On this day in 1992, Hearts Afire debuted.
Following their sitcoms Designing Women and Evening Shade, the successful husband and wife producing team, Linda Bloodworth-Thomason and Harry Thomason, created this “politically topical comedy series,” as CBS called it. Starring John Ritter (Three’s Company, 8 Simple Rules) as John Hartman and Markie Post (Night Court), as Georgie Anne Lahti Hartman, the show revolved around the personal and professional lives of John and Georgie, which quickly became intertwined (they weren't married at the start of the series). The first season took place in and around the office of conservative Southern Senator Strobe Smithers (George Gaynes, The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd). By the second season, action moved to the Southern town in which John grew up along with his best friend Billy Bob, played by, oddly enough, another Billy Bob -- Thornton (Fargo). John and Billy Bob took over their hometown newspaper, The Daily Beacon. Other members of the cast included Wendie Jo Sperber, Edward Asner, Beah Richards, and Conchata Farrell.
The show ended in February of 1995.