"Okay, Ned. That's it. It's over. Right now. Either you get some help, or you get the hell out of my house." It's chilling just how calm Michael Gross reads the line, you can tell he's absolutely furious. It's kind of scary, actually.
Someone here commented that this episode was a turning point in Hanks' career. He of course had Ron Howard to thank for making him a movie star with Splash that same year, but this episode was seared into the memory of every audience member, and one has to imagine people in the industry took note of Tom Hanks. For such a young actor to handle comedic and dramatic moments effortlessly in the same scene was/is true talent. Also, notice the shock that Alex is in. His hero and mentor did that to him. Fox handles that scene amazingly. As has been pointed out, there were several 'special episodes' in sitcoms back in the day, but Family Ties always had a way of navigating them the best, in my opinion. And to this day, I am still astounded that Michael Gross never got an Emmy nomination for his role as Steven Keaton.
Beautiful, eloquent comment. I agree with you at least 99%. Especially about Michael Gross. He wasn't the "wimpy" Dad. He ruled the roost with a gentle, fair hand. I love men like that, no matter the age of adulthood.
Id think it was bosom buddies. It’s 2024 and ive never seen this. He acted on a popular tv show for 2 yrs so he was already famous at this point. Splash was a comedy and bosom buddies was comedy.
@@kristinesmart3134you don’t think starring in bosom buddies for 2 yrs got him more notice than this? I used to watch this show as kid and this first time I’m seeing it. I might be wrong. I’m thinking maybe few people forget he starred in show before this
I love the way Alex reaches out for his Mum and she securely holds his hand ❤❤ All actors handled that scene beautifully. I wish Steven showed his anger a little longer. He was.great!. Michael Gross was amazing in that episode.
And people wonder why they picked Gross to play Burt Gummer. Stephen while badass, mostly threatens. Gummer is basically Stephen if he decided to go through with his threats.
"my name is ned and i have a drinking problem" the way he forces the words out emotionally sounded so real... like a deep dark secret u are admitting out loud for the 1st time.. brilliant acting
the scene is absolutely realistic. Substance abuse turns the best people into the worst monsters, almost without them noticing. They can be the most sympathetic and funny people until they start to be uncontrollable and violent. Sometimes only a few seconds are enough for that. And I think that's the time to stop and leave. This is called "rock bottom".
Sadly I know the feelings of rock bottom. About 2 years ago when I was a hardcore meth addict unfortunately I ended up hitting my girlfriend when she and I were angry at each other. To this day I can't forgive myself I've hated myself ever since. Even after being off of drugs since 2017 I still can't get over what I did. And even though she forgave me I never forgave myself
It's a bit of a cliche that people suddenly start getting violent with substance abuse. You could be a drunk or addicted to whatever but you won't magically become aggressive if you weren't already like that.
I haven't seen this scene since I was a child. I had completely forgotten the slap, but I vividly remember the father saying, "Either you get help, or you get the hell out of my house."
What you mean is TV shows aren't as outrageously corny as they were years ago. The problem with this "message" and many like it from that era is that they barely reflect reality at all.
So well executed!! Note, they didn't return violence with violence ... instead their goal was to address mental health.. every second of this scene by each actor was perfection!
Had Tom Hanks been available they should've added an episode where Uncle Ned after being in rehab for a long period shows up clean and sober and to make amends for all of this.
Actually the closest he ever got to playing a villain Ironically was Toy Story. Before they made him simply a jealous jerk, Woody was a full on villain. Abusing Slinky, boasting about being the favourite and even out right trying to kill Buzz.
+Thurisaz314159 It's actually really easy. Just picture someone you care about. It doesn't have to be a real situation, but the person you are thinking of is real. Now imagine that person, has gotten hurt by someone else in one way or another. Rather than blow a top or shout loud, let the anger you have flow to the point where it makes you calm. That's called Tranquil fury.
Powerful, powerful writing, and equally powerful performances by everyone! I'm a child of the '80's (38) and I never forgot that episode. The ultimate definition of a "very special episode".
This touches me because I lived with my uncle and grandparents. My Uncle was an alcoholic and died of cirrhosis right there in our basement at the age of 37 on Thanksgiving Day when I was 11 years old. That was 24 years ago. He refused to get help for his drinking problem. I still remember that day like yesterday.
In all seriousness. Tom Hanks was so wonderful and beautiful in this episode. At such a young actor he mixed humor with a serious problem which was, otherwise, an underlying condition in the 80's. Tom Hanks is an amazing actor
Reminds me of my Dad's drinking problem when I was a kid. My Mom finally put him in a 90 day rehab & he went through AA, for a year or 2, & stayed sober for 20 years (he passed in 2003, with 20 years sobriety). This episode always made me tear up. Tom Hanks was excellent playing a drunk.
Exactly. And this one was the best out of those in 80s.. n can say, in 90s or nowadays ones.. u won't find a show like that in any sitcom anymore. Where they r bringing up real life issues, of child or adult, without mocking any situation! Go, find similar sitcom. Good luck in endless search:p this one is the best TV show in its genre for sure.
I finished watching this episode 1½ hrs ago, and I came here to watch this clip. To know that Tom Hanks never returned to the show after this is a hard fact to gulp since I've loved his character dearly. Such an endearing character and Family Ties is already becoming my most favorite show ever.
It pains me to see him like this but to know he's still With us fighting PD everyday is really inspiring. Grew up watching and inspired by Michael J. Fox. I wanted to be Marty McFly at one point, but from Family Ties to Back to the Future, to Teen Wolf to The Secret of my Success he's definitely one of the best to ever do it.
I'm a 12 sober alcoholic thanks to Alcoholics Anonymous. And all comedy aside, I well up like its the first time I saw this episode. The missed opportunities, the shattered relationships and friendships. Its a horrible hole I dug and kept digging until I stopped at 42yo. I'm 55 and I don't miss it at all and am so blessed today.
this is the moment that made Tom Hanks' career as an actor, plus the way he cried made this scene a lot more heartbreaking because Alcoholism is a disease that should never be taken likely especially when it effects the family.
Liberty Hoffman I actually once during one of those tumblr ask me anythings, tried to ask Hanks if that slap had anything to do with them nailing the roles of Forrest Gump and Marty McFly, but I got no answer.
Yeah, that is pretty cool. Tom Hanks was in 2 Zemeckis films, the most obvious one was Forrest Gump, but he was also in The Polar Express! Well, he actually did a voice part, but that still counts as being in a movie. Another cool thing about The Polar Express, is that someone my mom went to school with, his name is Eddie Dezen, can't spell the last name right, anyway, he did the voice of one of the boys in The Polar Express.
That slap really shocked me! And then Alex flying across the room, that sure was a scary moment seeing that too, glad that Ned didn't knock him out, which he could have. And as mad as Steven was I'm surprised that he didn't punch him or really scream at him for touching Alex, great restraint, but you could hear it in his voice that he really was ticked! I loved the ending part where Ned says "Hi, yes. Um...would you be interested in a subscribing to the Columbus Express?" Too funny, but glad that he finally admitted that he has a drinking problem. Great acting by Tom Hanks, he can play whatever role you give him and he'd play it so well. Fun fact, Tom Hanks was also in an episode of Taxi, I just found that out from someone on another video of where Tom Hanks guest starred on Happy Days. So pretty cool that he worked with 2 stars from Back to the Future!!!
When it came to protecting his family, Steaven Keaton would do anything in his power to do it, legally that is. And here, steven keaton meant serious business when it meant protecting his family. Every man should be like Steven Keaton.
I saw this interview with family ties producer Gary Goldberg talking about Tom Hanks. Tom had agreed to do two episodes he did the first episode and then his career started to take off Tom's agent called Gary and said he is not going to do the second episode. "This episode" Tom personally called back Gary and said I will do the second episode you guys were great. Now that is a classy guy!!
My dad was like Uncle Ned he seriously got help on his birthday and I was really proud of him but I’m still feeling guilty for not saying I’m sorry when he died in 2009
You did nothing wrong !! You did everything in your power to help him, and he knows how much you love and miss him. No matter what he will always be with you !! 🙏🏾🥺
I watch this show when life gets sad for me. And I was very disappointed to find out there’s no way for me to watch full episodes anymore. So I’ve just been watching a bunch of these clips to get the same effect
Everyone who has a drinking problem denies it. Alcoholics have 2 options: get help or lose it all. Steven Keaton stepped in to protect his son like a papa bear. That's exactly what every father should do.
Notice how when Ned rambled on feeling sorry for himself, Mr. Keaton called him pathetic-Which is true. Such truth would never be uttered on television today let alone in real life.
This reminds me of the episode from 7th Heaven with Aunt Julie who was, also, an alcoholic. Her illness made her so sick that she, also, physically hurt her nephew Simon like Ned did to Alex here. It’s like it turns them into a completely different person which is pretty scary, so sad. 😢
Actually, Michael DID hit his head on the couch! Michael told that at 1 point in an interview... the slap wasn't real ofc, but the hit WAS!... thats why ge was holding head after all that time... I believe he did get mild concussion on this episode.. its awful . It hurts to watch this moment!! It was hard emotionally and physically as well..
