Black woman lead multi-cam with musical breaks and found-family warmth.
Why it matters
Episode guide
137 episodes across 6 seasons — titles, air dates, and synopses.
At a glance
Nell helps raise a widowed chief's daughters while running the household her way.
Network & studio
- NBC — broadcast network
- Universal Television — production studio
- Alan Landsburg Productions — production studio
Why watch now
Watch for the cultural DNA of the 1980s — and the star power that made living rooms feel like red carpets.
Cultural impact
Black woman lead multi-cam with musical breaks and found-family warmth.
Creators
Mort Lachman · Sy Rosen
Key cast
- Nell Carter as Nell Harper
- Dolph Sweet as Carl Kanisky
- Lara Jill Miller as Samantha Kanisky
- Kari Michaelsen as Katie Kanisky
Flash facts
- NBC (1981–1987).
- Nell Carter star vehicle.
- Blended sitcom with musical numbers.
- Working woman as family center.
FAQ
What network aired Gimme a Break!?
Gimme a Break! is associated with NBC (1981–1987).
Why is Gimme a Break! in the TV Flash top 100 for the 1980s?
Black woman lead multi-cam with musical breaks and found-family warmth.
Who are the key names behind Gimme a Break!?
Creators and principals include Mort Lachman, Sy Rosen.
Official & further reading
External sites for further reading — TV Flash is not affiliated with these networks or studios.
Back to the decade
More from the 1980s — Glitz, Soaps & Nighttime Neon. All shows.
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