The Courtship of Eddie's Father

The Courtship of Eddie's Father centers on Tom Corbett, a widowed magazine publisher trying to balance a demanding job with raising his son. Eddie, a clever and mischievous youngster, believes his father should remarry and orchestrates scenarios to influence Tom's dating life, often creating comic embarrassment alongside tender moments. The episodes mix light domestic laughs with quieter reflections on loss and rebuilding, as Tom works to be both parent and companion without sidelining his son. Bill Bixby stars as Tom, with Brandon Cruz as Eddie and Miyoshi Umeki among the supporting cast, adding warmth.

Created by James Komack, who also appears on screen, the sitcom adapted the 1963 film and Mark Toby's book. ABC premiered it on September 17, 1969, and it aired through March 1, 1972, reaching family audiences nationwide.

Bill Bixby received an Emmy nomination for his work on the series, singling out his warm, natural comic timing and dramatic touches. While the show didn't pile up awards, that recognition helped make Bixby better known and underscored the series' blend of humor and heart.

By centering a warm, functional single father and his scheming son, the series broadened TV's depiction of family life in the early 1970s. Eddie's meddling, good-natured persona became a recognizable sitcom archetype, and the show's gentle approach to grief and parenting stayed in viewers' memories, and it's often remembered fondly.

Critical and audience response was modest, reflected in a middling user score around 6.0 out of 10. Viewers enjoyed the affectionate father-son chemistry and family-safe humor, while critics noted the show's reliance on formulaic sitcom plotting and Eddie-driven machinations that resolved within episodes. Overall it remains a pleasant period piece.