcolor="#CCCCCC"
| color1 = #970000
! '''Episode #''' !! '''Episode title''' !! '''Original airdate'''
| link1 = #Season 1 (1984)
| episodes1 = 8
| start1 = {{Start date|1984|4|4}}
| end1 = {{End date|1984|5|30}}

| color2 = #000073
| link2 = #Season 2 (1984–85)
| episodes2 = 15
| start2 = {{Start date|1984|12|1}}
| end2 = {{End date|1985|3|30}}

}}

===Season 1 (1984)===
{{Episode table |background=#970000 |overall= |season= |title= |director= |writer= |airdate= |prodcode= |episodes=
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 1
| EpisodeNumber2 = 1
| Title = One Drives, the Other Doesn't
| DirectedBy = Marlena Laird
| WrittenBy = {{StoryTeleplay|s= [[Robert Illes]] & James Stein & Saul Turteltaub & [[Bernie Orenstein]]|t= Saul Turteltaub & Bernie Orenstein}}
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1984|4|4}}
| ProdCode = 226151
| ShortSummary = Kate's inability to pass her driving test doesn't stop her from taking Art's car — and Allison's driver's license — to a concert.
| LineColor = 970000
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 2
| EpisodeNumber2 = 2
| Title = Lust
| DirectedBy = [[Jim Drake (director)|Jim Drake]]
| WrittenBy = Jill Gordon & Susan Jane Lindner
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1984|4|11}}
| ProdCode =
| ShortSummary = Kate risks the wrath of both her sister and her boyfriend when she becomes smitten by a guy working out at the gym.
| LineColor = 970000
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 3
| EpisodeNumber2 = 3
| Title = First Day
| DirectedBy = [[John Bowab]]
| WrittenBy = Deidre Fay & Stuart Wolpert
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1984|4|18}}
| ProdCode =
| ShortSummary = After she transfers to Allison's school, Allison helps Kate adjust by adding her to the yearbook staff; within a week, Kate's rising toward the top of its masthead.
| LineColor = 970000
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 4
| EpisodeNumber2 = 4
| Title = Bad Chemistry
| DirectedBy = John Bowab
| WrittenBy = Kimberly Hill
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1984|4|25}}
| ProdCode =
| ShortSummary = Kate's out of her element when filling in for Allison in Chemistry class.
| LineColor = 970000
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 5
| EpisodeNumber2 = 5
| Title = Dueling Feet
| DirectedBy = Marlena Laird
| WrittenBy = Emily Potter
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1984|5|2}}
| ProdCode =
| ShortSummary = Kate challenges Allison to join her in a televised dance contest, but an ankle sprain forces one of them to go it alone.
| LineColor = 970000
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 6
| EpisodeNumber2 = 6
| Title = Separate Birthdays
| DirectedBy = Marlena Laird
| WrittenBy = {{StoryTeleplay|s= David Chambers & Saul Turteltaub & Bernie Orenstein|t= Saul Turteltaub & Bernie Orenstein}}
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1984|5|16}}
| ProdCode =
| ShortSummary = After Kate pulls her into a "twin testing" science project, Allison starts seeking an identity away from her sister... by moving in with Beth and celebrating her birthday by herself.
| LineColor = 970000
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 7
| EpisodeNumber2 = 7
| Title = Heartache
| DirectedBy = Jim Drake
| WrittenBy = Jill Gordon and Susan Jane Lindner
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1984|5|23}}
| ProdCode =
| ShortSummary = Art panics when she discovers Allison's diary, and reads and entry indicating her passion for heartthrob Steven.
| LineColor = 970000
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 8
| EpisodeNumber2 = 8
| Title = Bombshell
| DirectedBy = Jim Drake
| WrittenBy = Robert Illes, James Stein & Janis Hirsch
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1984|5|30}}
| ProdCode =
| ShortSummary = Thinking Beth's relationship with Art is just platonic, the girls invite an attractive woman for dinner in the hopes that Art will become smitten with her.
| LineColor = 970000
}}
}}

===Season 2 (1984–85)===
{{Episode table |background=#000073 |overall= |season= |title= |director= |writer= |airdate= |episodes=
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 9
| EpisodeNumber2 = 1
| Title = If We Can Make It Here...
| DirectedBy = [[Jim Drake (director)|Jim Drake]]
| WrittenBy = [[Don Reo]]
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1984|12|1}}
| ShortSummary = The girls make their move to [[New York City]], settling in with their Aunt Margo and setting out toward their respective ambitions (Kate as an entertainer, Allison as a fashion designer).
| LineColor = 000073
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 10
| EpisodeNumber2 = 2
| Title = Do You Believe in Magic?
| DirectedBy = Jim Drake
| WrittenBy = Janis Hirsch
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1984|12|8}}
| ShortSummary = Kate becomes assistant to Rollo the Great ([[Carl Ballantine]]), a magician whose next big trick is to make Kate appear in two places at once.
| LineColor = 000073
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 11
| EpisodeNumber2 = 3
| Title = Dream Girls
| DirectedBy = [[John Pasquin]]
| WrittenBy = Lissa Levin
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1984|12|15}}
| ShortSummary = Kate joins a rock star's concert tour, leaving Allison back in New York... and envious.
| LineColor = 000073
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 12
| EpisodeNumber2 = 4
| Title = O Come All Ye Faithful
| DirectedBy = John Pasquin
| WrittenBy = Janis Hirsch
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1984|12|22}}
| ShortSummary = With bad weather precluding a trip home, the girls set up a holiday party at Margo's, a to-do Allison hopes Mr. Arrechia can attend.
| LineColor = 000073
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 13
| EpisodeNumber2 = 5
| Title = Man for Margo
| DirectedBy = John Pasquin
| WrittenBy = Bill Richmond
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1985|1|5}}
| ShortSummary = Sensing that Margo deserves someone who'll show her a good time, Charles and Kate set her up on a date with the most charming man money can buy.
| LineColor = 000073
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 14
| EpisodeNumber2 = 6
| Title = The Boy Next Door
| DirectedBy = [[Ellen Gittelsohn|Ellen Chaset Falcon]]
| WrittenBy = Lissa Levin
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1985|1|12}}
| ShortSummary = Expecting to not win, Margo consents to Allison and Billy attending an awards banquet in her stead; sparks between the two soon fly.
| LineColor = 000073
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 15
| EpisodeNumber2 = 7
| Title = Memories
| DirectedBy = Don Reo
| WrittenBy = Judith D. Allison
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1985|1|19}}
| ShortSummary = Footage from Season 1 contributes to Kate and Allison's recollections of back home.
| LineColor = 000073
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 16
| EpisodeNumber2 = 8
| Title = Two Girls for Every Boy
| DirectedBy = Ellen Chaset Falcon
| WrittenBy = Lissa Levin
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1985|1|26}}
| ShortSummary = Kate hears wedding bells after meeting a radio DJ whose tastes are more in line with Allison's.
| LineColor = 000073
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 17
| EpisodeNumber2 = 9
| Title = The Write Stuff
| DirectedBy = Linda Day
| WrittenBy = Janis Hirsch
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1985|2|2}}
| ShortSummary = Allison submits a newspaper article, which attracts enough compliments to spur her into forsaking design school for a writing career.
| LineColor = 000073
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 18
| EpisodeNumber2 = 10
| Title = Commercial Break
| DirectedBy = Ellen Chaset Falcon
| WrittenBy = Bill Richmond
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1985|2|9}}
| ShortSummary = Kate loses her voice on the eve of a commercial audition; reluctantly, Allison agrees to fill in... and her talents get her sister the part.
| LineColor = 000073
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 19
| EpisodeNumber2 = 11
| Title = Old Movies
| DirectedBy = Ellen Chaset Falcon
| WrittenBy = Don Reo
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1985|2|16}}
| ShortSummary = Late-night movie watching inspires the housemates to imagine themselves in some of cinema's greatest scenes.
| LineColor = 000073
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 20
| EpisodeNumber2 = 12
| Title = September Song
| DirectedBy = Ellen Chaset Falcon
| WrittenBy = Perry Grant & Dick Bensfield
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1985|2|23}}
| ShortSummary = Allison becomes smitten with a much older man, but Margo thinks his asking Allison to join him on a trip to Paris is too big of a step.
| LineColor = 000073
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 21
| EpisodeNumber2 = 13
| Title = Funny Girl
| DirectedBy = Judi Elterman
| WrittenBy = Janis Hirsch
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1985|3|2}}
| ShortSummary = A wealthy new classmate ([[Mindy Cohn]]) strikes a friendship with Allison; before long, she's also stealing her design ideas.
| LineColor = 000073
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 22
| EpisodeNumber2 = 14
| Title = The Day of the Rose
| DirectedBy = Ellen Chaset Falcon
| WrittenBy = Perry Grant and Dick Bensfield
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1985|3|23}}
| ShortSummary = After an anniversary gift from her late husband makes Margo melancholy, the twins spend the weekend cheering her up, but an out-of-town trip doesn't turn out as the trio hoped it would.
| LineColor = 000073
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 23
| EpisodeNumber2 = 15
| Title = Where's Poppa?
| DirectedBy = Ellen Chaset Falcon
| WrittenBy = Don Reo & Judith D. Allison
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1985|3|30}}
| ShortSummary = Art pays his daughters a visit... and, after seeing their life in the Big Apple, prefers that they come back to Iowa with him.
| LineColor = 000073
}}
}}

==U.S. television ratings==
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
|-
|-
! Season
| 2-1 || "If We Can Make It Here..." || December 1, 1984
! Episodes
! Start Date
! End Date
! Nielsen Rank
! Nielsen Rating
! Tied With
|-
|-
| style="text-align:center" | 1983-84
| 2-2 || "Do You Believe in Magic?" || December 8, 1984
| style="text-align:center" | 8
| style="text-align:center" | March 4, 1984
| style="text-align:center" | May 30, 1984
| style="text-align:center: | 71
| style="text-align:center" | 13.1<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tvratingsguide.com/2017/09/1983-84-ratings-history-networks-are.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180322035930/www.tvratingsguide.com/2017/09/1983-84-ratings-history-networks-are.html |archive-date=2018-03-22 |title=1983-84 Ratings History -- The Networks Are Awash in a Bubble Bath of Soaps}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center" | N/A
|-
|-
| style="text-align:center" | 1984-85
| 2-3 || "Dream Girls" || December 15, 1984
| style="text-align:center" | 15
|-
| 2-4 || "O Come All Ye Faithful" || December 22, 1984
| style="text-align:center" | December 1, 1984
| style="text-align:center" | March 30, 1985
|-
| style="text-align:center: | 43
| 2-5 || "Man for Margo" || January 5, 1985
| style="text-align:center" | 13.8<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.tvratingsguide.com/2017/06/1984-85-season-nielsens-nbc-breaks-its.html |title=1984-85 Season Nielsens -- NBC Breaks its 8-Year Curse and Shoves Into 2nd Place as ABC and CBS Continue to Bank on Soap Prominence|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180322040537/http://www.tvratingsguide.com/2017/06/1984-85-season-nielsens-nbc-breaks-its.html|archive-date=2018-03-22}}</ref>
|-
| style="text-align:center" | "[[The Dukes of Hazzard]]", "[[TJ Hooker]]"
| 2-6 || "The Boy Next Door" || January 12, 1985
|-
| 2-7 || "Memories" || January 19, 1985
|-
| 2-8 || "Two Girls for Every Boy" || January 26, 1985
|-
| 2-9 || "The Write Stuff" || February 2, 1985
|-
| 2-10 || "Commercial Break" || February 9, 1985
|-
| 2-11 || "Old Movies" || February 16, 1985
|-
| 2-12 || "September Song" || February 23, 1985
|-
| 2-13 || "Funny Girl" || March 2, 1985
|-
| 2-14 || "The Day of the Rose" || March 23, 1985
|-
| 2-15 || "Where's Poppa?" || March 30, 1985
|-
|-
|}
|}


==Books==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
Three Decades after the end of the series, Double Trouble was revamped into a modern version in the book series by Maryam Wells, author of the All About Us series and its prequel series All About Middle School. Double Trouble has the same concept as the original series, but ith a twist. Kate and Allison Foster's names are changed to Megan and Jenny Carlson, teenage residents in a fictional California town called Santa Mira. Megan and Jenny, who are dubbed as the Carlson Twins, have the same different personalties as Kate and Allison. Megan is the social, boy-crazy twin, while Jenny is the serious, intelligent twin. They are both 9th graders in the beginning of the DT series and seniors in Double Trouble: The Final Year. Episodes of Double Trouble and episodes from another NBC teen show, Malibu, Ca were written and released as books.

Despite the lack of success for the television series, the books are more successful towards children and pre-teens.


==External links==
==External links==
* {{imdb title|id=0086696|title=Double Trouble}}
* {{IMDb title|id=0086696|title=Double Trouble}}
* {{tv.com show|double-trouble|Double Trouble}}
* {{epguides|id=DoubleTrouble|title=Double Trouble}}
* {{epguides|id=DoubleTrouble|title=Double Trouble}}


[[Category:1984 American television series debuts]]
[[Category:1984 American television series debuts]]
[[Category:1985 American television series endings]]
[[Category:1985 American television series endings]]
[[Category:1980s American television series]]
[[Category:1980s American teen sitcoms]]
[[Category:American television sitcoms]]
[[Category:American English-language television shows]]
[[Category:English-language television series]]
[[Category:Television series about sisters]]
[[Category:NBC network shows]]
[[Category:American television series about teenagers]]
[[Category:Teen sitcoms]]
[[Category:Television series about twins]]
[[Category:Television series by Sony Pictures Television]]
[[Category:Television series by Sony Pictures Television]]
[[Category:Television shows set in Iowa]]
[[Category:Television shows set in Iowa]]
[[Category:Television shows set in New York City]]
[[Category:Television shows set in New York City]]
[[Category:Twins in television]]
[[Category:NBC sitcoms]]
[[Category:1980s American multi-camera sitcoms]]

[[de:Double Trouble (Fernsehserie)]]

Latest revision as of 17:48, 20 November 2024

Double Trouble
Publicity shot of the Sagal twins
GenreSitcom
Created byDavid W. Duclon
Robert Illes
James R. Stein
Directed byJohn Bowab
Jim Drake
Ellen Falcon
Marlene Laird
John Pasquin
StarringJean Sagal
Liz Sagal
ComposersRay Colcord
Mark Snow
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons2
No. of episodes23
Production
Executive producersJudith Allison
Janis Hirsch
Robert Illes
Bernie Orenstein
Bill Richmond
Saul Turteltaub
Camera setupMulti-camera
Running time22–24 minutes
Production companyEmbassy Television
Original release
NetworkNBC
ReleaseApril 4, 1984 (1984-04-04) –
March 30, 1985 (1985-03-30)

Double Trouble is an American sitcom television series that aired on NBC from April 4, 1984 to March 30, 1985. The series stars identical twins Jean and Liz Sagal as Kate and Allison Foster, two teenagers living under the watchful eye of their widowed father. The show was considered an updating of the "twins in mischief" concept seen in films like The Parent Trap or The Patty Duke Show of the 1960s. The Sagal sisters acknowledged that Norman Lear, the Sagal family's godfather,[1] was the one who held influence over the show's concept.[2]

Synopsis

[edit]

Double Trouble premiered in April 1984. Initially, the series was set in Des Moines, Iowa, and generally revolved around the twins' high school or their father's dance studio (thus giving the girls a chance to show off their real-life dancing skills). Most of the show's comedy was generated from the fact that one twin was serious while the other more laid-back and happy-go-lucky.

Beginning as a mid-season replacement, the show also starred Donnelly Rhodes as the girls' father, Art Foster. The show did not generate high enough ratings in its initial debut to be included in NBC's fall schedule; however, it was brought back for a second go-'round as a mid-season replacement in December 1984. After some retooling, the setting of the show was relocated to New York City. Rhodes was replaced by Barbara Barrie as the twins' aunt. The second season ran for fifteen episodes. The series was not renewed after the second season, but it was seen in reruns on NBC until August 21, 1985, and for several years on USA Network in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

Cast

[edit]

Episodes

[edit]

Series overview

[edit]
SeasonEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast aired
18April 4, 1984 (1984-04-04)May 30, 1984 (1984-05-30)
215December 1, 1984 (1984-12-01)March 30, 1985 (1985-03-30)

Season 1 (1984)

[edit]
No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateProd.
code
11"One Drives, the Other Doesn't"Marlena LairdStory by : Robert Illes & James Stein & Saul Turteltaub & Bernie Orenstein
Teleplay by : Saul Turteltaub & Bernie Orenstein		April 4, 1984 (1984-04-04)226151
Kate's inability to pass her driving test doesn't stop her from taking Art's car — and Allison's driver's license — to a concert.
22"Lust"Jim DrakeJill Gordon & Susan Jane LindnerApril 11, 1984 (1984-04-11)TBA
Kate risks the wrath of both her sister and her boyfriend when she becomes smitten by a guy working out at the gym.
33"First Day"John BowabDeidre Fay & Stuart WolpertApril 18, 1984 (1984-04-18)TBA
After she transfers to Allison's school, Allison helps Kate adjust by adding her to the yearbook staff; within a week, Kate's rising toward the top of its masthead.
44"Bad Chemistry"John BowabKimberly HillApril 25, 1984 (1984-04-25)TBA
Kate's out of her element when filling in for Allison in Chemistry class.
55"Dueling Feet"Marlena LairdEmily PotterMay 2, 1984 (1984-05-02)TBA
Kate challenges Allison to join her in a televised dance contest, but an ankle sprain forces one of them to go it alone.
66"Separate Birthdays"Marlena LairdStory by : David Chambers & Saul Turteltaub & Bernie Orenstein
Teleplay by : Saul Turteltaub & Bernie Orenstein		May 16, 1984 (1984-05-16)TBA
After Kate pulls her into a "twin testing" science project, Allison starts seeking an identity away from her sister... by moving in with Beth and celebrating her birthday by herself.
77"Heartache"Jim DrakeJill Gordon and Susan Jane LindnerMay 23, 1984 (1984-05-23)TBA
Art panics when she discovers Allison's diary, and reads and entry indicating her passion for heartthrob Steven.
88"Bombshell"Jim DrakeRobert Illes, James Stein & Janis HirschMay 30, 1984 (1984-05-30)TBA
Thinking Beth's relationship with Art is just platonic, the girls invite an attractive woman for dinner in the hopes that Art will become smitten with her.

Season 2 (1984–85)

[edit]
No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
91"If We Can Make It Here..."Jim DrakeDon ReoDecember 1, 1984 (1984-12-01)
The girls make their move to New York City, settling in with their Aunt Margo and setting out toward their respective ambitions (Kate as an entertainer, Allison as a fashion designer).
102"Do You Believe in Magic?"Jim DrakeJanis HirschDecember 8, 1984 (1984-12-08)
Kate becomes assistant to Rollo the Great (Carl Ballantine), a magician whose next big trick is to make Kate appear in two places at once.
113"Dream Girls"John PasquinLissa LevinDecember 15, 1984 (1984-12-15)
Kate joins a rock star's concert tour, leaving Allison back in New York... and envious.
124"O Come All Ye Faithful"John PasquinJanis HirschDecember 22, 1984 (1984-12-22)
With bad weather precluding a trip home, the girls set up a holiday party at Margo's, a to-do Allison hopes Mr. Arrechia can attend.
135"Man for Margo"John PasquinBill RichmondJanuary 5, 1985 (1985-01-05)
Sensing that Margo deserves someone who'll show her a good time, Charles and Kate set her up on a date with the most charming man money can buy.
146"The Boy Next Door"Ellen Chaset FalconLissa LevinJanuary 12, 1985 (1985-01-12)
Expecting to not win, Margo consents to Allison and Billy attending an awards banquet in her stead; sparks between the two soon fly.
157"Memories"Don ReoJudith D. AllisonJanuary 19, 1985 (1985-01-19)
Footage from Season 1 contributes to Kate and Allison's recollections of back home.
168"Two Girls for Every Boy"Ellen Chaset FalconLissa LevinJanuary 26, 1985 (1985-01-26)
Kate hears wedding bells after meeting a radio DJ whose tastes are more in line with Allison's.
179"The Write Stuff"Linda DayJanis HirschFebruary 2, 1985 (1985-02-02)
Allison submits a newspaper article, which attracts enough compliments to spur her into forsaking design school for a writing career.
1810"Commercial Break"Ellen Chaset FalconBill RichmondFebruary 9, 1985 (1985-02-09)
Kate loses her voice on the eve of a commercial audition; reluctantly, Allison agrees to fill in... and her talents get her sister the part.
1911"Old Movies"Ellen Chaset FalconDon ReoFebruary 16, 1985 (1985-02-16)
Late-night movie watching inspires the housemates to imagine themselves in some of cinema's greatest scenes.
2012"September Song"Ellen Chaset FalconPerry Grant & Dick BensfieldFebruary 23, 1985 (1985-02-23)
Allison becomes smitten with a much older man, but Margo thinks his asking Allison to join him on a trip to Paris is too big of a step.
2113"Funny Girl"Judi EltermanJanis HirschMarch 2, 1985 (1985-03-02)
A wealthy new classmate (Mindy Cohn) strikes a friendship with Allison; before long, she's also stealing her design ideas.
2214"The Day of the Rose"Ellen Chaset FalconPerry Grant and Dick BensfieldMarch 23, 1985 (1985-03-23)
After an anniversary gift from her late husband makes Margo melancholy, the twins spend the weekend cheering her up, but an out-of-town trip doesn't turn out as the trio hoped it would.
2315"Where's Poppa?"Ellen Chaset FalconDon Reo & Judith D. AllisonMarch 30, 1985 (1985-03-30)
Art pays his daughters a visit... and, after seeing their life in the Big Apple, prefers that they come back to Iowa with him.

U.S. television ratings

[edit]
Season Episodes Start Date End Date Nielsen Rank Nielsen Rating Tied With
1983-84 8 March 4, 1984 May 30, 1984 71 13.1[3] N/A
1984-85 15 December 1, 1984 March 30, 1985 43 13.8[4] "The Dukes of Hazzard", "TJ Hooker"

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Married Biography". 17 July 2023.
  2. ^ "The Times-News - Google News Archive Search".
  3. ^ "1983-84 Ratings History -- The Networks Are Awash in a Bubble Bath of Soaps". Archived from the original on 2018-03-22.
  4. ^ "1984-85 Season Nielsens -- NBC Breaks its 8-Year Curse and Shoves Into 2nd Place as ABC and CBS Continue to Bank on Soap Prominence". Archived from the original on 2018-03-22.
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