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Breaking Away is a 1980 American comedy-drama television series that was based on the 1979 film of the same name. It was created by Steve Tesich, who wrote the original film, and the film's director Peter Yates served as Executive Producer.

As a prequel, the series was set during the year prior to the events of the film. Shaun Cassidy took over the role of Dave Stohler (played by Dennis Christopher in the film),[1] a young man crazy about bicycle racing and all things Italian. Barbara Barrie, Jackie Earle Haley and John Ashton reprised their roles from the film.[2] The television series was set in Bloomington, Indiana, but was actually shot in Athens, Georgia.

The series was caught up in the 1980 Screen Actors Guild Strike and did not begin production until that fall. While heavily promoted by ABC, it was overlooked by TV audiences once it got on the air and suffered low ratings. It was canceled after eight episodes were filmed, though only seven episodes aired during its original run.[3] ABC showed reruns of the series during the summer of 1981, and it was also rerun by A&E during 1985–1987.

Cast

Recurring

  • Dominique Dunne as Paulina Bornstein (episodes 2, 5, 6, & 8)
  • Shelby Brammer as Nancy (episodes 1, 4, 5)
  • Steve Doubet as Steve (episodes 2, 4)
  • John Ashton as Roy, Mike's brother[2]

Episodes

Episode summaries[4]
# Title Director Writer(s) Airdate
1x01"The Cutters"Joe RubinSteve Tesich[1]November 29, 1980 (1980-11-29)
The series opens one year before the film as Dave and his friends graduate high school.
1x02"The American Dream"Stan LathanCharles RosinDecember 6, 1980 (1980-12-06)
Dave audits a college class and meets Paulina, while a co-ed gets Mike to play in a football game for a fraternity.
Guest stars: Jeff Corey as Professor Manchester
1x03"Knowing Her"Kim FriedmanJerry McNeelyDecember 13, 1980 (1980-12-13)
Cyril dates a co-ed, Moocher gets a job in a movie theater, Evelyn takes a real-estate course.
Guest stars: Larry Larson as Grant/Greg Prince, Woody Eney as Dougherty, Lenora May as Jeanne Lindsay
1x04"King of the Quarry"Victor LoblSteve PritzkerDecember 20, 1980 (1980-12-20)
Ray guest lectures at the university, Moocher get a job offer in Chicago.
Guest stars: Brian Lane Green as Jerry, Lauri Huffer as Jennifer
1x05"Heart Like a Wheel"Jack BenderCaroline EliasDecember 27, 1980 (1980-12-27)
Paulina meets Dave's parents over dinner, Moocher asks Nancy to move in together, and Mike drag races a college student.
Guest stars: Chris Lemmon as Danny
1x06"Rainy Night in Georgia"Stan LathanJerry McNeely & Charles RosinJanuary 3, 1981 (1981-01-03)
Evelyn wants Ray to buy land near the university as an investment
1x07"La Strada"Jeff BlecknerSteve Tesich & Glenn Gordon CaronJanuary 10, 1981 (1981-01-10)
The guys get a painting job, Dave's bicycle is stolen. Guest stars: Mark Metcalf as Racer, Dennis Robertson as Simms
1x08"Grand Illusion"————TBA

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g Boyer, Peter J (28 November 1980). "ABC 'Breaking Away' misses star of film". The Miami News. Cox Enterprises. p. 6B. Retrieved 5 June 2011.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Katz, Debra (4 October 1986). "Cassidy starred as a bicyclist". Ocala Star-Banner. Retrieved 5 June 2011.
  3. ^ Scott, Vernon (23 January 1981). "Breaking Away issues an SOS". Calgary Herald. Postmedia Network. p. 7. Retrieved 5 June 2011.
  4. ^ "Breaking Away: Episodes". TV.com. Archived from the original on 2008-12-12.

External links