Gimme a Break!

Gimme a Break! (1981-1987)

EndedScripted showComedy, Family

Nellie Ruth "Nell" Harper agrees to be a housekeeper for the Kanisky household as a favor to her late friend, Margaret Huffman Kanisky, who was the wife of police chief Carl Kanisky. Nell also serves as a parent to the Chief's three daughters, Katie, Julie, and Samantha.

Network

Recent Episodes

EpisodeNameAirdate
S06E25Mama's DateMai 12, 1987
S06E24Someday, My Prince . . .Mai 5, 1987
S06E23Save the ChurchApr. 28, 1987
S06E22Parents' Week (2)März 4, 1987
S06E21Parents' Week (1)Feb. 25, 1987
View all episodesView all seasons

Frequently Asked Questions  Warning: Spoilers

Gimme a Break! premiere?

Gimme a Break! premiered on October 29, 1981.

Who created Gimme a Break!?

Gimme a Break! was created by Mort Lachman and Sy Rosen.

What's the premise of the show?

The show follows Nell Harper, a widowed police chief who takes in the three children of her deceased housekeeper.

Who played the role of Nell Harper?

Nell Harper was played by actress Nell Carter.

What was the name of Nell's deceased housekeeper?

Nell's deceased housekeeper's name was Margaret Huffstickler.

How old were Joey, Katie, and Julie when they were taken in by Nell?

Joey was 10 years old, Katie was 8 years old, and Julie was 6 years old when they were taken in by Nell.

What was the name of Nell's superior officer on the police force?

Nell's superior officer on the police force was Chief Carl Kanisky.

What was the initial relationship between Nell and Chief Carl Kanisky?

Nell and Chief Carl Kanisky had a love-hate relationship at first, but eventually became good friends.

What was the most memorable catchphrase of the show?

The most memorable catchphrase of the show was "Gimme a break!"

What was the name of Nell's best friend on the show?

Nell's best friend on the show was Addy Wilson.

Who played the role of Addy Wilson?

Addy Wilson was played by actress Telma Hopkins.

What was the name of the cafe where Nell worked before becoming a police chief?

The name of the cafe where Nell worked before becoming a police chief was the Kanisky's Cafe.

What was the name of the actor who played Joey Donovan?

Joey Donovan was played by actor Joey Lawrence.

Cast

View all cast

Characters

View all characters

Recently Updated Shows

Recently updated shows that might be of your interest.
Days of Our Lives
Running

Days of Our Lives

Days of our Lives is set in the fictitious Midwestern town of Salem. The core families are the Bradys, the Hortons and the DiMeras, and the multi-layered storylines involve elements of romance, adventure, mystery, comedy and drama.

Beginning on September 12, 2022, DAYS became exclusive to streaming on Peacock.

The Voice
Running

The Voice

Hip-hop and jazz icons Snoop Dogg and Michael Bublé join legendary returning coaches Gwen Stefani and Reba McEntire for an incredible new season! This superstar, genre-defying coach panel will guide the country's best undiscovered artists from the thrilling Blind Auditions all the way through the spectacular Live Performances… and in the end, one unforgettable new singer will be crowned The Voice!

GenreMusic
The Librarians: The Next Chapter
Running

The Librarians: The Next Chapter

The Librarians: The Next Chapter centers on Vikram Chamberlain, a "Librarian" from the past who time traveled from 1847 and now finds himself stuck in the present. When Vikram returns to his castle in Belgrade, Serbia and discovers that it is now a museum, he inadvertently releases magic across the continent. With the help of a new team of eclectic heroes, including a savant in world history, a scientific genius, and a highly skilled Guardian, Vikram has only six months to clean up the mess he made.

General Hospital
Running

General Hospital

General Hospital, which celebrated its golden anniversary on April 1, 2013, continues its tradition of passion, intrigue and adventure that takes place in the fictional town of Port Charles in upstate New York. The glamour and excitement of those who have come to find their destinies in this familiar seaport town intertwine with the lives, loves and fortunes of beloved, well-known faces. As always, love, danger and mind blowing plot twists continue to abound on General Hospital with contemporary storylines and unforgettable characters.

The Daily Show
Running

The Daily Show

Hosted by a rotating cast of comedy greats, The Daily Show remains the go-to source for provocative satire, insightful interviews and an award-winning team of correspondents and contributors.

GenreComedy