Karen (1964 TV series)

"Karen" is sitcom that starred Debbie Watson in the title role of 16-year-old Karen Scott and Gina Gillespie as the tomboyish little sister Mimi. The series centers on the social life of Karen and the antics of Mimi as they often confounded their parents (played by Richard Denning and Mary LaRoche).

Produced by Kayro-Vue/Universal, 27 black-and-white half-hour episodes were aired on NBC from October 5, 1964 to August 30, 1965. The series was directed by Earl Bellamy.

The show was one of three 30-minute sitcoms broadcast Monday nights under the umbrella title "90 Bristol Court" (the other two were "Harris Against the World" and "Tom, Dick and Mary"). Despite all three shows being set at the Southern California apartment complex, the only other connection the three series had was the character of handyman Cliff Murdoch (portrayed by Guy Raymond, who greeted the residents and visitors to 90 Bristol Court. After "Harris Against the World" and "Tom, Dick and Mary" aired their last episodes on January 4, 1965, "90 Bristol Court" ceased to be a programming entity, and handyman Murdoch disappeared from "Karen" as well.

"Karen" lasted the entire 1964-1965 television season, but was not renewed by NBC for 1965-1966. The last episode was repeated on August 30, 1965.

Episodes

* Karen (10/5/1964) - pilot episode
* Surfer's Aide (10/12/1964)
* The Wig (10/19/1964)
* Home, James (10/26/1964)
* No Boys Allowed (11/2/1964)
* Beethoven or Baseball (11/9/1964)
* Father-Daughter Dance (11/16/1964)
* Karen's Simplicity Complex (11/23/1964)
* Teacher's Romance (12/7/1964)
* Hollywood Hound (12/4/1964)
* The Infernal Triangle (12/28/1964)
* New Year's Eve (1/4/1965)
* Good Neighbor Policy (1/11/1965)
* The Formal (1/18/1965)
* Karen Robs the Cradle (1/25/1965)
* Avery's Coming (2/1/1965)
* Who's Seymour? (2/8/1965)
* Young at Heart (2/15/1965)
* Holiday in Ski Valley (2/22/1965)
* Civic Duty (3/1/1965)
* The Karen Babysitter (3/8/1965)
* Sergeant Grandma (3/15/1965)
* Substitute Father (3/22/1965)
* Big Bad Jim (3/29/1965)
* The Beverly Beat (4/5/1965)
* The Understudy (4/12/1965)
* Mimi's First Love (4/19/65)

Main cast

* Karen Scott — Debbie Watson
* Steve Scott — Richard Denning
* Barbara Scott — Mary La Roche
* Mimi Scott — Gina Gillespie

Theme song

* "Karen" performed by the Beach Boys

References

*imdb title|id=0057760|title=Karen
*Tim Brooks and Earle Marsh, "The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows, 1946-Present" (2003) ISBN 0-345-45542-6
*"TV Guide Guide to TV 2006" (2006) ISBN 0-7607-7572-9