Party of Five

Network: FOX
Episodes: 142 (hour)
Seasons: Six

TV show dates: September 12, 1994 — May 3, 2000
Series status: Cancelled/ended

Performers include: Scott Wolf, Matthew Fox, Neve Campbell, Lacey Chabert, Scott Grimes, Paula Devicq, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Jeremy London, Jennifer Aspen, Michael Goorjian and Alexondra Lee.

TV show description:
When Nick and Diana Salinger are killed in a car accident by a drunk driver, their 24-year-old son, irresponsible Charlie (Matthew Fox), becomes both father and brother to his four younger siblings; athletic 16-year-old Bailey (Scott Wolf), sensitive 15-year-old Julia (Neve Campbell), brainy 11-year-old Claudia (Lacey Chabert), and infant Owen (Brandon and Taylor Porter, later Andrew and Steven Cavarno, then Jacob Smith).

Life in their San Francisco home is nothing short of chaotic, especially when nanny Mrs. Kelleher (Maxine Miller) suddenly quits. But all is not lost as beautiful graduate student Kirsten Bennett (Paula Devicq) is soon hired to help take care of the younger siblings. Charlie and Kirsten hit it off but he has a tough time keeping both the household and the family restaurant going.

High schoolers Bailey and Julia still have a lot to learn in life and love and do so while wishing they had the guidance of their mother and father. Bailey’s longest relationship are with Jill (Megan Ward) and then, with Sarah Reeves (Jennifer Love Hewitt). Julia spends much of high school in turmoil between two boyfriends, Justin Thompson (Michael Goorjian) and Griffin Holbrook (Jeremy London). Younger sister and brilliant violinist Claudia longs for her parents as she faces her most turbulent years as an adolescent.

While the family tackles relationship problems, they must also deal with the adult world they’ve suddenly been thrust into by paying bills, handling a mortgage, and trying to keep their father’s restaurant afloat. But thankfully, in this party of five, none of them have to go it alone.