Michael J. Fox got a lot recognition for his performance on Family Ties, all of it deserved. But I always felt that Michael Gross's comedic brilliance on this show was never properly recognized.
True. I actually think it was an excellent cast all around, in terms of both comedic delivery & their handling of serious topics. Very tight acting. I mean, even Tina Yothers (Jennifer) in her early years, Marc Price (Skippy) were spot on. Brian Bonsall (Andy) was very good for his age. Whoever did casting & the writing did us all a world of good...even though it's unrealistic. TV was an escape for many children who were dealing with serious real-life drama. Even if it didn't do anything to help their situation, most children weren't expecting it to do so. It merely gave them a laugh in the midst of their tough days.
Poor Steven, he thought he could trust his children and they did what they did. It had a Degrassi Vibe to it in the sense that when you do something bad, you pay the price. Remember when Wheels, Joey & Snake had the sleepover when they weren't supposed to, and drove the car and by the time Snake's Parents came home and show what a mess the house was in, they all got into trouble.
It's really a great example of comedic delivery. The facial expression, his cantor, etc. Even Michael J. Fox's response was a great reply. It's one of those lines that stuck with me my whole life.
I love Gross's delivery. His flat and emotionless responses seemed to make it even funnier. One of the many great scenes in this slice of life series. Thanks for posting this.
I’ve always said I thought Don Knots was the greatest actor of all time. But I honestly don’t know if Michael Gross’s acting in this sitcom can be beat. The man is absolutely brilliant! Comic genius!
Michael Gross. Bill Murray, Leslie Nielsen. These guys were masters of cracking jokes with a straight face. More over, I don't know how the rest of the cast kept straight faces working with them. It must have been quite a challenge. 😂
Yeah it’s probably number 1 best scene in the whole 7 season run! There’s a lot of good scenes but this scene…this one is in legendary scene tier. Michael Gross nailed it in this scene, he couldn’t have done any better! This scene cracks me up every time I see it. The scene before it when Steven and Elyse actually get home is gold too. Please folks, while this whole series is well worth your time to watch if you’ve got time for only a few scenes of it make it these two scenes from this episode! One of the best scenes you’ll see in a multi cam sitcom. Easily.
I remember that one too. That was when Gross looked like he was finally going to erupt. I honestly don't know how the cast kept a straight face when filming this, because I was laughing my ass off. 🤣
Dad- there was a kangaroo in my living room Alex- he was just here for the party. Dad- then I guess I’m overreacting. I wish you got at least that last line in. Everybody cuts the scene short and that one was priceless.
I remember seeing this episode when i was 17 in 1986 and i laughed so hard almost wet my pants. 😂 One of my favorite episodes. And when she said "But dad we are your flesh and blood". The look on Steven's face is priceless. He had that look like DON'T REMIND ME ! ! ! 😠😂
I think it's safe to say George McFly wouldn't have gone any easier on Marty and his siblings if he and Lorraine went on a trip, and he then returned home unexpectedly early to find the McFly kids engaging in that party/hotel scheme, complete with the kangaroo in his living room.
Yeah…especially after he set fire to the living room rug when he was 8 years old…but then… as we know…and you’re right…you’re right…but George McFly was just not good at…confrontations!
Sometimes if you haven't watched a show like Family Ties in a while, you tend to remember the corny "perfect family" sitcom with mom and dad both working good jobs (obviously paying enough to afford that mansion of a house in suburban Columbus, OH. Seriously, I'd love a living room as big as Alex's bedroom lol), with the obligatory 3-4 kids going through high school / college, and with a plot with its constant tackling of the day's issues including drugs, alcohol, sex, capitalism, death etc, and sometimes you can forget just how funny the show was. Then you watch it again and can't help but laugh your ass off at how funny it really was and still is.
I still remember the next hilarious line by Stephen Gross, but it always get cut. :( There was a kangaroo... in my living room. He was just here for the party, dad. Then I guess I’m overreacting.
Another part I miss is just before this scene; when the kids discuss how dad won’t even talk to them, and every time he tries to speak he just makes this noise grunting And grabbing the back of his head. The very same thing that Michael Gross does At the very end when Michael J. Fox apologizes to the dad and offered him a handshake showing maturity. So the two moments had perfect bookends tying it together as one complete scene. BUT They often cut This Entire moment out and Start with “If you’ll just let us explain” So Alex’s last line “he’s coming around” Looses some meaning.
Michael J. Fox got a lot recognition for his performance on Family Ties, all of it deserved. But I always felt that Michael Gross's comedic brilliance on this show was never properly recognized.
You're so right!
True. I actually think it was an excellent cast all around, in terms of both comedic delivery & their handling of serious topics. Very tight acting. I mean, even Tina Yothers (Jennifer) in her early years, Marc Price (Skippy) were spot on. Brian Bonsall (Andy) was very good for his age. Whoever did casting & the writing did us all a world of good...even though it's unrealistic. TV was an escape for many children who were dealing with serious real-life drama. Even if it didn't do anything to help their situation, most children weren't expecting it to do so. It merely gave them a laugh in the midst of their tough days.
This is one of the best deliveries of a comedic line ever. I've never forgotten it from the day it first aired.
Me too. "There was a kangaroo..." (laughter) "...in my living room." ROFLMAO 🙂
Me 2 it never left me. Loved it as a kid still do. It still makes me laugh !
@@justinbrockshus8483 “he was just here for the party,dad!” 🤓😎😂🤣
Yep, this always stuck with me from watching as a kid. Also, Tom Hanks drinking vanilla extract.
Poor Steven, he thought he could trust his children and they did what they did. It had a Degrassi Vibe to it in the sense that when you do something bad, you pay the price. Remember when Wheels, Joey & Snake had the sleepover when they weren't supposed to, and drove the car and by the time Snake's Parents came home and show what a mess the house was in, they all got into trouble.
I agree that Michael Grossman was brilliant. Enjoyed every episode he was in. 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
The thing Michael Gross does with his eyes during the slow burn after "that is my plan" just slays me every time!
He’s hilarious!
OMG. Seriously so funny!
"There was a kangaroo.....in my living room....." The look on Steven's face and the pause had me dying from laughing!
😂😂😂❤️
me to mrf :-) I love that part
Yeah, that's what makes it funny, how he says it.
It's really a great example of comedic delivery. The facial expression, his cantor, etc. Even Michael J. Fox's response was a great reply. It's one of those lines that stuck with me my whole life.
😂😂😂he was just here for the party dad
I love Gross's delivery. His flat and emotionless responses seemed to make it even funnier. One of the many great scenes in this slice of life series. Thanks for posting this.
You’re so right! Thanks!
It just feels so real. He wants to explode in anger but that's not his way so he's doing everything he can to appear calm.
One of the most epic lines in 80's television.
No one could've delivered this line better. Years later, I still think of those line and laugh.
@@debrahsmithdaniel3472 Me too!! Lol😂
I’ve always said I thought Don Knots was the greatest actor of all time. But I honestly don’t know if Michael Gross’s acting in this sitcom can be beat. The man is absolutely brilliant! Comic genius!
You're right about both of them!
Classic and unforgettable!
I loved the wit on this show.😂
One of the funniest and most memorable lines in sit com history! Lol.. 😂😂😂
Anyone else here because of Fake Doctors, Real Friends with Zach and Donald?
This scene makes me want to be a comedic actor
Me!
Yes! Lmfaoo
How Michael Gross kept a straight face I'll never know lol
I agree it must have been very difficult! Great acting skills❤️
Michael Gross. Bill Murray, Leslie Nielsen. These guys were masters of cracking jokes with a straight face. More over, I don't know how the rest of the cast kept straight faces working with them. It must have been quite a challenge. 😂
"That is my plan" stuck with me all these decades!
I'm searching for clip when Alex answers the phone "Keaton manor!" This show was so great 😂👌
Family Ties had a lot of great episodes this was the funniest one
alex and mr Keaton had tremendous timing in their comedic lines
best family ties scene ever!!!
Yeah it’s probably number 1 best scene in the whole 7 season run! There’s a lot of good scenes but this scene…this one is in legendary scene tier. Michael Gross nailed it in this scene, he couldn’t have done any better! This scene cracks me up every time I see it. The scene before it when Steven and Elyse actually get home is gold too. Please folks, while this whole series is well worth your time to watch if you’ve got time for only a few scenes of it make it these two scenes from this episode! One of the best scenes you’ll see in a multi cam sitcom. Easily.
@@BhChicagoTVStationhistoriesand Great Comment! I bought the DVD collection of every show. WELL WORTH the money
One of the best line deliveries ever.
the best line was cut off at the end where Steven responds-- "then I'm over-reacting." It was such a solid end to the clip
I remember that one too. That was when Gross looked like he was finally going to erupt. I honestly don't know how the cast kept a straight face when filming this, because I was laughing my ass off. 🤣
Dying laughing🤣😂💜💜⚡️😁
This is my favorite episode and my favorite line 😂😂😂😂
" He was just here for the party, Dad".
“Then I guess I’m overreacting!”
Dad- there was a kangaroo in my living room
Alex- he was just here for the party.
Dad- then I guess I’m overreacting.
I wish you got at least that last line in. Everybody cuts the scene short and that one was priceless.
“That is my plan!!” Lol
It sounds like shakespear or star trek.
This episode still makes me crack up laughing! 😂
Michael is really great i
I remember seeing this episode when i was 17 in 1986 and i laughed so hard almost wet my pants. 😂 One of my favorite episodes. And when she said "But dad we are your flesh and blood". The look on Steven's face is priceless. He had that look like DON'T REMIND ME ! ! ! 😠😂
I guess when Steve was still a hippie he never thought of having a kangaroo in his place.
No but a lot of other "funny stuff" going around the room...LOL.
As good as the whole cast was, I loved Michael Gross as Steven. He was so subtle.
Very true, he was a comic genius!
Happy 71st Michael Gross !!
And Meredith Baxter!! Weren't they both born on 6/21/47?
It's 40 years later and Steven is still mad.
Well,as he said…”that is my plan!”…and iyou would be too if your kids had a kangaroo…in your living room!
"that is my plan"
This tops the episode Getting Greg's Goat on Brady Bunch where Greg hides a goat in the house and it gets loose.
Definitely!!
Totally!
funniest scene ever
I think it's safe to say George McFly wouldn't have gone any easier on Marty and his siblings if he and Lorraine went on a trip, and he then returned home unexpectedly early to find the McFly kids engaging in that party/hotel scheme, complete with the kangaroo in his living room.
Yeah…especially after he set fire to the living room rug when he was 8 years old…but then… as we know…and you’re right…you’re right…but George McFly was just not good at…confrontations!
Sometimes if you haven't watched a show like Family Ties in a while, you tend to remember the corny "perfect family" sitcom with mom and dad both working good jobs (obviously paying enough to afford that mansion of a house in suburban Columbus, OH. Seriously, I'd love a living room as big as Alex's bedroom lol), with the obligatory 3-4 kids going through high school / college, and with a plot with its constant tackling of the day's issues including drugs, alcohol, sex, capitalism, death etc, and sometimes you can forget just how funny the show was. Then you watch it again and can't help but laugh your ass off at how funny it really was and still is.
Very true!
😊😊
I still remember the next hilarious line by Stephen Gross, but it always get cut. :(
There was a kangaroo... in my living room.
He was just here for the party, dad.
Then I guess I’m overreacting.
Yes, it's his delivery, he's so hilarious and has perfect timing!
That is my plan. Lmao
There was a kangaroo in my living room...
Not a sentence you hear everyday. XD
@@alann5003 If you're not familiar w/the show, you'd think someone was on a major drug trip :)
“He was just here for the party,dad”
Another part I miss is just before this scene; when the kids discuss how dad won’t even talk to them, and every time he tries to speak he just makes this noise grunting And grabbing the back of his head. The very same thing that Michael Gross does At the very end when Michael J. Fox apologizes to the dad and offered him a handshake showing maturity. So the two moments had perfect bookends tying it together as one complete scene. BUT They often cut This Entire moment out and Start with “If you’ll just let us explain” So Alex’s last line “he’s coming around” Looses some meaning.
Yes! I hate when they ruin shows by cutting stuff out!
Now that it’s been thirty years I wonder if Steven Keaton would still have that reaction now😅
If this was my father I would have stayed out of his face...
How would Mike Heck handle a kangaroo in his house?
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