‘Family Ties’ original cast to reunite for benefit special

Justine Bateman already had plans?

Was Justine Bateman busy?

Why no Justine Bateman? WTF? WE WANT MALLORY!!!!!!

Stupid

Where's Andy?????

It's probably for the better that they're not including Brian Bonsall:

Justine is above it all. Or below. That kind of attitude is probably why she has no career.

No Tracy Pollan-Fox?

Justine not attending seems to be causing more of a scandal than Delta Burke not appearing on the 'Designing Women' reunion. And that one was a two-parter with Wendy McClendon-Covey playing the part of Suzanne Sugarbaker in a table read of the pilot!

I’ve just written and directed a major motion picture, y’all!

Justine still holds a grudge that her movie career never took off.

Nor did she get to ride my monster hog!

I’m sorry, but Brian Bonsall looks like the only only interesting one.

They should riff on real life, and have both Keaton parents be living as gay people, with their new partners on the reunion. That would be interesting.

I'm free!

I’m not

Sha la la la.

They could get Jason Bateman to play Mallory.

Is this the television equivalent of the Hollywood remake?

"What would we do, baby, without us..."--with Meredith Baxter Birney?

Boy is Michael Gross ever barking up the wrong lesbian!

Justine Bateman will probably just get "she looks so damn old" or "Why isn't she getting Botox treatments?" comments. But, still, seems odd she won't be a part of it.

Maybe Marc Price or Scott Valentine is playing Mallory.

Is Moon Unit available?

"And the role of Mallory will be played by Julia Roberts."

I hope there's a segment for mean tweets and Tina Yothers can read hers. She was on either Conan or Leno years ago and was talking about how fans of the show hated her and she would get hate mail saying they wished she would die.

I hate when they interrupt the guests to have the doctor talk about Covid. No shit we know that’s why you’re doing Stars in the House guys but for fucks sake I’d rather see the stars than hear the doctor tell the same Covid-19 information. Also reply 23 is right on, Moon Unit Zappa and Justine Bateman were separated at birth.

Why reunite for a "benefit"? Meh. We want a revival of the series!!!

I always found Michael Gross so damn sexy.

I think he was funnier and sexier than Michael J. Fox.

The hotter Michael.

Will Courtney Cox stop by?

I liked Tina Yothers. I thought she got much better as the show progressed.

Hated Tina in the show but she was on Celebrity Fit Club years later and I thought she was really great and relatable.

As a gayling Tina’s hair horrified me.

I agree. Michael Gross was quite attractive on the show...after he grew the beard.

I like Tina but they didn't really know what to do with Jennifer as she got older.

Watching the show now, they really did cater to MJF. They simply turned Mallory into an airhead so Bateman had nothing to work with except act dumb along with Nick.

WTF?

Tina Yothers hosted gay bingo in West Hollywood one night with some former SNL comedian (I think her name is Ellen). She seemed nice and approachable. There was a character actress sitting next to me playing bingo. She's the woman who played Doug's mother on King of Queens. She was there with her husband. They were funny and very friendly.

[quote]She's the woman who played Doug's mother on King of Queens.

Jenny O'Hara?

Yes. Her name is Jenny. I had forgotten her last name. Thanks.

I met Tina ~1990 when she was doing dinner theatre in Calgary — she was playing Sandy in Grease! She was good in the production but as well, she was a very sweet person. No attitude at all.

Is Justine a Trumper? I looked at her twitter and the lack of politics seemed like it pointed that way.

Michael Gross and Meredith Baxter Bushwhacker were only 35 when Family Ties started. 35! They both looked like a modern 50.

I don't think she is r40.

Justine Bateman also skipped the reunion at the NBC 75th. But she did the Today show and seemed happy.

Why does Justine have such a bug up her ass about Family Ties? It's her only notable credit and it's not like she's super busy doing anything else that she can't participate in the reunions.

She must be a difficult person to get along with. Jason Bateman was on Stern a few years ago and he said they don't really have much of a relationship, even though they live very close to each other.

Didn’t Justine taunt MJF on a regular basis by calling him a little homosexual boy?

Meredith admitted, many years later, that she would drink white wine (in a plastic cup) on the set all the time, including when they were filming.

[Quote] Meredith admitted, many years later, that she would drink white wine (in a plastic cup) on the set all the time, including when they were filming.

She's my spirit animal.

I had the biggest crush on Brian Bonsall when I was a kid....

[quote]Why does Justine have such a bug up her ass about Family Ties?

I dunno, I wouldn't be interested in a reunion with people I worked with over 30 years ago.

I can't believe this!

They have actually located Scott Valentine!?

R36 Ellen Cleghorne?

Who cares about that CRAPPY show.

[quote]Didn’t Justine taunt MJF on a regular basis by calling him a little homosexual boy?

That was Demi Moore.

R52 = Matthew Broderick

Did Mallory ever graduate from "Grant College"? LMAO!

[quote]Why does Justine have such a bug up her ass about Family Ties? It's her only notable credit and it's not like she's super busy doing anything else that she can't participate in the reunions.

Apparently she wanted to go to college at the end of season three or four and thought the show would be able to write around her absences. But the producers told her no because she was too popular to only be on half the shows each season. She stayed, but didn't enjoy doing as much as she once did. I'm sure MJF getting a lions share of the attention didn't help things either.

Family Ties was originally supposed to be centered around Gross and Baxter Birney with the kids as supporting players, but then Michael J Fox blew up and got tons of attention, so the show was changed with Alex P Keaton as the star.

It's the old story of a supporting actor becoming the breakout star of a series, and then the whole series is retooled to center around that actor. Sometimes the other actors on the show just take it in stride and continue to do their jobs, and then other times it's a war zone on the set.

Justine was in that late '90s (?) short-lived sitcom Men Behaving Badly (with that Deuce Bigalow guy). I don't remember if the show was good or crap. Poor Justine. How does she earn a living?

Well, whatever and however she's earning money, she's certainly not using that money on Botox.

Maybe Jason throws her a few bucks every now and then.

She got an Emmy nomination while her brother was on a bunch of shows he now pays dirt to.

R57 Baxter Birney can’t complain at all. Her per episode pay skyrocketed thanks to MJF becoming a huge star (120k/episode the last season or two ). That’s a lot more than she was worth.

Now I'm wondering whether or not Alex *would* be a Trumptard. I'm leaning towards no.

But I think he fully supported Mitt Romney's nomination.

Not sure why, but I feel like Alex would have supported Ted Cruz.

All the talk of Jason Bateman makes me wish for a 'Hogan Family' reunion. I worry about not seeing Sandy Duncan for awhile. (This is when someone makes the requisite DL glass eye joke and replies, "I bet Sandy worries about seeing you, too.")

R46 I like her even more now. I'm wondering if this is when she became an alcoholic. An excerpt of her autobiography, [italic] Untied [/italic] stated she was an alcoholic for a spell.

I'm reading the book next, it looks really fascinating, considering how weird her mum and gran were. She thinks her grandmother's many husbands' bodies ought to be exhumed. She comes off as a black widow.

R62 I believe she was worth it... (as I remember the L'Oreal adverts) She was quite popular at the time, and the show wouldn't have been the same without her.

Who will be watching tonight?

I won't!

It’s a “benefit”? Who donates the money? Who gets it?

Fuck Alex Pee Keaton. He had a picture of William F. Buckley above his bed! He talked to a photo of Nixon!

I wonder if they'll have a family portrait at the beginning of the zoom like in the opening credits. They should photoshop in some meth addict to double as Justine.

Keaton was definitely the break-out star, and his role most likely grew, but he was a pretty big focus from the start. It was not as big of a change as say Fonzie and Urkel who were truly supporting or recurring characters at first.

The cast was pretty good and had decent chemistry with each other, but many of the episodes have not aged well. It did fall into the very special episode syndrome of the 80's from time to time.

I know they needed to keep everyone at home for story line purposes, but if there was ever a character who was going to go away for college or at very least not live at home it was Alex. I do think the ending was a bit more realistic where he broke up with Cortney Cox because his career (cannot remember if it was a job or grad school) came first. I saw the finale somewhat recently on Antenna TV, and it was a little cringeworthy of how they had to make it dramatic where Elyse was full of anger for Alex leaving. He was about 45 -- it was time!

Just adding -- Skippy also stayed on way past his expiration date.

Michael Gross still looks good on this zoom!

Seth's husband used a poor choice of words introducing Marc Price. He's in a remote area and said his connection might shaky.

Brian looks good except for the next tattoo. He seems pretty well-rounded.

This show is cringe-worthy and supercheese, watching it now on Antenna TV. Growing Pains, Who's the Boss, and Head of the Class are also dated/rather terrible/kind of boring. I can't believe those shows were MUST SEE TV for me 35 years ago. Of course I was merely a tween back then. LOL.

It's still better than most shit on nowadays.

I was a kid back in the 80s and watched all the family sitcoms religiously. Growing Pains, Family Ties, Cosby Show, Different Strokes, Mr. Belvedere and so on. In my adult life, when I've happened upon a rerun, I can't watch for three minutes. They are absolutely putrid, and SO boring. I can't believe I used to watch all of these shit shows.

When Roseanne came along, that genre of sitcom's days were numbered. Roseanne really put an end to it.

I still think some of them are funny. Family Ties was funny when it had a bit of an edge. Not all the time but sometimes it did have that bite. Mr. Belvedere is still funny. Mr. Belvedere and Wesley being frenemies is a highlight. Gimme a Break still makes me laugh although a lot of the Samantha-focused episodes are annoying.

Many Facts of Life episodes don't hold up. Jesus H. I'm sure I'll get crucified for saying that on here, but whatevs.

Reunion was cute, so thanks to OP and others for the reminder to watch it! Justine definitely should've participated, as it seemed like they all thoroughly enjoyed seeing one another again. (Even Brian Bonsall showed up!)

Did Justine show up?

R83, no Justine. The guy who played Nick was also there, and Skippy was there for a minute before he had some wifi difficulties.

[quote]The guy who played Nick was also there

I am not going to watch the entire panel, so I forwarded through the vid and thought, "Who is this old guy with the grey hair? A producer?" Then it dawned on me it was Scott Valentine. He looks good.

Michael Gross is checking the Youtube comments. He responded to a Justin inquiry.

Michael Gross: It would have been great to have her, but she explained that she was not a fan of these virtual meetings, and declined. We missed her.

Maybe Justine was afraid of comments focusing on her looks.

Maybe she has PTSD from visiting Datalounge

Maybe she has PTSD from Leif Garrett's cock.

[quote] He talked to a photo of Nixon!

We would’ve had the photo talk back but we couldn’t afford it.

Justine's living in squalor. Stay tuned for her GoFundMe thingy. Help my big sis, bitches!

The most unrealistic thing about the show was that the mother’s name was Elyse. I’ve never met or even HEARD of anyone with that name who wasn’t Jewish.

Elyse means "God's promise" what ever that means.

R92 I've never thought of it as a Jewish name, but then I grew up in flyoverstan without a lot of Jews around.

Justine Bateman was on Bret Easton Ellis' podcast a few months back. She'd directed or produced a movie, and was pretty upset over Covid having wrecked the premiere (I think it was supposed to be March 15.)

It sounded like maybe she felt the shutdown was overkill, and was a bit bitter. Definitely got the feeling she's anti-PC, but I'm not sure if she goes as far to support Trump.

No Mallory, no dice.

She went on a gay man's show and didn't turn into a pillar of salt. That's a start.

Did Jason say why he and Justine are now estranged?

Justine has made several comments on social media bitching about Covid restrictions. She comes off as a deplorable. And she also promoted her book on deplorable Megan Kelly’s one season flop show.

She seems to have a negative energy. Glad she wasn’t at the Zoom reunion. Nasty attitude and thinks she’s so above it all.

[quote]Why does Justine have such a bug up her ass about Family Ties? It's her only notable credit.

Actually, wasn't she the spokeswoman for Laramie Cigarettes?

[quote]Jason Bateman was on Stern a few years ago and he said they don't really have much of a relationship, even though they live very close to each other.

Wow.

I get the impression she's bitter that her career went nowhere. She got so much flack for Satisfaction. It was a huge flop and her singing was atrocious. It must have stung that not only did MJF was a movie star but a supporting actress in her film would end up an Oscar nominee a year or so later and become a megastar shortly thereafter.

I remember seeing Justine in a TV movie a few years later. She was the star but she was charmless and just wasn't strong or likable enough to carry it.

And I wonder if she's jealous of Jason. He was able to pull off an impressive "second act" in his career.

[quote] R36 Ellen Cleghorne?

Yes. It was clear she didn't like being there. She was not quite as cheery as Tina. I do remember she made a comment about calling her agent for better gigs or getting a new agent. Or something of that nature. It definitely was snark. Not humor. I remember thinking "what a bitch." It was a fun night but I remember Ellen coming across as not so thrilled to be there.

I met MJF in New Hampshire when he was working the phones for Pete Buttigieg. He made time to chat with everyone, and his love of Pete was so sincere and clear to see

Justine's TV career was shit. She wasn't even in that TV movie "Poison Ivy", which starred many of NBC's teen/young actors (including MJF and me). Fuck 'er!

It’s a potluck with an open bar.

Fox will make the martinis.

Were MJF and Nancy Mckeon a real life couple or was that just for the teen mags? I notice he likes her pictures on instagram every now and then.

R107, yes. Hot 'n heavy.

R103 Considering I haven’t heard her name since 1995, I’m surprised Ellen wasn’t happy just to have a gig.

[quote]I get the impression she's bitter that her career went nowhere.

Me too. And then you have her brother who became very successful. That must bother her.

I just watched the reunion. It was a lot of fun. Tina Yothers revealed that Michael J Fox used to pin her down on the ground and fart on her head. All in fun. The cast talked about how they had fun on the set and how they welcomed guests with open arms.

Didn't Courtney Cox imply that it wasn't a happy set?

There's a mean girl hierarchy. She was at the bottom of the acting food chain on Family Ties.

[quote]Tina Yothers revealed that Michael J Fox used to pin her down on the ground and fart on her head. All in fun.

That’s fucking gross and I’m not sure how that is s considered fun for the person on the receiving end.

That would never fly today and you would seriously be reprimanded for that.

Justine looks ravaged by something. Eating disorder?

Justine Bateman was certainly no Lisa Whelchel!

R113, I agree. I hope he apologized. It is an abuse of power.

MARY Baxter Birneys!!!

I thought Fox had "retired" from show business due to health reasons.

It was barely watchable because MJF audio was horrible, Tina ‘fat frau housewife trying to be the cool mom’ Yothers was talking all the bloody time then she got FOMO when the young kid from the show showed off his brand new adorable baby so she forced her FUG teen to get on camera. Meridith Baxter had an attitude problem, didn’t laugh when others did and was oddly cold. Maybe she had no Audio but she didn’t seem very receptive unless it was about her. I hate when they stop the chat to bring on their “medical expert” to discuss what we all know about Covid-19 already. It takes the show to a screeching halt.

Justine was in a film where she plays a mad scientist that transplants wolves eyes in a guy played by the late Cory Monteith.

I kid you not!

Whaddabout M.B. Birney on the Aaron Spelling drama "Family" (1976-80)? I'm currently watching seasons one and two. Love that DL fave Kristy McNichol!

R119 she has always been oddly cold. There’s something offputting about her that I’ve never quite been able to put my finger on.

R119 Does it make sense to you that she’s now a drake? She’s just dead personality, how did she make it at all as an actress? Totally dead as a performer. Zero charisma or like ability. Like Renee zellweger in that there’s just something unlikeable about her hard to put your finger on.

[quote] Whaddabout M.B. Birney on the Aaron Spelling drama "Family" (1976-80)? I'm currently watching seasons one and two. Love that DL fave Kristy McNichol!

Family was superior in every way to Family Ties. I loved that show.

I couldn’t stand Sada Thompson on FAMILY. Kate Lawrence was so smug about everything.

Every TV show cast seems to have their own little bitter ‘Eve Plumb.’

ENTERTAINMENT LAWYER 11/12

Things Were Different: I don't know if they have really made up, but a reunion probably wouldn't have happened if there was not some reaching out. It was a different time when they were shooting their hit sitcom ("Family Ties"). He was A list (Michael J. Fox) and at the time, she was not far behind. At that point in his life, our actor preferred spending time with men rather than women and his co-star (Meredith Baxter) used to talk smack to him about his dating preferences. The thing is, as the show became a larger hit, it was not just her talking to him about it, but all his "people," and then the next thing you know he had a girlfriend who became his wife (Tracy Pollan). They couldn't have their huge money maker get caught with a man. It would ruin him. The co-star who talked to him like that is not the same person now she was then. She would probably condemn her old self. You would think this was some show from the 1950's, but it wasn't. It was decades later. All of you know who these two people are. "Family Ties"/Michael J. Fox/Meredith Baxter

But why?

MB was the one talking smack about that? Knowing what we know now, I find that difficult to believe.

MB was a hypocrite. And still is.

Well, remember, Meredith had her share of beard marriages.

The story on here from someone who claimed to know Michael J Fox during that period was that it was Justine who was very homophobic to him on the set. Using to openly ridicule him.

I doubt Meredith was that caught up in Michael's love life as she was going through her own shit with Birney at that time. Plus she had a favored nations clause in her contract, so everytime MJF got a raise, she got more.

David Birney was a total asshole, Meredith went through a lot with him.

I'm available, but I must see the script.

What did Birney do to her? Did he beat her? Did he know about her closet lesbianism?