Rich Man, Poor Man

Two brothers from a working class German American family chase very different fortunes in a rough edged slice of 1960s America. Rich Man, Poor Man follows Rudy and Tom Jordache as their lives pull them toward contrasting paths of ambition, risk and survival. The story tracks how choices around work, love, crime and family loyalties shape their fates, while a sprawling supporting cast tests loyalties and moral bounds. In tone the series blends domestic soap opera with social drama, creating a sweeping family saga that feels intimate at the same time. It is an adaptation of Irwin Shaw's 1969 best seller, translated to television with emphasis on character and consequence rather than flashy twists. The ensemble anchors the narrative with energy and presence.

The miniseries premiered on ABC in 1976, with Peter Strauss and Nick Nolte headlining. Adapted from Irwin Shaw's 1969 novel Rich Man Poor Man, it introduced a cinema like scale to television storytelling and raised audience expectations for what a TV saga could accomplish.

The show helped redefine what a TV event could be, pushing miniseries storytelling toward cinematic scope and serialized character arcs. Its bold performances and broad audience appeal sparked a wave of prestige drama and left a lasting imprint on how networks approached long form narratives, proving that audiences would invest in multi-episode storytelling.

Critics praised its ambition and the way it balanced soap operatic drama with social realism. The show tackles themes of class and aspiration, the pull of family duty, and the price of pursuing wealth in America. Its blend of melodrama and realism attracted a broad audience, influencing later shows to experiment with tone and structure.

The miniseries earned nominations at major awards ceremonies, underscoring its impact on television and praise for performances by Strauss and Nolte, as well as its production values and direction. Critics cited its influence on subsequent long form storytelling and its bold approach to adaptation that inspired future creators.