| Show description from "Prime Time Network Serials" by Bruce B. Morris, published by McFarland and Co., 1997. Homefront Created by former Knots Landing producers Lynn Marie Latham and Bernard Lechowick, Homefront focused on three families from different backgrounds in the late 1940s. Set in the fictional town of River Run, Ohio, the series opened at the end of World War II with soldiers coming home and each family awaiting a loved one's return. The Sloans, Mike Sr. and Ruth, were the wealthy couple who owned the local factory responsible for making tank parts used in the war. However, when the war ended they changed to making auto parts. They wer expecting the return of their only son, Mike Jr., but learned that he had been killed in action overseas. Instead, they gave a less than warm welcome to his Italian war bride, Gina, who later gave birth to their only grandchild. Anne Metcalf was the widowed head of the Metcalf household and mother to three grown children: Hank, Linda and Jeff. Hank was the eldest, who, after returning from combat in Europe, was eager to be reunited with his girlfriend Sarah Brewer. Hank returned to discover his younger brother Jeff had become romantically involved with Sarah in his absence. Linda, Anne's only daughter, worked at the Sloan plant and resented giving up her job for returning GIs like her mother did. Through much persistance she would eventually get her job back. Linda's friend Ginger Szabo, like others, was also awaiting her boyfriend Charlie Hailey's return, only to find out he came back married to a British war-bride, Caroline. Abe and Gloria Davis were the hard-working African-American couple who were employed by the Sloans. Abe was the Sloan chauffeur, while Gloria was their housekeeper. Returning from the was was their son Robert, who received numerous commendations while serving. However, he was unprepared for the many prejudices that still existed against black people when he returned home. While Homefront received much critical praise, the ratings were less than encouraging. That seemed to be typical of three series that were broadcast during the 1991-92 television season: Homefront (ABC), Brooklyn Bridge (CBS), and I'll Fly Away (NBC). While Homefront dealt with the 1940s, the latter two series took place in the 1950s, giving network programmers the impression that viewers did not want those type of shows. For the 1991-92 season Homefront ranked 67th out of 132 shows, making it a borderline series for renewal or cancellation. While ABC was in the process of arranging their fall 1992 television schedule, the April 11, 1992, issue of TV Guide ran an S.O.S (Save Our Shows) campaign to save five shows on the verge of being cancelled. Homefront, Brooklyn Bridge, and I'll Fly Away were on the ballot, while ABC's Civil Wars and FOX's Herman's Head were the other two shows. Using a special (reduced rate) 900 line, callers were able to vote to keep their favorite show on the air. Out of the five shows up for renewal, Homefront received the most votes, 99 591, and consequently was renewed, along with the other shows. Even Abigail Van Buren ("Dear Abby"), a big fan of Homefront, got into the act by writing a whole column dedicated to Homefront and urging fans to write to the network to save the show. Proving no more successful in its second season, Homefront was moved around ABC's schedule numerous times before being cancelled at the end of the 1992-93 season. |
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