Getting By
Getting By is an American television sitcom that centers on two single mothers sharing a home with their children as they navigate life after personal hardships.[1] The series aired for one season on ABC from March 5, 1993, to May 21, 1993, and for a second season on NBC from September 21, 1993, to June 18, 1994, totaling 31 episodes.[1] Created by William Bickley and Michael Warren, the show follows Cathy Hale, a white divorcée played by Cindy Williams, and Dolores Dixon, a Black widow portrayed by Telma Hopkins, who pool their resources to afford a large house for their blended family.[1] Cathy's daughters, Julie (Ashleigh Sterling) and Nikki (Nicki Vannice), join Dolores's sons, Marcus (Merlin Santana) and Darren (Deon Richmond), creating comedic situations amid everyday challenges of parenting and cohabitation.[1] Produced by Miller-Boyett Productions in association with Lorimar Television—marking the final series under that banner before its merger into Warner Bros. Television—the program highlighted interracial family dynamics and themes of resilience and unity.[1] Initially part of ABC's popular TGIF Friday night lineup, Getting By achieved moderate success in its debut season but faced cancellation due to scheduling disputes between ABC and the producers, prompting a move to NBC for its second season.[2] On NBC, the series struggled with ratings, shifting from Tuesdays to Saturdays before being placed on hiatus and ultimately canceled in June 1994.[3] Despite its short run, the show is noted for its warm portrayal of blended families and the chemistry between its leads, earning a 7.6/10 rating on IMDb from user reviews.[4]Premise
Synopsis
Getting By is an American sitcom that centers on two single mothers, Cathy Hale, a divorcée, and Dolores Dixon, a widow, who decide to combine their households to better manage the financial and emotional demands of raising their children.[5] By pooling resources and sharing a spacious suburban home, the women create a blended family consisting of Hale's two daughters and Dixon's two teenage sons, navigating the everyday chaos of parenting together.[6] The series explores the challenges and joys of this unconventional family arrangement, highlighting themes of mutual support, resilience, and the humor arising from generational differences and cultural contrasts between the two lead characters.[4] Financial constraints are a recurring motif, underscoring the practicality of their cohabitation while emphasizing the strength found in community and friendship amid personal hardships.[6] Set in a typical suburban neighborhood, the show focuses on domestic life, portraying the household as a microcosm of broader societal issues like single parenthood and economic pressures, all delivered through a light-hearted, family-oriented comedic tone.[5]Cast and characters
Main cast
The main cast of Getting By centers on two single mothers and their four children who share a house in suburban Oak Park to reduce living expenses after personal hardships.[4] Cindy Williams portrays Cathy Hale, a laid-back divorcée and mother of two daughters whose husband left her for another woman; she is depicted as soft, sweet, and something of a pushover in family decisions.[6][7] Telma Hopkins plays Dolores Dixon, a widowed mother of two sons who brings a tougher, more cynical edge to the household as the more aggressive parent.[6][4] Among the children, Nicki Vannice stars as Nikki Hale, Cathy's older daughter and a bratty teenager preoccupied with boys, popularity, shopping, and clashing with her mother. Ashleigh Sterling portrays Julie Hale, Cathy's younger daughter, an adorably precocious child who often displays mature behavior beyond her years; Sterling was nominated for a Young Artist Award in 1994 for her performance.[7] Merlin Santana plays Marcus Dixon, Dolores' older son, a popular but brooding teenager who engages in mischief and grapples with issues like academic setbacks and low self-esteem.[7] Deon Richmond depicts Darren Dixon, Dolores' younger son, a nerdy and clever boy who excels in school and computers while avoiding risks. The humor in the series arises from the contrasting parental styles—Cathy's free-spirited optimism clashing with Dolores' no-nonsense sarcasm—as they navigate the teenagers' everyday issues like dating, school troubles, and blending the families.[6][7]Recurring cast
Karen Malina White portrayed Yolanda, the girlfriend of Marcus Dixon, in seven episodes across both seasons of Getting By.[8] As a recurring character, Yolanda provided comic relief and explored teenage romance subplots, often interacting with the Dixon and Hale children to highlight peer pressures and sibling rivalries, such as when she landed a school play role opposite Darren Dixon.[9] Her appearances added external perspectives on dating dynamics without tying into the central family arcs. Rif Hutton appeared as Wes, a love interest for Dolores Dixon, in three episodes during the second season. Wes contributed to subplots involving parental romance, including dates that led to humorous conflicts with the kids, like borrowing a corporate penthouse for family use, emphasizing the challenges of blending new relationships into the shared household.[10] These episodes showcased his role in introducing temporary tensions resolved through family humor. Other supporting characters, such as teachers and extended family friends, appeared sporadically to influence decisions like school activities or neighborhood events, appearing in at least five episodes collectively but without named recurring actors dominating those roles.[8]Production
Development
Getting By was created by William Bickley and Michael Warren, who drew inspiration from the prevalent 1990s trends in family sitcoms that explored blended households formed through divorce, loss, or economic necessity, continuing the evolution seen in earlier shows like One Day at a Time and Full House.[11][12] The concept centered on two single mothers sharing a home to navigate the financial strains of parenting in the early 1990s, reflecting broader societal shifts toward non-traditional family structures amid rising divorce rates and economic pressures.[13] Serving as executive producers alongside Bickley and Warren were Thomas L. Miller and Robert L. Boyett, the team behind Full House, whose involvement shaped the series' wholesome, optimistic tone focused on familial resilience and humor in everyday challenges.[14] The show was initially pitched to ABC as a midseason replacement, debuting on March 5, 1993, in the TGIF lineup to capitalize on family-oriented Friday nights.[15] Despite early promise, Getting By struggled with viewership in its ABC slot, leading to its removal from the network's fall 1993 schedule.[16] ABC had briefly planned a renewal and shift to Saturdays but ultimately pulled it weeks before upfronts; the producers then shopped the series to NBC, which acquired it for a full-season order starting September 21, 1993, with some episodes retooled to fit the new network's lineup following Saved by the Bell: The College Years.[17][18] This unusual network switch highlighted the competitive mid-1990s TV landscape, where short-run series sought second chances amid shifting ratings dynamics. The dual-mother dynamic, portrayed by leads Cindy Williams and Telma Hopkins, remained central to the retooled format.[13]Casting
Cindy Williams was cast as the divorcée single mother Cathy Hale, leveraging her established fame from starring as Shirley Feeney in the iconic sitcom Laverne & Shirley (1976–1983), which helped bring a familiar bubbly comedic energy to the role.[4] Telma Hopkins was selected to play Cathy's co-worker and roommate Dolores Dixon, drawing on her recent prominence as Rachel Crawford in Family Matters (1989–1998), where she demonstrated a blend of warmth and sharp wit suitable for the character's edge. The teenage sons of Dolores were portrayed by Merlin Santana as the brooding Marcus Dixon and Deon Richmond as the more outgoing Darren Dixon; both young actors had prior television experience from guest and recurring appearances on The Cosby Show (1984–1992), infusing the roles with authentic energetic teen dynamics. For Cathy's daughters, Nicki Vannice was chosen as the younger Nikki Hale and Ashleigh Blair Sterling as the older Julie Hale, creating contrasting sibling interactions within the blended family setup.[7]Episodes
Series overview
Getting By consists of 31 episodes across two seasons, with Season 1 comprising 12 episodes and Season 2 featuring 19 episodes.[4][19] The show premiered on ABC on March 5, 1993, and aired its 12 episodes as part of the network's TGIF lineup until May 21, 1993. It was subsequently picked up by NBC for a second season, which aired from September 21, 1993, to June 18, 1994. Season 1 was fully aired on ABC, while Season 2 was produced and aired exclusively on NBC.[4][20] Produced in the standard multi-camera format typical of 1990s sitcoms, each 30-minute episode incorporates a laugh track and balances self-contained storylines with ongoing developments in the family's relationships and personal growth.[21]Season 1 (1993)
Season 1 of Getting By aired on ABC from March 5 to May 21, 1993, as a midseason entry in the TGIF lineup, comprising 12 half-hour episodes that introduce the blended family of single mothers Cathy Hale (Cindy Williams) and Dolores Dixon (Telma Hopkins) and their children living together in suburban Oak Park, Illinois, to share expenses and support each other.[4] The season emphasizes the early challenges of merging households, including differing parenting approaches between the outgoing Dolores and the more structured Cathy, sibling rivalries among the children, and the teens' integration, including school and social issues. It culminates in "Anatomy of a Fight", which builds tension around a major family disagreement, leaving a cliffhanger on whether the household arrangement will endure.[22] The episodes are as follows:| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date | US viewers (millions) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | "Moving In" | Richard Correll | William Bickley & Michael Warren | March 5, 1993 | N/A |
| 2 | 2 | "Men Don't Dance" | Judy Askins | Phil Doran | March 12, 1993 | N/A |
| 3 | 3 | "Back to Nature" | Joel Zwick | Mark Fink | March 19, 1993 | N/A |
| 4 | 4 | "A Little Romance" | Judy Askins | Barry O'Brien & Cheryl Alu | March 26, 1993 | N/A |
| 5 | 5 | "The Suit" | Richard Correll | Karen Wengrod & Ken Cinnamon | April 2, 1993 | N/A |
| 6 | 6 | "Shop 'til You Drop" | Judy Askins | Barry O'Brien & Cheryl Alu | April 9, 1993 | N/A |
| 7 | 7 | "My Brother's Keeper" | Judy Askins | Linda Teverbaugh & Michael Teverbaugh | April 16, 1993 | N/A |
| 8 | 8 | "The Gospel Truth" | Judy Askins | Mike Teverbaugh & Linda Teverbaugh | April 23, 1993 | N/A |
| 9 | 9 | "Give Peace a Chance" | Joel Zwick | Gene Braunstein | April 30, 1993 | N/A |
| 10 | 10 | "The Love Connection" | Joel Zwick | Scott Spencer Gorden | May 7, 1993 | N/A |
| 11 | 11 | "We Are Family, Not" | Joel Zwick | Phil Doran | May 14, 1993 | N/A |
| 12 | 12 | "Anatomy of a Fight" | Joel Zwick | Cheryl Alu & Barry O'Brien | May 21, 1993 | N/A |
Season 2 (1993–94)
Season 2 of Getting By premiered on NBC on September 21, 1993, and concluded on June 18, 1994, comprising 19 episodes that expanded on the blended family's daily life in suburban Oak Park, Illinois.[28] This season shifted toward more interconnected storylines involving teen autonomy, parental dating dilemmas, and workplace tensions, while maintaining the core theme of mutual support among single mothers Cathy Hale (Cindy Williams) and Dolores Dixon (Telma Hopkins) and their children: daughters Julie (Ashleigh Sterling) and Nikki (Nicki Vannice), and sons Marcus (Merlin Santana) and Darren (Deon Richmond).[28][8] Recurring challenges highlighted family expansions through shared responsibilities, such as chaperoning events and navigating economic pressures, culminating in arcs around career transitions that tested the household's resilience.[28] The episodes featured consistent creative input from writers like Scott Spencer Gorden and directors including Joel Zwick, who carried over elements from Season 1 to deepen character relationships.[29] The season's episodes emphasized evolving dynamics, with plots exploring romantic interests for the parents—such as awkward dates and surprise revelations about suitors—and teen independence through school pranks, driving mishaps, and part-time jobs. Holiday-themed stories added warmth to the narrative, while external threats like scams and thefts underscored the family's resourcefulness. Below is a table summarizing the episodes, including key plot points that advanced these themes:| No. | Title | Air Date | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Turnabout Dance | Sep 21, 1993 | Cathy and Dolores chaperone a school dance for their teens, leading to humorous mix-ups in family roles and budding crushes among the kids.[28] |
| 2 | Letter to the President | Sep 28, 1993 | Julie's letter to President Clinton prompts an unexpected visit, forcing the family to prepare their home and confront their modest lifestyle.[28] |
| 3 | Faking the Grade | Oct 5, 1993 | Marcus helps Darren alter a failing grade on the school computer, highlighting sibling loyalty but risking family trust when discovered.[28] |
| 4 | Old Car | Oct 12, 1993 | A mechanic repairs the boys' car in exchange for a date with Cathy, introducing romantic complications and lessons in bartering for the household.[28] |
| 5 | Do the Fright Thing | Oct 19, 1993 | On Halloween, Marcus abandons his date for her cousin, leaving Darren in an awkward spot and prompting discussions on teen responsibility.[28] |
| 6 | Not with My Sister | Nov 2, 1993 | Marcus protects Nikki from advances by a gang leader, strengthening brother-sister bonds amid external peer pressures.[28] |
| 7 | Reach for the Stars | Nov 23, 1993 | Dolores receives a promotion while Cathy faces a layoff, straining their friendship but reinforcing their commitment to shared finances.[28] |
| 8 | Pinball Wizard | Dec 7, 1993 | Marcus gambles away family vacation funds on a pinball machine, leading to a lesson in financial accountability for the teens.[28] |
| 9 | The Pit Stop | Dec 14, 1993 | Jealous of Nikki's fast-food job, Marcus schemes to get her fired, exploring sibling rivalry and the value of independence.[28] |
| 10 | The Penthouse | Dec 21, 1993 | During the holidays, Marcus and Darren use borrowed penthouse keys to impress dates, exaggerating their status and facing comedic consequences.[28] |
| 11 | Sell It Like It Is | Jan 8, 1994 | Con artists scam Cathy into a pyramid scheme that targets Dolores, testing the mothers' partnership against external deceit.[28] |
| 12 | In the Driver's Seat | Jan 15, 1994 | Despite failing his driving test, Marcus takes the wheel for a date, embodying teen rebellion and parental worries over safety.[28] |
| 13 | A Life in the Theater | Jan 22, 1994 | Darren steps in for a school play role alongside Marcus's girlfriend, while Cathy develops a crush on the director, blending family support with romance.[28] |
| 14 | It Takes a Thief | Jan 29, 1994 | The boys go undercover to recover Cathy's stolen purse, fostering family teamwork against urban challenges.[28] |
| 15 | The Rich Guy | Feb 12, 1994 | Dolores dates a seemingly dull man who turns out to be wealthy, complicating her views on relationships and financial stability.[28] |
| 16 | Three Days of the Condo | May 28, 1994 | Dolores allows Marcus to convert the garage into a personal space, marking a step toward teen privacy and household evolution.[28] |
| 17 | Teacher's Pest | Jun 4, 1994 | As a substitute teacher, Cathy deals with Marcus's classroom antics, bridging home and school authority dynamics.[28] |
| 18 | Just Say No | Jun 11, 1994 | Cathy pursues a relationship with a strict teacher, contrasting her laid-back style and prompting family input on compatibility.[28] |
| 19 | My Brilliant Career | Jun 18, 1994 | The boys reunite with a formerly timid cousin now a confident boxer, inspiring reflections on personal growth within the family.[28] |