Julie Farr, M.D. (initial episodes aired as Having Babies) is an American medical drama limited-run series that was cancelled after airing six of its nine episodes on ABC, from March 7 to April 18, 1978; the three remaining episodes were burned off 14 months later, in June 1979. It followed three television movies called Having Babies which aired from 1976 to 1978, and was not renewed after its initial run of episodes aired in March–April 1978. The series began airing as Having Babies but was renamed Julie Farr, M.D. during its short run after its lead character, played by Susan Sullivan.
Background A series of three movie specials called Having Babies (II and III for the latter installments) aired on ABC from 1976 to 1978.Terrace, Vincent. Encyclopedia of Television Series, Pilots and Specials: 1974-1984, Vol. II, p. 186-87 (1985) Following the airing of Having Babies III as the ABC Friday Night Movie on March 3, 1978, the storyline was continued as a six-episode "trial" one-hour series on Tuesday nights.Witbeck, Charles (3 March 1978). 'Having Babies' to return Tuesday as a six-week series, Boca Raton News (King Features Syndicate article)O'Connor, John J. (3 March 1978). TV: More On Having Babies, The New York TimesElze, Winifred (26 March 1978). Susan Doctors Her New Series, The Vindicator
As of March 28, 1978, the show began airing under the title of Julie Farr, M.D.,(28 March 1978). Previews, Evening Independent apparently to try to attract more male viewers.Hanauer, Joan (7 April 1978). How Sweet It Was, Bryan Times After the initial episode run was completed on April 18, 1978, the show was not renewed, though three unaired episodes were later shown in June 1979.Associated Press (28 June 1979). New Show Rate Well, Toledo Blade (in a week filled with mostly re-runs, a newly aired episode of Julie Farr, M.D. ranked number 15)
The show was the first American hospital drama that centered on a female character, and its failure caused some concern in Hollywood that such a show could not succeed, even though the poor quality of the story lines and fairly poor reviews of the show likely also played a part.Llewellyn-Jones, Margaret & Carson, Bruce (eds.) Frames and fictions on television: the politics of identity within drama, p.53 (2000)(2 March 1978). Symbol of a Woman, The Hour (newspaper) (UPI article)
Plot The show starred Susan Sullivan as Dr. Julie Farr, a role which debuted in the Having Babies II movie.Scheuer, Steven H. (11 March 1978). Susan jumps from soap to nighttime drama, The Miami News
Reception Initial reviews of the show, as it transitioned from its movie-status to a series, were somewhat negative. One review opined that Sullivan "plays a better than average medico," but that the show was "one of the finer comedies of the season," which was a rather big problem since the show was a drama.Moody, Greg. TV Today: Having Babies Is No More Trying Than 'Having Babies', Milwaukee Sentinel The National PTA, however, ranked it number 7 among the top 10 shows on television.(11 August 1978). , Boston GlobeAssociated Press (12 August 1978). Parents Object to Kojak, Leader Post Sullivan was also nominated for an Emmy for her performance.(17 October 1981). Susan Sullivan to star in 'Falcon Crest', Lewiston Daily SunJulie Farr, M.D. - Outstanding Lead Actress In A Drama Series - 1978, emmys.com, Retrieved September 2, 2011 (Sada Thompson won)
The ratings for the series were far from stellar. Though the March 7, 1978 debut ranked 26th,(15 March 1978). Happy Days Rerun Tops Weekly Nielsen Poll, Los Angeles Times ("Having Babies placed 26th in its debut as a weekly series") the final episode tied for 60th place out of 68 prime time shows.Hanauer, Joan (26 April 1978). On the bottom line: 'Holocaust' sold, Ellensburg Daily Record
Cast Susan Sullivan as Dr. Julie Farr Dennis Howard as Dr. Ron Danvers Mitchell Ryan as Dr. Blake Simmons Beverly Todd as Kelly
Episodes
References
External links