Life Goes On
Life Story: The Book of Life Goes On explores the making and enduring impact of the family drama.
Few popular television series have addressed adolescence, family values, diversity, prejudice, and physical and mental disabilities as directly and fully as Life Goes On. Debuting on ABC in 1989, the family drama reached viewers with its heartfelt stories and memorable characters.
Life Story: The Book of Life Goes On: TV’s First and Best Family Show of Challenge explores the series’ creation, development, and enduring appeal. Herbie J Pilato, also the author of Bewitched Forever and The Kung Fu Book of Caine, draws on exclusive interviews with Golden Globe nominee Chris Burke (Corky Thacher, a teen with Down syndrome), Emmy winner Chad Lowe (Jesse McKenna, a young man living with AIDS), and Family Television Award winner Kellie Martin (Becca Thacher). Director and producer Michael Nankin and creator and executive producer Michael Braverman also contribute; Braverman wrote the book’s foreword.
From its portrayals of Down syndrome and AIDS to its stories of love, family, and belonging, Life Goes On continues to inspire viewers. Pilato’s behind-the-scenes chronicle captures the spirit of a series devoted to meaningful, compelling television.
What the cast and creators say
“...extremely well done and easily read...an accurate trip to a most wonderful place in my past...an extraordinary effort.”
— Michael Braverman, creator of Life Goes On
“An amazing book...totally captures the essence of Life Goes On.”
— Michael Lange, director of Life Goes On
“...a real heartfelt and terrific behind-the-scenes chronicle of those four wonderful years of ‘Life Goes On.’”
— Bill Smitrovich, star of Life Goes On