7th Heaven is an American family drama television series created and produced by Brenda Hampton. The series debuted on August 26, 1996, on The WB, where it aired for ten seasons through May 8, 2006, making it the longest-running series in the history of The WB. Following the shutdown of The WB and its merger with UPN to form The CW, the series began airing its eleventh and final season on September 25, 2006 on The CW. The final episode aired on May 13, 2007. 7th Heaven was one of the network's first major successful shows and, alongside Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Dawson's Creek, helped in the early success of the WB during the mid to late 1990s. It was also the last series produced by Spelling Television (CBS Paramount Television produced the eleventh and final season) to end its run, as the company was shut down a month after Spelling's death and became an in-name-only unit of CBS Paramount Television.
Premise The series follows Reverend Eric Camden, a Protestant minister living in the fictional town of Glen Oak, California, and his wife Annie as they deal with the drama of raising seven children (twins Sam and David come later in the series) ranging in age from babies to adults with families of their own.
Main cast and characters
Stephen Collins as Eric Camden Catherine Hicks as Annie Camden Barry Watson as Matt Camden (seasons 1–6 and 9; recurring 7–8, special guest 10) David Gallagher as Simon Camden (seasons 1–7 and 9–10; recurring season 8) Jessica Biel as Mary Camden (seasons 1–6; recurring season 7, special guest 8 and 10) Beverley Mitchell as Lucy Camden (and Lucy Camden-Kinkirk after season 6) Mackenzie Rosman as Ruthie Camden Happy the Dog as herself Chaz Lamar Shepherd as John Hamilton (seasons 4–5; recurring in seasons 1–3) Maureen Flannigan as Shana Sullivan (season 4; recurring in season 3) Adam LaVorgna as Robbie Palmer (seasons 5–7; recurring in season 4) Nikolas Brino as Sam Camden (seasons 6–11; uncredited in seasons 3–4, featured in season 5) Lorenzo Brino as David Camden (seasons 6–11; uncredited in seasons 3–4, featured in season 5) Geoff Stults as Ben Kinkirk (season 7; recurring in seasons 6 and 8–11) George Stults as Kevin Kinkirk (seasons 7–11; recurring in season 6) Ashlee Simpson as Cecilia Smith (seasons 7–8) Rachel Blanchard as Roxanne Richardson (seasons 7–8) Jeremy London as Chandler Hampton (seasons 7–8) Scotty Leavenworth as Peter Petrowski (season 8; recurring in season 7) Tyler Hoechlin as Martin Brewer (seasons 8–11) Sarah Thompson as Rosanna "Rose" Taylor (season 10; recurring in season 9) Haylie Duff as Sandy Jameson (seasons 10–11) Megan Henning as Meredith Davies (season 10)
Episodes
Reception
The Parents Television Council (PTC), a conservative media advocacy group, often cited 7th Heaven among the top ten most family-friendly shows. The show was praised for its positive portrayal of a cleric and for promoting honesty, respect for parental authority, and the importance of a strong family and a good education through its story-lines. It was proclaimed the best show in 1998–1999 by the PTC. The council also explained "7th Heaven manages to provide moral solutions to tough issues facing teenagers without seeming preachy or heavy-handed. Additionally, unlike most TV series, 7th Heaven shows the consequences of reckless and irresponsible behavior." It was also noted that "While addressing topics such as premarital sex and peer pressure, these parents [Annie and Eric] are eager to provide wise counsel along with love and understanding."
However, critics felt quite differently about the show. Hillary Frey of Salon cited 7th Heaven as "one of the worst long-running shows on television, making Beverly Hills, 90210 look Shakespearean, while at the same time being one of the most addictive."Hillary Frey, Salon, , Salon magazine, May 9, 2006 Reasons given include perceived heavy-handed moralizing, Christian propaganda,Shannhon Keating, December 5, 2018, BuzzFeedNews and depiction of a caricature of a real family, that is "so clean it is obscene".Diana Tourjée, , vice magazine, August 26, 2016
Some criticize the predictable storytelling of 7th Heaven. Frey describes the basic pattern followed by each episode: "(1) One of the Camden family has a problem and/or secret; (2) some sort of Three's Company-esque misunderstanding ensues as a result of that problem and/or secret; (3) a confrontation and/or intervention takes place, usually involving a short sermon delivered by one of the Camden parents; and (4) whoever stands at the center of the drama eventually figures out the 'right' thing to do. And 'right' is always another word for 'Christian'; while the show avoids explicit discussions of Jesus and/or faith, Protestant guilt is readily employed as a plot device." On top of this, implausible scenarios are seen to be regularly included, such as the daughter Mary's absence from the show for several seasons being scarcely explained with the character being busy, wayward or in New York.Ginia Bellafante,, New York Times, May 8, 2006
According to Frey, "the sappiness and sanctimony of the characters often made the moral lessons impossible to swallow". Also, the show is claimed to show an obsession with premarital sex.Hillary Frey, Salon, , Salon magazine, May 9, 2006; Ginia Bellafante,, New York Times, May 8, 2006 In this regard, the parents (and eldest son Matt) sometimes depict a sense of ownership over the sexuality of Lucy and Mary by threatening potential romantic interests or negotiating their Lucy and Mary's romantic rights.
U.S. ratings 7th Heaven was one of the first major hits for the WB and would go on to become the most watched TV series ever on the network. While the first season had modest success with around 3 million viewers, the later seasons often averaged 5 to 7 million viewers. It holds the record for the WB's most watched hour at 12.5 million viewers, on February 8, 1999; 19 of the WB's 20 most watched hours were from 7th Heaven. On May 8, 2006, it was watched by 7.56 million viewers, the highest rating for the WB since January 2005. When the show moved to the CW, ratings dropped. Possible reasons for the decline include an aired "Countdown to Goodbye" ad campaign for the last six months of the 2005–06 season, which promoted it as the final season ever; though the CW announced the series' unexpected renewal, it didn't promote the new season strongly via billboards, bus stops, magazine or on-air promos. Lastly, the network moved 7th Heaven from its long-established Monday night slot to Sunday nights, causing ratings to drop further. The series had a season average of just 3.3 million on the new network, losing 36% of the previous year's audience. It was the third most watched scripted show on the CW. Overall, it was the seventh most watched show.
Awards and nominations Emmy Awards 1997: Outstanding Art Direction for a Series (Patricia Van Ryker and Mary Ann Good) – Nominated ASCAP Film and Television Music Awards 2000: Top TV Series (Dan Foliart) – Won 2001: Top TV Series (Dan Foliart) – Won Family Television Awards 1999: Best Drama – Won 2002: Best Drama – Won Kids' Choice Awards 1999: Favorite Television Show – Nominated 2000: Favorite Animal Star (Happy the dog) – Nominated 2001: Favorite Television Show – Nominated 2002: Favorite Television Show – Nominated 2003: Favorite Television Show – Nominated TV Guide Awards 1999: Best Show You're not Watching – Won 2000: Favorite TV Pet (Happy the dog) – Nominated Teen Choice Awards 1999: TV Choice Actor (Barry Watson) – Nominated 1999: TV Choice Drama – Nominated 2000: TV Choice Drama – Nominated 2001: TV Choice Actor (Barry Watson) – Nominated 2001: TV Choice Drama – Nominated 2002: TV Choice Drama/Action Adventure – Won 2002: TV Choice Actor in Drama (Barry Watson) – Won 2002: TV Choice Actress in Drama (Jessica Biel) – Nominated 2003: TV Choice Drama/Action Adventure – Won 2003: TV Choice Actor in Drama/Action Adventure (David Gallagher) – Won 2003: TV Choice Breakout Star – Male (George Stults) – Won 2003: TV Choice Actress in Drama/Action Adventure (Jessica Biel) – Nominated 2003: TV Choice Breakout Star – Female (Ashlee Simpson) – Nominated 2004: TV Choice Breakout Star – Male (Tyler Hoechlin) – Nominated 2004: TV Choice Actor in Drama/Action Adventure (David Gallagher) – Nominated 2004: TV Choice Drama/Action Adventure – Nominated 2005: TV Choice Actor in Drama/Action Adventure (Tyler Hoechlin) – Nominated 2005: TV Choice Actress in Drama/Action Adventure (Beverley Mitchell) – Nominated 2005: TV Choice Parental Units (Stephen Collins and Catherine Hicks) – Nominated 2005: TV Choice Drama/Action Adventure – Nominated 2006: TV Choice Breakout Star – Female (Haylie Duff) – Nominated 2006: TV Choice Parental Units (Stephen Collins and Catherine Hicks) – Nominated Young Artist Awards 1997: Best Family TV Drama Series – Won 1997: Best Performance in a Drama Series – Young Actress (Beverley Mitchell) – Won 1997: Best Performance in a Drama Series – Young Actor (David Gallagher) – Nominated 1997: Best Performance in a TV Comedy/Drama – Supporting Young Actress Age Ten or Under (Mackenzie Rosman) – Nominated 1998: Best Family TV Drama Series – Won (tied with Promised Land) 1998: Best Performance in a TV Drama Series – Leading Young Actress (Beverley Mitchell) – Won (tied with Sarah Schaub) 1998: Best Performance in a TV Drama Series – Guest Starring Young Actor (Bobby Brewer) – Nominated 1998: Best Performance in a TV Drama Series – Guest Starring Young Actress (Danielle Keaton) – Nominated 1998: Best Performance in a TV Drama Series – Guest Starring Young Actress (Molly Orr) – Nominated 1998: Best Performance in a TV Drama Series – Leading Young Actor (David Gallagher) – Nominated 1998: Best Performance in a TV Drama Series – Leading Young Actress (Jessica Biel) – Nominated 1998: Best Performance in a TV Drama Series – Supporting Young Actress (Mackenzie Rosman) – Nominated 1999: Best Family TV Drama Series – Nominated 1999: Best Performance in a TV Drama Series – Guest Starring Young Actor (Craig Hauer) – Nominated 1999: Best Performance in a TV Series – Young Ensemble (Beverley Mitchell, Barry Watson, Jessica Biel, David Gallagher, Mackenzie Rosman) – Nominated 2000: Best Performance in a TV Drama Series – Guest Starring Young Actress (Kaitlin Cullum) – Won 2000: Best Performance in a TV Drama Series – Leading Young Actress (Beverley Mitchell) – Won 2000: Best Family TV Series – Drama – Nominated 2001: Best Performance in a TV Drama Series – Guest Starring Young Actress (Brooke Anne Smith) – Won 2001: Best Family TV Drama Series – Nominated 2001: Best Performance in a TV Drama Series – Guest Starring Young Actress (Jamie Lauren) – Nominated 2002: Best Family TV Drama Series – Nominated 2002: Best Performance in a TV Drama Series – Guest Starring Young Actress (Ashley Edner) – Nominated 2002: Best Performance in a TV Drama Series – Leading Young Actor (David Gallagher) – Nominated 2002: Best Performance in a TV Drama Series – Supporting Young Actress (Mackenzie Rosman) – Nominated 2004: Best Performance in a TV Series (Comedy or Drama) – Supporting Young Actress (Mackenzie Rosman) – Won 2005: Best Family Television Series (Drama) – Nominated 2005: Best Performance in a TV Series (Comedy or Drama) – Leading Young Actor (Tyler Hoechlin) – Nominated 2006: Best Performance in a TV Series (Comedy or Drama) – Young Actor Age Ten or Younger (Drake Johnston) – Nominated 2007: Best Family Television Series (Drama) – Nominated 2007: Best Performance in a TV Series (Comedy or Drama) – Supporting Young Actress (Mackenzie Rosman) – Nominated 2007: Best Performance in a TV Series (Comedy or Drama) – Young Actor Age Ten or Younger (Nikolas Brino and Lorenzo Brino) – Nominated 2008: Best Performance in a TV Series – Young Actor Ten or Under (Lorenzo Brino) – Nominated