The Courtship of Eddie's Father (1969–1972) User Reviews

People, let me tell you 'bout my best friend...

[MichaelMovieLoft · 7/10 · 18 October 2004]

I first saw this back on WWOR in 1994. From the first episode, I was hooked. It was loosely based on the 60's film starring Glenn Ford and Ron Howard, where widowed father Tom Corbett raises his son the best he can in New York City. In the meantime, Eddie stars finding new love interests for his father. A few years later, this show popped up.

There were a few changes to the show. In the show, Tom is now a magazine editor for a newspaper in California. He and Eddie are best friends, like the song says. I liked the character of Tom. He never talked down to Eddie and always knew how to balance the best friend/father trick. That is what makes him one of TV's greatest dads.

Eddie could always count on the other people in his life too like "Uncle" Norman (Tom's co-worker), Tina (Tom's secretary) and Mrs. Livingston (their maid). It was sort of a neat, extended family. In real life, people would be lucky to have that. I also liked how the series slowly turned away from the original plot of the film of Eddie finding his father a wife. It became about a father and son who are crazy about each other.

I think what slowly destroyed the show was the plots started focusing around Norman, rather than Tom and Eddie. The stories ranged from Uncle Norman trying to lose five pounds over the weekend to Uncle Norman's love affairs. I know Bill Bixby was peeved at that but James Komack (Uncle Norman) was the producer, so there wasn't much that could be done.

Still, it was a fun show (even if there were a few annoying things to it like the music and the laugh track), but still a heartwarming show.

Pat

I Grew Up With The Courtship of Eddie's Father!

[BaileySEA · 27 June 2005]

This was a sitcom in a league all by itself. It was a touching, endearing show that was real and sincere. The talking sound montages over the action were great. It was a stylistic show with a lot of class. Brandon Cruz was the perfect Eddie. It shared little with the movie it was based on. Bill Bixby was an intelligent, attractive dad with a lot of compassion. James Komack was a great co-star.It was a quiet, gentle little sitcom that was a feel good show to watch. It was nice to see a show where every one got along. There was no need for the sarcastic comic foil in this show. Too bad it only lasted three seasons. To Bill Bixby wherever you are, this one's for you!

The most touching bond ever shown on TV

[JordanThomasHall · 10/10 · 14 May 2019]

"The Courtship of Eddie's Father" follows the best friend, father-son relationship of widower magazine manager Tom Corbett (Bill Bixby, "My Favorite Martian", "The Incredible Hulk") and his young son Eddie (Brandon Cruz, "The Bad News Bears"). Eddie wants a new mother and cleverly schemes to find the ideal person for his father. Episodes center around this theme, as Eddie interferes with his father's relationships, before evolving into compassionately raising Eddie. The pair are delicately cared for by their wise Japanese housekeeper Mrs. Livingston (Miyoshi Umeki, "Sayonara"). Rounding out the cast is Tom's free-spirited art director Norman Tinker (series producer James Komack, "Welcome Back, Kotter" producer) who is Eddie's "uncle" and Tom's ditzy secretary Tina Rickles (Kristina Holland).

The sitcom ran for three seasons (1969-1972) loosely based upon the 1963 film of the same name. The father-son actors share a great chemistry and Bixby received an Emmy in demonstrating a father's love for his son. The show transformed Bibxy in real life from a Hollywood playboy to become a surrogate father to Cruz, with him saying he was truly "like a second father". Bixby's Tom Corbett was named in 2014 as #15 in TV Guide's list of the "50 Greatest TV Dads of All Time". The series was cancelled when Bixby and Komack fell out as the show began losing it's father-son dynamic when Komack's character increasingly became featured. The show is also remembered for it's opening scenes of the father and son bonding to the tune of Harry Nilsson's "Best Friend". It has went on to become an iconic representation of a father-son relationship. All three seasons have been released on home media.

Reflecting upon the series, "The Courtship of Eddie's Father" is truly a gem. From the start, the inspiring, heartwarming father-son bond is genuine and magnetizing. I think it's probably the most touching bond by any TV characters. Clearly it's the strength of the show. The moral-driven plots are top notch, and even the opening and closing tag scenes of Tom answering Eddie's questions about life are moving. One of the best is found in the second episode where Eddie asks how far is the horizon and relates it to his late mother with Tom. Amazingly touching. Mrs. Livingston's character was strong support with her delicate care of the pair and offering sage advice, sometimes comical. I enjoy Norman's character's dry wit and quips intermixed within stories. But, as the executive producer put himself into more of starring role, it evaporated the father-son dynamic that made the show. Eddie even became a non-factor in some later episodes. Bill Bixby, seeing this, protested and the series later came to an end as a result. Tina was a fine supplement to the cast with humor coming from her naivety. The father-son centered episodes where Eddie learns a valuable life lesson is TV at its finest. The moral-driven stories are well-crafted and engaging with some light humor. There are many situations that serves as almost a parenting manual as how to raise a child. I think the world would be a better place if every parent watched "The Courtship of Eddie's Father". I've selected episodes that handle various life lessons and their moral theme: "Pain"- Facing your fears; bullying "Bully for You"- Handling a female bully "Gentleman Friend"- Consideration for others and self "Any Friend of Dad's"- Other's feelings; be a gracious host "An F for Mrs. Livingston"- Impact of showing love "Member of the Wedding"- Consequences "A Night Out for the Boys"- Respect "Mother of the Year"- Abilities "Who Pulled the Blues Right Out of the Horn"- Family differences "The Library Card"- Responsibility "How Do You Know If It's Really Love?"- Love "The Road to You Know Where Is Paved with You Know What"- Evaluating advice "Guardian for Eddie"- Having one's best interests "The Promise"- Power "A Five-Pound Monkey on His Stomach"- Commitment "Don't Look Now, But Your Scorpio Is Rising"- Uniqueness "Money Is a Five-Letter Word"- Outside pressure "The Business Trip"- Responsibility "Eddie's Will"- What people mean to one another "Hello, Mrs. Bessinger, Goodbye"- Sense of place "Love is for Sharing"- Sharing "When the Shoe Is on the Other Foot, It Doesn't Fit"- Equal doesn't have to mean the same "The Secret Box"- Important things are kept in special places; being adopted is special "Fear Is for Understanding"- Be stronger than your fears "Gifts Are for Giving"- Giving "The Ghetto Girl"- Fairness "The Hospital"- Trust conquers fear "The Rift"- Handling anger "Dear Mr. Cooper"- Respecting privacy "The Magic Mrs. Rickles"- The meaning of magic "To Catch a Thief"- Doing the right thing "Discipline is Four Letter Word Spelled Love"- Importance of discipline "My Son, the Artist"- Don't overreact to mistakes; Understanding different opinions "Tell it Like I'm Telling You It Is"- Problem solving. "A Very Different Drummer"- You don't have to always do things normally to do the right thing. "Or Else"- Working out differences "Thy Neighbor Loves Thee"- How to be a good neighbor "The Choice"- Life is a series of choices "The Karate Story"- Facing your fears "It's All Write With Me"- One's sense of place "A Little Help From My Friend"- Worrying

Good times

[theknownames · 10/10 · 6 December 2020]

Such a sweet show and a staple of my early 80's tv diet. Ahead of its time in so many ways and to this day the theme song runs through my mind when I am happy!

When Virgins Raise a Kid

[verbusen · 5/10 · 10 January 2007]

I'm sorry people, but gag me with a fork here, OK? I only remember this show from watching it on a regular basis when it first aired or soon afterward in reruns. This show used to frustrate the HELL out of me as a kid (I was probably around Eddies age in real life). The Dad would never get anywhere with a woman. Also, that song would drone over and over in my head for days until it was maddening! As a kid I would root for Bill Bixbie to date the Asian chick, did anyone else think like that? She was getting the shaft also in that show, it was all about little Eddie. Gotta make Eddie happy, us Adults have no life outside Eddie! I have come to realize that this was the "If Virgins Had Kids" show. Don't get me wrong, I'm a big Bill Bixby fan from MFM, and TIH and the Elvis flicks he was in but there's a reason why this show isn't run much in repeats on popular networks, this was boring, frustrating TV to watch (Good Life Network doesn't count because I don't know anyone other than C band owners who get that channel). When I was a kid I used to root for Gilligan to get off that damn island, and for Eddies Father to get a woman, it ain't gonna happen because thats TV. It's really really cute, and maybe very wholesome so I give it that, but watching this on a regular basis would get pretty old today. Oh and heres a taste of real life people, Little Eddie (the actor) grew up to sing for the Dead Kennedy's (of the song "Holiday In Cambodia" and named after assinated Kennedy's fame) and is COVERED in tattoo's! That role was just too freaking cute to watch (or act) on a regular basis! If this WAS real life, I'd imagine Eddie doing the same thing as he grew up, kids are cute, very cute at this age but later on they're going to do their own thing and the nicer you are the more likely they are to screw it all up, take my word on it, lol. My advise, be an average at best parent so you can look up to your kids and be proud.

A wonderful and realistic TV series

[big_bellied_geezer · 30 January 2002]

This show really worked in large part to the way the late great actor Bill Bixby handled the part with such realistic care and ease. This gave the show the right texture and feeling and was a nice platform for the young Brandon Cruz to work from. The show also worked because of the unique combination of the talents of the whole cast including the great Miyoshi Umeki and of sensitive and intelligent script writing. Like many others, I would like to see these episodes repeated again on one of the classic TV networks.

Gimpy, at Best

[grampagrampa-534-501687 · 3/10 · 5 July 2022]

I was seven when this was released. I didn't enjoy it at seven or over the next couple of years. To me there were no redeeming characteristics. Keep in mind pretty much anything else on TV I enjoyed...except maybe Romper Room. I loved Captain Kangaroo, Mod Squad, Room 222, Wild, Wild West and many other programs. Even at seven I felt manipulated. If you never view any of this program consider yourself lucky. Because in 1969 there was no PBS. There were three stations. And it was my unfortunate happenstance to only have two other stations I could view other than this sappy TV show. Magic, later with Bill Bixby was much better than this drivel.

Courtship of Eddie's Father was a great program

[JenniferReynolds · 19 September 2005]

This show was one of the best on television at the time. It was masterfully done. The demonstration of a father's love for his son made this one of the warmest programs on television. Bill Bixby was the perfect person for the role he played. I can't imagine any other actor who could have done as well. Bill Bixby was made for this role. And the chemistry between Mr. Bixby and Brandon Cruz was heartwarming and very real. Their on screen relationship was such a wonderful role model for all who were fortunate to watch this wonderful television series.

And I totally agree with other writers who believe that this show should return to the small screen so that a whole new generation of families could watch it. I am sure that millions of people learned a lot about how a relationship between a father, or a parent, should be. The extraordinary performance by Bill Bixby is responsible for the realism in this fine show.

Dull

[jeffreygunn · 5/10 · 12 June 2022]

I remember watching this show in daytime syndication from time to time when I was a kid and I just remember how dull I found it. I haven't seen an episode in probably around 35 years or so perhaps I would think differently now, but it was a real snore to me as a kid.

Love this show!! And Bill Bixby...

[Heff2001 · 13 March 2006]

I was about 4 years old when this show was on television and it is one of the oldest and fondest memories I have. Me and my dad would watch this show together every week. It just happened to be on my mom's night out. So, it was just me and him. After the show was over, it was time for me to go to bed. My father would pick me up on his shoulders and carry me upstairs and tuck me in. Excuse the sentimental stuff but I just caught a few episodes and I was overwhelmed with a memory flood. Beyond the childhood reminiscing: the show is pretty pure and straightforward and has something so blatantly missing from most television: heart. And the chemistry between Bill Bixby and Brandon Cruz was right on the mark. I'm a Harry Nillson fan so the theme (changed girlfriend to best friend) is fine with me. Tom Corbett should be inspiration for any dad out there! If you get a chance, check it out.

The Courtship Of Eddie's Father-The Television Series

[raysond · 7 September 2005]

Based on the 1963 movie of the same title which starred Glenn Ford, Shirley Jones and Ronny Howard,"The Courtship Of Eddie's Father" was a smash hit and it remained that way throughout the three seasons that it ran on ABC-TV from the premiere episode in 1969,to the final episode of the series which ended in mid-1972. Only 78 episodes were produced of this series. This show came out during the "bubblegum" explosion of family friendly shows that premiered during the late-1960's all the way throughout the early-1970's. But out of all of them,this show was totally different from the rest of the pack. Out of all the TV-father figures that were around that wish that Mike Brady(The Brady Bunch),Steve Douglas(My Three Sons),or for that manner Ozzie Nelson(Ozzie and Harriet),Ward Clever(Leave It To Beaver),or to an extent other dads like Ben Cartwright(Bonanza),or Alex Stone(The Donna Reed Show),and to come close Andy Taylor(The Andy Griffith Show),and Rob Petrie(The Dick Van Dyke Show),and Lucas McCain(The Rifleman)were there dad,there wasn't a father figure out there that was sentimental to the core like Tom Corbett and to me he was the best father out there,right up there with Hugh Beaumont(Leave It To Beaver),Andy Griffith(The Andy Griffith Show),Fred MacMurray(My Three Sons),and to an lesser extent Lorne Greene(Bonanza),Chuck Conners(The Rifleman),and Brian Kelly(Flipper). And in the same category Carl Betz(The Donna Reed Show),and Dick Van Dyke(The Dick Van Dyke Show),and also Robert Reed(The Brady Bunch).

Not only was Tom Corbett attractive and funny but he always took time out to talk and spend quality time with his son and basically explained to him the birds and the bees of life and also trying to understand what is going on inside his world so he can grasp the details and established a bond between father and son. He was the type of father,even though he had business to attend toward whether business or personal,was always taking time out of his busy schedule and between the relationship between father and son would never dismiss any idea his son wanted to share with him and from there showed a great deal of respect and trust as well as understanding his "best friend". In other words no manner what situation may occur within the household,he never talked down or for that manner disrespect his son for whatever reason. There was a chemistry that worked well since Tom Corbett knew how to balance the father/son trick so well and it was perfectly brilliant. No other actor in the history of television could pull this off better than Bill Bixby. From all the characters he ever portrayed on television ranging from shows like "My Favorite Martian","The Magician",and to an extent "The Incredible Hulk",Bixby had a style to this role that will forever be remembered. He handled the part of Tom Corbett with such realistic care and ease and it shows in the nominations that this show received especially in the Golden Globes and Emmy departments for the sensitive and intelligent thought-provoking writing and acting it received during its three seasons in which it ran on ABC. It also gave an unknown actor Brandon Cruz as Tom Corbett's son Eddie a feeling of texture and ease into the role and from there Brandon Cruz became a huge sensation because of this series. I wonder where is Brandon Cruz doing now?

About the show:There are difference in scenery. In the 1963 theatrical version,for this show was loosely based from the original screenplay by Peggy Chantler Dick--Glenn Ford(Tom Corbett),and Ronny Howard(Eddie Corbett)are father and son living in New York City. Tom is a widowed father who does the best he can to raise his son. In the meantime,Eddie starts finding a love interest for his father(Shirley Jones). In the television version there would be some major changes. Tom is a magazine editor for a metropolitan newspaper in California. He and Eddie could always count on the other people in his life as well like Tom's co-worker Norman(James Komack),Tina-Tom's secretary(Kristina Holland),and lets not forget the housekeeper Mrs. Livingston(Miyoshi Umeki),and many others that would comes into the lives of Tom Corbett and his son Eddie Corbett. The series veered away from the original plot of the movie and basically focused on bond between the father and the son. During the show's final season,you can tell that it lost that touch and begin ranging from other problems,and I guess that what killed it. However,James Komack served as executive producer and producer of this series and it gave Bill Bixby the opportunity to produced,write and direct several episodes. However,this show was out of commission for years,and the last it was shown was on the CBN Network back in the 1980's. Nowadays it is shown every Sunday evening on the Good Life TV Network,where they showcased classic entertainment.