1990: 'Northern Exposure' Joins CBS's Summer Schedule
On this day in 1990, CBS introduced the eight-episode summer series, Northern Exposure, which quickly became one of TV's top shows.
The quirky dramedy — executive produced by Joshua Brand and John Falsey, creators of St. Elsewhere — initially revolved around Dr. Joel Fleishman (Rob Morrow), a new med school graduate who was assigned to work in a remote Alaskan town to fulfill the terms of a financial aid contract with the state. The native New Yorker was the proverbial fish out of water, interacting with a host of eccentric characters. As the show progressed, the storylines focused as much on the townsfolk as the doctor.
In addition to Morrow's Fleishman, regular characters included bush pilot Maggie O'Connell (Janine Turner), retired astronaut Maurice Minnifield (Barry Corbin), May-December lovers Holling (John Cullum) and Shelly (Cynthia Geary), philosophical DJ Chris Stephens (John Corbett), crusty shopkeeper Ruth-Anne (Peg Phillips), Ed (Darren E. Burrows), a half-native handyman and film buff, and Marilyn Whirlwind (Elaine Miles) the native Alaskan who serves as the doctor's no-nonsense receptionist.
The show collected a host of awards, including the 1992 Emmy for Outstanding Drama Series and two consecutive Peabody awards.
The show ran six seasons. Beginning in Season 4, star Morrow attempted to capitalize on the show's popularity and re-negotiate his contract. Producers responded by cutting back his character's role and bringing in additional feature characters. His last appearance was in February, 1995; the show's final episode aired July 26, 1995.