Family Ties was one of the most successful TV comedies during the 80s. It's
gimmick was the flower power children of the 60s who met at Woodstock got
married and raised a family. And their first born was a born again Reagan Republican. Michael J. Fox reached stardom playing Alex P. Keaton teenage
Republican, but he certainly had teenage hormones.
Parents Michael Gross and Meredith Baxter were indulgent if sometimes exasperated by this conservative that they've raised. There were two other
kids. Justine Bateman who had not a political thought in her head, just
simply concentrated on boys and keeping up with the latest fashion and Tina
Yothers who before puberty was a tomboy of sorts, but had really grown out
of that when the show ended its run.
Fox was the main reason this show had the run it did. It was just acting in
terms of Alex Keaton and Michael J. Fox being one and the same. His views
in real life were not Reaganesque, but in terms of keeping out of scandal
sheets Fox led a conservative lifestyle.
Sadly enough we also know of the premature Parkinson's Disease diagnosis
which cut his career short. I remember my grandmother having that and well
remember her tremors. Only rarely does it affect the young and Michael J.
Fox was that rare and tragic exception.
Family Ties is set firmly in the Reagan years. I wonder how a middle aged
Alex Keaton feels about the current administration.
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