Top of the Hill is an American political drama television series aired by CBS from September 21 to November 30, 1989 as part of its 1989 fall lineup.

Top of the Hill
GenrePolitical drama
Written byStephen J. Cannell
Morgan Gendel
Art Monterastelli
Directed byBill Corcoran
Peter Ellis
Alan Metzger
Mario Van Peebles
Brad Silberling
StarringWilliam Katt
Jordan Baker
Tony Edwards
Dick O'Neill
Robbie Weaver
ComposerMike Post
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes13 (3 unaired) (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producerStephen J. Cannell
ProducersHenry Colman
Mark Lisson
Jo Swerling, Jr.
Running time60 minutes (approx)
Original release
NetworkCBS
ReleaseSeptember 21 (1989-09-21) –
November 30, 1989 (1989-11-30)

Synopsis

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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.

Cast

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  • William Katt as Thomas Bell, Jr.
  • Jordan Baker as Susan Pengilly
  • Tony Edwards as Link Winslow
  • Dick O'Neill as Thomas "Pat" Bell, Sr.
  • Robbie Weaver as Mickey Stewart

Episodes

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No. Title Directed by Written by Original air date
1
2
"Top of the Hill"Alan MetzgerStephen J. CannellSeptember 21, 1989 (1989-09-21)
3"You Were Always on My Mind"Bill CorcoranJack BernsteinSeptember 28, 1989 (1989-09-28)
4"The Noble Roman"UnknownUnknownOctober 5, 1989 (1989-10-05)
5"At Risk"Helaine HeadArt MonterastelliOctober 12, 1989 (1989-10-12)
6"Taking the Heat"David JacksonArt MonterastelliOctober 26, 1989 (1989-10-26)
7"Not in My Backyard"James A. ContnerMark LissonNovember 2, 1989 (1989-11-02)
8"Running Shoes"UnknownUnknownNovember 9, 1989 (1989-11-09)
9"Above Suspicion"Bill CorcoranBob CochranNovember 16, 1989 (1989-11-16)
10"Accurate But Not True"UnknownDavid LevinsonNovember 30, 1989 (1989-11-30)
11"Letter from a Dead Man"UnknownUnknownDecember 7, 1989 (1989-12-07)
12"A House Divided"David JacksonSharon Elizabeth DoyleUnaired
13"Always Faithful"TBDTBDUnaired
14"Without a Trace"TBDTBDUnaired

References

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