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DOWN TO EARTH was an American fantasy situation comedy series that ran on Superstation TBS from 1984 to 1987. It was produced by Procter & Gamble Productions and was the superstation's first original series.
The TV series was created by Sam Harris and Bruce H. Newberg.
Sam Harris wrote many episodes of the show that ran four years.
The series revolved around Ethel MacDoogan, a free-spirited gal from the roarin' 1920s. Unfortunately (as told in the lyrics to the show's theme song), that would all come to an end for Ethel in 1925 when "...she was struck down by a trolley, golly." Ethel waits in Heaven for 60 years for a chance to earn her wings, until finally she is sent to earth in the 1980s to help the Preston family.
The Prestons are a typical modern-day family with modern-day situations: widowed father Richard is a realtor; older son Duane is very class-conscious; daughter Lissy is very opinionated; J.J. (the youngest) just wants someone who can fill their late mother's void. It's J.J.'s prayer that an angel would come into their lives that summons Ethel, and J.J. is the only one who knows her true identity.
Infiltrating the household as housekeeper/maid, Ethel is clueless about even the simplest conveniences of modern-day life. J.J. helps cover for her when it comes to adapting to the newfangled inventions of the past 60 years, and she eventually wins over the Prestons by helping them deal with their problems.
Popping in from time to time is their ditzy (and attractive) next door neighbor Candy Carlysle, who became a regular character in 1985.
In addition to her earthly employer, Ethel is under the constant eye of her heavenly boss (and their successors), who watch her every move—and her every mistake. Her first overseer, Mr. Divine, kept a close eye on her. He was later replaced by the very concerned Lester Luster, followed by her ex-fiance/con-man Jake, with the outrageous Stanley McCloud (played by Rip Taylor) taking over in the show's final years.
The series made several changes to its cast. Besides the ethereal bosses, it changed the earthly father as well, becoming the second series in which Dick Sargent replaced another actor in the same role.
CAST:
Carol Mansell (Ethel MacDoogan)
Stephen Johnson (Richard Preston, 1984)
Dick Sargent (Richard Preston, 1984-1987)
David Kaufman (Duane Preston)
Kyle Richards (Elizabeth "Lissy" Preston)
Randy Josselyn (Jay Jay Preston)
Marla Rubinoff (Candy Carlysle, 1985-1987)
Lester Fletcher (Mr. Divine, 1984)
Ronnie Schell (Lester Luster, 1984-1985)
Michael DeLano (Jake Fiore, 1985-1986)
Rip Taylor (Stanley McCloud, 1985-1987)
Executive Producer: Arthur Annecharico
Producer: Rick Miner
The premise of this fondly remembered sitcom from the '80s, which ran on WTBS (before they dropped the "W") was best summed up with some words from the theme song...
"Back in the days of Valentino, we know a maid named Ethyl was so bright and alive. But she was struck down by a trolley, golly; said goodbye in nineteen-twenty-and-five. Ethyl in Heaven awaited patiently to earn her wings and be an angel fancy free. Sixty years later the opportunity to help a family came. Back down to Earth to teach the Prestons lessons -- Richard, Lissy, Dwayne, and J.J. too..."
In an attempt to earn her wings, Ethel is placed with the Preston family, where she acts as maid. Richard Preston, a widower and realtor, is the head of the clan. Duane is the class-conscious teenage son and Lissy is the teenage daughter. The youngest of the Preston clan is J.J., the only one who knows that Ethel is an angel, since she was the answer to his prayers.
Over the years, there were a number of cast changes. First and foremost was ditzy next-door-neighbor Candy Carlyse, who popped in from time to time for comic relief. Initially, angel Mr. Divine watched over Ethel's shenanigans; but soon Mr. Lester Luster replaced him (though he was quickly dropped from the series too). They were later replaced with Jake, Ethel's former fiance (whom she left at the alter), a con-man who wound up turning his life around and becoming an angel. After Jake was dropped from the series, wacky Stanley McCloud watched over Ethel.
It's also notable that this is the second series in which Dick Sergeant replaced a main character (the first being Bewitched). In the first season, Richard Preston was played by Stephen Johnson.
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SUGAR DON'T BITE sung by Sam Harris (1984) Official Motown Music Videoby SamHarrisCOM75,442 views
@KJTV67 He replaced the guy playing the dad
94Bballpat 2 months ago
I'd like to see some episodes of Down to Earth posted on YouTube, that woul be neat to watch classic shows from the 80's here. :)
saints093 4 months ago
I thought Darrin#2 from bewitched was on this show!
KJTV67 4 months ago
trying* ...and thanks.
burrexkeefAGAIN 5 months ago
I've been periodically to find ANY clip from this show for a few years now. Are you the first?
burrexkeefAGAIN 5 months ago
it certainly was catchy and imagining someone who spent 60 years in heaven only to come back to earth in the decade where hair metal bands and what is now known as classic rock were popular no less, not to mention to clothing style change I would expect her to have a nervous breakdown if she went into the city lol
animehunter23 5 months ago
I loved this show on WTBS..... Was unlike anything on Tv before or since.
happels 6 months ago
One of the best TV theme songs ever. I loved that show.
casecrum 6 months ago
Ahh, the days when TV shows actually had theme songs.
MrMcMusic01 6 months ago
Wow... Kyle Richards was in another show besides Little House on the Prairie?
ChakraW 6 months ago