As sitcoms of the 1980’s go, I’d have to say that Growing Pains was one of the most subdued and wholesome of them all (despite Kirk Cameron’s goofy sidekick named Boner). However wholesome it was, once Kirk Cameron became an Evangelical Christian, he began to insist on the removal of anything in the series that might be construed as racy. This would also eventually lead to him alienating most of the cast, and having fellow cast member Julie McCullough fired from the show. In the meantime, fat jokes directed at daughter Carol Seaver (played by Tracey Gold), would eventually lead to the actresses real-life battle with anorexia. It was all the dreamstuff that Hollywood True Stories are made of.
Once the dust had settled and the show ended its seven-year run, the cast members (except for Julie McCullough) was able to reconcile with Kirk Cameron, and the show faded into ‘comforting classic’ television history. Even Tracey Gold eventually rebounded from her ailment, and now freely speaks out about the issue.
With a photo that I didn’t end up buying
At the Hollywood Show on Saturday, February 12, 2011, one-third of the Seaver Family appeared to sign autographs and meet the fans. I wasted no time in seeing what they had to offer and ended up purchasing a signed picture photo op from Tracey Gold and getting an autograph from and picture with Alan Thicke, who played the head of the Growing Pains clan, Jason Seaver. Thicke comes from a show business background, working as a writer, producer, game show host and talk show host – and even as a TV theme song composer. You can credit him for the catchy lead-ins of of both Diff’rent Strokes and The Facts of Life.
It’s always cool to catch up with members of the TV sitcom families that I grew up with, and these two Seavers were no exception. I’ll be anxiously awaiting any opportunities to add to my Seaver encounters.
Celebrity encounters of the Winter 2011 Hollywood Show will continue…
Thicke! Looking good!
I always thought Growing Pains was way better than Family Ties.
Great theme song too.
Eric Hubble
September 30th, 2011
Why didn’t you have them sign a photo of the whole cast in anticipation of meeting more members? I bet you would love to encounter Boner.
Chris
September 30th, 2011
Boner’s dead, baby. Boner’s dead.
Brad
September 30th, 2011