Generations (American TV series)

Generations
GenreSoap opera
Created bySally Sussman Morina
StarringVarious
Theme music composerMichael Gore
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of episodes470
Production
Running time22–24 minutes
Production companiesOld Forest Hill Productions
NBC Studios
Original release
NetworkNBC
ReleaseMarch 27, 1989 (1989-03-27) –
January 25, 1991 (1991-01-25)

Generations is an American soap opera that aired on NBC in the United States from March 27, 1989, to January 25, 1991, and in Canada, where it ran on CBC Television. Set in Chicago and its suburbs, Generations centers on three generations of two families, one black and one white. The show was groundbreaking in that it was the first soap opera to feature a Black-American family from its inception. During its run, the series received seven Daytime Emmy Awards nominations.

Overview

Generations was promoted as television's first fully integrated daytime soap. It focused on the relationship between two Chicago families: the Whitmores and the Marshalls. Their association began several decades ago when Vivian Potter (Lynn Hamilton) was housekeeper and nanny for Rebecca Whitmore and her three children: Laura (Gail Ramsey), Stephanie (nicknamed Sam) (Kelly Rutherford), and J.D. Vivian's young daughter, Ruth (Joan Pringle) lived with her in the Whitmore mansion.

The series faced difficult time slot and competition opposite The Young and the Restless and was canceled due to low ratings and high production costs on November 22, 1990. The final episode aired on January 25, 1991.

Cast

Ratings

Awards

References

  1. ↑ Hyatt, Wesley (1997). The Encyclopedia of Daytime Television. Watson-Guptill Publications. p. 182. ISBN 978-0823083152. Retrieved March 22, 2020.
  2. ↑ Torchin, Mimi (March 26, 1989). "TELEVISION; Black Family Shares Spotlight in a New Soap Opera" – via NYTimes.com.
  3. ↑ Copeland, Mary Ann (1991). Soap Opera History. Publications International. pp. 150–153. ISBN 0-88176-933-9.
  4. ↑ "Two Networks Announce Mid-Season Changes : Television: NBC cancels 'Generations,' the first daytime soap featuring a black family. CBS drops comedy series 'The Hogan Family.'". Los Angeles Times. November 22, 1990.
  5. 1 2 Mason, Charlie (March 27, 2024). "CBS' New Soap The Gates Owes a Debt of Gratitude to This Soap". Soaps.com. SheKnows. Retrieved October 9, 2026.
  6. ↑ "Nielsen Ratings: Weekly Charts: 1991". Archived from the original on November 8, 2021. Retrieved November 8, 2021.