Television

One Day at a Time became a television favorite after premiering on CBS on December 16, 1975. Set in Indianapolis, the sitcom followed divorced mother Ann Romano as she raised her teenage daughters, Julie and Barbara. Along the way, the family faced challenges that felt surprisingly real for television at the time. At the center of 'One Day at a Time' was something television audiences hadn't often seen: a divorced woman building a new life while raising two daughters largely on her own. Ann Romano wasn't presented as waiting for another husband to restore a traditional family structure. Instead, viewers watched her navigate work, parenting, dating, and financial pressures while trying to maintain her independence, giving the sitcom a distinctly modern perspective for the mid-1970s. Valerie Bertinelli Became One Of Television’s Most Familiar Stars ONE DAY AT A TIME (from left): MacKenzie Phillips, Bonnie Franklin, Valerie Bertinelli, 1975-84/Everett Collection According to Remind, created by Whitney Blake and Allan Manings and developed by Norman Lear, the series ran for nine seasons. Moreover, it tackled subjects such as divorce, money problems, addiction, relationships, and changing expectations for women. Decades later, fans still remember the cast who brought the Romano family and their world to life. The series arrived during an extraordinary period for producer Norman Lear, whose television credits also included 'All in the Family,' 'Maude,' 'Good Times,' and 'The Jeffersons.' Like many of Lear's hits, 'One Day at a Time' used the familiar structure of a sitcom to explore subjects that could become surprisingly serious. Episodes could deliver plenty of laughs while still allowing the Romano family to confront problems that didn't magically disappear before the closing credits. Bonnie Franklin held the ensemble together as Ann Romano, earning Emmy and Golden Globe nominations for her performance. Franklin continued acting after the sitcom ended, including appearances on television and stage, and eventually reunited professionally with Valerie Bertinelli on 'Hot in Cleveland.' Franklin died in 2013 at the age of 69 following a battle with pancreatic cancer. Valerie Bertinelli, Bonnie Franklin and Mackenzie Phillips on the red carpet for "CBS AT 75" in ManhattanDigital Photo by Adam Nemser/PHOTOlinkwww.photolink.org 305-695-3935MANDATORY DOUBLE CREDITONE-TIME REPRODUCTION RIGHTS ONLY Valerie Bertinelli was only 15 when she landed the role of Barbara Cooper. However, the young actress quickly became one of the show’s biggest stars. She appeared in 208 of its 209 episodes and won two Golden Globe Awards for her performance. After One Day at a Time ended, Bertinelli continued building a successful television career. She starred in Sydney, appeared on Touched by an Angel, and later found another hit with Hot in Cleveland. Eventually, Bertinelli also became a familiar personality outside scripted television. She hosted Valerie’s Home Cooking and appeared on Kids Baking Championship, earning two Daytime Emmy Awards for her work. More recently, she has contributed to The Drew Barrymore Show. Her personal life also kept her in the public eye. Bertinelli was married to late rock legend Eddie Van Halen, and they welcomed one son, Wolfgang Van Halen. Today, Wolfgang has built a music career of his own. Mackenzie Phillips Took A Different Path After Playing Julie Courtesy: Everett Collection Meanwhile, Mackenzie Phillips already had Hollywood experience when she joined the sitcom as Julie Cooper. She had appeared in American Graffiti before landing the role of Ann’s outspoken older daughter. Phillips ultimately appeared in 123 episodes. However, personal struggles affected her years on the series, and producers first dismissed her in 1980. She briefly returned before leaving the show permanently in 1983. Still, her acting career continued afterward. Phillips later appeared in shows including So Weird, ER, Without a Trace, Cold Case, and Beverly Hills, 90210. Furthermore, she returned to the familiar franchise decades later when she appeared as Pam Valentine in the Netflix reboot. She also began working as a counselor in 2016, drawing on her own experiences with addiction and recovery. For longtime fans, seeing Bertinelli and Phillips continue building new chapters has kept the legacy of One Day at a Time alive more than 50 years after its debut. ONE DAY AT A TIME, Mackenzie Phillips, Bonnie Franklin, Valerie Bertinelli, Pat Harrington, 1975-84/Everett Collection The show's supporting cast also evolved considerably during its long run. As Julie and Barbara grew older, new characters entered Ann's life and the Romano family expanded through marriages and relationships. That willingness to let its characters change helped 'One Day at a Time' move beyond its original premise of a newly divorced mother raising two teenage girls and follow the family through nearly a decade of major life transitions. The original series also gained a new chapter decades later when 'One Day at a Time' was reimagined for a new generation. The 2017 version centered on a Cuban American family led by Justina Machado and Rita Moreno while preserving the original show's combination of family comedy and serious social issues. Norman Lear served as an executive producer, creating a direct connection between the 1975 classic and its modern successor.