Party of Five

Party of Five
Intertitle
Created by Christopher Keyser
Amy Lippman
Starring Scott Wolf
Matthew Fox
Neve Campbell
Lacey Chabert
Scott Grimes
Paula Devicq
Jennifer Love Hewitt
Michael Goorjian
Alexondra Lee
Jeremy London
Jennifer Aspen
Opening theme "Closer to Free" by BoDeans
Country of origin United States
Original language(s) English
No. of seasons 6
No. of episodes 142 (list of episodes)
Production
Running time 43–45 minutes
Production company(s) Keyser/Lippman Productions
Columbia Pictures Television
(1994–1997)
(seasons 1-3)
Columbia TriStar Television
(1997–2000)
(seasons 4-6)
Distributor Columbia TriStar Television (1999–2002)
Sony Pictures Television (2002–present)
Release
Original network Fox
Original release September 12, 1994 (1994-09-12) – May 3, 2000 (2000-05-03)
Chronology
Related shows Time of Your Life

Party of Five is an American television teen and family drama created by Christopher Keyser and Amy Lippman that originally aired on Fox for six seasons from September 12, 1994, to May 3, 2000. The series featured an ensemble cast led by Scott Wolf as Bailey, Matthew Fox as Charlie, Neve Campbell as Julia, and Lacey Chabert as Claudia Salinger, who with their baby brother Owen (played by several actors) constitute five siblings whom the series follows after the loss of their parents in a car accident. Notable co-stars included Scott Grimes, Paula Devicq, Michael Goorjian, Jeremy London, and Jennifer Love Hewitt. While categorized as a series aimed at teenagers and young adults, Party of Five explored several mature themes, including substance and domestic abuse, cancer, and the long-term effects of parental loss.[1]

Despite receiving positive reviews from television critics after its debut, including TV Guide naming it "The Best Show You're Not Watching" in 1995,[2] the series suffered from low ratings during its first and second seasons, during which speculation arose that it would soon be cancelled. However, in 1996, Party of Five won the Golden Globe Award for Best Television Series – Drama, after which ratings and popularity grew for the majority of the remainder of the series.[3] A spin-off starring Hewitt debuted on the network in 1999, Time of Your Life, which was cancelled after one season.

Synopsis

The show, set in San Francisco, centered on the five Salinger siblings (the "party of five" of the show's title), who become orphans after their parents are killed in a car accident caused by a drunk driver. The family is composed of 24-year-old Charlie (Matthew Fox), the eldest, a womanizing, immature manual laborer who struggles with the responsibility of being the new head of the family; 16-year-old Bailey (Scott Wolf), the once-rebellious teen turned responsible caretaker—and later-turned-substance abuser; 15-year-old Julia (Neve Campbell), a sensitive teen; 11-year-old Claudia (Lacey Chabert), a precocious child prodigy; and baby Owen, age one.

The siblings take over the running of their family's restaurant, Salinger's. Charlie initially serves as bartender and manager, and later Bailey takes over. The struggles the Salingers face over the years include Charlie's battle with cancer in Season 4, Bailey's battle with alcoholism in Season 3, Julia's dealing with domestic violence in a relationship in Season 5, and the long-term effects of parental loss.[1]

As the series progressed, romantic relationships became plot points and new cast members joined the show, including Jennifer Love Hewitt as Bailey's girlfriend Sarah, Jeremy London as Julia's bad-boy boyfriend and later husband Griffin, and Paula Devicq as Owen's nanny Kirsten, who developed an on-again-off-again relationship with Charlie throughout the series.

Cast and characters

Main

  • Scott Wolf as Bailey Salinger (ages 16–22); the second-born sibling who is forced to grow up fast and deal with life after his parents' deaths.
  • Matthew Fox as Charlie Salinger (ages 24–30); the eldest sibling who struggles to live his own life in the reluctant role of legal guardian to his brothers and sisters. Immature and insecure, he dropped out of college his senior year to "find himself" and was planning to re-enroll when his parents' deaths made him his siblings' legal guardian.
  • Neve Campbell as Julia Salinger (ages 15–21); a highly intelligent, emotionally sensitive teen who struggles to adjust to being an orphan and having more family responsibilities.
  • Lacey Chabert as Claudia Salinger (ages 11–17); a gifted violinist struggling to build a life for herself and also deal with being an orphan.
  • The role of the youngest, Owen Salinger; (ages 1-7) was recast three times as the character grew. He was played by Alexander and Zachary Ahnert in the pilot episode, Brandon and Taylor Porter as an infant, Andrew and Stephen Cavarno as a preschooler, and Jacob Smith until the end of the show.
  • Paula Devicq as Kirsten Bennett Salinger; a graduate student who is hired as Owen Salinger's nanny and becomes romantically involved with Charlie off-and-on during the series.
  • Scott Grimes as Will McCorkle (seasons 1–2, 6, recurring otherwise); Bailey's best friend from high school.
  • Michael Goorjian as Justin Thompson (season 2, recurring otherwise); Julia's friend, and later boyfriend, during the series.
  • Jennifer Love Hewitt as Sarah Reeves Merrin (seasons 2–6); Bailey's sensitive, off-and-on girlfriend from high school who also struggles to "find herself".
  • Alexondra Lee as Callie Martel (season 3); Bailey's roommate during his first year at college.
  • Jeremy London as Griffin Chase Holbrook (seasons 4–6, recurring seasons 2–3); moody and troubled teenager with whom Julia becomes involved. Older brother of Jill Holbrook. The character was originally portrayed by James Marsden in one first-season episode.
  • Jennifer Aspen as Daphne Jablonsky (season 6, recurring seasons 4–5); a part-time "erotic dancer" who becomes involved with Charlie and later has his baby.

Recurring

The following lists all actors who appeared in five or more episodes during the run of the show.

  • Tom Mason as Joe Mangus (55 episodes, seasons 1–6); a good-natured older man who grew up with the Salingers' father Nick in an orphanage and co-founded, co-owned, and managed the family restaurant Salinger's, taking over as full-time owner after Nick's death. Often acts as a father figure to Nick's children.
  • Mitchell Anderson as Ross Werkman (22 episodes, seasons 1–6); a professional violinist, Claudia's personal violin tutor.
  • Cari Shayne as Nina DiMayo (nine episodes, seasons 1–2); Julia's rebellious, outgoing friend from high school.
  • Jennifer Blanc as Kate Bishop (eight episodes, season 1); Bailey's first girlfriend from high school.
  • Michael Shulman as Artie Baum (seven episodes, season 1); Claudia's friend from elementary school, a fellow child violinist.
  • David Burke as Bill (six episodes, season 1); Owen's part-time nanny.
  • Megan Ward as Jill Holbrook (nine episodes, season 1); Bailey's outgoing and troubled girlfriend. Younger sister of Griffin Holbrook. (Deceased)
  • Wendle Josepher as Lori/Mercy (six episodes, seasons 1, 3–4); a school friend of Julia's
  • Kathleen Noone as Ellie Bennett (six episodes, seasons 2–3, 6); Kirsten's mother.
  • Marla Sokoloff as Jody Lynch (seven episodes, seasons 2–3); Claudia's troublemaking friend.
  • Alyson Reed as Mrs. Reeves (nine episodes, seasons 2–5); Sarah's mother.
  • Carroll O'Connor as Jacob (Jake) Gordon (six episodes, seasons 2–3); the Salingers' maternal grandfather (father of their deceased mother, Diana Gordon Salinger).
  • Brenda Strong as Kathleen Isley (six episodes, season 2); a wealthy TV producer whom Charlie dates. When Charlie broke up with her after realizing that being with her made him feel like a "kept man" she maliciously retaliated by using her wealth to purchase, and nearly succeeded in closing down, the family restaurant.
  • Tamara Taylor as Grace Wilcox (16 episodes, season 3); a social worker who becomes Charlie's girlfriend.
  • Ben Browder as Sam Brody (10 episodes, season 3); a construction worker who becomes Julia's boyfriend.
  • Dan Lauria as Coach Russ Petrocelli (six episodes, season 3); Bailey's wrestling coach during his first year at college.
  • Jackie Mari Roberts as Marcia (five episodes, season 3)
  • Andrew Keegan as Reed Isley (eight episodes, season 4); a high-school football player whom Claudia pursues.
  • Paige Turco as Annie Mott (18 episodes, season 4); a divorced single mother who becomes Bailey's girlfriend.
  • Allison Bertolino as Natalie Mott (15 episodes, season 4); Annie's young daughter.
  • Jessica Lundy as Nina Rondstadt (five episodes, season 4); a zoologist who becomes Charlie's girlfriend.
  • Tim DeKay as Dr. Paul Thomas (12 episodes, seasons 4–5); Kirsten's husband
  • Brenda Wehle as Dr. Stephanie Rabin (eight episodes, seasons 4–5); Charlie's oncologist during his cancer treatments.
  • Ever Carradine as Rosalie (seven episodes, season 4); a garage co-worker with whom Griffin cheats on Julia.
  • Ross Malinger as Jamie Burke (eight episodes, seasons 4–5); a musician friend of Claudia's.
  • Scott Bairstow as Ned Grayson (20 episodes, seasons 5–6); Julia's boyfriend during her first year at Stanford who later abuses her.
  • Heather McComb as Maggie (11 episodes, season 5); Julia's college roommate.
  • Adam Scott as Josh Macon (seven episodes, season 5); one of Julia's friends at college.
  • Joanna Garcia as Hallie (five episodes, season 5); a schoolmate of Claudia's at her New England boarding school.
  • Lynsey Bartilson as Parker Brookes (five episodes, season 5)
  • Chad Todhunter as Cody (10 episodes, seasons 5–6); Claudia's boyfriend at high school
  • Kyle Secor as Evan Stilman (eight episodes, season 6); Julia's writing editor with whom she becomes involved.
  • Maggie Lawson as Alexa (seven episodes, season 6); a cheerleader friend of Claudia's.
  • Andrew Levitas as Cameron Welcott (six episodes, season 6); Alexa's football-player boyfriend who becomes involved with Claudia.
  • Wilson Cruz as Victor (11 episodes, season 6); Daphne's daughter's nanny.
  • Lauren Ambrose as Myra Wringler (five episodes, season 6); a troubled high school student who clashes with Charlie.
  • Rhona Mitra as Holly Marie Begins (12 episodes, season 6); an English pre-med student who becomes Bailey's girlfriend.
  • Charles Esten as Luke (seven episodes, season 6); Daphne's boyfriend.
  • Sean Maher as Adam Matthews (seven episodes, season 6)
  • Thomas Ian Nicholas as Todd Marsh (nine episodes, season 6); one of Claudia's boyfriends.

Production

Fox Entertainment Group chairman Sandy Grushow commissioned the show as a possible replacement for Beverly Hills, 90210, which was then in its fourth season. Grushow stated that "I wanted a show that would possess many of the same values that '90210' had in the beginning. A show about teenagers and for teenagers. I pitched the notion of a group of kids who lost their parents in a tragic accident and therefore were forced to raise themselves."[4]

When Christopher Keyser and Amy Lippman came on board to create the show, they disliked the more lighthearted premise the network had come up with, essentially of a bunch of teens without parents left to go wild, which Keyser called a "Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead kind of thing." They decided to take the show in a more dramatic direction, where the characters have to deal with the serious repercussions of being orphaned and growing up.[5]

Jerry O'Connell was initially offered the role of Bailey, but he chose to sign with the series Sliders instead. Scott Wolf auditioned and was cast the very same day, the first of the actors to be cast.[6] Neve Campbell, who was still living in Canada at the time, auditioned for Party of Five while she was in Los Angeles interviewing with different agencies to find a manager. She auditioned along with her then-roommate Tara Strong, and ended up winning the role of Julia and moving to LA for the show.[7][8]

The show was produced by Columbia Pictures Television (CPT) and High Productions. CPT would later be folded into Columbia TriStar Domestic Television, which soon afterward became Sony Pictures Television. In March 2009, Sony began streaming the third season of the show on Crackle.

Nielsen ratings

Season Episodes Timeslot (ET) Season Premiere Season Finale Rank Rating
(Households)		 Viewers
(in millions)
1 22

Monday 9:00

Wednesday 9:00

 September 12, 1994 March 15, 1995 #125[9] 6.2[9] N/A
2 22

Wednesday 9:00

 September 27, 1995 March 27, 1996 #96[10] 7.1[10] N/A
3 25

Wednesday 9:00

 August 21, 1996 April 2, 1997 #82[11] 7.4[11] N/A
4 24

Wednesday 9:00

 September 17, 1997 May 13, 1998 #56[12] N/A 11.5[12]
5 25 Wednesday 9:00 September 16, 1998 May 19, 1999 #70[13] N/A 10.1[13]
6 24 Tuesday 9:00 October 5, 1999 May 3, 2000 #113[14] 6.6[14] 6.135[15]

Episodes

SeasonEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast aired
122September 12, 1994 (1994-09-12)March 15, 1995 (1995-03-15)
222September 27, 1995 (1995-09-27)March 27, 1996 (1996-03-27)
325August 21, 1996 (1996-08-21)April 2, 1997 (1997-04-02)
424September 17, 1997 (1997-09-17)May 13, 1998 (1998-05-13)
525September 16, 1998 (1998-09-16)May 19, 1999 (1999-05-19)
624October 5, 1999 (1999-10-05)May 3, 2000 (2000-05-03)

Home releases

On April 27, 1999, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment released the season 2 episode "The Wedding", the season 3 episode "Intervention", and the season 4 episode "Richer, Poorer, Sickness, and Health" on VHS.[16][17][18]

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment released all six seasons of Party of Five on DVD in Region 1 between 2004 and 2013.[19][20][21][22][23][24]

In August 2013, it was announced that Mill Creek Entertainment had acquired the rights to various television series from the Sony Pictures library including Party of Five.[25] They subsequently re-released season 1 on DVD on June 24, 2014 followed by season 2 on January 6, 2015.[26][27] On January 5, 2016, Mill Creek released a complete series set featuring all six seasons of the series, available together for the first time.[28]

In January 2016, it was announced that Hulu had acquired the rights to every episode of the series.[29]

DVD Name Ep # Region 1 Region 2 Region 4 DVD Special Features
The Complete 1st Season 22 May 4, 2004
June 24, 2014 (re-release)		 Sept, 25 2006 May 5, 2006
June 7, 2017 (re-release)		 Audio Commentary On Selected Episodes.

"Party of Five: A Family Album", 17 minutes of a documentary about the shows first 4 seasons.

9 Behind The Scenes Featurettes with the Cast and Crew

(On Original DVD Release Only)

The Complete 2nd Season 22 December 20, 2005
January 6, 2015 (re-release)		 Sept, 3 2007 February 14, 2007
June 7, 2017 (re-release)		 Audio Commentary On Selected Episodes.

Documentary on the Series Featuring Jennifer Love Hewitt.

(On Original DVD Release Only)

The Complete 3rd Season 25 March 25, 2008 N/A June 7, 2017 Minisodes
The Complete 4th Season♦ 24 March 5, 2013 N/A June 7, 2017 None
The Complete 5th Season♦ 25 July 2, 2013 N/A June 7, 2017 None
The Complete 6th and Final Season♦ 24 October 1, 2013 N/A June 7, 2017 None
The Complete Series 142 January 5, 2016 N/A November 1, 2017 "Party of Five: A Family Album", the complete 44 minute documentary.

♦ - Manufacture-on-Demand (MOD) release.

Awards and nominations

  • 1995: Casting Society of America Artios Award for Best Casting for TV, Pilot (Nominated)
  • 1995: Humanitas Prize for 60 Minute Category - Christopher Keyser and Amy Lippman (Won)
  • 1995: Young Artist Award for Best Performance in a Drama Series - Young Actress - Lacey Chabert (Nominated)
  • 1996: Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Sound Editing for a Series For episode "The Wedding" (Nominated)
  • 1996: Golden Globe for Best Television Series - Drama (Won)
  • 1996: GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Television Series (Nominated)
  • 1996: Humanitas Prize for 60 Minute Category - Christopher Keyser and Amy Lippman For episode "Before And After" (Nominated)
  • 1996: Young Artist Award for Best Performance in a Drama Series - Young Actress - Lacey Chabert (Nominated)
  • 1996: Young Artist Award for Best Performance in a Drama Series - Young Actress - Lacey Chabert (Nominated)
  • 1997: Golden Globe for Best Television Series - Drama (Nominated)
  • 1997: YoungStar Award for Best Performance by a Young Actress in a Drama TV Series - Lacey Chabert (Won)
  • 1997: YoungStar Award for Best Performance by a Young Actress in a Drama TV Series - Jennifer Love Hewitt (Nominated)
  • 1997: Writers Guild of America - WGA Award (TV) Episodic Drama - Mark B. Perry For Party of Five: Falsies (Nominated)
  • 1997: Young Artist Award for Best Performance in a Drama Series - Young Actress - Lacey Chabert (Nominated)
  • 1998: Young Artist Award for Best Performance in a Drama Series - Young Actress - Lacey Chabert (Nominated)
  • 1998: Young Artist Award for Best Performance in a TV Drama Series - Guest Starring Young Actress - Allison Bertolino (Nominated)
  • 1998: YoungStar Award for Best Performance by a Young Actress in a Drama TV Series - Lacey Chabert (Won)
  • 1998: YoungStar Award for Best Performance by a Young Actor in a Drama TV Series - Andrew Cavarno and Steven Cavarno (Nominated)
  • 1998: YoungStar Award for Best Performance by a Young Actor in a Drama TV Series - Ross Malinger (Nominated)
  • 1999: YoungStar Award for Best Young Actress/Performance in a Drama TV Series - Lacey Chabert (Nominated)
  • 1999: Teen Choice Award for TV - Choice Actor - Scott Wolf (Nominated)
  • 1999: Teen Choice Award for TV - Choice Actress - Neve Campbell (Nominated)
  • 1999: Teen Choice Award for TV - Choice Actress - Jennifer Love Hewitt (Nominated)
  • 1999: Teen Choice Award for TV - Choice Drama (Nominated)
  • 1999: Young Artist Award for Best Performance in a TV Drama or Comedy Series - Leading Young Actress - Lacey Chabert (Won)
  • 1999: Young Artist Award for Best Performance in a TV Movie/Pilot/Mini-Series or Series - Young Actor Age Ten or Under - Jacob Smith (Nominated)
  • 2000: Young Artist Award for Best Performance in a TV Drama Series - Guest Starring Young Actress - Ashley Edner (Nominated)
  • 2000: YoungStar Award for Best Young Actress/Performance in a Drama TV Series - Lacey Chabert (Nominated)
  • 2000: ALMA Award for Emerging Actor in a Drama Series - Wilson Cruz (Won)
  • 2000: GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding TV Individual Episode For episode "I'll Show You Mine" (Nominated)
  • 2000: Kids' Choice Awards, Blimp Award for Favorite Television Actress - Jennifer Love Hewitt (Nominated)

Reboot

In January 2018, Freeform ordered a pilot for a reboot of Party of Five, and the new version will feature the Buendias siblings who must take care of themselves after their parents are deported back to Mexico. Keyser and Lippman will executive produce the series with Michal Zebede and Rodrigo García also involved.[30]

Footnotes

  1. 1 2 "Party Of Five Fares Better Than 'On Our Own'". Chicago Tribune. September 12, 1994. Archived from the original on June 6, 2012. Retrieved 2010-09-24.
  2. ↑ TV Guide Book of Lists. Running Press. 2007. p. 212. ISBN 0-7624-3007-9.
  3. ↑ VanDerWerff, Todd (July 22, 2013). "Party Of Five is the great forgotten drama of the '90s". The A.V. Club. Archived from the original on March 27, 2016. Retrieved April 2, 2016.
  4. ↑ William Keck (2000-05-03). "It's a Goodbye 'Party' for the Salingers". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2018-07-31.
  5. ↑ ATX Festival (2013-04-19). ATX Festival Q&A: Party of Five (2013). YouTube.com. Retrieved 2018-08-05.
  6. ↑ Tara Aquino (2017-03-22). "12 Surprising Facts About 'Party of Five'". mentalfloss.com. Retrieved 2018-07-31.
  7. ↑ Tara Aquino (2017-03-22). "12 Surprising Facts About 'Party of Five'". mentalfloss.com. Retrieved 2018-07-31.
  8. ↑ Fear Films (2018-03-20). Scream Panel With Neve Campbell Skeet Ulrich and Matthew Lillard. YouTube.com. Retrieved 2018-07-31.
  9. 1 2 "Complete TV Ratings 1994–1995". Archived from the original on June 14, 2011. Retrieved December 2, 2010.
  10. 1 2 "Complete TV Ratings 1995–1996". Archived from the original on December 22, 2010. Retrieved December 2, 2010.
  11. 1 2 "Complete TV Ratings 1996–1997". Archived from the original on July 8, 2011. Retrieved December 2, 2010.
  12. 1 2 "The Final Countdown". Entertainment Weekly Published in issue #434 May 29, 1998. May 29, 1998. Archived from the original on September 24, 2010. Retrieved December 2, 2010.
  13. 1 2 "TV Winners & Losers: Numbers Racket A Final Tally Of The Season's Show (from Nielsen Media Research)". GeoCities. June 4, 1999. Archived from the original on October 29, 2009. Retrieved December 2, 2010.
  14. 1 2 "Complete TV Ratings 1999–2000". Archived from the original on May 10, 2011. Retrieved December 2, 2010.
  15. ↑ "US – Jahrecharts 1999/2000". May 30, 2002. Archived from the original on March 13, 2011. Retrieved March 3, 2011.
  16. ↑ "Party of Five: The Wedding (VHS) (1994)". Amazon.com. Retrieved March 3, 2011.
  17. ↑ "Party of Five: The Intervention (VHS) (1994)". Amazon.com. Retrieved March 3, 2011.
  18. ↑ "Party of Five: Richer, Poorer, Sickness, and Health (VHS) (1994)". Amazon.com. Retrieved March 3, 2011.
  19. ↑ "Party of Five – The Complete Second Season (1994)". Amazon.com. Retrieved March 3, 2011.
  20. ↑ Lambert, David (February 23, 2004). "Party of Five – Season 1 announced, including WINNING Cover Art!". TVShowsOnDVD.com. Archived from the original on November 23, 2011. Retrieved March 3, 2011.
  21. ↑ Lambert, David (January 4, 2008). "Invitation to a Party at Last! 3rd Season Set Coming in March, 3rd Season Arrives 2¼ Years After The 2nd Season!". TVShowsOnDVD.com. Archived from the original on January 7, 2008. Retrieved January 18, 2008.
  22. ↑ "Party of Five DVD news: Update about Party of Five – The Complete 4th Season – TVShowsOnDVD.com". Archived from the original on March 8, 2013.
  23. ↑ "Party of Five DVD news: Box Art for Party of Five – The Complete 5th Season – TVShowsOnDVD.com". Archived from the original on June 29, 2013.
  24. ↑ "Party of Five DVD news: Box Art for Party of Five – The Complete 6th Season – TVShowsOnDVD.com". Archived from the original on September 3, 2013.
  25. ↑ "Site News DVD news: Mill Creek Licenses 52 TV Shows from Sony for Low-Cost DVD Release – TVShowsOnDVD.com". Archived from the original on October 6, 2014.
  26. ↑ "Party of Five DVD news: Release Date for Party of Five – Season 1 – TVShowsOnDVD.com". Archived from the original on April 22, 2014.
  27. ↑ "Party of Five DVD news: Announcement for Party of Five – The Complete 2nd Season (MCE) – TVShowsOnDVD.com". Archived from the original on October 28, 2014.
  28. ↑ "Party of Five DVD news: Announcement for Party of Five – The Complete Series – TVShowsOnDVD.com". Archived from the original on October 29, 2015.
  29. ↑ Wagmeister, Elizabeth (January 9, 2016). "Hulu Inks Multi-Year Licensing Deal with Sony: Acquires 'Dawson's Creek,' 'Party of Five,' More". Variety. Michelle Sobrino. Archived from the original on April 20, 2016. Retrieved April 9, 2016.
  30. ↑ Otterson, Joe (January 18, 2018). "'Party of Five' Reboot Scores Put Pilot Order at Freeform". Variety. Retrieved January 18, 2018.

References

  • John J. O'Connor. "Trying to Make a House a Home". The New York Times. October 17, 1994. p. C16.
  • Brenda Scott Royce. Party of Five: The Unofficial Companion. Los Angeles: Renaissance Books, 1998. ISBN 978-1-58063-000-9. OCLC 37392928.
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