The McLean Stevenson Show

Genre	Sitcom
Created by	Norman Barasch Carroll Moore
Directed by	Alan Myerson
Starring	McLean Stevenson Barbara Stuart
Theme music composer	Paul Williams^[1]
Country of origin	United States
Original language	English
No. of seasons	1
No. of episodes	12 (2 unaired)
Production
Executive producer	Monty Hall
Producers	Arnold Margolin Don Van Atta
Running time	30 minutes
Production companies	McLean Stevenson Enterprises, Inc. Monty Hall Enterprises, Inc.
Original release
Network	NBC
Release	December 1, 1976 (1976-12-01) – March 23, 1977 (1977-03-23)

The McLean Stevenson Show is an American sitcom that aired on NBC on Wednesday nights from December 1, 1976, to March 23, 1977.

Premise

The series centered on Mac Ferguson, the owner of a hardware store in Evanston, Illinois (McLean Stevenson's birth state). Mac lived with his wife Peggy and two grown children, divorced daughter Janet, and son Chris. Also living in the household were Janet's two children, David and Jason, and Mac's mother-in-law.

Cast

McLean Stevenson as Mac Ferguson
Barbara Stuart as Peggy Ferguson
Madge West as Grandma Ferguson
Ayn Ruymen as Janet Ferguson
Andrew Parks as Chris Ferguson (eps 1–4)^[2]
Steve Nevil as Chris Ferguson (eps 5–12)^[2]
David Hollander as David
Jason Whitney as Jason

Background and production

McLean Stevenson left M*A*S*H in March 1975. He was signed to a one-year contract by NBC after doing so. A variety show he hosted in November of that year was not successful. Stevenson was approached in the spring of 1976 with an idea for a sitcom. Mac Ferguson, a hardware store owner, was framed as a nice guy, assailed on all sides, a man caught in the middle, and a chronic victim of circumstances – similar to the character he played as Lt. Col. Henry Blake in M*A*S*H.^[3]

The first seven episodes were taped, with the cast and production staff expecting the series to begin airing in January 1977. Then, some of the NBC program executives changed out, and it was insisted that one of the primary actors be replaced. Shortly after this, the premiere date was moved up from January to December 1.^[3]

As Stevenson explained, "They scrapped the first seven episodes and started from scratch...We've been working morning noon and night ever since. The minute we finish a show it's on the air. We're running as fast as we can. Nobody knows when or if we'll ever catch up."^[3]

The series was cancelled for the first time in mid-January 1977, and it was announced it would be replaced on February 9.^[4] As Barbara Stuart explained, while a swan song party was underway for the cast and crew, word came through that The McLean Stevenson Show had instead been spared. "You would have expected us to start jumping up and down with excitement, but we all just sat there – probably because we'd all been through so much, we just couldn't get emotional about it any more."^[5]

Theme music

The theme music was composed and performed by Paul Williams.^[6]

Episodes

No.	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original air date
1	"Who Do You Trust?"	Alan Myerson	Story by : Mark Evanier & Dennis Palumbo Teleplay by : Lloyd Garver	December 1, 1976 (1976-12-01)
Mac arrives home after a day's work to find a burglar, whose pregnant wife is outside, robbing his house.
2	"Oldie But Goodie"	Unknown	Unknown	December 8, 1976 (1976-12-08)
Mac discovers that his daughter is developing a relationship with an older man.
3	"Going My Way"	Bill Hobin	Bill Idelson	December 22, 1976 (1976-12-22)
Chris meets a friend who wants to become a priest. Janet and her boys bring a Yorkshire Terrier home.
4	"Mac's Fatal Charm"	Unknown	Unknown	December 29, 1976 (1976-12-29)
A friend of Janet's, divorced, makes a play for Mac.
5	"The Great Rift"	Unknown	Unknown	January 19, 1977 (1977-01-19)
Mac refuses to attend group therapy sessions that Peggy wants him to attend to "add sparkle to their lives".
6	"Janet Leaves Home"	Unknown	Unknown	January 26, 1977 (1977-01-26)
Janet leaves the Ferguson home, then entertains Mac and Peggy in her new living arrangements.
7	"Mac and Big Mac"	Unknown	Unknown	February 9, 1977 (1977-02-09)
Mac's father visits, a visit which threatens to become a permanent living arrangement. He then tries to reorganize his son's hardware store.
8	"What Makes Mac Run?"	Unknown	Unknown	February 16, 1977 (1977-02-16)
Mac considers running for city council. Two ladies from a city council screening committee come to interview him.
9	"Grandma's Secret"	Unknown	Unknown	February 23, 1977 (1977-02-23)
Grandma Ferguson announces that she's engaged to be married. Mac is delighted, believing this means she'll soon move out.
10	"Money Troubles"	Unknown	Unknown	March 2, 1977 (1977-03-02)
The family faces financial problems. Janet gets a job as a cocktail waitress.
11	"Strangers in the Night"	Unknown	Unknown	March 9, 1977 (1977-03-09)
Mac and Peggy plan a private anniversary party at home, until two unexpected guests drop in.
12	"Say It Isn't So"	Unknown	Unknown	March 23, 1977 (1977-03-23)
Peggy announces to the family that she may be pregnant.

Sources disagree on how many episodes were aired after the first ten;^[7] however, numerous contemporary newspaper sources suggest that the last two episodes of the series were aired on March 9, and March 23, respectively.

Reception

It was hoped that Stevenson's popularity on M*A*S*H would draw viewers in, but the actor's first starring vehicle failed to find an audience and was cancelled after three months.