With Roots, proved Americans would schedule life around multi-night novel epics.
Why it matters
Episode guide
34 episodes across 2 seasons — titles, air dates, and synopses.
At a glance
Two brothers take opposite paths through postwar America in a sprawling adaptation of Irwin Shaw's bestseller.
Network & studio
- ABC — broadcast network
Why watch now
Watch for the cultural DNA of the 1970s — and the star power that made living rooms feel like red carpets.
Cultural impact
With Roots, proved Americans would schedule life around multi-night novel epics.
Creators
Dean Riesner
Key cast
- Peter Strauss as Rudy Jordache
- Nick Nolte as Tom Jordache
- Susan Blakely as Julie Prescott
- Edward Asner as Axel Jordache
Flash facts
- Hugely rated 1976 ABC Novel for Television.
- Nick Nolte became a star; Asner won another Emmy.
- Helped ignite the 1970s–80s miniseries boom.
FAQ
What network aired Rich Man, Poor Man?
Rich Man, Poor Man is associated with ABC (1976).
Why is Rich Man, Poor Man in the TV Flash top 100 for the 1970s?
With Roots, proved Americans would schedule life around multi-night novel epics.
Who are the key names behind Rich Man, Poor Man?
Creators and principals include Dean Riesner.
Official & further reading
External sites for further reading — TV Flash is not affiliated with these networks or studios.
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