James At 15 (1977) - OPENING

[HarvestmanMan]

This was performed by England Dan and John Ford Coley, of all people.

[DetroitLives313]

Damn! I remember this show! LOL!

[centurymasters]

great show...i SO remember it..thanks for posting!

[petie71]

I totally remember watching this. Lol. I love his red rain jacket.

[fromthesidelines]

Had NBC exercised more patience in nurturing this series, they wouldn't have asked for that February 1978 episode (when the title became "JAMES AT 16") where James lost his virginity to that "Swedish exchange student". That stunt cost any chance of the series being renewed for another season.

[jmikeh1]

ahh..memories. 

[bluejay02920]

I miss theme songs like this.  It seems all the shows now have a very short bass line like Seinfeld

[InsertName125]

@bluejay02920 Actual melodies (especially those with tonic cadences) are considered cheesy to modern cynics.

[parkman35]

Sly was the man!

[RealAgentOfSHIELD]

I was 11 when this show aired and I loved it ... it bounced around a lot and the show never found an audience (in all fairness, the show did get great critic buzz, so it had a chance.) I think part of the reason why it hasn't been released on DVD is because of the expensive music rights (it cost a million dollars to keep the music in the "Freaks & Geeks" DVD release.) Luckily I was able to find a couple of James At 15 episodes that aired on A&E on some beta tapes I got.

[huntseren1510]

strange how the networks r allways trying to think of something that will catch the eyes of the public to help sell their good.. well y not bring back the orginal 70s commercials not that cheep remake type.. but the real ones?? the young will get a kick out of it because it retro to them kewl..... and it takes the moms and dads back to long forgotten memories of being kids..

[brbgal]

@huntseren1510 The only company I have seen using an old commercial is Tootie Roll Pops...they have been using the old Tootsie Roll Pop "OWL" commercial for a while now. It always brings back memories! (How many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Roll Pop..)

[impresario111]

This I have seen on Swedish television once upon a very long ago I barley remember It but when he photographs things It rang a bell

[DeutscheGesinnung]

As this kid got older, I think many of you dip sticks get this guy confused with David Soul.

[impresario111]

@DeutscheGesinnung I got him confused with Michael J Fox

[AceDynasty79]

Anyone Remember An Excellent Movie Lance made Called............"Salems Lot"

A Must Watch 1979 Movie About Vampires Also Starring....Actor Musician David Soul Who Is Excellent As The Main Character Next To Lance

[ilovegoodsax]

This show popped in my mind (I think because I read of Lance's recent Hawaii bust); it's still a relatively fresh memory 30+ years later. I was a 17 y/o senior in high school back in 77/78 when this was on (be 50 in Oct.). I didn't see every episode but I saw enough to get me hooked. I remember it even played the radio tunes of the day as background music. I could totally relate to James & his friends. I'd like to go back & re-live just one week of those years. Anyone want to come with me? :-)

[stoicjello]

@ilovegoodsax > I love good sax too. Sexiest of all the reed instruments but I digress. I remember watching james at 15. I was a Freshman at the Univ. of TX in the fall of '77. Not sure I'd go back to those days; the early 70's definitely. I'd like to spend 1 week anytme in '72 & maybe 1 week in the summer of '75. Terrific years for me. I hear music from those periods & I'm swept away

Why? Young love, mostly but also because it was before life got so F-ing complicated..

[ilovegoodsax]

@stoicjello Any week between '72 and '78 would do it for me. I can well remember my mom telling me at the time that these were the best years of my life. Of course, I didn't know what the hell she was talking about (lol!). Now, looking back some 30-plus years later, I understand what she meant and that no other words that she ever said rang truer. You're right -- even though there might have been a lot going on in our young lives, those times definately were not complicated. I miss them.

[stoicjello]

@ilovegoodsax 1978 was a horrible year musically...disco. Plus, it was a bad year across the board for me personally. I equate music w/ various points in my life. I fell in love for the 1st time in 1971. I can hear any song from that era & be whisked back in time. That would hold true for all of '72 & most of '73. He broke up w/ me 4 days into my Freshman year. Then I met someone else in '75. Silly, but music sings to me soul & when I'm in love, it sings even louder.

[ilovegoodsax]

@stoicjello I feel you, my friend. I,too, equate, music with the various times of my life. I can suddenly remember a song that I just loved but haven't heard in decades, come here to YT & (hopefully) find it, & if I'm lucky someone has uploaded the song can be instantly reduced to a sobbing mess because I'm so happy to hear it again. '78 was a turning point for me because it's the year I graduated H.S., turned 18 & left home for the Air Force. It's also the year my first love broke my heart.

[stoicjello]

Today (8/31) is an auspicious day. I fell in love with the first love I ever had 39 yeaqrs ago. It was the 1st day of school my 7th grade yr; he was older; an 8th grader & fell hard. He was so cute, sweet. Very affectionate for a 13 yr old. He broke up w/ me 2 yrs later w/ no explanation. Carried that around for 38 yrs. We reconnected last Sept. & I finally found closure. I'm good, but sad though.I feel empty w/o his memory & and all the 'what ifs' I kept alive for 38 yrs. I miss love.

[ilovegoodsax]

@stoicjello That's pretty intense and heady stuff for a 12 y/o to go through. At that age I was relegated to a couple of secret crushes and fantasies about the teen idols of the day showcased in "Tiger Beat" and "16" mags. My first love was at 16 and even though he's long moved on, I'll never forget him (maybe because I lost my virginity to him?). And even though we may fall in love again, and again and again -- there's never nothing that even comes close to that first time (sigh!). :-)

[stoicjello]

I grew up faster than my friends. I always knew & understood things I couldn't explain. Like I was born old. It's served me well, but had draw backs, too. Never married; went into broadcasting &lived a nomadic life trying to get a career going. Knew success. Had boyfriends but was never swept away by full force love, a category 5 relationship like I had in Jr. High . I miss that. I'm 51 now & starting my life's 3rd Act. I really don't want to do that alone, but I'm unwilling to compromise.

[ilovegoodsax]

@stoicjello

You shouldn't have to compromise. I believe that's why most marriages fail. You compromise, rationalize & settle when in your heart of hearts, you know that the relationship is wrong. Been there,done that. My thought is that there truly is someone for everyone -- a soulmate. However, I joke & say that my soulmate probably lives in Maine or Iowa & I'll never meet him. I think everything happens for a reason. Keep yourself open & true love will happen if it's meant to be. :-)

[stoicjello]

@ilovegoodsax Exactly, which is why I won't, at least I won't compromise ever again. Don't you think that we have many soulmates in our lifetime? Who mine was at 25 isn't who it would be now at 51. I admire those who met theirs at 16 & just knew, but m personality went thru different incarnations. Part of my growth process. Kissed a lot of frogs, invested in alot of Compound W, but here I am today. A little worse for the wear but really, better than ever. I look forward to my 50's.

[ilovegoodsax]

@stoicjello

I had to think about this -- many soulmates in a lifetime versus only one. I'd like to think that there is that one person you're suppose to be with. Now, whether you actually meet up with that one soulmate during your lifetime is another issue. Maybe there's one for some but for others there might be several? I guess we can add this to the list of being one of life's many mysteries . . .

[bigbertram3]

I was 12 when this show first aired and I wish it would have ran for more than two years because it really was a great show.

[EveSimone]

Wish someone would download all the episodes ;-) (including James at 16)...

[justme224]

so this is the dude that got busted for applying for welfare...and omitting that he had 3 properties on the mainland. lol.

[Sharonljt1]

I really really loved this show !!!

[horns2112]

Sparest show of all time.

[hippiegirl58]

I remember watching them film a scene with Lance Kerwin at Park St. Station in Boston.

[damone77]

Mary Pickford never missed an episode. She loved Lance with a lot of libido in those early days!

[reneee800]

whatever happened to Lance Kerwin

[jimpunkrockford]

@reneee800 drug addict with multiple run ins with the law, became a pastor, and was arrested last week for theft with his wife who is half his age.

gardenisland[dot]com

[terencecorkery]

This clip brings back a lot of memories and unfortunately TV and movies today are written for morons. Yesteryear TV dealt with topical issues, and made the view think as well as being entertained. This one of the Better TV series, could see myself in James. Too bad it only lasted for a few years.

[learnamericanenglish]

My friends and I made fun of James because he did a lot of dumb things, but we still liked the show anyway. It was easy to relate to.

[Forestski]

great show - - i remember it well.

[stevenkahl]

"James at 15" was my favorite show when I was fifteen. This is the title song and opening credits. Anyone else remember this?

[RobGoth100]

I was 7 as well and your right.

How about James at 47?

[coaldusty]

I was about maybe 7 when I watched this, had quite an impact on me. It was a rare show in that it was purely from the perspective of a kid/adolescent. And yeh, MIKEY42, the episode where he got his girlfriend pregnant was a shock! The effect that has on a young kid! I still remember how stunned I felt.

[jwd1932]

Dan Wakefield was a friend of my family's, and some of James's escapades (like taking the family's car and getting it stuck in the mud) were actually based on my older brother's behavior. Another one was him thinking he'd gotten VD after sleeping with his girlfriend-- I remember finding out about my brother being potentially very sick, and was very worried about him. Fortunately, our even older brother took him to a doctor and got the problem fixed.

What a great show this was!

[GarthanSaal444]

Lance and Leif Garret were both very handsome teens, but grew up to be unattractive grown men, just like all the hot guys I went to high school with. I went to my 20 year reunion. The dorky looking guys from high school are usually the ones who became hansome men.

You peaked too soon, Lance.

[ForeverLeif]

Leif Garrett is still sexy as hell... idk bout this kid though he was ugly then so i assume he only grew to be uglier this kid reminds me of ugly Jimmy McNichol

[altha2009A]

kate jackson on of charlie angles was on this well least the pilot espideo

when he was seeing melsia sue anderson mary iggeals form littlehouse she moved on fast to his best freind after he left

[Attila709]

At the time, 70s, I didn't think very much of Lance Kerwin as an actor. But when I think of todays stars he was damn good!

[jdukulele]

Shows from this time dealt with real issues in a real way. So unlike todays. it was a time when production values really mattered. it wasn't "Let's just knock this out". Shows were cafefully thought out and produced. it's such a shame there's so much trash out now and it goes for all kinds of entertainment.

[archambault65]

Absolutely. I lived for this show!

[badnolar]

@jdukulele god when will these types of posts end..ugh the "things were great back then now they suck" so lame. ugh.

so untrue. there are plenty of tv shows on now that are good. like james at 15 was Shakespeare or some shit. good lord. BOb seger was the pinnacle of music, and justin beiber is killing our children. oh nooooo!

[InsertName125]

@badnolar These kinds of posts will end when pop culture starts to live up to the standards of the past.

In short, Bob Seger doesn't suck. Justin Beaver DOES.

If you'd like to get into a detailed analysis about WHY the pop music, books, and film of the 60's and 70's was better than it is now, using verifiable facts, I'm prepared to do so. Many professional artists and musicians, STILL WORKING TODAY I MIGHT ADD, feel this way. I'm not the only one.

[landrykkb]

By the way,England Dan & John Ford Coley sang the theme song.

[mikey42]

I remember the episode when James knocked up his girlfriend. I watched this program every week. It had a great concept. Cancelled too soon.

[mikey42]

Back in '96 I was watching an entertainment program and they had caught up with Lance Kerwin. He was a single father and running his own rehab "camp." I was truly horrified at the sight of the man. Drug addiction had completey destroyed a once handsome face. Ya think Mickey Rourke looks ghastly these days? Lance was far worse.

[Nashcountryboy]

Lance was a MAJOR pothead at age 14 and later turned to heroin and other hard drugs. It destroyed his career and almost his life. He became a born-again Christian and now runs a re-hab camp last I heard.

[landrykkb]

It seems inevitable that when all these child stars and celebrities turn to drugs and alcohol,they "find the Lord"!I think that's so phoney myself,even when just the Average Joe or Jane does it.We're all human beings and not infallible!

[667neighborofdabeast]

I find old shows like these to be very cliche about being a teenager, it really annoys me!

[lrewopf]

Well if a show with substance is considered"cliche"as you say I'll take it all the time.This was a very good show for a 14-15 year old in juniour high as I was back then.

[landrykkb]

I'll take these"cliche" shows over the so-called reality TVof today,thank you very much!

[riwired]

Hi Mikey42, he also looks like he had a nose job. He always had such a cute nose when he was a kid, but it was kind of big, but later I saw him in a few movies and he definetly has a smaller nose. Still cute but losing his hair. Plus I liked his old nose better! :)

[riwired]

Lance Kerwin is "James"

[MoeGreensRightEye]

Anyone know the name of main character in this show? (I thought I heard it mentioned in the opening theme song but I'm not sure)

[suspekt29]

Anyone know where I can catch re-runs of this show?

[Mousepie67]

I met Lance while I was working at a boutique in L.A. He came in shopping for his girlfriend, all the while he was totally flirting with me. After he left, he called me 15 minutes later and asked me out. I turned him down because he had a girlfriend!!! This was'92...right after a stint in rehab, before he found God. He is NOT gay.

[froggyola]

Yeah if you were white, straight and a creepy Christian. The rest of us were screwed!

[froggyola]

I'm not a bigot but Lance Kerwin is a creepy Christian. Are you?

[archambault65]

I loved this show as a kid of 15 myself

[crazytom9]

mikey42 it is a shame,but i might would do him just for the fantasy.i could always close my eyes and use my imagination.

[miamiborn]

I had a mad crush on David Hubbard....his last name is difference now and he's a movie director.

[muckstar23]

this show taught me about the facts of life

[waccamatt]

I was 13 when that show began and I had the biggest crush on Lance Kerwin.

[crazytom9]

drag i'm 43 now too.i loved lance he was my dream man.i wonder if any guy got lucky with him? he didn't age well though.

[Drag296]

watched when i was little ..at that time that was a great show .. sure do miss them days .i'm 43 now ..it's been awhile...

[AudreyBoston]

I never forgot this charming show, and the song stayed with me since the show first aired.  Somehow, this young boy really presented a different view of boys-- a dreamer, a photographer, and years later, I realized how much gay people all related to his gentleness. T.V. is filled with these one or two season gems. The song brought back such happiness; I thought I'd never hear it again!

[licklolly35]

good show, my mom had a crush on lance kerwin, it used to rerun on a channel , but i rememebe r it coming on tv, back in the 70s, this was trully A good show

[jwmellott]

Who is the singer of the theme?

[kdanieli]

This show made me really want to go to college in Boston - so I did. Looking at the intro, several of the shots were taken near the place I lived in the North End right after college.

I also had to get that coat James wears in the last shot of the intro...camelhair, hooded, with those horn and leather loop buttons.

[femsual]

why were we so attracted to this little kid back then?-- I mean all the girls wanted him, including myself.-- i just dont understand it-- i was a teen when i use to watch this and im 50 now

[Suzywriter]

I was so sad when the writers messed up the show by having James have sex with an exchange student...it wasn't the moral issue, but the whole feeling of his kidlike innocence went out the window, and the show lost its charm.

[BDBlue007]

This was a great show. It was the story of me and my best friend at the time. He played James and I was Sly. Memories of youth. This has to be on dvd somewhere??!!

[don4321]

I always hated this kid. All he did was go around doing good deeds. And notice he's got the one token black friend--what a righteous dude!

One episode dealt with a drunken girl, played by a teenage Rossana Arquette--HOT!, and James shut the door on her! What a wus!

Give me a kid like Tanner Boyle anyday!

[mparrish62]

Lance Kerwin did get busted by the cops and was sent o "U Turn For Christ" for treatment. He now has a dynamic youth ministry in S. CA.

[suspekt29]

I remember watching reruns of this on PBS back in the days. Sort of remember a different theme song though. Anyone know where I can catch an episode or so of this?

[GlitterCroft07]

I like this. :)

[jcatlett1976]

Weird, I watched the reruns in the eighties. He seemed a lot older to me then but now he just looks like a little kid. Funny what age will do to a person. I was around 10 when I watched it. 32 now.

[33Mark221]

One of the only bits of Latin I learned as a child was when James befriended a new student at school who, on the pretext of advising James to "Carpe Diem," flew them both to California over a weekend and they got busted for stealing (a canoe, I recall) from a department store. All in all...compared with today's stuff...not a bad show at all.

[recordman64]

I remember this show vividly...I really liked it! Too bad there's no way we can access it without a lot of digging.

[pazvato]

I was 16 in high school when this show came out. I barely remember the show because I started to see a girl who loved this show and I would pretend to like it only to hang-out with her on her couch. Ha ha...youth!

[83survivor]

What a shame. Lance Kerwin had talent and skill. It was a crying shame he lost it so early. He was really acting for real.

[ticket2]

i saw Lance Kerwin years ago in a Greyhound bus station he was homeless or at least looked that way back then i saw him again in a ET interview in 2006 he admitted he lost himself in drugs and he found religion and would like to get back into show biz agaun he also lost all his hair too shame

[33Mark221]

I was shocked to find that that was the case as well. I thought that when this show went off the air in--I think it was in 1978 (after Dan Wakefield quit over the big fight with the censors over James losing his virginity) that he'd be in better projects. But by 1979, he was busted for drug possession (same year Leif Garrett got into his traffic accident while stoned) and his career was pretty much gone. If you can't find that good project after a somewhat success, an actor can founder.

[flairboys]

gosh, i feel old!

[firetaker25]

This was a popular show on the block. I remember discussing it with friends at school. And, I was only 9-10 years old.

[stlrocker6]

In 1989, I met Lance selling timeshares in Dana Point. He was actually training me to do that. Very Cool Guy.

[damone77]

Well did a bit of research on lance. He was born in 1960 on my birthday~very cool~fellow Scorpio! Started smokin' mary jane when he was 6 and than got charged with crack possession. Now he resides with his wife and little girl in some sort of religious apartment.

[dcinthemorning]

Great show. I remember seeing Lance Kerwin in the Lonliest Runner about a year before this show started.

[azurepeepers]

I LOVED this show!!!! Wonder why they never show reruns? I wish! I also remember watching a show the same night called Class of 65.

[artboy79]

I remember those shows and I loved em both! I didn't think Class of 65 lasted too long though. I remember when James turned 16 & they changed the theme song, seems to me the show wasn't as good.

[whyme1963]

Long live Marlene!

[Jeff98177]

Remember when opening credits to a show lasted almost a minute? I miss those days.

[kuhnigget]

That was because they didn't cram in an extra 4 minutes of commercials.

[freeasabird12907]

i love that too you get to know the show with the theme song

[pdonster2]

@Jeff98177 I do too! Miss all those great theme songs. Too bad shows today have cut them so they'll have more room for commercials.

[kuhnigget]

Remember the episode where he climbs into a sleeping bag with his Swedish exchange student girlfriend? God, that caused a stir in my podunk hometown!

[4rdsuks]

Yes, and some affiliates even considered not airing that episode. If they only knew what was coming lol

[giantship]

I think you meant James at 46 sweety,please don't make me feel older than I am,45....he's older than me darnet!

[johnjohndc]

I begged to get a shiny, puffy down jacket like he had and still have it. Still shiny and vintage and love it! Every jock at highschool had one. Scott

[nuzwuz]

Wow, I remember watching this show when I was 8 years old. Great! I recently got a hold of the entire series (minus one show) that was taped off of the TV during reruns on a cable network. I am rididulously happy watching them with my kids! They are hooked on James!!

[hockeytownjack]

I loved this show! I had just graduated from high school at the time back in '76. I remember being sad when it went off the air.

[batncat5150]

the last I read is that Lance Kerwin is a former heroin user and now lives in a commune.

[Saldana1]

Lance Kerwin - SCHWIIING!

[ACME76]

MELISSA SUE ANDERSON...SCHWIIING!

[ninaquimby]

Oh, the memories...

[mytie67]

James was really sexy! I loved his hair and his clothes and the fact that he played basketball AND the flute! How 70's - G-d how I miss the 70's!

T H A N K Y O U F O R P O S T I N G  T H I S ! !

[StoogeAtHeart]

If the show was still going, they'd call it "James at 44" now. :P Didn't he have a black friend called Sly?

[marky2112]

Wow, i remember this show. One of the first shows to actually deal with teenage sexuality.

[RADIOGIRLWORLD]

I can't believe I found this I loved this show as a kid although I can't remember anything about it really.I just have fond memories.Pity it only lasted 2 years.I watched in australia.

[FAMUSLINKY]

I adored this show growing up. I hope that I will be able to find this series on DVD. Thanks for the wonderful memories!

[cubansenstaion]

Terrific show!!!

[1BadDolfan]

One of my favorites. Thought no one remembered this show but me.

[pekoe]

WOW LOVED HIMMM THIS IS A TREASURE

[Doromir]

I always loved this show. Thanks for sharing it with us