Going Places (American TV Series) - Production

Production

The series was executive produced by Thomas L. Miller and Robert L. Boyett, along with show creators Robert Griffard and Howard Adler. Griffard and Adler joined Miller/Boyett Productions in 1987 as writers and executive story consultants on Perfect Strangers. Two years later, the pair were named co-producers on Perfect Strangers, during which time Griffard and Adler began penning a screenplay which they would soon discuss with Miller and Boyett, in hopes of turning it into a pilot.

After ABC found success in the 1989-1990 season with their Friday TGIF lineup, which was then composed of three back-to-back Miller/Boyett shows (Full House, Family Matters and Perfect Strangers), the network decided that, for the 1990-91 season's fall schedule, a fourth Miller/Boyett show would further capitalize on the TGIF success. They also felt, as well, that a full two-hour Miller/Boyett comedy block would create a more fluid, seamless appearance throughout the lineup. Miller and Boyett, who were by then already interested in developing a show for Griffard and Adler, pitched the latter's project to ABC, which ultimately won their approval. The concept of four young writers living together, while working to further themselves in show business, fit perfectly with ABC's idea of installing a Miller/Boyett series with enough adult appeal to fit in the post-Perfect Strangers 9:30/8:30c slot. The pilot for Griffard and Adler's Going Places was approved, and with fresh-faced stars Ruck, Levine, Todd and Locklear on board, was set to go for the following season.

The original producing lineup also included Deborah Oppenheimer (formerly of The Hogan Family); Alan Eisenstock and Larry Mintz, holdovers from Miller and Boyett's Paramount years (having worked on series such as Angie), were supervising producers for the first 12 episodes. Eisenstock and Mintz were chosen by Miller/Boyett to launch a few of their series during the Lorimar era, including Family Matters and Step By Step during their first seasons. Robert Blair, another supervising producer who also worked on the first 12 episodes, had also been on the Family Matters launch team with Eisenstock and Mintz. At mid-season, most of the principal producing team was revamped. In episode 13, Shari Hearn replaced Blair, and in the following episode, Ronny Hallin ousted Oppenheimer while James O'Keefe took over from Eisenstock and Mintz. The new producers had been reassigned from other Miller/Boyett series (Hearn and Hallin from The Hogan Family, O'Keefe from Perfect Strangers). For the entire season, Myron Nash served as associate producer, and comedienne/actress Valri Bromfield was also a co-producer.

The majority of Going Places episodes were written by either Griffard and Adler or Eisenstock and Mintz. Other contributing writers included Rob Bragin, the show's story editor; Sheree Guitar; and Maiya Williams, who was also executive story editor.