Between Brothers
{{For|the Swedish film|Between Brothers (film)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2025}}
{{Infobox television
| image =
| caption =
| runtime = 30 minutes
| genre = Sitcom
| creator = Barry O'Brien
Cheryl Alu
| producer = Peter S. Palmer
Devon Shepard
Pam Veasey
| executive_producer = Barry O'Brien
Cheryl Alu
Alan Haymon
| starring = Kadeem Hardison
Dondré T. Whitfield
Kelly Perine
Rachael Crawford
Tommy Davidson
| theme_music_composer = A Touch of Jazz
(a.k.a. DJ Jazzy Jeff)
| composer = Kevin Guillaume
| camera = Multi-camera
| country = United States
| language = English
| num_seasons = 2
| num_episodes = 17
| company = O'Brien/Alu Productions
Alan Haymon Productions
Columbia TriStar Television
| network = Fox
| first_aired = {{Start date|1997|09|11}}
| last_aired = {{End date|1998|01|29}}
| network2 = UPN
| first_aired2 = {{Start date|1999|02|09}}
| last_aired2 = {{End date|1999|03|02}}
}}
Between Brothers is an American television sitcom centered on four middle-class African American men in their late twenties, living in Chicago. It premiered on September 11, 1997 on Fox, with the second season airing on UPN, until March 2, 1999. The lead characters were played by Kadeem Hardison, Dondré T. Whitfield, Tommy Davidson, and Kelly Perine.
Synopsis
Buddy comedy about four black men sharing an apartment in Chicago, Illinois. Charles and James Winston (played by Kadeem Hardison and Dondré Whitfield) are brothers. Charles, the responsible older one, is a sportswriter for The Chicago Examiner while irresponsible James sold real estate. Mitchell (Tommy Davidson) - the mooch, a junior high school history teacher, and just returned to the apartment after his second wife, Audrey, had thrown him out. Dusty (Kelly Perine), the short fellow with the loud clothes, had moved up from Indiana to take a job as a weekend TV on WEQT-TV, Channel 64.
Most of the episodes focused on their job and dating problems and the not-always-helpful advice they gave to each other.
Cast
- Kadeem Hardison as Charles Winston, the older brother of James
- Dondré T. Whitfield as James Winston, the younger brother of Charles
- Kelly Perine as Dustin "Dusty" Canyon
- Rachael Crawford as Terri
- Tommy Davidson as Mitchell Ford{{Cite book |last1=Fearn-Banks |first1=Kathleen |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wxa7BAAAQBAJ |title=Historical Dictionary of African American Television |last2=Burford-Johnson |first2=Anne |date=2014-10-03 |publisher=Rowman & Littlefield |isbn=978-0-8108-7917-1 |pages=122 |language=en}}
recurring
- Brian Doyle-Murray as Stuart Franklin
- Sandy Brown as May Ford
Episodes
=Series overview=
{{Series overview
| color1 = #ff6efa
| link1 = #Season 1 (1997–98)
| episodes1 = 13
| start1 = {{Start date|1997|9|11}}
| end1 = {{End date|1998|1|29}}
| network1 = Fox
| color2 = #ff6e6e
| link2 = #Season 2 (1999)
| episodes2 = 4
| start2 = {{Start date|1999|2|9}}
| end2 = {{End date|1999|3|2}}
| network2 = UPN
}}
=Season 1 (1997–98)=
{{Episode table |background=#ff6efa |overall= |season= |title= |director= |writer= |airdate= |viewers= |episodes=
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=1
|EpisodeNumber2=1
|Title=In Case of Emergency
|DirectedBy=Michael Zinberg
|WrittenBy=Barry O'Brien & Pam Veasey
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1997|9|11}}
|Viewers=7.55{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/41313990/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (Sept. 8–12, 1997)|date=September 17, 1997|work=The Los Angeles Times|access-date=May 24, 2023|via=Newspapers.com}}{{free access}}
|ShortSummary=James tries to prove to Charles that he is mature and responsible. Mitchell breaks up with his second wife and moves in with Dusty.
|LineColor=ff6efa
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=2
|EpisodeNumber2=2
|Title=The Big Three-Oh
|DirectedBy=Debbie Allen
|WrittenBy=Dave Schiff
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1997|9|18}}
|Viewers=6.80{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/41385768/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (Sept. 15–21, 1997)|date=September 24, 1997|work=The Los Angeles Times|access-date=May 24, 2023|via=Newspapers.com}}{{free access}}
|ShortSummary=As his 30th birthday approaches, Charles begins to feel over the hill after he and James lose a pick-up basketball game to a pair of teenagers.
|LineColor=ff6efa
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=3
|EpisodeNumber2=3
|Title=Just Friends
|DirectedBy=Matthew Diamond
|WrittenBy=Bob Keyes & Doug Keyes
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1997|9|25}}
|Viewers=7.72{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/41307958/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (Sept. 22–28, 1997)|date=October 1, 1997|work=The Los Angeles Times|access-date=May 24, 2023|via=Newspapers.com}}{{free access}}
|ShortSummary=After Terri breaks up with her boyfriend, each of the four guys try to make their move.
|LineColor=ff6efa
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=4
|EpisodeNumber2=4
|Title=The Player
|DirectedBy=Matthew Diamond
|WrittenBy=Barry O'Brien & Pam Veasey
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1997|10|16}}
|Viewers=6.35{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/41309132/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (Oct. 13–19, 1997)|date=October 22, 1997|work=The Los Angeles Times|access-date=May 24, 2023|via=Newspapers.com}}{{free access}}
|ShortSummary=Ladies man James gets a dose of his own medicine when his new girlfriend Vanessa (Salli Richardson) cheats on him. After Mitchell's divorce becomes final, Charles and Dusty take their bitter friend to a support group.
|LineColor=ff6efa
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=5
|EpisodeNumber2=5
|Title=The List
|DirectedBy=Debbie Allen
|WrittenBy=Anthony Hill
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1997|10|23}}
|Viewers=7.55{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/41386271/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (Oct. 20-26, 1997)|date=October 29, 1997|work=The Los Angeles Times|access-date=May 24, 2023|via=Newspapers.com}}{{free access}}
|ShortSummary=Charles' college friend Mason (Duane Martin), now a sports agent, connects Charles to the movers and shakers in the sports world, causing James, Mitchell and Dusty to feel left out.
|LineColor=ff6efa
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=6
|EpisodeNumber2=6
|Title=Family Affair
|DirectedBy=Paul Miller
|WrittenBy=Steve Ochs & Vinny Montello
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1997|10|30}}
|Viewers=6.72{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/41295054/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (Oct. 27–Nov. 2, 1997)|date=November 5, 1997|work=The Los Angeles Times|access-date=May 24, 2023|via=Newspapers.com}}{{free access}}
|ShortSummary=When Mitchell's family comes to visit, he learns that his father expects him to return to Lansing, Michigan and take over the family business. Mitchell's sister may aggressively pursues James, while he tries to keep up with his very athletic girlfriend-of-the-moment. Charles inadvertently convinces Ronnie Lott (who appears as himself) to return to football.
|LineColor=ff6efa
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=7
|EpisodeNumber2=7
|Title=Dusty's in Love
|DirectedBy=Paul Miller
|WrittenBy=Barry O'Brien & Pam Veasey
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1997|11|6}}
|Viewers=7.38{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/41385906/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (Nov. 3-9, 1997)|date=November 12, 1997|work=The Los Angeles Times|access-date=May 24, 2023|via=Newspapers.com}}{{free access}}
|ShortSummary=Dusty meets the perfect woman (Tisha Campbell) for him, and soon wedding bells are ringing. James, Charles and Mitchell try their hand at the commodities market.
|LineColor=ff6efa
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=8
|EpisodeNumber2=8
|Title=New Beginnings
|DirectedBy=Rob Schiller
|WrittenBy=Barry O'Brien
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1997|11|13}}
|Viewers=8.18{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/41313879/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (Nov. 10–16, 1997)|date=November 19, 1997|work=The Los Angeles Times|access-date=May 24, 2023|via=Newspapers.com}}{{free access}}
|ShortSummary=Mitchell turns to ladies' man James for help in romancing a fellow teacher at his job. Charles' new boss Stuart Franklin (Brian Doyle-Murray) threatens to fire him unless he can get an interview with baseball player (Barry Bonds).
|LineColor=ff6efa
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=9
|EpisodeNumber2=9
|Title=Elephant Men
|DirectedBy=Howard Murray
|WrittenBy=Vince Cheung & Ben Montanio
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1997|12|4}}
|Viewers=6.36{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/41308255/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (Dec. 1-7, 1997)|date=December 10, 1997|work=The Los Angeles Times|access-date=May 24, 2023|via=Newspapers.com}}{{free access}}
|ShortSummary=Mitchell's plan to help Dusty boost his ratings results in a wild ride through the city on a runaway elephant. May pretends that Charles is her boyfriend to scare off her visiting ex-husband. James competes with a new colleague at work.
|LineColor=ff6efa
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=10
|EpisodeNumber2=10
|Title=Scandalous
|DirectedBy=John Ferraro
|WrittenBy=Bob Keyes & Doug Keyes
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1997|12|11}}
|Viewers=6.40{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/41386380/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (Dec. 8–14, 1997)|date=December 17, 1997|work=The Los Angeles Times|access-date=May 24, 2023|via=Newspapers.com}}{{free access}}
|ShortSummary=Sportswriter Charles discovers a football star in a compromising position. Mitchell's sister May moves to Chicago. . . and into the apartment with Mitchell and Dusty.
|LineColor=ff6efa
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=11
|EpisodeNumber2=11
|Title=The Interview
|DirectedBy=Matthew Diamond
|WrittenBy=Barry O'Brien & Pam Veasey
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1997|12|18}}
|Viewers=6.31{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/41315246/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (Dec. 15-21, 1997)|date=December 24, 1997|work=The Los Angeles Times|access-date=May 24, 2023|via=Newspapers.com}}{{free access}}
|ShortSummary=Charles faces an ethical dilemma when he realizes that his ex-girlfriend Rebecca (Vanessa Estelle Williams) holds the key to a new job that he is seeking. Dusty must fill in as the station's helicopter traffic reporter, even though he is terrified of heights.
|LineColor=ff6efa
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=12
|EpisodeNumber2=12
|Title=Kung Fools
|DirectedBy=Matthew Diamond
|WrittenBy=Devon K. Shepard
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1998|1|22}}
|Viewers=5.61{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/41308151/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (Jan. 19–25, 1998)|date=January 28, 1998|work=The Los Angeles Times|access-date=May 24, 2023|via=Newspapers.com}}{{free access}}
|ShortSummary= Embarrassed after May defends them from a bully at the Corner Pub, Mitchell and Dusty enroll in a karate class . . . with a group of 10-year-olds. Charles fears for his safety after he writes an article criticizing football legend Jim Brown (who appears as himself), and the angry Brown comes looking for him. James arranges a date for May.
|LineColor=ff6efa
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=13
|EpisodeNumber2=13
|Title=Road Rules
|DirectedBy=
|WrittenBy=
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1998|1|29}}
|Viewers=5.84{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/41302921/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (Jan. 26–Feb. 1, 1998)|date=February 4, 1998|work=The Los Angeles Times|access-date=May 24, 2023|via=Newspapers.com}}{{free access}}
|ShortSummary=Dusty, Mitchell and James travel to Lansing, Michigan, where Dusty is to receive an alumni award at their old high school. When an empty gas tank interrupts their journey, they reminisce about high school and events from 10 years earlier that cemented the friendship between the three of them and Charles.
Note: This was the last episode of the series to air on Fox.
|LineColor=ff6efa
}}
}}
=Season 2 (1999)=
{{Episode table |background=#ff6e6e |overall= |season= |title= |director= |writer= |airdate= |viewers= |episodes=
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=14
|EpisodeNumber2=1
|Title=Let It Ride
|DirectedBy=
|WrittenBy=
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1999|2|9}}
|Viewers=2.43{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/41321832/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (Feb. 8-14, 1999)|date=February 18, 1999|work=The Los Angeles Times|access-date=May 24, 2023|via=Newspapers.com}}{{free access}}
|ShortSummary=Mitchell tries desperately to avoid a $2000 gambling debt he owes to Stuart's bookie. Charles tries to track down a beautiful woman he met briefly at the Corner Pub.
Note: This is the first episode to air on UPN.
|LineColor=ff6e6e
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=15
|EpisodeNumber2=2
|Title=Fantasy Camp/Home Boyz of Summer
|DirectedBy=
|WrittenBy=
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1999|2|16}}
|ShortSummary=Mitchell, James, Dusty and Stuart are along for the ride when Charles covers Pete Rose's fantasy baseball camp for a story. Meanwhile, May and a baseball prospect find true love.
Guest stars: Dominic Hoffman as Ramón Hernández. Pete Rose, Kenny Lofton and Darryl Strawberry all appear as themselves.
|LineColor=ff6e6e
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=16
|EpisodeNumber2=3
|Title=Spring Time
|DirectedBy=
|WrittenBy=
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1999|2|23}}
|Viewers=3.22{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/41320206/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (Feb. 22-28, 1999)|date=March 3, 1999|work=The Los Angeles Times|access-date=May 24, 2023|via=Newspapers.com}}{{free access}}
|ShortSummary=Dusty, Mitchell and May are in the audience when the womanizing James appears as a guest on The Jerry Springer Show. In order to spend more time with a woman that he's interested in, Charles sets up Stuart with the woman's godmother.
|LineColor=ff6e6e
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=17
|EpisodeNumber2=4
|Title=Fire Walk
|DirectedBy=
|WrittenBy=
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1999|3|2}}
|Viewers=2.73{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/41321373/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (March 1–7, 1999)|date=March 10, 1999|work=The Los Angeles Times|access-date=May 24, 2023|via=Newspapers.com}}{{free access}}
|ShortSummary=The newspaper forces Charles and Stuart to attend a teamwork seminar. Dusty meets his biggest fan, but her unhealthy obsession with the weatherman soon spells danger for him, Mitchell and James.
|LineColor=ff6e6e
}}
}}
Syndication
Reruns of the series aired in the United States on the TV One cable network however they stopped as of 2014. The first-season episodes are available on Crackle as of 2020.
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{IMDb title|0118268|Between Brothers}}
Category:1997 American television series debuts
Category:1999 American television series endings
Category:1990s American black sitcoms
Category:1990s American multi-camera sitcoms
Category:American English-language television shows
Category:Television shows set in Chicago
Category:Television series by Sony Pictures Television
Category:American television series revived after cancellation