Empty Nest was a sitcom that aired on NBC from 1988 to 1995, spanning seven seasons with 170 episodes. A spin-off of The Golden Girls, the show followed Dr. Harry Weston (Richard Mulligan), a widowed pediatrician living in Miami with his two adult daughters, Carol (Dinah Manoff) and Barbara (Kristy McNichol), who frequently moved in and out of his home. Their quirky neighbor, Charley (David Leisure), often provided comic relief, while Harry's loyal dog, Dreyfuss, became a fan favorite. The show balanced humor with heartfelt moments, exploring themes of family, relationships, and adjusting to life’s changes.
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Here are five little-known facts about Empty Nest:
It Was Originally About a Couple – The original concept for Empty Nest focused on a couple dealing with their kids leaving home. A pilot featuring different actors aired as part of The Golden Girls, but NBC reworked the idea into a show about a widowed doctor instead.
Kristy McNichol Left Due to Health Issues – Kristy McNichol, who played Barbara Weston, left the show in Season 5 due to struggles with bipolar disorder. She briefly returned for the final episode.
David Leisure’s Character Was Almost Cut – Charley Dietz, the womanizing neighbor played by David Leisure, was initially a minor role. However, his comedic performance made him a fan favorite, leading to an expanded presence on the show.
Dreyfuss Won an Award – Bear, the dog who played Dreyfuss, was so beloved that he won a PATSY Award, which honors animal performances in film and television.
It Had a Short-Lived Spin-Off – Empty Nest led to the spin-off Nurses (1991-1994), which focused on the staff at a Miami hospital. Richard Mulligan and other Empty Nest characters occasionally made crossover appearances.
Nurses was a sitcom that aired on NBC from 1991 to 1994, focusing on the lives and comedic struggles of the staff at a Miami hospital. A spin-off of Empty Nest, it featured crossover appearances from Empty Nest and The Golden Girls, blending workplace humor with heartfelt moments. Watch full series use ☰ to select/change episode. There are 4 ad videos and end of this playlist
The main cast of Nurses included Stephanie Hodge (Sandy Miller), Arnetia Walker (Annie Roland), Mary Jo Keenen (Julie Milbury), Jeff Altman (Greg Vincent), Florence Stanley (Margaret Hollingsworth), and Carlos Lacámara (Paco Ortiz). In later seasons, David Rasche (Dr. Jack Trenton) and Loni Anderson (Casey MacAfee) joined, replacing departing cast members.