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Shaping Up

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This article is about the 1984 TV show. For the album and song by "The Sherbs", see Shaping Up (album).
Not to be confused with shape up (disambiguation).
Shaping Up
Also known asWelcome to the Club
GenreSitcom
Created byKen Estin
Sam Simon
Written byKen Estin
Merrill Markoe
Sam Simon
Directed byMichael Lessac
StarringLeslie Nielsen
Michael Fontaine
Jennifer Tilly
Shawn Weatherly
Jake Steinfeld
ComposerFletcher Adams
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes5
Production
Executive producersKen Estin
Sam Simon
ProducerRichard Sakai
Running time30 minutes
Production companiesEstin-Simon Productions
Paramount Television
Original release
NetworkABC
ReleaseMarch 20 (1984-03-20) –
April 17, 1984 (1984-04-17)

Shaping Up is an American sitcom created by writer-producers Sam Simon and Ken Estin, which ran for five weeks on ABC from March 20 until April 17, 1984.

Synopsis

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A spring replacement in 1984, Shaping Up, originally titled Welcome to the Club, was given the 9:00 Tuesday slot following Three's Company. Leslie Nielsen played Buddy Fox, curmudgeonly owner of the Buddy Fox Health Club. Michael Fontaine played Ben, the club's manager who was like a son to Buddy and served as the show's voice of sanity. Other cast members included Jennifer Tilly, Shawn Weatherly and Jake Steinfeld of Body by Jake fame.

Five episodes were broadcast before the cancellation, leaving one unaired.[1] The role of Ben was first played by Tim Robbins, whom the network replaced with Fontaine.

Cast

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US television ratings

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Episodes Start Date End Date Nielsen Rank Nielsen Rating[2]
5 March 20, 1984 April 17, 1984 53 15.0[a]
  1. ^ Tied with Silver Spoons and Maggie Briggs

Episodes

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No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
1"Baby Be Mine"Michael LessacSam Simon & Ken Estin[3]March 20, 1984 (1984-03-20)
Buddy Fox's unfulfilled urge for fatherhood leads him to try purchasing a baby from a young pregnant woman in financial problems (Allyce Beasley), who only gives up on the deal after holding her newborn.[1]
2"Ex Pede Herculem"Michael LessacSam Simon & Ken Estin[3]March 27, 1984 (1984-03-27)
Ben suggests Buddy to perform a feat of strength as promotion, leading him to try lifting the front of a Volkswagen.[3]
3"Defusing the Muse"Michael LessacKen Estin, Sam Simon, Merrill Markoe[3]April 3, 1984 (1984-04-03)
Shannon discovers the latest recruit in the health club is an award-winning playwright.[3]
4"I Should Have Danced All Night"Michael LessacKen Estin & Sam Simon[3]April 10, 1984 (1984-04-10)
Melissa goes to her first Hollywood party while Ben and Buddy replace the shower tiles.[3]
5"Mixed Nuts"Michael LessacKen Estin & Sam Simon[3]April 17, 1984 (1984-04-17)
Buddy considers his own mortality after the death of a friend.

References

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  1. ^ a b Leszczak, Bob. Single Season Sitcoms of the 1980s: A Complete Guide
  2. ^ "1983-84 Ratings History -- The Networks Are Awash in a Bubble Bath of Soaps".
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h Forgotten Laughs: An Episode Guide to 150 TV Sitcoms You Probably Never Saw
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