Alice

Alice follows a recently widowed mother who, with her young son in tow, heads to a new start in the American Southwest. In a bid to rebuild her life, she takes a job at a roadside diner on the edge of Phoenix, where the daily rhythm of shifts, customers, and small setbacks frames her days. The series centers on the interactions among the diner staff and their regulars, capturing the humor and hardship of working life in a tight knit, working class community. Rather than a single grand adventure, the show stacks small, character driven moments into a warm picture of resilience, friendship, and finding a place to belong.

Created by Robert Getchell, the show aired on CBS from 1976 to 1985. It adapts the 1974 film Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore and follows a widowed mother who starts over as a diner waitress near Phoenix. Directors varied across episodes, giving the series its flexible pace and a lived in feel throughout the run.

Mel's Diner becomes a character in its own right, serving as a workplace hub for the humor and heart of daily life. The core ensemble and the Phoenix edge give viewers a relatable slice of working class optimism that influenced later kitchen dramas and left a lasting impact.

Critics praised its warm balance of laughs and real life concerns. The show put a working mother at the center of a broad comedy and drama blend, exploring themes of independence resilience and friendship while portraying a community that rallies around one another through tough times for many fans.

Awards: The series drew nominations from major television awards during its run, recognizing its strong ensemble performances and sharp writing. While not a sweeping awards blockbuster, the longevity and impact of the show kept it in the national conversation and memory. The show's influence is still felt in modern sitcoms.