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"Keaton and Son" is the fifth episode in the third season of the NBC family sitcom Family Ties. It originally aired on October 18, 1984, and is the forty-ninth episode of the series overall.

Synopsis[]

Alex wouldn't even considering working with dad Steven, a respected producer, at the local TV station, as it is non-profit - but when the last of Alex's applications with banks falls through, he accepts a job as a production assistant for lack of a better opportunity. Dad is proud as a peacock and happy as a clam to show off his prodigy; he has annoyed the staff about him, as very proud dads do, for years. Yet when a bank comes back with a job offer after a medical emergency, Alex writes a letter of notice which Steven doesn't get around to read until after a documentary production crisis, with Alex deciding to stay and help his father all night - a great opportunity for father and son to learn to respect each other while collaborating professionally.

Plot[]

The family is trying to come up with names for the new baby (now six weeks away). Alex is looking for a part-time job and is rejected by Harding National Bank (a really blow to his ego). Mallory reminds him that Steven had offered him a job at WKS, but Alex isn't too excited about working for a nonprofit organization.  Seeing no other prospects, he goes to WKS (at least until the bank calls him back), and Alex has to find a way to break the news to his dad.  When Richard fails to get his project done, Alex decides to help the team in an all-night session.

Cast[]

Starring[]

Guest-Starring[]

Co-Starring[]

Quotes[]

Trivia[]

  • Second episode that Meredith Baxter does not appear in due to her pregnancy.
  • Jennifer suggests "Charo" for a girl and "Shecky" for a boy.  When questioned whether she'd been watching Tonight Show The Tonight Show, she also suggests "Johnny, Ed, or Doc."  Later she says that she and Elyse came up with "Sneezy Keaton" (and Dopey if it's a boy).  Apparently, Moby Keaton was also suggested.
  • In the third or fourth minute of the episode, as he sets his briefcase on the kitchen table, Alex noticeably spills orange juice and it can be seen on the table the rest of the scene.  RIght after, you can see him try to dry his hands by shaking them.
  • Marsha Warfield appears as a co-worker at WKS (before she had more well-known roles).
  • Alex won a spelling bee in fourth grade with the word "foreclosure".
  • Meredith Baxter does not appear in this episode.
  • In a later episode ("Walking on Air") Mallory will also work at WKS.
  • Steven sings the WKS jingle: "WKS.  You're the one.
  • While working on the documentary, Steven comes up with "Hot Town.  Summer in the City".
  • Alex brings in Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture.

Gallery[]

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