You probably don't remember Easy Street, and honestly, that’s kind of a shame. It aired on NBC back in 1986, tucked away in that weird, experimental era of sitcoms where networks were desperately trying to find the next Cheers or The Cosby Show. It lasted only one season. Twenty-two episodes. Then it vanished into the ether of syndicated reruns and eventually, mostly, into total obscurity.
But if you’re a fan of classic TV chemistry or the late, legendary Loni Anderson, this show is a fascinating time capsule. It wasn’t just another cookie-cutter comedy. It had a weird, "Odd Couple" energy that actually worked better than people gave it credit for at the time.
What was Easy Street all about anyway?
The premise was classic 80s fish-out-of-water stuff. Loni Anderson played L.K. McGuire. She was a former Las Vegas showgirl who had married a rich, older man. When he dies, she inherits his massive mansion in Beverly Hills.
Standard, right?
Well, the twist—if you want to call it that—was her family. L.K. wasn't a snob. She missed her roots. So, she invites her uncle, Alvin "Bully" Stevenson (played by the great Jack Elam), and his friend, Ricardo (James Cromwell), to move in with her. Bully and Ricardo were basically bums. They were living in a retirement home in Arizona, bored out of their minds, until L.K. brought them into the world of caviar and manicured lawns.
It was a clash of cultures. You had Loni Anderson looking glamorous in every frame, and then you had Jack Elam, who looked like he’d just stepped off the set of a gritty Western, grumbling about how things were better when they were poor.
The Loni Anderson Factor
People forget how big of a star Loni Anderson was in the mid-80s. She was coming off the massive success of WKRP in Cincinnati. Everyone wanted her for a new hit. Easy Street was supposed to be that hit.
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In WKRP, she played Jennifer Marlowe, who was famously the smartest person in the room despite everyone assuming she was just a "blonde bombshell." In this series, she took a similar approach but with a softer, more maternal edge. She wasn't just the widow; she was the glue holding these two grumpy old men together.
Why the show worked (and why it didn't)
Watching it now, the comedy feels a bit dated, sure. It’s got that heavy multi-cam laugh track that 80s shows loved. But the chemistry between Loni and Jack Elam was genuinely funny.
Elam was a character actor powerhouse. He spent decades playing villains and tough guys in movies like Once Upon a Time in the West. Seeing him do comedy was a treat. He had this specific way of bugging out his eyes—he had a blind left eye that gave him a very distinct look—and his comedic timing was impeccable. He played Bully as a man who hated "the high life." He missed his cheap cigars and his freedom.
James Cromwell, who played Ricardo, was the perfect foil. This was years before he became a household name in Babe or L.A. Confidential. In Easy Street, he was the more refined, albeit still quirky, sidekick to Elam’s gruffness.
Ratings and the NBC lineup
So why did it fail?
It actually didn't do terribly in the ratings initially. It was part of the Sunday night lineup on NBC. The problem was the competition. In 1986, Sunday nights were a battleground. You had 60 Minutes on CBS, which was a juggernaut.
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NBC was also in its "Golden Era" with shows like The Golden Girls and Miami Vice. The bar for "success" was incredibly high. If a show wasn't an immediate Top 10 hit, the networks often got twitchy. Easy Street was a solid performer, but it wasn't a phenomenon.
By the end of the first season, NBC decided to move in a different direction. They were looking for something with a bit more "edge" or a broader family appeal. The "showgirl and two old men" vibe was maybe just a little too niche for 1987.
The weird legacy of the Easy Street TV series
It’s hard to find this show today. It hasn't had a major DVD release. It’s not on Netflix or Max. If you want to see it, you’re basically scouring YouTube for old VHS rips that someone uploaded from their basement.
But it’s worth seeking out if you’re a student of TV history.
It represents a specific moment when TV was transitioning. We were moving away from the slapstick of the 70s and into the more character-driven humor of the late 80s and early 90s. You can see seeds of future "odd family" shows in the way L.K., Bully, and Ricardo interacted.
What critics said at the time
Critics were mixed, honestly. Some found it charming. Others thought it was a waste of Loni Anderson's talent.
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The Los Angeles Times back in '86 noted that the show relied heavily on the charisma of its leads rather than the strength of its scripts. That’s probably fair. The plots were often thin—"Bully gets into trouble at the country club," or "Ricardo tries to learn how to drive a luxury car." But because the actors were so good, it was watchable.
Key details you might have missed
If you happen to find an episode, look closely at the sets. The McGuire mansion was meant to be the pinnacle of 80s luxury. We’re talking glass tables, pastel colors, and shoulder pads for days. It is a visual feast of Reagan-era aesthetics.
- The Theme Song: It had a very catchy, jazzy theme that screamed "Beverly Hills."
- The Creator: The show was created by Hugh Wilson. If that name sounds familiar, it's because he also created WKRP in Cincinnati. He knew how to write for Loni Anderson better than anyone.
- The Guest Stars: Like many 80s sitcoms, they had a rotating door of familiar faces. You’d see character actors from the 50s and 60s popping up as L.K.’s wealthy neighbors or Bully’s old poker buddies.
How to watch it in 2026
Honestly? It's tough.
Since it’s not on any major streaming platforms due to licensing issues (music rights are usually the culprit with these old shows), your best bet is looking for "TV Archive" sites or specialized retro-TV channels like MeTV or Antenna TV, which occasionally cycle through short-lived 80s gems.
Is it worth the hunt?
If you like Loni Anderson, yes. If you love Jack Elam, absolutely.
It’s a light, breezy show. It doesn't ask much of you. It’s "comfort food" television. In a world of gritty reboots and high-stakes prestige dramas, there’s something nice about a show where the biggest problem is an old man refusing to wear a tuxedo to a charity gala.
Actionable Steps for Retro TV Fans
If you're looking to dive into the world of the Easy Street TV series or similar forgotten gems, here is how you can actually find and enjoy them:
- Check the Internet Archive: This is the "secret weapon" for old TV fans. People often upload episodes of "lost" shows here because they fall into a legal gray area.
- Set a Google Alert: Set an alert for the show's title. If a boutique label like Shout! Factory ever decides to do a "Lost Hits of the 80s" DVD set, you’ll be the first to know.
- Follow Retro TV Groups: Communities on Reddit or Facebook dedicated to 80s television are great resources for finding out where obscure shows are currently being broadcast or shared.
- Look for Hugh Wilson’s Other Work: If you like the "voice" of the show, watch WKRP or even the movie Police Academy (which he directed). You’ll see the same DNA of character-driven comedy.
Easy Street might have been a short-lived experiment, but it remains a charming footnote in the career of one of TV's most iconic stars. It’s a reminder that sometimes, even if a show doesn’t last ten years, it can still leave a lasting impression on the people who actually sat down to watch it.