This show premiered February 8, 1979. It had a wonderful cast, superb writing and a very interesting and well handled premise. Liberty Coffee Shop waitress Angelina Carmella Mary Falco meets and quickly marries millionaire doctor Bradley Andrew Benson. The hysterical and heartwarming adventures begin. The characters were phenomenal. Brad Benson a regular guy and caring husband. Angie the sensible of the two Falco daughters. The other daughter, Marie, was a hilarious scatterbrain played by Debralee Scott. The other waitress, man crazy DiDi played by Diane Robin. Off camera chef Hector (less funny as on camera chef during the second season).
Perhaps the best developed character Theresa Concheta Rosa Fortunata Falco was played by Doris Roberts. Her character alternated between humor and pathos. After Angie's elopement, when Mrs. Falco said "Angie. Angie who?", it brought tears to my eyes. The chemistry between the actors was unusually strong.
On the Benson side, there was Brad's father, a gruff but fair man, well played by John Randolph. Brad's snobby sister played surprisingly sympathetically by Sharon Spellman and her daughter Hillary with some funny lines of her own, played by Tammy Lauren.
Humorous issues and serious points were dealt with. By May, at #5 in the ratings, it was renewed - but changed. DiDi and Hillary were gone. The writing wasn't as funny. A butler was added even though Brad made a point of not wanting a butler. A time and day change and the ratings started to slip. They withdrew and retooled the show. The death knell was the end of the Liberty Coffee Shop and Mrs. Falco's newsstand. The show burned brightly and faded away. At its best, this was the family you wanted as your second family. Mrs. Falco was the mother-in-law you wish you had. This also contains Doris Roberts finest work and best character.
Perhaps the best developed character Theresa Concheta Rosa Fortunata Falco was played by Doris Roberts. Her character alternated between humor and pathos. After Angie's elopement, when Mrs. Falco said "Angie. Angie who?", it brought tears to my eyes. The chemistry between the actors was unusually strong.
On the Benson side, there was Brad's father, a gruff but fair man, well played by John Randolph. Brad's snobby sister played surprisingly sympathetically by Sharon Spellman and her daughter Hillary with some funny lines of her own, played by Tammy Lauren.
Humorous issues and serious points were dealt with. By May, at #5 in the ratings, it was renewed - but changed. DiDi and Hillary were gone. The writing wasn't as funny. A butler was added even though Brad made a point of not wanting a butler. A time and day change and the ratings started to slip. They withdrew and retooled the show. The death knell was the end of the Liberty Coffee Shop and Mrs. Falco's newsstand. The show burned brightly and faded away. At its best, this was the family you wanted as your second family. Mrs. Falco was the mother-in-law you wish you had. This also contains Doris Roberts finest work and best character.