Breaking Away

Breaking Away

1980
Breaking Away
Breaking Away

Breaking Away

7.5 | en | Drama

Breaking Away is a 1980 American comedy-drama television series that was based on the 1979 film of the same name. It was created by Steve Tesich, who wrote the original film, and the film's director Peter Yates served as Executive Producer. As a prequel, the series was set during the year prior to the events of the film. Shaun Cassidy took over the role of Dave Stohler, a young man mad about bicycle racing and all things Italian. Barbara Barrie, Jackie Earle Haley and John Ashton reprised their roles from the film. The television series was set in Bloomington, Indiana, but was actually shot in Athens, Georgia. The show was caught up in the 1980 Screen Actors Guild Strike and did not begin production until that fall. While heavily promoted by ABC, it was overlooked by TV audiences once it got on the air and suffered low ratings. It was cancelled after eight episodes were filmed, though only seven episodes aired during its original run. ABC showed reruns of the show during the summer of 1981, and it was also rerun by the Arts & Entertainment cable channel during 1985–1987.

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Seasons & Episodes

1
EP8  The Grand Illusion
Jan. 01,0001
The Grand Illusion

Unaired episode, upon cancellation of series.

EP7  La Strada
Jan. 10,1981
La Strada

Mrs. Stohler wants her husband to buy land she thinks the university will eventually need--and will pay handsomely for when they need it. Meanwhile, the guys land a job painting a hardware store. Dave's treasure bicycle is stolen.

EP6  Rainy Night in Georgia
Jan. 03,1981
Rainy Night in Georgia

Mrs. Stohler wants her husband to buy land she thinks the university will eventually need--and pay handsomely for when they need it. Meanwhile, the guys land a job painting a hardware store. Dave's treasured bicycle is stolen.

EP5  Heart Like a Wheel
Dec. 27,1980
Heart Like a Wheel

Moocher asks Nancy to move in with him. Mike readies for a drag race with a collegian. Dave's friendship with a co-ed may blossom into a romance.

EP4  King of the Quarry
Dec. 20,1980
King of the Quarry

Townsfolk won't let Stohler forget that he lost his poise as a guest lecturer at the college. Meanwhile, Moocher is offered a well-paying job in Chicago.

EP3  Knowing Her
Dec. 13,1980
Knowing Her

Moocher lands a job as a movie-theater usher. Mrs. Stohler enrolls in a real-estate course taught by an attractive widower. And romance enters Cyril's life in the form of a co-ed.

EP2  The American Dream
Dec. 06,1980
The American Dream

A fraternity uses a pretty co-ed to lure Mike into playing for its football team. Meanwhile, Dave decides to audit a college course.

EP1  The Cutters
Nov. 29,1980
The Cutters

This series pilot is based on the 1979 film, but opens a year earlier as Dave Stohler (Shaun Cassidy) and his three close friends graduate from high school and resolve to stick together.

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7.5 | en | Drama | More Info
Released: 1980-11-29 | Released Producted By: , Country: United States of America Budget: 0 Revenue: 0 Official Website:
Synopsis

Breaking Away is a 1980 American comedy-drama television series that was based on the 1979 film of the same name. It was created by Steve Tesich, who wrote the original film, and the film's director Peter Yates served as Executive Producer. As a prequel, the series was set during the year prior to the events of the film. Shaun Cassidy took over the role of Dave Stohler, a young man mad about bicycle racing and all things Italian. Barbara Barrie, Jackie Earle Haley and John Ashton reprised their roles from the film. The television series was set in Bloomington, Indiana, but was actually shot in Athens, Georgia. The show was caught up in the 1980 Screen Actors Guild Strike and did not begin production until that fall. While heavily promoted by ABC, it was overlooked by TV audiences once it got on the air and suffered low ratings. It was cancelled after eight episodes were filmed, though only seven episodes aired during its original run. ABC showed reruns of the show during the summer of 1981, and it was also rerun by the Arts & Entertainment cable channel during 1985–1987.

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Cast

Shaun Cassidy , Jackie Earle Haley , Thom Bray

Director

Glenn Gordon Caron

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Reviews

CarrieSpicoli I have never seen this show but I love the movie and since it didn't get a sequel, I think it should've made a TV Show, maybe it failed for the reason many sequels/spin-offs fail: Lack of cast. The only original cast members returning were Jackie Earle Haley (Moocher) and Barbara Barrie (Mrs. Stohler). John Ashton returned as well, but he had a smaller part as Mike's brother. Shaun Cassidy did play Dave though, where as the original actor Dennis Christopher, did hardly anything after this. But Moocher is a guy that could be replaced, but he was the only one who wasn't, I mean, I like Jackie Earle Haley and all, but I just didn't like him in this. Maybe cause I'm a die-hard Bad News Bears fan. Yep. that's probably why.
eschiffer In addition to being a smart sequel that explored questions that went begging in its source material, this was a smart show that anticipated the "dramedy" shows of the mid-80's, as well as shows like "My So-Called Life." The original movie left viewers hoping against hope that our hero would leave the world of the "cutters" for college, yet retain the delightfully delineated friendships with the other boys. Here we got to see that really could happen, and what's more, television explored issues of class in a way that is seldom seen on the small screen. The parents were a hoot, too. Although the IMDb credit list doesn't show it, the show also featured Dominique Dunne in a recurring role as the gal pal Shaun Cassidy met at college and provided further evidence that she would have become a great actress if she hadn't been murdered.
Jim Hannaford (sp27343) Breaking Away had the unfortunate luck too have been scheduled for the Fall 1980 season, which just happened to coincide with the writers guild strike. As a result, it didn't make it to the airwaves until late NOV '80. I think only 8 episodes were produced before the show got the Axe. It's a shame, as it was wonderfully filmed in and around Athens GA, acted (by a young Shaun Cassidy and Jackie Earl Haley, as well as veteran Barbara Barrie), written and directed. The show in many ways picks up where the movie left off. The guys are out of High School, and are trying to find out what they are going to do with their lives. Its hard to understand what ABC was thinking when they axed this one! This show is truly a gem, and I hope it makes it way to DVD one day soon.
screamlouder2 I loved the movie and never had a chance to see it when the series aired in 1980 and thought I'd never have a chance to see the series period and so I e-mailed people who made Shaun Cassidy websites and they directed me to someone who has all the shows Cassidy was involved in and I couldn't believe my luck!!! Only 8 episodes were made of this series and then it got axed! I know that when a movie is popular enough producer's try to make a TV series out of it with a different cast and it flops but some shows like M*A*S*H, Fame and The Highlander that were based on popular movies make more successful TV shows and I thought Breaking Away could be one of them. But this show aired during the writers strike so they should've waited till the strike was over cause I enjoyed the series, of course not as much as the movie but still enjoyable!!!!