Eight is enough ! : Synopsis, Pictures, Photos, Trivia, Filming Locations

The sometimes-comic, sometimes-dramatic exploits of the Bradford family--father Tom (a columnist for a Sacramento newspaper), mother Joan and their eight children: Mary, David, Joanie, Nancy, Elizabeth, Susan, Tommy and Nicholas. After Joan's death, Tom met teacher Abby, and they were married to make the family eight again. The kids all had friends and relationships as well, turning the Bradford Bunch into a free-for-all of loved ones and family members.

The death of actress Diana Hyland during the production of the spring 1977 episodes forced major changes in the show. Hyland had completed only four episodes as the mother of the family and was written out of the remainder as being "away." When the series returned with new episodes that fall, Tom Bradford had become a widower, his wife having died about "a year ago."

David Bradford was originally to be played by Mark Hamill, who appeared in Star Wars (1977) the year this series began.

The kids, from oldest to youngest, were David, Mary, Joanie, Susan, Nancy, Elizabeth, Tommy and Nicholas. In real life, the actors rank thus: Joanie, Susan, Nancy, David, Mary, Tommy, Elizabeth and Nicholas.

Based on the 1975 autobiographical account of newspaper editor and columnist Thomas Braden, who also served as co-host, with Pat Buchanan, of CNN's "Crossfire".

During the first couple of seasons an instrumental version of the theme was played during the opening. However, in later seasons lyrics were added and the theme was sung by Grant Goodeve, who played David.

Abby's first husband was killed in Vietnam.

Mary attended the University of California at Berkely for her medical training.

The character 'Tom Bradford' was ranked #33 in TV Guide's list of the "50 Greatest TV Dads of All Time" (20 June 2004 issue).

Filming locations:

• Santa Clarita, California, USA
• Warner Bros. Studios, Burbank Studios, Burbank, California, USA

• Creation date: 2003/07/01 by donovan
• Last Update: 2007/05/01 by shaunnah