Growing Pains

Approval Rate: 78%

78%Approval ratio

Reviews 47

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  • by

    coggy13

    Fri Jul 30 2010

    This was basically "Family Ties" with Michael J. Fox being replaced by Kirk Cameron. In other words, a middling show. Though it was likeable enough.

  • by

    frankswildyear_s

    Tue Jun 23 2009

    Based on the success of the revived Beverly Hills 90210 series, I understand a re-boot of this series is under development. To bring it up to date it will have a hip new cast and be titled "Osgood-Schlatter Disease".

  • by

    ambercrane

    Thu Oct 16 2008

    HAHA funny.

  • by

    spike65

    Wed Jul 02 2008

    Good family show for the era. Didn't watch it very often but I could watch it without gagging.

  • by

    angryinla

    Wed Jun 25 2008

    I had a crush on Tracy Gold

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    oscargamblesfr_o

    Thu Apr 10 2008

    Forget Cameron Kirke or whatever his name is...at times when, for whatever I feel is a good reason, I'm disappointed in something about my own country, I immediately feel better by thinking of Canada and saying:" Well at least we never produced an Alan Thicke."

  • by

    twansalem

    Sun May 06 2007

    Nothing special, but an entertaining show. I can still watch old reruns of this when nothing else is on.

  • by

    virilevagabond

    Sun Nov 12 2006

    "Growing Pains" was clearly ABC's answer to the success of "Family Ties" on NBC, and the similarities were obvious (e.g. five person household, working parents, smart child v. popular child). Both series quickly started to center around the eldest boy, in this case Mike (Kirk Cameron); however, in some ways "Growing Pains" bettered its rival in that the father (Alan Thicke) provided more balance, the youngest child (Jeremy Miller) was more animated, and the mom (Joanna Kerns) was less robotic. All things considered, this series had a stronger cast. While there was no real edgy storylines, this was a family show and should be measured as such. I will concur with some prior reviewers that the series dropped off dramatically due to Cameron's complaints as a result of his religious conversion and Millers' poor acting as he grew older, ending up with the dreaded "add a kid" to stretch the show's run. (I will also agree that Chelsea Noble was definitely a hottie.)

  • by

    jeremy00081

    Mon Sep 18 2006

    Classic show that was good back then but probably wouldn't be so great if viewed today.

  • by

    badbearduke

    Tue May 16 2006

    Dull as dishwater. I hope Kirks happy at the Jesus network.

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    x_factor_z

    Fri Mar 17 2006

    Up the sappy corn up to a higher level, but Alan thicke actually is not too bad. Kirk cameron, you can see now why he is today's no one religious broadcasting personality next to, of course, Willie Aames.

  • by

    kingguiness

    Wed Mar 01 2006

    I always wanted to be Kirk Cameron.

  • by

    blueorchid

    Mon Feb 06 2006

    I used to watch this show a lot but it's a bit corny. It was a good show for its time though. I once got to see Kirk Cameron at the lake! :)

  • by

    habitat007

    Mon Jan 30 2006

    Did not like it at alll

  • by

    lucasboy

    Fri Jun 10 2005

    Next to Married With Children it's my favorite show of the 80's.

  • by

    mamas_family_sucks

    Thu Dec 30 2004

    Refer to my review for Family Ties. After all, they are the exact same show.

  • by

    jglscd35

    Sun Oct 24 2004

    would rather be stillborn than be related to alan thicke in any way. julie mccullough was majorly hot, but not enough to make me watch regularly.

  • by

    chalky

    Fri Oct 08 2004

    how could you not love a show w/a character named boner stabbone......classic show!!!!!

  • by

    1johndoefan

    Thu Oct 07 2004

    I had a growing pain in my head and skull everytime I had to sit through this garbage. The only reason why I gave it two stars is because I respect the actors for having to play out silly obnoxious rolls.

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    misspackrat4je_sus

    Wed Oct 06 2004

    GP is top-notch entertainment the whole family can enjoy. They just don't make sitcoms this good anymore.

  • by

    capanson

    Fri Sep 03 2004

    Julie McCullough.. mmmmmmmmmm

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    nightbird

    Sat Jul 31 2004

    My mom watched this when she was my age and now i watch it it was funny i sorta think Carol was cute

  • by

    hevensgurl

    Wed Jul 28 2004

    I liked this show growing up I do not know how it would fare now...kind of dated

  • by

    homer930

    Sat Jul 17 2004

    One of the top 5 best family shows of my time. Born in 1971

  • by

    dawnsdinos

    Mon Mar 15 2004

    It was a good show. Not one that I made sure I watched but if I was around I would.

  • by

    melott

    Tue Feb 17 2004

    Jeremy Miller (Ben) got worse as an actor as he got older, and the addition of Chrissy was a bust. Otherwise a pretty good show.

  • by

    kirkcameronfan

    Thu Dec 11 2003

    The best sitcom in the world!!!!!

  • by

    tvtator

    Sun Nov 02 2003

    I liked this show. I was a kid/young teen when it was on and it had Kirk Cameron. He was hot. It was a standard family sitcom. Today some of the storylines may seem cheesy. Alan Thicke is one of the worst actors to hit the screen, but as Jason Seaver he was ok. Joanna Kerns is an ok actress. The worst kid was Chrissy. Why did they ever bring her in? Still as a child of the 80's I can't ignore Growing Pains.

  • by

    jenny_drury

    Tue Aug 12 2003

    This was a good show. I didn't like the Luke episodes. Overall, it was a good show. I think it should be put on N@N and replace at least one of the Cosby episodes.

  • by

    heidikay

    Tue Aug 05 2003

    Another good wholesome, entertaining show. And who couldn't love Kirk Cameron's little smile. Priceless.

  • by

    kailyn

    Sun Jul 13 2003

    At first, I started watching Growing Pains just a couple months ago because i found out Leo was in it. But then his character left the show and Growing Pains started from the first season again. So i watched it a bit and now i'm in love with Kirk Cameron. Actually... kirk Cameron 10 years ago... I heard he's a little TOO christian now. I love the show, it's really great if you get into it and get past Chrissy's annoyingness. Mike's the funniest kid I've ever watched on TV.

  • by

    xguard

    Mon Jun 16 2003

    Growing Pains is my favorite Show EVER!!!! At the beginning I just about DIE when I see Mike in the opening sequence with the lifejacket and then the sunglasses and coat. ^_^ *drools* Anyway I love all the episodes. When Luke came to town the main focus of the episodes were on him and finding his dad and stuff, but those were still good. Ben kinda lost his cuteness as he got older though and he couldn't do the hig-pitched shreak anymore so that was a bummer. I just HATED that little midget kid Chrissie! I wanted to punch the TV screen. But then I would see Mike and Luke and everything would be all better. ^_^

  • by

    rebelyell1861

    Sun May 11 2003

    It had some good episodes

  • by

    ultimatetvfan

    Sat Mar 15 2003

    Excellent show. I have over have the episodes on tape. I do hate Luke though. The show was great till the 7th season. There was only 5 episodes that I liked.

  • by

    heidleehope

    Sun Feb 09 2003

    Growing Pains was one of the best sitcoms ever and it still is...my daughter who is 12 loves it too. Kirk Cameron was a babe, and the trouble and morals alike were worth watching.

  • by

    lukskywlkr

    Thu Jan 09 2003

    This was pretty good at first, but then the kids got older and quit being adorable.

  • by

    red630

    Mon Dec 09 2002

    Ughhhh!

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    scarlet_273

    Tue Nov 26 2002

    It was great!!!!

  • by

    bigwalt_85

    Thu Aug 15 2002

    Pretty funny show. Nice Family. Every show can't be as good as The Cosby Show, though.

  • by

    whitedevil311

    Tue Mar 19 2002

    This show was cool but were the Carol Seaver/Tracey Gold fat jokes necessary? Carol falling through the ceiling while excercising was tasteless.

  • by

    texxb0b2

    Thu Nov 15 2001

    It had its moments - but they were few and far between.

  • by

    loneusfullhous_efan

    Wed Oct 31 2001

    Yet another classic show that I grew up with in the 80s. Mike's crazy antics were hilarious, and it went up about 10 degrees whenever he was with one of his nut case friends Then he grew up and it was Ben's turn to take over Mike's role. I thought he did it very will. I loved this show probably for the same reason I love Full House. It is a clean, decent, family oriented show, and I wish thre were more shows like this.

  • by

    callmetootie

    Thu Apr 05 2001

    Growing Pains was too goofy and corny for me. It's not Brady Bunch corny, it's like really mushy and stupid corny. It did have a few good episodes, but the topics were always about getting someone back together again, and you can't make that funny unless you have Jack Tripper and Janet Wood on the case.

  • by

    samiam

    Fri Nov 03 2000

    Something very disturbing happened to me this past week. I saw a commercial for the "Growing Pains" reunion show and um, well...I got excited. Yes, I know this is pathetic and sad and I don't know what came over me. What can I say, I am a child of the '80s and I grew up with the Seavers. Mike was the cool brother that every guy wanted to be and every girl wanted to date, the brainy Carol had her awkward moments that everyone could relate to and Ben..well, in the beginning, Ben was the adorable little brother, then he just became the epitome of awkwardness with very overpowering eyebrows. So yes, I will be watching the reunion show and revisiting my childhood for a few hours on Sunday night.

  • by

    libbyebf

    Mon Oct 09 2000

    I enjoyed this show. It always made me laugh.

  • by

    shafty

    Wed Aug 30 2000

    Show me that smile again. I can no longer do that when I see a repeat of 'Growing Pains' How did I like this show during its first run through prime time? I can remember one really embarassing episode where the father character sings 'Old Time Rock and Roll' with his son Mike. I wonder if Ben ever ended up getting together with the little blond-haired kid from 'Who's the Boss'. I always had some sort of a thing for the mother on the show, and I was only like 14, kind of weird. Then I had a big thing for the actress who married Mike Seaver on the show, I think they got married in real-life also, he is a lucky guy.

  • by

    wiggum

    Thu Jul 20 2000

    There was only one good thing about this show: Chelsea Noble. Wow. For those of you unfortunate enough not to have taken notice of this woman, she played Mike Seaver's girlfriend and then wife, I think. And I think Kirk Cameron married her in real life, too. How a goofy guy like that - even if he is an actor - gets a woman like Chelsea Noble is beyond me. But I've proven again and again that I don't understand women, so I guess that's not a surprise. Anyway, the show was OK, I guess, but Carol annoyed me, and Ben was just awful. And I'd rather chew on tin foil than watch Alan Thicke smugly spout post-Ward Cleaver-isms.