A warm, gently witty 1980s sitcom with a strong friendship premise and an unusually grounded view of single motherhood. It’s easy to like, but its low-key, episodic style and dated family-comedy rhythms make it more of a comfort watch than a must-see classic.
30% ★★☆☆☆ (2,785)
Kate & Allie
Where to watch: Amazon
TV Show · Comedy · Drama
1984 · ★ 30% (2.8K)
FORGET YOUR PROBLEMS... THEIRS ARE FUNNIER!
Starring: Susan Saint James, Jane Curtin, Allison Smith
Overview
Kate & Allie is an American television situation comedy which ran from March 19, 1984, to May 22, 1989. Kate & Allie first aired on CBS as a midseason replacement series and only six episodes were initially commissioned, but the favorable response from critics and viewers alike easily convinced CBS to commit to a full season in the fall of 1984. The series was created by Sherry Coben.
Production
CBS
Cast
Susan Saint James, Jane Curtin, Allison Smith, Frederick Koehler, Ari Meyers
Where to watch
Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads
Curator Review
Verdict
A warm, gently witty 1980s sitcom with a strong friendship premise and an unusually grounded view of single motherhood. It’s easy to like, but its low-key, episodic style and dated family-comedy rhythms make it more of a comfort watch than a must-see classic.
Best for
fans of cozy, character-driven sitcoms
viewers who like female-led friendship stories
people nostalgic for 1980s network TV
audiences seeking light comedy with some domestic realism
Skip if
you want sharp, fast-paced modern sitcom writing
you prefer high-concept or highly serialized TV
you’re sensitive to dated gender-role humor and 1980s family-comedy conventions
Overview
Kate & Allie works best as a gentle hangout show built around the chemistry between its two leads. The premise is simple but durable: two divorced women sharing a home and raising kids together, with the comedy coming from domestic friction, friendship, and the practical absurdities of family life. That setup gives the series a more lived-in feel than many network sitcoms of its era.
Worth noting
Its appeal is less about big laughs than about warmth, timing, and the comfort of familiar routines. The show can feel modest and very of its time, with some broad supporting-character comedy and occasional dated attitudes, but it also has a sincerity that helps it stand apart from more cynical 1980s sitcoms.
Bottom line
If you like ensemble domestic comedies and don’t mind an episodic, low-stakes rhythm, it’s an easy series to sample. It’s especially rewarding as a snapshot of early-1980s network television and as an early example of a female-centered family sitcom built around friendship rather than romance.