Thicker than Water is an American sitcom that aired on ABC, and was based on the British sitcom Nearest and Dearest. Eight episodes were originally ordered to be shown as a summer series, with tentative plans for eight more scripts to be prepared, if the series became popular.Unger, Arthur, Julie Harris Doing TV Because She Loves Work, The Ithaca Journal, June 20, 1973, page 24 The series ran on Wednesdays 8:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. from June 13 until August 8, 1973,Brooks, Tim and Marsh, Earle, The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network TV Shows 1946–Present (first edition), page 623, Ballantine, 1979 a total of nine episodes.
Beryl Vertue, who had found success turning British TV series into popular American series (Till Death Us Do Part was the basis for All In the Family and Steptoe and Son became Sanford and Son) hoped to have similar luck turning Nearest and Dearest into a popular American series.Buck, Jerry, Another British import hits U.S. shores, The Houston Post, June 13, 1973, page 63
Synopsis Sensible Nellie Paine and her womanizing brother Ernie were promised $75,000 each if they moved back home to live with their elderly father Jonas and run the family business, Paine's Pure Pickles, for five years. The only thing the siblings have in common is they both hate pickles. Their father shows no signs of dying soon, and enjoys seeing his grown children bickering.Halligan, Mike, 'Thicker Than Water' premieres tonight, The Daily Herald (Everett, WA), June 13, 1973, page 33
Cast Richard Long as Ernie Paine Julie Harris as Nellie Paine Malcolm Atterbury as Jonas Paine Jessica Myerson as Lily (a cousin) Lou Fant as Walter (Lily's husband)
Episodes
References
External links
Thicker Than Water promo ad