Phenom (TV series)

Synopsis

Fifteen-year-old Angela Doolan has the potential to be a sports superstar but worries about losing her normality and severing her family ties. Angela's father has deserted the family to rediscover his youth and dally with younger women, leaving her mother, Dianne, to raise her children Angela, Brian, and Mary Margaret while trying to control her bitterness. Added to the fray is Angela's obsessive tennis coach, Lou, who is determined to bring out the champion in Angela regardless of the cost to her growth as a person.

Cast

Main cast

• Angela Goethals – Angela Doolan
• Judith Light – Dianne Doolan
• Ashley Johnson – Mary Margaret Doolan
• Todd Louiso – Brian Doolan
• William Devane – Lou Della Rosa (uncredited)
• Jennifer Lien – Roanne

Recurring cast

• Sara Rue – Monica
• Randy Josselyn – Jesse
• Beverley Mitchell – Clara
• Marianne Muellerleile – Sister Felicia
• Debra Jo Rupp – Sister Mary Incarnata
• John Christian Graas – Tony Lenchenko

Production notes

The series was created by Dick Blasucci, Marc Flanagan, and Sam Simon. Blasucci also served as executive producer of the series, alongside Emmy Award-winner James L. Brooks and Danny Kallis, who previously worked alongside Judith Light as a writer/producer on Who's the Boss?

Despite being one of the show's main stars, William Devane did not receive on-screen credit in any of the episodes. Devane was originally slated to get second billing in the cast, between Judith Light and Angela Goethals. He reportedly fought to have top billing, or at least shared top billing with Light, in response to his Knots Landing fame. Both the producers and ABC refused to move Devane's billing, believing that Judith Light having sole first billing would draw in more of the female 18-49 demographic that is attractive to advertisers and would bring back ABC viewers who had made Light's previous series, Who's the Boss?, a success. Devane ultimately told the producers that if he couldn't get a billing change, he would rather not be credited at all.

*Phenom'*s theme song, "The Promise and the Prize," was written and performed by Carly Simon. Two versions of the song were used during the program's run, a one-minute version as well as a 30-second version that appeared in select episodes that ran over their allotted time. U.S. Open women's singles and Wimbledon mixed doubles champion Tracy Austin served as the technical consultant for the series. Austin also made a cameo in the series' pilot episode.

Episodes

Awards and nominations

References

References

1. "BBC - Comedy Guide - Phenom".
2. [https://www.orlandosentinel.com/1993/10/15/judith-light-abcs-ratings-phenom-continues-hot-streak/ Judith Light: ABC's Ratings Phenom Continues Hot Streak], ''[[Orlando Sentinel]]'', October 15, 1993.
3. [https://web.archive.org/web/20150714073410/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1994-05-15/entertainment/9405040421_1_billing-equal-time-star Phenom's' William Devane Gets No Credit], ''[[South Florida Sun-Sentinel]]'', May 15, 1994.
4. (September 22, 1993). "Nielsen ratings". [[USA Today]].
5. Gable, Donna. (September 29, 1993). "'Dave's World,' 'Harts' help CBS to victory". [[USA Today]].
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24. DeRosa, Robin. (May 11, 1994). "ABC keeps hammering away". [[USA Today]].
25. (May 18, 1994). "Nielsen ratings". [[USA Today]].