Apple's Way originally aired beginning February 10th 1974 with the final episode airing January 12th 1975, having a total of 28 episodes.

Tiring of the crowding and complications of big city life in metropolitan Los Angeles, George Apple (Ronny Cox) decides to pick up his family and move them back to his childhood home in Appleton, Iowa. But it is a considerable change in lifestyle that he and the entire family have made and it will take wife Barbara (Lee McCain), daughters Cathy (Patti Cohoon) and Patricia (Frannie Michel season 1 and Kristie McNichol season 2) and sons Paul (Vincent Van Patten) and Steven (Eric Olson) time to adjust to small-town living. Along with crotchety Grandpa Apple (Malcolm Atterbury) the Apple family are able to make a new home and entirely new life for themselves in this small close-knit community.

Apple's Way was created by Earl Hamner who was also the creative force behind The Waltons. While one program was a nostalgic look back to the past and the other was set in contemporary times they do have striking similarities. Both shows have a similar tone and both would also touch on similar themes. Together, these programs would often explore comparable ideas; among them the importance of family and friendship as well as being true to one's self.

Kristy McNichol, still using the screen name Kristie McNichol, originally appeared in the show's first season in a guest-starring part. But beginning with season two Kristy took on the role of youngest daughter Patricia, replacing actress Frannie Michel who portrayed the character in the program's first season. Apple's Way was Kristy's first television series and with this show she began moving away from the minor roles and commercial work that marked the early years of her career and began finding much better opportunities to hone and expand her acting abilities. For Kristy, Apple's Way would only last one season, but without doubt this program would lead her to much bigger and better things.

Buying note: This show has never been available on commercial home video. There are however other sources for this and other Kristy McNichol appearances that you might be looking for.

10-9-2008