Bustin' Loose
GenreSitcom
Written by
  • Cindy Begel
  • Lesa Kite
  • Daryl Nickens
  • Lisa Medway
  • Chuck Tately
  • Kevin White
Directed by
Starring
Theme music composer
  • Ron Boustead
  • Greg Poree
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes26
Production
Executive producerTopper Carew
Producers
EditorMike Gavaldon
Running time22–24 minutes
Production companyUniversal Television
Original release
NetworkSyndication
ReleaseSeptember 19, 1987 (1987-09-19) 
May 28, 1988 (1988-05-28)
Related
Bustin' Loose (film)

Bustin' Loose is an American sitcom starring Jimmie Walker based on the 1981 film of the same name. The show ran in first-run syndication from September 19, 1987, to May 28, 1988.[1]

Synopsis

Jimmie Walker stars as Sonny Barnes, a former con artist, who has been caught by the authorities and sentenced to five years of community service. He is placed in the home of social worker Mimi Shaw (Vonetta McGee), who lives with four orphans: Rudey (Larry O. Williams, Jr.), Trish (Tyren Perry), Nikky (Aaron Lohr), and Sue Anne (Marie Cole). Sonny lives in the basement and works around the house doing odd jobs. Meanwhile, the kids all love listening to Sonny's often exaggerated tales.[2]

Cast

  • Jimmie Walker – Sonny Barnes
  • Vonetta McGee – Mimi Shaw
  • Aaron Lohr – Nikky Robinson
  • Tyren Perry – Trish Reagan
  • Marie Cole – Sus Ann Taylor
  • Larry O. Williams, Jr. – Rudey Butler

Episodes

No. Title Directed by Written by Original air date
1"The First Day of the Rest of My Life"UnknownUnknownSeptember 19, 1987 (1987-09-19)
Mimi decides that Sonny is a poor role model for the kids when they neglect their chores to listen to his colorful stories.
2"The Baby"UnknownUnknownSeptember 26, 1987 (1987-09-26)
Mimi's widowed friend is pregnant and determined to give up the baby, but when she goes into labor at Mimi's house the gang conspires to change her mind.
3"Turn Around"UnknownUnknownOctober 3, 1987 (1987-10-03)
A rough day leaves Mimi unable to deal with the children's demands so Sonny steps in and handles their problems expertly much to her surprise.
4"Cold Water Blues"UnknownUnknownOctober 10, 1987 (1987-10-10)
Sonny uses mind over muscle to get "Honest Pete" the plumber to fix the water heater.
5"Homeless, Sweet Homeless"UnknownUnknownOctober 17, 1987 (1987-10-17)
The children helps a homeless man who helps himself to Sonny's clothes, then makes a unique contribution to the family garage sale.
6"Sisters"UnknownUnknownOctober 24, 1987 (1987-10-24)
Mimi plans a fun-filled but inexpensive party for Sue Anne, but her well to do sister (Margaret Avery) turns it into a lavish gala.
7"Go for the Gold"UnknownUnknownOctober 31, 1987 (1987-10-31)
Sonny trains Rudy for the "Special Games" and regaling the teen with tales of his days as an athlete. Kareem Abdul Jabbar guest stars
8"Wet Weather Ahead"UnknownUnknownNovember 7, 1987 (1987-11-07)
Sonny helps one of the boys overcome a bed wetting problem, Mimi helps Sonny and Trish deal with their fear of rodents.
9"I Paint What I See"UnknownUnknownNovember 14, 1987 (1987-11-14)
Sue Anne creates a painting of her neighborhood for the third grade art show, but the school's art director won't allow her to submit it. Little Richard and Bern Nadette Stanis guest star
10"Rain, Rain, Go Away"UnknownUnknownNovember 21, 1987 (1987-11-21)
When the children finds the money, Sonny wants to use the cash to fix the leaky roof, but Mimi wants to turn the money over to the police.
11"Seems Like Old Times"UnknownUnknownNovember 28, 1987 (1987-11-28)
The household is disrupted by a visit from Sonny's old buddy Satin who reacts violently when Rudy discovers a secret that Satin's been keeping.
12"Words of Wisdom"UnknownUnknownDecember 5, 1987 (1987-12-05)
Sonny is named a finalist in a slogan writing contest, but it was Nicky who submitted the entry in Sonny's name.
13"The Kindest Cut"UnknownUnknownJanuary 30, 1988 (1988-01-30)
Rudy and Sonny both have sore throats, but hey are reluctant to follow the doctor's orders when he prescribes a tonsillectomy for both of them. Dick Anthony Williams guest star.
14"Doo Wop"UnknownUnknownFebruary 6, 1988 (1988-02-06)
Sonny may have promised more than he can deliver when he assures Mimi that legendary soul singer Calvin James will perform at a fund raiser.
15"Oh, Big Brother"Arlando SmithRichard W. BaxterFebruary 13, 1988 (1988-02-13)
Rudy feels neglected when Sonny spends all his time earning money for a trip to Jamaica, Sue Anne's teacher has the cure for Sue Anne's sudden illness.
16"Scammed Straight"Marlena LairdGordon MitchellFebruary 20, 1988 (1988-02-20)
When Rudy has difficulty earning the money to go on a class trip, Sonny makes the mistake of telling Rudy how he raised cash in his youth.
17"The Grass Isn't Greener"Arlando SmithSara V. Finney & Vida SpearsFebruary 27, 1988 (1988-02-27)
Trish hopes to make a good impression at her wealthy friend's country club and Sonny hopes to make a good fortune with a skin cream scheme.
18"Snow Place Like Home"UnknownUnknownMarch 5, 1988 (1988-03-05)
When Mimi and Sonny are stranded in a snowstorm, The children call the police to report them kidnapped so that the search will began immediately.
19"The Parent Trap"UnknownUnknownApril 9, 1988 (1988-04-09)
Rudy is ambient about the news that his mother is coming to take him home with her, Sonny has a toothache but is reluctant to go to the dentist. Little Richard guest stars
20"The Gang's All Here"UnknownUnknownApril 16, 1988 (1988-04-16)
Rudy is excited about gaining membership to a new club called The Dragons and Mimi suspects that the club may actually be a gang.
21"I Am Woman"UnknownUnknownApril 23, 1988 (1988-04-23)
Trish resents Mimi's interference in her plan to impress a boy and Sonny recruits Rudy and Nicky to work on his fast food truck.
22"Nostalgia Ain't What It Used to Be"UnknownUnknownApril 30, 1988 (1988-04-30)
Sonny's not laughing when he finds out that Nicky has sold a rare and valuable comic book for five dollars.
23"Rudeo and Tricia-ette"UnknownUnknownMay 7, 1988 (1988-05-07)
Trish saves Rudy's life and a grateful Rudy decides he's in love with her.
24"It's a Great Big Wonderful World"UnknownUnknownMay 14, 1988 (1988-05-14)
The house is rife with tensions represent various countries in a school project.
25"What's a Nice Girl Like You ...?"Bob LallyRon FriedmanMay 21, 1988 (1988-05-21)
Sonny brings home a young woman (Irene Cara) who claims to be an aspiring singer, but turns out to be a gun toting robber.
26"It's a Pizza Cake"UnknownUnknownMay 28, 1988 (1988-05-28)
Sonny wins over the children when he outsmarts the cranky owner of a pizza parlor.

Award nominations

Year Award Result Category Recipient
1988Young Artist AwardsNominatedThe Most Promising New Fall Television Series
-
Outstanding Young Actors/Actresses Ensemble in Television or Motion PictureMarie Cole, Aaron Lohr, Tyren Perry, and Larry O. Williams, Jr.

Stations

City Station
Appleton WXGZ 32[3]
Atlanta WGNX 46[4]
Baltimore WNUV 54
Chicago WGN 9[5]
Detroit WXON 20[6]
Los Angeles KTLA 5[7][8]

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

WVTV 18
New York WPIX 11[9]
Philadelphia WPHL 17[10][11]
Portland KPDX 49[12]
Richmond WVRN 63[13]
Tacoma KSTW 11
Washington, D.C. WFTY 50[14]
Waterbury WTXX 20[15]
York WPMT 43[16]

References

  1. "Television Obscurities – The Syndicated Season: 1987–1988". tvobscurities.com. 2005-02-15. Retrieved 13 June 2010.
  2. Sonny Barnes is a small-time scam artist with a big mouth who, after a run-in with the law, is ordered to help a social worker raise four foster children of varying ages. Loosely based on the 1981 Richard Pryor movie.
  3. "Retro: Northern Wisconsin, Sat. July 9th, 1988". Radio Discussions. February 1, 2018.
  4. "Who aired what where: Lesser-known syndicated shows". Radio Discussions. August 15, 2014.
  5. "Retro: Yakima, WA; Sat. September 19th, 1987". Radio Discussions. June 30, 2016.
  6. "Retro: Detroit, Sun. July 31st, 1988". Radio Discussions. October 15, 2016.
  7. KTLA Comedy Preview Promo #2 9/14/87 on YouTube
  8. KTLA Comedy Preview Promo 1987 on YouTube
  9. "Retro: New York Metro - Saturday, August 13, 1988". Radio Discussions. April 11, 2010.
  10. September 18, 1987 WPHL-17 (Philadelphia) commercials on YouTube
  11. October 15, 1987 commercials on YouTube
  12. "Retro: Portland, OR, Sat. October 24th, 1987". Radio Discussions. September 15, 2012.
  13. May 6, 1988 Commercial Breaks – WVRN (Ind., Richmond) on YouTube
  14. WFTY commercials (Week of December 13, 1987) on YouTube
  15. "The Syndicated Season 1987-1988". Television Obscurities. February 1, 2004. Retrieved November 15, 2019.
  16. "Retro: Reading/Philadelphia, Sunday, July 3, 1988". Radio Discussions. May 31, 2018.
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