Ted Knight's Final Work Was On An '80s Series That Nobody Talks About Today

Ted Knight left an enduring impression on television screens throughout the 1950s to 1986, gracing viewers with his presence in popular series like Get Smart and The Mary Tyler Moore Show. Known for his remarkable acting skills, Knight earned six Emmy nominations, most notably for his role as Ted Baxter on the latter series. However, his final and least remembered work, a 1980s sitcom called Too Close for Comfort, has faded into obscurity.

In Too Close for Comfort, Knight portrayed Henry Rush, a work-from-home cartoonist, alongside his wife Muriel and their two adult daughters, Jackie and Sara. The show, a relatively low-stakes family sitcom, centered around the gentle familial conflicts between the characters. Despite not being a groundbreaking series or redefining the sitcom genre, it was more entertaining than its early seasons or reputation might imply.

The show originated from a British comedy called Keep It in the Family, and it initially aired on ABC's Tuesday primetime schedule alongside popular shows like Happy Days, Laverne & Shirley, and Three's Company. However, due to disappointing ratings, it was moved to a Thursday night in Season 3 and eventually canceled after the third season.

Nevertheless, reruns aired during the summer of 1983 and continued on the then-nascent Fox network, which led to a resurgence in popularity. This increased viewership prompted Fox to order new episodes for Seasons 4 through 6, with Season 6 bringing significant changes to the Rush family's lives.

Henry and Muriel moved to Mill Valley, Henry left his cartooning job to become part-owner of a local newspaper, and the two daughters were written off the series, renaming the show The Ted Knight Show. Tragically, Ted Knight passed away in August 1986, and the show was subsequently canceled after its sixth season. All six seasons of Too Close for Comfort are available to watch on Peacock with a subscription or for free with ads on Pluto or Fandango.