Classic Television - Prime Time

Barefoot in the Park

Original channel

ABC

Original run

September 24, 1970 – December 17, 1970

Starring

Scoey Mitchell

Tracy Reed

Thelma Carpenter

Nipsey Russell

Harry Holcombe

Vito Scotti

Barefoot in the Park is an American sitcom that aired in 1970 on ABC. Based on the Neil Simon Broadway play of the same name, the series cast members are predominantly black, making it the first American television sitcom since Amos 'n' Andy to have a predominantly black cast (Vito Scotti is the sole major white character). Barefoot in the Park had also previously been a successful 1967 film starring Robert Redford and Jane Fonda.

Scoey Mitchell plays Paul Bratter, a newlywed attorney for the law firm Kendricks, Keene & Klein living in lower Manhattan with his wife, Corie (played by Tracy Reed). The show was a slice-of-life situation comedy about surviving in New York City. Other regulars included Thelma Carpenter as Corie's mother, Mable Bates, Harry Holcombe as Mr. Kendricks, Vito Scotti as Mr. Velasquez and Nipsey Russell as local pool hall owner, Honey Robinson.