The Kids Are Alright: ABC Orders ’70s Family Comedy with Walking Dead and West Wing Alum

(ABC / Tony Rivetti)

Cue The Who. ABC has ordered The Kids Are Alright TV show to series. In a day overwhelmed by cancellations and renewals, there were also a few new programs greenlit today. This one hails from ABC Studios. Writer Tim Doyle is executive producing, and the sitcom is inspired by his childhood.

A 1970s comedy, The Kids Are Alright centers on the Irish-Catholic Cleary family. The Walking Dead‘s Michael Cudlitz and The West Wing‘s Mary McCormack star as Mike and Peggy Cleary. These parents of eight sons are just trying to get through the day in a working-class neighborhood near Los Angeles.   

The ABC cast also includes Sam Straley as Lawrence, Caleb Martin Foote as Eddie, Sawyer Barth as Frank, Christopher Paul Richards as Joey, Jack Gore as Timmy, Andy Walken as William, and Santino Barnard as Pat. Yes, that’s only seven, but we didn’t write up the ABC website copy. Kennedy Lea Slocum is also listed in the main cast, but no word is yet available on which character she’ll play.

Here’s more from the ABC press release.

THE KIDS ARE ALRIGHT

Set in the 1970s, this ensemble comedy follows a traditional Irish-Catholic family, The Clearys, as they navigate changes big and small during one of America’s most turbulent decades. In a working-class neighborhood outside Los Angeles, Mike (strong, silent dad played by Michael Cudlitz) and Peggy (overbearing mom played by Mary McCormack) raise eight boisterous boys who live out their days with little supervision. The household is turned upside down when oldest son, Lawrence, returns home and announces he’s quitting the seminary to go off and “save the world.” Times are changing and this family will never be the same. Ten people, three bedrooms, one bathroom, and everyone in it for themselves. Inspired by the childhood of writer/executive producer Tim Doyle.

Cast & Credits

Cast
Michael Cudlitz
Mary McCormack
Sam Straley
Caleb Martin Foote
Sawyer Barth
Christopher Paul Richards
Jack Gore
Andy Walken
Santino Barnard
Kennedy Lea Slocum

Writer/Executive Producer
Tim Doyle

Production Company
ABC STUDIOS

What do you think? How do you like the sound of The Kids Are Alright TV series? Do you plan to check out the first season when it premieres on ABC?