BAXTERS, THE {PILOT} (TV)
Summary
One in this interactive drama series focusing on the Baxter family and featuring audience conversation about the societal topics depicted within. Creator and writer Norman Lear explains that the show, like his other series "All in the Family" and "The Jeffersons," will examine real-life problems faced by many families through drama sketches, and will then shift to talk show-like conversations in which audience members can weigh in on the scenes. In this episode, little sister Rachel is annoyed by Naomi's extensive makeout session with her boyfriend, Mickey. Their parents Fred and Nancy return home from a weekend away, and the girls quickly realize that their father is cheerfully inebriated. In their bedroom, Fred aggressively flirts with Nancy, but she repeatedly rebuffs him and attempts to talk about the weekend's disappointing sales convention. She explains that he made her feel used when he drank excessively and initiated sex with her over the past few days, suggesting that he "drinks to forget" about his unhappy career situation and mistreats her as a result. Frank grows angry and becomes physically rough with his wife despite her protests, and the scene closes suggesting that he may attempt to force sex on her.
Lear then prompts the studio audience to discuss the scene, and the conversation touches on such topics as: why marital rape is more "socially acceptable" than overt violence; whether marriage comes with "implied consent" for sex; whether or not Nancy should have "submitted" to Frank's advances in the moment and then addressed the matter later when he was sober; the couple's clear need for counseling; the intersection of sex and power in a relationship; Nancy's personal rights and her attempts to reach Frank emotionally, if not physically; and the importance of openly addressing taboo, oft-ignored subjects like spousal rape. Commercials deleted.
Details
- NETWORK: Syndicated
- DATE: August 31, 1979
- RUNNING TIME: 0:28:15
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: B:40399
- GENRE: Drama
- SUBJECT HEADING: Drama; Marriage; Audience conversation
- SERIES RUN: Syndication - TV series, 1979-1981
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Norman Lear … Executive Producer, Writer, Host
- Fern Field … Producer
- Richard J. Clayman … Associate Producer
- Marlena Laird … Director
- Hubert Jessup … Based on the series created by
- Larry Keith … Cast, Fred Baxter
- Rue McClanahan … Cast, Nancy Baxter
- Olivia Barash … Cast, Rachel Baxter
- Derin Altay … Cast, Naomi Baxter
- Paul Regina … Cast, Mickey