Hearts Afire

This article is about the sitcom. For the song by Earth, Wind & Fire, see That's the Way of the World (Earth, Wind & Fire song). For the unrelated film, see Hearts in Exile (1915 film).
Not to be confused with Hearts of Fire.
Hearts Afire
GenreSitcom
Created byLinda Bloodworth-Thomason
Starring
ComposerBruce Miller
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons3
No. of episodes54 (1 unaired)
Production
Camera setupMulti-camera
Running time30 minutes
Production companiesBloodworth-Thomason
Mozark Productions
Adam Productions
Original release
NetworkCBS
ReleaseSeptember 14, 1992 (1992-09-14) –
February 1, 1995 (1995-02-01)

Hearts Afire is an American television sitcom created by Linda Bloodworth-Thomason, starring John Ritter and Markie Post, that aired on CBS from September 14, 1992, to February 1, 1995. The series' title is taken from a line in the Earth, Wind & Fire song "That's the Way of the World" (which originally served as the series' theme song).

Series premise

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Described by CBS as a "politically topical series" and created by Linda Bloodworth-Thomason and Harry Thomason, the show starred John Ritter and Markie Post playing John Hartman and Georgie Anne Lahti, respectively. Supporting actors included Billy Bob Thornton and Ed Asner. The show was set in Washington, D.C., and centered on a conservative senator's aide (Ritter) and a liberal political reporter (Post) whose professional disagreements masked a growing attraction for one another. Other costars on the show included George Gaynes, Beth Broderick, and Wendie Jo Sperber. The series was itself a satire on current affairs in Washington, D.C.

John and Georgie Anne married near the end of the first season. In the second season, the show abruptly changed its setting to the Southern town where John grew up; he returned to take over the town's failing newspaper, accompanied by Georgie Anne and his two children from a previous marriage. Some of the supporting characters made the move as well, while others were superseded.

Cast

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Cameos

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Episodes

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Series overview

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SeasonEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast aired
123September 14, 1992 (1992-09-14)March 22, 1993 (1993-03-22)
217October 27, 1993 (1993-10-27)April 25, 1994 (1994-04-25)
314September 24, 1994 (1994-09-24)February 1, 1995 (1995-02-01)

Season 1 (1992–93)

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No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date Viewers
(millions)
11"Bees Can Sting You, Watch Out: Parts 1 & 2"Harry ThomasonLinda Bloodworth-ThomasonSeptember 14, 1992 (1992-09-14)21.1[2]
22
Characters are introduced as John and Georgie are tasked with dealing with the senator on day to day business; John's kids Elliot (Clark Duke) and Ben (Justin Burnette) become a bee wrangler and a bathroom valet respectively; Billy Bob (Billy Bob Thornton) is kicked out of the house by Mavis (Wendie Jo Sperber); and Georgie's guardian Miss Lula (Beah Richards) moves with her into John's home. They then hold a party to celebrate Dee Dee's (Beth Broderick) birthday, only for everything to go wrong.
33"The Big Date"Harry ThomasonLinda Bloodworth-ThomasonSeptember 21, 1992 (1992-09-21)26.9[3]
John and Georgie go on a group date and end up meeting George Hamilton.
44"Three Men and a Bed"Harry ThomasonLinda Bloodworth-ThomasonSeptember 28, 1992 (1992-09-28)24.5[4]
John is sick, so to make him feel better, Billy Bob and the senator visit to try and make him feel better; John ultimately gets quarantined.
55"John's Stallion"Harry ThomasonLinda Bloodworth-ThomasonOctober 5, 1992 (1992-10-05)23.6[5]
Georgie's father, George (Ed Asner), visits after getting out of jail, and she wants him to stay over at John's house. The two then start doing things that start to annoy John, as he wonders about how Georgie's dad got out so early. The senator complains about a new implant that he has, and wants to get it removed.
66"First Time"Harry ThomasonLinda Bloodworth-ThomasonOctober 12, 1992 (1992-10-12)22.0[6]
John's boys are going camping with Billy Bob and Georgie's father, leaving the two at home. Elliot's pet snake is accidentally let loose, so they spend the rest of their night at a hotel in some couples' honeymoon suite. They meet and have to settle their arguments with the newlyweds.
77"Significant Others"Harry ThomasonLinda Bloodworth-ThomasonOctober 26, 1992 (1992-10-26)21.8[7]
The senator and his wife get into an argument, but neither refuses to leave; Georgie takes down another kid's mother after she beat up John; and John meets his ex-wife (Julie Cobb)'s lover (Conchata Ferrell).
88"Everybody Loves My Baby"Harry ThomasonLinda Bloodworth-ThomasonNovember 9, 1992 (1992-11-09)21.0[8]
The men have to throw a charity show while being dressed as the Marvelettes.
99"Conversations with My Shrink"Harry ThomasonLinda Bloodworth-ThomasonNovember 16, 1992 (1992-11-16)20.0[9]
Georgie goes out to find a new job, but can't since she believes that they discriminated against her because she's a woman; John is not sure why Georgie is telling Dr. Ruth about her problems; and Georgie goes on a date with her former boyfriend.
1010"The Fundamental Things Apply"Harry ThomasonLinda Bloodworth-ThomasonNovember 23, 1992 (1992-11-23)20.0[10]
The senator's wife wants to be the senator; Georgie and Mavis take Dee Dee to dinner to find out the fact that she gets aroused by patriotism; the group find out that she is going to stop seeing the senator. John visits the senator's wife Mary Fran (Mary Ann Mobley), when she confesses that she loves him.
1111"Smithersgate"Harry ThomasonTy KingNovember 30, 1992 (1992-11-30)20.5[11]
Elliot starts reciting stories about John that aren't true, especially one about a shark; Billy Bob convinces John that Georgie is sharing secrets with a reporter, so he makes up a false story about the senator killing someone.
1212"Everyday's a Holiday"Harry ThomasonAllen CroweDecember 14, 1992 (1992-12-14)19.7[12]
Diandra and Dr. Ruth take John's kids on a tour, leaving John in a depressive mood. He hatches a plan to take the kids and his coworkers to New York City to make Diandra jealous. The RV they're in gets stuck, and the group surprise John with Christmas cheer. John finds someone to tow the RV to New York, and as everyone else is sleeping, the two romance about what Georgie wanted for Christmas, which was to have a family. The episode ends with childhood snapshots of the adult characters being shown, and the RV being towed.
1313"While the Thomasons Slept"Harry ThomasonDon Rhymer & David NicholsDecember 21, 1992 (1992-12-21)17.1[13]
John and his kids take a trip to the White House; the governor has to prepare for a senate meeting on obscene lyrics in music; Billy Bob embarrasses himself in front of Hugh Rodham; John's kids steal the president's phonebook because they wanted souvenirs, so they convince the governor to return it.
1414"Trivial Pursuit"Harry ThomasonLinda Bloodworth-ThomasonJanuary 4, 1993 (1993-01-04)21.7[14]
1515"Never Play Touch Football with the Kennedys"Harry ThomasonMartin Rips & Joseph StaretskiJanuary 11, 1993 (1993-01-11)20.6[15]
1616"Miss Starr Dates Georgie Anne's Pop"James HamptonLinda Bloodworth-ThomasonJanuary 18, 1993 (1993-01-18)22.0[16]
1717"While the Thomasons Slept in the Lincoln Bedroom"Harry ThomasonLisa Loomer & Ty KingFebruary 1, 1993 (1993-02-01)21.2[17]
1818"Her Year with Fidel"Harry ThomasonLinda Bloodworth-ThomasonFebruary 8, 1993 (1993-02-08)19.8[18]
1919"Cold Feet: Parts 1 & 2"Harry ThomasonLinda Bloodworth-Thomason & Ty King & Lisa LoomerFebruary 22, 1993 (1993-02-22)18.6[19]
2020
2121"Take My Senate Seat, Please"Charles FrankTy King & Lisa LoomerMarch 1, 1993 (1993-03-01)20.4[20]
2222"Flamingo Summer"Harry ThomasonLinda Bloodworth-ThomasonMarch 15, 1993 (1993-03-15)21.8[21]
2323"Class Reunion"Harry ThomasonLinda Bloodworth-ThomasonMarch 22, 1993 (1993-03-22)22.4[22]

Season 2 (1993–94)

[edit]
No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date Viewers
(millions)
241"Lovely Always: Parts 1 & 2"Harry ThomasonLinda Bloodworth-ThomasonOctober 27, 1993 (1993-10-27)11.2[23]
252
263"Moonlighting"Harry ThomasonLinda Bloodworth-ThomasonNovember 3, 1993 (1993-11-03)12.9[24]
274"The Great Depression"Harry ThomasonLinda Bloodworth-ThomasonNovember 10, 1993 (1993-11-10)8.2[25]
285"First Edition"Harry ThomasonLinda Bloodworth-ThomasonNovember 17, 1993 (1993-11-17)10.7[26]
296"String of Pearls"Harry ThomasonLinda Bloodworth-ThomasonNovember 24, 1993 (1993-11-24)10.3[27]
307"The Stud Club"Harry ThomasonStory by : Don Rhymer
Teleplay by : David Nicholas & Rebecca Parr Cioffi		December 8, 1993 (1993-12-08)11.0[28]
318"Blue Christmas"Harry ThomasonLinda Bloodworth-ThomasonDecember 15, 1993 (1993-12-15)10.3[29]
329"True Confessions"Harry ThomasonLinda Bloodworth-Thomason & David NicholsDecember 29, 1993 (1993-12-29)13.5[30]
3310"Accelerated Dating"Harry ThomasonDon Rhymer & Lisa LoomerJanuary 12, 1994 (1994-01-12)13.7[31]
3411"Sweet Revenge"Harry ThomasonLinda Bloodworth-ThomasonJanuary 19, 1994 (1994-01-19)15.9[32]
3512"The Sons of Sissy-Whatsis"Steve GerbsonDavid NicholsFebruary 2, 1994 (1994-02-02)12.7[33]
3613"Fatal Traction"Harry ThomasonStory by : Lisa Loomer
Teleplay by : Don Rhymer & Rebecca Parr Cioffi		February 9, 1994 (1994-02-09)14.6[34]
3714"Sleepless in a Small Town"Harry ThomasonLinda Bloodworth-ThomasonMarch 28, 1994 (1994-03-28)20.9[35]
Lonnie is convinced by Georgie and Madeline to record conversations held at a secret men's only club, only to get caught. Features a brief uncredited appearance by Post's former co-star Harry Anderson from Night Court.
3815"Do the Limbaugh"Harry ThomasonLinda Bloodworth-ThomasonApril 11, 1994 (1994-04-11)22.3[36]
3916"Love in the Afternoon"Harry ThomasonLinda Bloodworth-ThomasonApril 18, 1994 (1994-04-18)15.6[37]
4017"The Big Yes"Harry ThomasonDavid NicholsApril 25, 1994 (1994-04-25)15.8[38]

Season 3 (1994–95)

[edit]
No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date Viewers
(millions)
411"Don't Say Nothin' Bad About My Baby"Harry ThomasonLinda Bloodworth-ThomasonSeptember 24, 1994 (1994-09-24)13.1[39]
422"The Virgin Lonnie"Harry ThomasonLeslie Ray & David Steven SimonOctober 1, 1994 (1994-10-01)13.4[40]
433"It's My Party"Harry ThomasonStory by : Leslie Ray & David Steven Simon
Teleplay by : Howard Nemetz & Bryan Winter		October 8, 1994 (1994-10-08)12.3[41]
444"The Sock-Her Boys"James HamptonLinda Bloodworth-ThomasonOctober 15, 1994 (1994-10-15)13.0[42]
455"Birth of a Donation"Harry ThomasonRebecca Parr CioffiOctober 22, 1994 (1994-10-22)12.5[43]
466"Fat Like Me"James HamptonLinda Bloodworth-ThomasonOctober 29, 1994 (1994-10-29)11.9[44]
477"Born to Dance"James HamptonPaul ClayNovember 26, 1994 (1994-11-26)12.1[45]
488"Pros and Condoms"Dennis RedfieldDara Monahan & Harry ThomasonDecember 3, 1994 (1994-12-03)10.6[46]
499"The Perfect Christmas"Dennis RedfieldMichael A. Ross & Thom BrayDecember 10, 1994 (1994-12-10)13.7[47]
5010"Help Wanted"James HamptonCraig HoffmanJanuary 11, 1995 (1995-01-11)10.8[48]
5111"Mrs. Hartman, Mrs. Hartman"James HamptonPamela Norris & Paul ClayJanuary 18, 1995 (1995-01-18)10.6[49]
5212"Group Therapy"Steve GerbsonDara MonahanJanuary 25, 1995 (1995-01-25)9.8[50]
5313"John and Georgie's Not So Excellent Adventure"Harry ThomasonRebecca Parr CioffiFebruary 1, 1995 (1995-02-01)10.2[51]
5414"The Outsider"Harry ThomasonLeslie Ray & David Steven SimonUnaired (Unaired)N/A

Home media

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Image Entertainment released the entire series on DVD in Region 1 in 2005 and 2006.

On November 7, 2012, it was announced that Mill Creek Entertainment had acquired the rights to the series and released Hearts Afire - The Complete Series on DVD on January 8, 2013.[52] The 7-disc set features all 54 episodes of the series, as well as bonus features.

DVD set Episodes Release date
The Complete First Season 23 August 2, 2005
The Complete Second Season 17 November 1, 2005
The Complete Third Season 14 February 7, 2006
The Complete Series 54 January 8, 2013

References

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  1. ^ Pace, Eric (April 8, 1993). "Hugh Rodham Dies After Stroke; Father of Hillary Clinton Was 82". The New York Times. New York. Retrieved 2010-08-01.
  2. ^ Gable, Donna (September 23, 1992). "CBS wins with some old friends". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  3. ^ Gable, Donna (September 30, 1992). "'Murphy' wave carries CBS". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  4. ^ Gable, Donna (October 7, 1992). "Monday lineup bolsters No. 1 CBS". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  5. ^ Donlon, Brian (October 14, 1992). "Rankings omit Perot' paid ad". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  6. ^ Gable, Donna (October 21, 1992). "Baseball hits big for CBS". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  7. ^ Gable, Donna (November 4, 1992). "Politics, Halloween scare up an ABC win". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  8. ^ Gable, Donna (November 18, 1992). "'Jacksons,' solid gold for ABC". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  9. ^ Gable, Donna (November 25, 1992). "Jacksons help as-easy-as-ABC win". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  10. ^ Gable, Donna (December 2, 1992). "'Weapon 2' serves CBS well". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  11. ^ Gable, Donna (December 9, 1992). "ABC's Tuesday lineup ends up rosy". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  12. ^ Donlon, Brian (December 23, 1992). "Early Christmas gift for CBS". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  13. ^ Gable, Donna (December 30, 1992). "Lansbury and CBS: Ratings, She Wrote". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  14. ^ "Women help push CBS to victory". Life. USA Today. January 13, 1993. p. 3D.
  15. ^ Donlon, Brian (January 20, 1993). "ABC gets a Thursday night boost". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  16. ^ Gable, Donna (January 27, 1993). "Inaugural gala helps carry CBS to top". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  17. ^ Gable, Donna (February 10, 1993). "CBS rides to top on wings of 'Skylark'". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  18. ^ Gable, Donna (February 17, 1993). "King of Pop and 'Queen' rule the ratings". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  19. ^ Gable, Donna (March 3, 1993). "Grammy show a winner for CBS". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  20. ^ Gable, Donna (March 10, 1993). "CBS holds steady at No. 1". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  21. ^ Gable, Donna (March 24, 1993). "Waco standoff lifts CBS' '48 Hours'". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  22. ^ Gable, Donna (March 31, 1993). "CBS continues its winning streak". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  23. ^ DeRosa, Robin (November 3, 1993). "ABC usurps CBS as No. 1". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  24. ^ "Nielsen ratings". Life. USA Today. November 10, 1993. p. 3D.
  25. ^ DeRosa, Robin (November 17, 1993). "Walters gives ABC a special boost". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  26. ^ DeRosa, Robin (November 24, 1993). "CBS sweeps back to top". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  27. ^ DeRosa, Robin (December 1, 1993). "Thanksgiving week tie for NBC, CBS". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  28. ^ DeRosa, Robin (December 15, 1993). "Midler's 'Gypsy' coming up roses for CBS". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  29. ^ DeRosa, Robin (December 22, 1993). "ABC on top for 2nd week". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  30. ^ DeRosa, Robin (January 6, 1994). "'Jane's House' puts CBS in order". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  31. ^ DeRosa, Robin (January 19, 1994). "'Columbo' on the case for ABC". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  32. ^ "Nielsen ratings". Life. USA Today. January 26, 1994. p. 3D.
  33. ^ DeRosa, Robin (February 9, 1994). "Lilith brings ratings to 'Frasier'". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  34. ^ "Nielsen ratings". Life. USA Today. February 16, 1994. p. 3D.
  35. ^ DeRosa, Robin (April 6, 1994). "ABC gets help from 'These Friends'". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  36. ^ "Nielsen ratings". Life. USA Today. April 20, 1994. p. 3D.
  37. ^ "Nielsen ratings". Life. USA Today. April 27, 1994. p. 3D.
  38. ^ "Nielsen ratings". Life. USA Today. May 4, 1994. p. 3D.
  39. ^ "Nielsen ratings". Life. USA Today. September 28, 1994. p. 3D.
  40. ^ "Nielsen ratings". Life. USA Today. October 5, 1994. p. 3D.
  41. ^ Graham, Jefferson (October 12, 1994). "CBS edges into No. 1 spot, but can it stay?". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  42. ^ DeRosa, Robin (October 19, 1994). "Regular series put ABC back on top". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  43. ^ DeRosa, Robin (October 26, 1994). "'Grace' leads ABC to tie with CBS". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  44. ^ DeRosa, Robin (November 2, 1994). "ABC is 'Home' alone at the top". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  45. ^ DeRosa, Robin (November 30, 1994). "Reason for CBS to love 'Rockford'". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  46. ^ "Nielsen ratings". Life. USA Today. December 7, 1994. p. 3D.
  47. ^ "Nielsen ratings". Life. USA Today. December 14, 1994. p. 3D.
  48. ^ DeRosa, Robin (January 18, 1995). "'ER' rolls into the No. 1 spot". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  49. ^ DeRosa, Robin (January 25, 1995). "'ER' helps NBC to No. 1". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  50. ^ DeRosa, Robin (February 1, 1995). "Super Bowl kicks ABC to the top". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  51. ^ "Nielsen ratings". Life. USA Today. February 8, 1995. p. 3D.
  52. ^ Hearts Afire DVD news: Announcement for Hearts Afire - The Complete Series | TVShowsOnDVD.com Archived 2012-11-10 at the Wayback Machine
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