Double Trouble (American TV series)
 |
| Double Trouble | |
|---|---|
 Publicity shot of the Sagal twins | |
| Genre | Sitcom |
| Written by | Judith D. Allison David W. Duclon Deidre Fay Jill Gordon Janis Hirsch Robert Illes Lissa Levin Susan Jane Lindner Bernie Orenstein Ellen Potter Don Reo Bill Richmond James R. Stein Saul Turteltaub Deidre Fay |
| Directed by | John Bowab Jim Drake Ellen Falcon Marlene Laird John Pasquin |
| Starring | Jean Sagal Liz Sagal |
| Composers | Ray Colcord Mark Snow |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| No. of seasons | 2 |
| No. of episodes | 23 |
| Production | |
| Executive producers | Judith Allison Janis Hirsch Robert Illes Bernie Orenstein Bill Richmond Saul Turteltaub |
| Camera setup | Multi-camera |
| Running time | 22–24 minutes |
| Production company | Embassy Television |
| Original release | |
| Network | NBC |
| Release | April 4, 1984 – March 30, 1985 |
Double Trouble is an American sitcom that aired from 1984 to 1985 on NBC. 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.
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.
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.
Cast
- Jean Sagal as Kate Foster
- Liz Sagal as Allison Foster
- Barbara Barrie as Margo Foster (Season 2)
- Anne-Marie Johnson as Aileen Lewis (Season 2)
- Donnelly Rhodes as Art Foster (Season 1)
- Patricia Richardson as Beth McConnell (Season 1)
- Michael D. Roberts as Mr. Arrechia (Season 2)
- Jonathan Schmock as Billy Batalato (Season 2)
- James Vallely as Charles Kincaid (Season 2)
Episodes
Season 1
| 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
| Episode # | Episode title | Original airdate |
|---|---|---|
| 2-1 | "If We Can Make It Here..." | December 1, 1984 |
| 2-2 | "Do You Believe in Magic?" | December 8, 1984 |
| 2-3 | "Dream Girls" | December 15, 1984 |
| 2-4 | "O Come All Ye Faithful" | December 22, 1984 |
| 2-5 | "Man for Margo" | January 5, 1985 |
| 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
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
- 1984 American television series debuts
- 1985 American television series endings
- 1980s American television series
- American television sitcoms
- English-language television series
- NBC network shows
- Teen sitcoms
- Television series by Sony Pictures Television
- Television shows set in Iowa
- Television shows set in New York City
- Twins in television