Mr. Sunshine (1986 TV series)

{{Infobox television

| image =

| caption =

| genre = Sitcom

| creator = David Lloyd

| developer =

| writer = David Lloyd
Peter Noah
Emily Marshall

| director = John Rich{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1986/04/17/arts/tv-review-2-sitcoms-mr-sunshine-and-joe-bash-on-abc.html|title=TV REVIEW; 2 SITCOMS, 'MR. SUNSHINE' AND 'JOE BASH,' ON ABC|work=NY Times|last=O'Connor|first=John J.|date=17 April 1986|accessdate=27 October 2022}}

| creative_director =

| presenter =

| starring = Jeffrey Tambor
Barbara Babcock
Leonard Frey
Cecilia Hart
Nan Martin{{cite web|url=https://www2.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b745dcc2e|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221027183656/https://www2.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b745dcc2e|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 27, 2022|title=Mr. Sunshine (1986)|work=British Film Institute|accessdate=27 October 2022}}

| theme_music_composer = Randy Edelman

| country = United States

| language = English

| num_seasons = 1

| num_episodes = 11

| list_episodes =

| executive_producer = John Rich
Henry Winkler

| producer =

| editor = Marco Zappia

| location =

| cinematography =

| camera =

| runtime = 30 min.

| company = Henry Winkler/John Rich Productions
Paramount Television

| channel = ABC

| first_aired = {{Start date|1986|3|28}}

| last_aired = {{End date|1986|5|24}}

| related =

}}

Mr. Sunshine{{Citation |title=Classic TV Theme: Mr Sunshine |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQyIXwktHEM |language=en |access-date=2022-10-28}} is an American sitcom that aired on ABC for one season in 1986.

The series followed the trials and tribulations of Paul Stark (played by Jeffrey Tambor), a blind university professor. Co-stars were Barbara Babcock and Leonard Frey.

The series was controversial during its run, attracting criticism from interest groups claiming that Mr. Sunshine poked fun at the visually impaired by using the lead character's disability as a focus for much of the show's humor. Supporters of the series said the show treated the character and the disability respectfully.

Cast

Jeffrey Tambor as Paul Stark
Nan Martin as Grace D'Angelo
Leonard Frey as Leon Walters
Cecilia Hart as Janice Hall
David Knell as Warren Leftwich
Barbara Babcock as June Swinford

Episodes

{{Episode table|background=#FFD700 |overall=5 |title= |director= |writer= |airdate= |country=US |episodes=

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 1

| Title = Pilot

| DirectedBy = John Rich

| WrittenBy = David Lloyd

| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|1986|3|28}}

| ShortSummary = Jeffrey Tambor stars as a blind english professor.

| LineColor = FFD700

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 2

| Title = Mrs. Swinford Takes the Plunge

| DirectedBy = John Rich

| WrittenBy = David Lloyd

| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|1986|4|4}}

| ShortSummary = Paul asks a beautiful but antagonistic woman for a date

| LineColor = FFD700

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 3

| Title = The Evaluation

| DirectedBy = John Rich

| WrittenBy = Bob Ellison

| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|1986|4|11}}

| ShortSummary = Leon's storm-trooper teaching techniques jeopardize his chances at a fellowship to Oxford.

| LineColor = FFD700

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 4

| Title = Strictly Personal

| DirectedBy = John Rich

| WrittenBy = Emily Marshall

| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|1986|4|18}}

| ShortSummary = Paul's landlady, Ms. Swinford, becomes convinced he has fallen for her.

| LineColor = FFD700

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 5

| Title = Educating Swinford

| DirectedBy = John Rich

| WrittenBy = Bruce David & Bruce Helford

| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|1986|4|18}}

| ShortSummary = Landlady Swinford becomes convinced that Paul is smitten with her and is sending her secret love signals.

| LineColor = FFD700

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 6

| Title = The Theater Calls Grace

| DirectedBy = John Rich

| WrittenBy = David Lloyd

| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|1986|4|25}}

| ShortSummary = Paul goes to great lengths, including getting in a wheelchair, to keep Leon's quickly sinking play afloat.

| LineColor = FFD700

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 7

| Title = Too Many Cooks

| DirectedBy = John Rich

| WrittenBy = Peter Noah

| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|1986|5|2}}

| ShortSummary = Paul takes a gourmet kitchen course and becomes overly confident. He invites Janice over for a meal, but his newly-found kitchen skills are not up to the job.

| LineColor = FFD700

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 8

| Title = Fear of Falling

| DirectedBy = John Rich

| WrittenBy = Emily Marshall

| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|1986|5|3}}

| ShortSummary = New night and time. Janet and a pretty student vie for Paul's affection.

| LineColor = FFD700

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 9

| Title = Leftwich in Love

| DirectedBy = John Rich

| WrittenBy = Peter Noah

| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|1986|5|10}}

| ShortSummary = Bumbling assistant Warren falls in love with a conniver who wants his job.

| LineColor = FFD700

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 10

| Title = Great Expectations

| DirectedBy = John Rich

| WrittenBy = David Lloyd

| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|1986|5|17}}

| ShortSummary = A newly received inheritance has Leon doing things that may come back to haunt him. Like throwing a huge party, telling off the Dean of the college and even worse...insulting the dean's wife.

| LineColor = FFD700

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 11

| Title = Take My Ex-Wife, Please!

| DirectedBy = John Rich

| WrittenBy = Peter Noah

| OriginalAirDate = {{start date|1986|5|24}}

| ShortSummary = Paul views his ex-wife's pending marriage with mixed emotions

| LineColor = FFD700

}}