5.2 /10 1 Votes5.2
4.2/10 TV First episode date 21 September 1989 Number of episodes 13 (5 unaired) | 6.3/10 IMDb Genre Drama Country of origin United States Final episode date 30 November 1989 Number of seasons 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Written by Stephen J. CannellMorgan GendelArt Monterastelli Directed by Bill CorcoranPeter EllisAlan MetzgerMario Van PeeblesBrad Silberling Starring William KattJordan BakerTony EdwardsDick O'NeillRobbie Weaver Similar Palace Guard, The Quest, City of Angels, Broken Badges, Richie Brockelman - Private Eye | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Top of the Hill is a political drama series aired by CBS as part of its 1989 fall lineup.
Contents
Synopsis
Top of the Hill starred William Katt as U.S. Representative Thomas Bell, Jr., son of a long-time Congressman who had been forced to resign his seat due to health issues but who remained on "The Hill" to help his son in an advisory role, which sometimes led to conflicts. Bell, Jr., had, despite his father's position, never followed politics closely or ardently prior to being chosen as his father's successor, which was sometimes a liability but also gave him the ability to look at issues, even long-running ones, through a fresh set of eyes. Young Bell also had a hard time fitting into the political party structure as he desired to do what his conscience told him would be the best thing for the country and the voters in his district. In the less than three months that the program ran, the Congressman became involved in some fairly contentious issues, including adoptee rights, labor union corruption, pollution, and military procurement.
Top of the Hill failed to find a large enough audience to last more than a season; the show had to compete with the Top 10 hit Cheers and the Top 20 hit Dear John, both on NBC in the same time slot.