the news
the timeline
the theme song
reader response
links
the news
| val split |
Date: Wed, 10 July 2002 After over 21 years of a marriage that many thought would not last, Val and Eddie have announced that they have seperated. |
| odaat mp3 |
Date: Sat, 26 Jan 2002 Richard Spiegel was kind enough to send me an MP3 of the theme song and his interpretation of the lyrics (slight change). |
| more val news |
Date: Sun, 1 Apr 2001 |
| val on millionaire |
Date: Wed, 21 Mar 2001 |
| glenn scarpelli update |
Date: Mon, 13 Nov 2000 This is something I have often wondered myself. I thought the guy from Grease 2 was Glenn Scarpelli and apparently I wasn't the only one. The character I was thinking of was played by Adrian Zmed who was later in Bachelor Party—another seminal movie from my younger years. I read something that said "this guy now wears a chicken outfit and dances outside the grand openings of fast-food restaurants" but latest reports say he is a record/post-production executive. Check out Greg Bulmash's authoritative Former Child Star Central. |
| david dukes | 
Date: Sun, 22 Oct 2000 |
|
gaines gains tony |
Thanks to Linda Carr for the news. |
the timeline
Whitney Blake (who was a regular on the show Hazel) and Alan
Manings create a sitcom developed by Normal Lear for CBS called All About Us. CBS
buys the series after seeing the pilot. (Thank goodness for that!)
Unconfirmed rumor: There was a pilot produced previous to All About Us with Mackenzie Phillips as Bonnie Franklin's only daughter which never aired. (Think about the trickle-down if that was successful! Van Halen might still be together!)
Theme music is created by Jeff Barry and Nancy Barry (related?)
16 December: series
begins.
Bonnie Franklin as Ann Romano: single,
divorced mother starting a new life
Mackenzie Phillips as Julie Cooper: the headstrong and rebellious daughter
Valerie Bertinelli as Barbara Cooper: the well-behaved and popular daughter
Pat Harrington Jr. as Dwayne F. Schneider: the wacky building superintendent
Richard Masur as David Kane: Ann's lawyer neighbor, and later boyfriend
One Day At A Time (they changed the name!) premieres: Ann Romano (formerly Cooper) has moved to Indianapolis after getting a divorce. She has her two teenage daughters, Julie and Barbara Cooper. She is immediately befriended by the building super, Schneider.
John Hillerman as Mr. Conners: Ann's
stuffy boss, partner at Connors & Davenport (C&D)
Charles Siebert as Mr. Davenport, other partner at C&D
Mary Louise Wilson as Ginny Wroblicki: the sassy cocktail waitress, next-door neighbor
Mark Hamill as Harvey Schnieder: (relation of Dwayne?)
November: David Kane gets a job in Los Angeles and asks Ann to marry him and move there. She refuses & he leaves the show.
Ginny leaves the show.
Tidbit: "Gy Waldron was a writer for a few episodes of One Day at A Time in the early seasons. He had developed a contact with Norman Lear after Waldron wrote and directed the 1975 feature film 'Moonrunners', starring James Mitchum and Keil Martin... Waldron would take those writing credits he developed on ODAAT... and developed the television series... 'The Dukes of Hazzard', based heavily on that film 'Moonrunners'."1
John Putch as
Bob Morton, Barbara's friend.
Scott Columby as Barbara's dream hunk Cliff Randall.
No other information for this year! Just a picture of Schneider with bell bottom pants. Click on the picture for his web site.
Michael Lembeck as Max Horvath: Julie's husband, an airline steward
Mr. Davenport leaves the show.
Julie marries Max. She almost married Fred, his best friend, but Max changes her mind in a super-surprise last minute ending.
Ron Rifkin as Nick
Handris: Ann's first partner (and later boyfriend)Glenn Scarpelli as Alex Handris: Nick's cute but tough-as-a-bag-of-nails 10 year old son
Ann is promoted at C&D and is asked to move (a recurring theme in ODAAT). She refuses and looses her job. She goes into business for herself but runs into trouble getting the first "big" account. She is forced to team up with illustrator Nick Handris, played by Ron Rifkin.
Mr. Connors leaves the show (to be Higgins on Magnum P.I.).
Julie and Max "move to Houston."
Ann falls for Nick.
Shelley Fabares (real life niece
of Nanette Fabray) as Francine Webster: Ann's business partner
Boyd Gaines as Mark Royer: Barbara's fiancée, a dental student
Nick dies in a car accident and Ann takes on his delinquent
son, Alex. Ann does not have custody, rather it is explained that his mother
was constantly moving from town to town and his living with Ann would
provide him a more stable atmosphere.2 Schneider enlarges the apartment by closing off a room from a vacant adjoining
apartment--but they still have only one bathroom!
As she tries to eek out a living without Nick, Ann clashed with C&D ad competitor Francine. Francine intrudes and saves the day during a business lunch that Ann was stumbling through. So Ann hesitantly accepts a new partner--Francine. As it turns out the business man was a set-up (Francine's cousin), but Francine didn't realize that Ann's agency was already in debt! Gotcha Francine!
April 11 (real life): Valerie Bertinelli married Eddie Van Halen, CBS tries to keep it a secret to keep from distracting from Barbara's ODAAT romance with fiancée Mark.
Fall: Julie and Max return to show. Max is a writer now.
Pat Harrington Jr. wins Golden Globe for Best TV Actor in a supporting role (ties with Vic Tayback for "Alice")
Valerie Bertinelli wins Golden Globe for Best TV Actress in a supporting role (ties with Diane Ladd for "Alice")
Howard
Hesseman as Sam Royer: Mark's father and Ann's new boyfriendJ.C. and R.J. Dilley as Annie Horvath: Max and Julie's daughter
"The Perfect Marriage" (Barbara marries Mark) episode is the most watched ODAAT episode ever.
Julie and Max have a daughter, Annie.
Barbara and Mark move into an overcrowded apartment (filled with Mark's old friends). They later move in with Julie, Max and Annie.
Valerie Bertinelli wins Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress in a TV series.
Alex leaves.
Julie leaves the show again but husband Max stays on. It is explained that she has walked out on her husband and daughter (in real life she was only in detox!--not so bad!)
Pat Harrington Jr. wins Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a comedy series
Corey Feldman as Keith
2 September: series ends. (It was not cancelled, though.) Ann accepts a "dream job" offer in London (that moving theme again) and moves away with Sam after a tearful farewell to the empty apartment. (On Ann's final walk to the door to leave you can make out an audience member saying "No!")
This, however was not the last show. The next one featured Schneider visiting his recently-departed brother's kids (incl. Corey). They live in a side-show-like atmosphere that is in sore need of a handyman. Schneider's sister (who was intended to to take the kids) is arrested for embezzling church funds. After much deliberation, Schneider is talked into moving away from Indiana and taking care of the kids. This was the last show as the new concept was not picked up.
My Research
IMDB
Nick-At-Nite (currently inactive)
ODAAT Home Page (defunct)
Sitcoms Online message board
Tim's TV Showcase
TVPartyAdditional Credits
1. Marky Billson
2. Guy "Dolfan" and MSGoddess
the theme song
Someone e-mailed my the lyrics. I was sent an MP3 version of the theme song and I'm pretty sure these lyrics don't match, although I've seen them posted the same elsewhere. I have listened to the theme exhaustively (as many times as I could stand to hear the da da da das) and I have posted what I am sure will be a ODAAT controversy not seen since McKenzie left in '83. My findings are on the right.
Press to play.
traditional interpretation sent to me |
my interpretation of the WAV file |
| This is it, this is it | This is it, this is it |
| This is life, the one you get, | This is life, the one you get, |
| So go and hop on | So go and have a ball1 |
| This is it, This is it | This is it, this is it |
| Straight ahead, and rest assured, | Straight ahead, and rest assured, |
| You can't be shoved off | You can't be sure at all2 |
| So while you're headin', enjoyin' the view, | So while you're here, enjoy the view,3 |
| Keep on doin' what you do | Keep on doin' what you do |
| Hold on tight, we'll muddle through, | Hold on tight, we'll muddle through, |
|
One Day at a Time, One Day at a Time |
One Day at a Time, One Day at a Time |
| So hop on your feet, hop on your feet, | So up on your feet, (up on your feet,)4 |
| Somewhere there's music playing | Somewhere there's music playing |
| Don't you worry none, | Don't you worry none, |
| We'll just take it like it's all... | We'll just take it like it comes...5 |
| One Day at a Time, One Day at a Time | One Day at a Time, One Day at a Time |
| One Day at a Time, (da da da da) | One Day at a Time, (da da da da) |
| One Day at a Time, One Day at a Time | One Day at a Time, One Day at a Time |
| One Day at a Time, (da da da da) | One Day at a Time, (da da da da) |
| One Day at a Time | One Day at a Time |
1The first deviation, I'm pretty sure they are saying "have a ball."
2I feel less confident in this line. It does rhyme, though.
3What does "while you're headin'" mean?
4Hop? No way, this is done like a spiritual. The lyrics want you up and dancing, not hopping.
5This is just a no-brainer. Listen carefully.
reader response
|
A lot of people ask about episode guides, theme song and/or taped shows. I have none of these. If you know where this stuff exists I would be happy to post a link. (I have removed e-mail addresses unless specifically noted by the sender that it is OK.) |
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Date: 26 Nov 2000 18:13:19 Date: Fri, 20 Oct 2000 From: Linda Carr From: Sheamari@aol.com Subject: Where is MacKenzie? I have been searching all over the Internet for MacKenzie and have been
unsuccessful in locating her at all! You are the first site that I have
found that comes close! She was on one of those shows like Entertainment
Tonight or Inside Edition, telling her story, of how she got out of her self
destructive lifestyle dating back to One Day at a Time and all the drugs, etc. I
was very impressed and there is something I so want to ask her, in relation to
my own life! Can any one, can you, help me to find a way to e-mail her or
locate her on the web somewhere? By the, way, nice site! It was nice to reminisce
because I watched the show all the time! Date: 03/28/99 To: jamesandkim@onebox.com Subject: ODAAT Memo Something you may not have known, but may be interested in. Gy Waldron was a writer for a few episodes of One Day at A Time in the early seasons. He had developed a contact with Norman Lear after Waldron wrote and directed the 1975 feature film "Moonrunners", starring James Mitchum and Keil Martin. Interestingly enough, Moonrunners is about as far away from "One Day" as you can get. It was a movie on southern country bootleggers, lots of car chases, a "GUY" movie if ever there was one. Now, "this is it", Waldron would take those writing credits he developed on ODAAT and some other TV shows he wrote for that were flops and developed the television series that is my personal favorite, "The Dukes of Hazzard", based heavily on that film "Moonrunners". I'll bet you never thought there could be any correlation between Dukes and ODAAT. Well . . . Sadly I don't have an E-Mail address. But I thought you'd like to know that bit of trivia.
Marky Billson
Date: 05/27/99 Hi there, I'm a fellow fan of the show and thought I'd take a moment to share a couple things to help you with your page (hope you don't mind): *Yes, the final episode indeed WAS the one where Schneider moved to California to raise his brother's bratty kids. The intention at the time was to "spin off" the character so Pat Harrington could bring in more paychecks - CBS didn't care for it, and frankly neither did I (just an unsolicited opinion, but you can quote me). *Mackenzie Phillips being fired twice from the show was big stuff, so why not toss some details about that in as well? *An episode guide for this series would still be cool to find on the net - I haven't found one yet. If you want to add one here, I have the information available for the first 5 seasons to pass along (just titles and descriptions, no writer or director credits). I've also got a few photos here and there which you might be interested in. Just let me know, I'd be glad to help. Thanks for taking time to read my email, Curt Phillips
Date: 07/16/99 Hi James, I am also a big ODAAT fan. I enjoyed your ODAAT timeline. I am trying to get more episodes of ODAAT on tape. I have about 60 or so eps on tape. Some are original airings from 1979-1983. Do you have any episodes on tape? If so I would like to trade episodes with you if you are interested. Or if you prefer, I am willing to pay for copies of your episodes. If you have episodes and are interested, please e-mail me at (deleted). Thanks,
Date: Mon, 27 Sep 1999 Greetings my friends; Thanks for having a great One Day At A Time page, i wish there was more, though i must admit i may have only seen 1 or 2 episodes, i am mainly a fan of the theme music for the show ( One day at a time.. One Day at a time.. One day at a TIME laaa la la laaaa ...) Since it appears that you have the only site in all of cyberspace that i have found i wanted to ask you if you could tell me about the song, ( who wrote it, sung it, any chance of finding a tape where they may be doing rehearsals of the song...) Are there any other sites for this show and its music?? Well my friends that's all for now *huggs* **..hope to hear from you soon..** "powersource" Date: Fri, 15 Oct 1999 Hi. Well I'm a huge One Day at a Time fan and I thought I should fill you in. In about 76 or 77 Julie runs away with her boyfriend (cant remember his name now) and they spend a good few days on the road. Then they "move in together" in this crappy motel until Ann comes and rescues her. In 78, Barbara's friend was Bob Morton, he liked her but she didn't like him. She had a boyfriend named CLIFF RANDALL, the school stud. Also, Barbara graduated from high school in the 78-79 season. When Alex left, it is explained that he went to live with his mother (who originally did not want the responsibility of dealing with a son because she traveled a lot, but eventually did take him back). Besides, how could he leave for college? He was only 14! If you have any questions, please ask me! I can't think of all the things I know, but with a question I might be able to refresh my memory! Feel free to e-mail me at: (deleted) MSGoddess |
From: "Shilkoff, Larry" I just saw your website and its great! You may be interested to know that Pat Harrington has a website at www.patharrington.com. Includes a bio and some other interesting stuff. Larry
From: Marc Dawsey
Date: Mon, 24 Apr 2000 I came across your note regarding having copies of one day at a time episodes. My
fiancé loves the show, and I'm trying to find copies of as many episodes as possible. so far,
I've had no luck. Can you help? From: EARL AND SHERRY MILLER Date: Mon, 20 Mar 2000 To: jamesandkim@onebox.com Subject: ODAAT Memo Please HELP!! I have been searching the Internet for months for an answer to my question about an episode that aired Nov/Dec of 1981. Is there anyone to put me in touch with Mona? In this episode, one of the girls was kissed. Before it happened, the guy (I believe) said a classy line. I know this is not much help, but it is very important for me to figure out what this line was. Feel free to share my email address. Sherry Date: 05/11/99 To: jamesandkim@onebox.com Subject: One Day at a Time Hi! I was very excited to recently run across your One Day at a Time TimeLINE. It brings back many great childhood memories of one of my all time favorite shows. I was hoping as fellow fans that you might be able to help me with something. Do you know of an episode guide or any photos from the series being available anywhere (online or otherwise)? I would love to dive into the series history a little. I personally keep a website devoted to Designing Women, but One Day at a Time was always the show closest to my heart as a child. Any ideas? I'd love to see a full blown website for this one!! John Paul
Date: Tue, 11 Jan 2000
Subject: ODAAT Memo I became a fan of Valerie when I first saw her on Battle of the Network Stars. They had a half-time segment with the Simon Says guy. He gives clues real fast and can trick you. I.E. Simon says out your hands on your hips, put your hands down, put your hands down. Simon says put your hands up (he puts his down) the person would almost always put their hands down. "That's up, you're out." Anyway, he got Val out on a trick like that, Valerie "That's not fair." Simon "You're right, you're back in the game. So what's your name?" "Valerie" "You're out again" (he never said Simon Says. Then I came across ODAAT and was a fan ever since. About the show, Alex's absence was explained he went to be with his Mom. Alex would have been too young to start college (then again, there was an episode where Barbara had a 12 year old Genetics tutor). Also, Ann never got official custody of Alex-there was even an episode where Alex remarks to Ann "You aren't even my legal guardian" but to keep Alex on the show the explanation was with his mother moving from town to town that Alex would be better off in a stable atmosphere. As for Grandma Romano, she started to become more recurring in 1979 but didn't get an onscreen credit with the other regulars until 82 or 83. Yes, I was a big fan of the show :-) Keep up the great work Guy
Date: 07/16/99 Just hit your "One Day At A Time" site for the first time. It's very well done, if a little rough around the edges. It's obvious that you've put a lot of love into it. Ever thought about listing the words to the theme song? Let me know and I'll send you a copy of the lyrics. Sincerely,
Date: 05/05/99 Hi , Both my husband and I were reminiscing about the two stars of "One Day at a Time". We searched the internet but were unable to even find their names listed under Television Stars or any other category we could think of. What in the world ever happened to these two delightfully talented entertainers. They have seemed to have disappeared. I hope they are alive and well and starring in something I just haven't been able to come across. Please answer and thanks for all the info on the program. That was indeed a fun show.
From: Joseph Turbeville Hey there! You may not know this, but I've had an ODAAT page since July 1999 (although it was crap back then), but here's a link to the current page. I saw your site probably when it was first listed on the IMDB. I never really exposed my site to anyone until I got enough info to make it useful to the public. I got 101 episodes (and GROWING!) and currently researching the episode guide problem w/ Sony and CBS. Our staff is working on detailed descriptions of the episodes we have and I'm working on .mpg, .wav files and whatever ... and yes, Pat Harringtion has seen the site and is looking fwd to it's updates :) I collect old shows that I enjoyed like One Day at a Time, Head of the Class, and my current project, Too Close for Comfort. Also, I run http://tapetrader.iscool.net where people can trade/purchase episodes I got on tape from my vast collection. Look for my websites to expand as my friend (home of 80s cartoons) and and I merge our sites to form a cartoon/tv sitcom database ... yay! jt
Date: Mon, 13 Sep 1999 That was Barbara's love of her life. Now I remember his name, but not his character. Go figure. This is driving me nuts!! Date: Mon, 13 Sep 1999 In a message dated 09/13/1999, (deleted) writes: I remembered. He played "Cliff". Sorry to bug you. |
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links
Internet Movie DatabaseGreat start point for researching movies and tv shows.
Nick-At-Nite(currently inactive) Did not have any ODAAT info. last time I checked, but it has in the past.
Sitcoms OnlineMessage board about tv.
Tim's TV ShowcaseTV worship site.
TVPartySite that tracks (mostly) kid's shows from the 60s and 70s. A lot of fun.
TVTomeSite with budding episode guide.
Has a great reader remembrances section.
