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Breaking Away (TV series)

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Breaking Away
GenreComedy drama
Created bySteve Tesich
Based onBreaking Away
StarringShaun Cassidy
Jackie Earle Haley
Barbara Barrie
ComposerLance Rubin
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes8 (1 unaired)
Production
Executive producerPeter Yates
ProducerSam Manners
CinematographyBrianne Murphy
EditorsArtie Mandelberg
Gene Ruggiero
Running time1 hour (inc. commercials)
Production company20th Century Fox Television
Original release
NetworkABC
ReleaseNovember 29, 1980 (1980-11-29) –
January 10, 1981 (1981-01-10)
Related

Breaking Away is a 1980 American comedy-drama television series. Based on the 1979 film of the same name, it was created by Steve Tesich, who wrote the original film, and the film's director Peter Yates served as Executive Producer.

As a prequel, the series was set during the year prior to the events of the film. Shaun Cassidy took over the role of Dave Stohler (played by Dennis Christopher in the film),[1] a young man crazy about bicycle racing and all things Italian. Barbara Barrie, Jackie Earle Haley, and John Ashton reprised their roles from the film.[2] The television series was set in Bloomington, Indiana, but was actually shot in Athens, Georgia.

The series was caught up in the 1980 Screen Actors Guild strike and did not begin production until that fall. While heavily promoted by ABC, it was overlooked by TV audiences once it got on the air and suffered low ratings. It was canceled after eight episodes were filmed though only seven episodes aired during its original run.[3] ABC showed reruns of the series during the summer of 1981, and it was also rerun by A&E during 1985–1987.

Cast

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Recurring

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  • Dominique Dunne as Paulina Bornstein (episodes 2, 5, 6, & 8)
  • Shelby Brammer as Nancy (episodes 1, 4, 5)
  • Steve Doubet as Steve (episodes 2, 4)
  • John Ashton as Roy, Mike's brother[2]

Episodes

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Episode summaries[4]

No. Title Directed by Written by Original air date Prod.
code
1"The Cutters"Joe RubinSteve TesichNovember 29, 1980 (1980-11-29)Z-902
The series opens one year before the film as Dave and his friends graduate high school.
2"The American Dream"Stan LathanCharles RosinDecember 6, 1980 (1980-12-06)Z-602
Dave audits a college class and meets Paulina, and a co-ed gets Mike to play in a football game for a fraternity.
3"Knowing Her"Kim FriedmanJerry McNeelyDecember 13, 1980 (1980-12-13)Z-603
Cyril dates a co-ed, Moocher gets a job in a movie theater, and Evelyn takes a real-estate course.
4"King of the Quarry"Victor LoblSteve PritzkerDecember 20, 1980 (1980-12-20)Z-601
Ray guest lectures at the university, and Moocher get a job offer in Chicago.
5"Heart Like a Wheel"Jack BenderCaroline EliasDecember 27, 1980 (1980-12-27)TBA
Paulina meets Dave's parents over dinner, Moocher asks Nancy to move in together, and Mike drag races a college student.
6"Rainy Night in Georgia"Stan LathanJerry McNeely & Charles RosinJanuary 3, 1981 (1981-01-03)TBA
Evelyn wants Ray to buy land near the university as an investment.
7"La Strada"Jeff BlecknerSteve Tesich & Glenn Gordon CaronJanuary 10, 1981 (1981-01-10)TBA
The guys get a painting job, and Dave's bicycle is stolen.
8"Grand Illusion"TBDTBDUNAIREDTBA

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f Boyer, Peter J (28 November 1980). "ABC 'Breaking Away' misses star of film". The Miami News. Cox Enterprises. p. 6B. Retrieved 5 June 2011.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Katz, Debra (4 October 1986). "Cassidy starred as a bicyclist". Ocala Star-Banner. Retrieved 5 June 2011.
  3. ^ Scott, Vernon (23 January 1981). "Breaking Away issues an SOS". Calgary Herald. Postmedia Network. p. 7. Retrieved 5 June 2011.
  4. ^ "Breaking Away: Episodes". TV.com. Archived from the original on 2008-12-12.
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