tek's rating: ½

Hearts Afire, on CBS
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Caution: spoilers.

John Ritter played John Hartman, a divorced father of two (Elliot and Ben), who was an aide to a Republican senator named Strobe Smithers (George Gaynes, better known as Commandant Lassard from the "Police Academy" movies). While the senator was conservative, he hired a liberal journalist named Georgie Anne Lahti (Markie Post), as his press secretary. Since she had no place to stay, John invited Georgie Anne to stay with him and his two kids, until she could find a place. But before long, they started a relationship (in spite of their political differences). Another member of the senator's staff was John's best friend, Billy Bob Davis (Billy Bob Thornton). He was married to a woman named Mavis, with whom he had a daughter named Carson Lee Davis. And the senator had a ditzy secretary named Dee Dee Starr (Beth Broderick). Ed Asner was also in the show for the first season, as Georgie Anne's dad, though I'm afraid I don't remember that; I only know because I read it online. Curse my memory!

So I guess it was the end of the first season that John and Georgie got married. In the second season, they moved from Washington, D.C. to the midwest, to run a newspaper (along with Billy Bob). Joining the cast was a printer named Lonnie Garr (Leslie Jordan), and a psychiatrist named Dr. Madeline Stoessinger (Conchata Ferrell). Oh, and Billy Bob got divorced from Mavis, I guess, but as far as I recall, he had custody of Carson Lee. Anyway, I can't think of much specifically to say about the show or any of the characters, but I always found the show a bit corny, but also funny and charming.


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