A Year in the Life Mini-Series Pt. 1 The First Christmas

Emmy-winning mini-series that launched the great series A Year in the Life. Starring Richard Kiley, Sarah Jessica Parker and Amanda Peterson. Air date 12/15/86 on NBC-TV.

[@juliepodewitz7430]

This was my favorite mini series of all time. I remember falling in love with Sam and Kay’s love story. The slow dance to We’ve Got Tonight...

[@jenniferspears7074]

Sam and Kay were relationship goals🥰.

[@nickimorelli9991]

@@jenniferspears7074 ​You do remember Sam was engaged to someone else when Kay hit on him, right??? And that he left a beautiful caring women for someone who would do that? My goodness, how do people look at that type of situation and call it "goals"? I am guessing it must be because you were the type of person who would go after someone taken, too. Sad.

[@HollyBerryRN]

Have looked for this show to be viewable in some kind of format off and on for THIRTY YEARS! Thank you for posting. Was a special show and was such a disappointment when it was cancelled. I never thought I'd see this again.

[@AMEER-114-]

kzbin.info/aero/PL922kRu5HJ7ZN7HjU1TBy7SAsk1UewM-L

[@jenniferspears7074]

Yes…this was one of the most moving, memorable television series’ about family ups and downs ever. I’ve searched for this forever😁😁😁🥰.

[@peterwakefield8096]

RIP David Oliver, Amanda Peterson and Richard Kiley. David and Amanda gone way too soon! All 3 superb actors.

[@t-bo2734]

It's very bittersweet watching the opening credits.

[@timheidel5849]

and we recently lost Morgan Stevens, too...Rest In Peace...

[@jennamcqueen8059]

Thank-you for uploading this wonderfully, heart-warming mini-series....The memories of 70's & 80's television is a distant memory now, often the whole family watched together, and waited with anticipation for the next compelling episode, those were the days!!

[@richardstephens3542]

I wish my family would have acted like that on Christmas. What a great cast and show. This brings back memories. RIP mom, I was proud to be your son and I will see you in heaven when that time comes.

[@pam0626]

I hope that Netflix and Amazon start writing miniseries like these gems from the 80's.

[@la73sh19]

That would be cool. Another one, that I just looked up, because I happened to think of it, is, "Family Pictures," with Anjelica Huston & Kyra Sedgwick. It's early to mid- 1990's, not '80's, but had a similar feel to it.

[@pam0626]

@@la73sh19 TY! Will have to check that out. Love Anjelica!

[@cathycartee4180]

I still miss David Oliver. He was so handsome, talented, and wonderful. So sad that he died so young.

[@jlbaker2000]

+Cathy Cartee And very sweet, too.

[@greglawrence1314]

Ditto Amanda Peterson.

[@jlbaker2000]

G.C. Lawrence Defiitely. Excellent actress. You'll catch that in other episodes where she shows her chops.

[@TodayFreedom]

Apparently he was an absolutely lovely human being in real life. A relation of mine was friends with him and he was a genuinely sweet natured guy. AIDS was an appalling scourge.

[@Charliecomet82]

I was heartbroken when I heard about Amanda Peterson's death...

[@laurzettm]

Within just about 15-20 minutes of watching, I remembered why I loved this show so much and was so mad when they took it off the air!!! What wonderful story telling, acting and chemistry between all the actors...and beautiful music! Eva St. Marie was just on the screen for about an hour and I cried as if I knew her when she died! I think it's a wonderful family program with just depth and emotion and have been looking to see if for years! Thank you sooooo much for posting!!!!!

[@jlbaker2000]

+laurzettm Eva Marie Saint is still around - a living legend. She is in her 90s.

[@bluejeans1773]

I still remember this show .I was young it was on once a week.. Love it.. Thanks so much for posting 💕

[@lolabandola3250]

Couldn't agree more. Lovely. 💖💖💖

[@STARNING]

I watched this series when it originally aired and I was 12 years old. I never recorded it so all this time I only had my memories of it. The opening credits; the music; vibrant Amanda Peterson. I’ve always wondered about it and if it was actually as good a series as I remembered. I held it in such high regard! I just spent days and days watching your uploads at night after my son fell asleep. I haven’t watched anything else. And while in some ways it’s out dated and out of touch, for the most part it’s been the most wonderful experience watching. And I’m sad I’ve reached the end. In my heart I’ve carried a little bit of the Gardeners all my life. And because of you, as an adult, I’m able to know them and love them all over again. Thank you so much. You’ve brought me a lot of joy these past few days.

[@shonnie1986]

How sweet ❤

[@kdkseven]

Well said. I feel the same way. I was in college when it aired, and i've held it in such high regard ever since. The acting, the music, the cinematography, the stories about these fascinating characters-- it was ahead of it's time, while still being of it's time. So glad to be able to watch it again all these years later, and share it with my partner.

[@ameerordimly1449]

@@kdkseven your partner? Doesnt sound like this had enough influence on your sense of morality... Our Creator calls us all to repent and live in Holiness following JESUS CHRIST to know HIS LOVE.. or burn foever

[@kdkseven]

@@ameerordimly1449 I'm talking about my business partner.

[@ameerordimly1449]

@@kdkseven Glad for you.. You have great taste in old TV

[@LatinEddy1]

I saw this show as a college Freshman. This was both a mini-series n tv show! It was a mini-series n it did so well that NBC brought it back in the Fall as a regular series. All the actors were the same! Excellent writing n acting but ratings were low n sadly was the tv show was cancelled after one season! Richard Kiley won the Emmy for Dramatic Actor for his role in the series! When Kiley accepted the award at the Sept Emmy Award show, A Year in the Life, had been already cancelled. In his acceptance speech he “blasted” the networks for only valuing ratings n not quality. I watched him n it was a great speech!

[@leighpatterson3430]

I adored this show beyond all reason. Thrilled to get a glimpse of it again.

[@sayitloudblcknproud]

I couldn't BELIEVE it when this show was cancelled. It was such a great program, loved all the characters. This family reminded me so much of my own in some ways, I'm sure all of us could relate. This one should have lasted several years and made all of these people household names!

[@michaelleary9233]

Felt the same way, but I finally realized it was like any family, you get those few wonderful memories and just have to cherish them. Still my favorite show almost 40 years later.

[@sheldoncooper1134]

This was my favorite new show when it aired, and I never forgot it. So touching and real. The cast was unforgettable and so sad that many are no longer with us. The young David Oliver who played Sara Jessica Parker's love interest and husband died in 1992 from complications from aids. And Amanda Peterson died in 2015 of a drug overdose. Good seeing them in this, before tragedy struck their young lives.

[@mrcydonia]

The house they used for the main characters' house is just a few blocks away from my parents' house.

[@kateSullivan3927]

Lovely...where was it filmed?

[@timheidel5849]

@@kateSullivan3927 Seattle?

[@Nacho-Mamma]

I love Richard Kiley. Excellent actor and singer. And he's still quite attractive.

[@jlbaker2000]

He passed away in the '90s.

[@CaptainSpalding72]

Hes long dead. Lol

[@Nacho-Mamma]

@@jlbaker2000 I know that! Died March 5, 1999 to be exact. And, you obviously didn’t understand my comments meaning. As he got older, he never lost his looks. He was just a gorgeous as when he was young.

[@Nacho-Mamma]

@@CaptainSpalding72 As I said to J.B. I know that! He passed away on March 5, 1999 to be exact. If you had only paused a moment, you might have understood the point I was making. As he got older, he never lost his looks. He was just a gorgeous as when he was young. But, you didn’t. You based your comment on J.B.’s comment. And that makes me sad. Because, I was going to invite you to lunch at the Chinese buffet. I was so looking forward to some General Tso’s chicken & Crab Rangoon. And possibly a bit of slap & tickle in the Walmart bathroom handicap stahl. But, NOOOO! You just had to go and spoil the surprise.

[@beckigreen]

@@Nacho-Mamma You’re lying. Otherwise you wouldn’t have said “He’s still quite attractive”

[@donna25871]

RIP Morgan Stevens.

[@carolinewoods830]

I loved this series.I remember it 1st being shown near Christmas time..

[@kristinek5470]

Thank you for uploading this! This show is still as great to me as it was the first time I saw it in the 80s. So happy to have had the opportunity to watch it again.

[@amanielwolde]

Such great memories, the other intro was my favorite. It was such an hit in Italy, just after the succes in the USA. This aired at 6 p.m. and we all sat together to watch it. The next morning, we used to talk about it at school, in Tuscany, like grown folks, we were only 9 y.old. Nice souvenirs. Thanks 🙏, i loved SJP, she was beautiful.

[@timheidel5849]

I remember this show and I am glad to see this on KZbin...

[@Bigtime1998]

Loved this show the short time it was on. To think of the crap they've had on tv for decades and this show gets canned after one year.

[@crleytonp]

+Bigtime1998 Me too. It's great for me to watch this tv series again after 27 years.

[@richardstephens3542]

I agree Bigtime 1998. It was sad about David Oliver and Amanda Peterson-RIP. I have tried finding this on Netflix and Amazon but no luck.

[@sayitloudblcknproud]

Why was it cancelled anyways? I remember being heartbroken over it because it was such a good show.

[@francescadesmond8846]

I remember when Richard Kiley won the Emmy for this show in 1988 (Outstanding Lead Actor In A Drama Series). He made a very moving eloquent speech blaming the series cancellation on the "corporate myopia" who would not give the show a chance to succeed. I loved this show so much. However, I must have blocked out SJP's role in it because for the life of me I do not remember her being in it. How she got roles like this and others and succeeded in Hollywood with her lack of good looks or any talent whatsoever baffles me to this day. So glad I found this video and the rest for this series. Thank you so much for posting.

[@finster196148]

I wish they would replay this on television…the ratings would go through the roof… still wonderful

[@lianebarrett1622]

Morgan stevens who played Jack passed away

[@sayitloudblcknproud]

:-(

[@kdkseven]

What a great mini-series/series. Watched it when i was in college. This was in the days when tv was trying to be less formulaic, with shows like this, thirtysomething, Moonlighting, Hill Street Blues, Max Headroom, Miami Vice, and St. Elsewhere. A Year in the Life was a particular favorite of mine. I was so disappointed when it didn't get picked up. Of course, Josua Brand and John Falsey would go on to make Northern Exposure, another favorite of mine. Thank you so much for posting these -- seems like it's the only place on the whole of the internet to watch this show. Just curious though, why no ep. 6 or 16?

[@RSmith6948]

I love these miniseries and TV movies from the '70s and '80s. If the streaming services would include a library of these in their platforms, I'd subscribe. I bet there are a lot of other baby boomers who'd do the same.

[@Amy-dw5nm]

I am Gen X and I would subscribe in a heartbeat.

[@lbunnygordon1133]

I loved this series it s the best i saw

[@halfbloodkate3282]

Adam Arkin is great as always ❤️

[@thevintagevixen268]

I remember crying as hard as Anne/Wendy Philips did when Eva Marie Saint died. She played such a beautiful relatable full of life matriarch. She should have stayed and SJP's character should have not been a part of the story. I really would have enjoyed seeing the family we first met navigate life with all the changes brewing.

[@michaelleary9233]

I felt the same way, they pushed Joe into a new relationship with a woman who didn't really fit into the family. Especially with it being such a short run, they needed to keep the family intact.

[@Fairland3]

Rest In Peace Morgan, Amanda and David. 😢

[@vickilanger1228]

Richard too 😥😥😥😥

[@cjohns4109]

This reminds me of when my aunt died and I called her cell over and over to hear her voicemail.

[@fbueller]

What a cool find. Carrie’s backstory before she moved to Manhattan! LOL

[@fernandopacca7885]

David Oliver and Amanda so beautifull actors...passad away. So sad.

[@clairecanale4310]

I watched this with my mother.

[@vickilanger1228]

🤗me too🤗

[@ginak9483]

David Oliver!

[@tonyfelder1206]

Bless you 😊 😊😊👍👍👍.

[@cherrypie6679]

This was a great mini series. Thanx for posting it.

[@amatogrossi1538]

Ótima estória, comovente e bem contada, a canção tema é inesquecível e quem assistiu a série sabe disso ! Obrigado Teacher Lucas por ter encontrado essa pérola para mim.

[@nalla320]

Thank you!!

[@motleymama6587]

Sarah Jessica was so beautiful back then. Wish she’d gain about 40 lbs, she’d look so much better.

[@crleytonp]

I love this series. Thank you for posting it. Chapter 2 and 3 have subtitles activated but this chapter no., why? Please could you activate CC or Subtitles? Thank you for accept my request.

[@darkdancer72]

I`m still moved by the sad fate of Amanda Peterson

[@lifechanges557]

How could kay have called Sam like that, knowing he has a fiance. I get people can fall in love with someone else when married or engaged, or gf bf.. but i myself would never fall for a man who was taken.

[@marinaroberson1692]

life can be ok

[@brentbare7280]

Amanda Peterson was so beautiful. It's sad that her demons won her over. 😭

[@SuperKaraokeNinja]

RetroDiaries80 sent me here

[@lindsaynicole1218]

This was a mini series not a regular show. I remember recording it on three VHS tapes.

[@jensmom604]

It started as a miniseries, then became a regular show but without most of the original cast.

[@abe_froman8360]

@@jensmom604 ??? The entire original cast was in the TV series.

[@ameerordimly1449]

@@abe_froman8360 forget sausages... You can be called: "The King of Preserving Forgotten TV Greatness" Thank you and HOW did you get copies? wheres episode 6 & 16

[@ameerordimly1449]

@@abe_froman8360 can you tell me if you removed commercials as it was originally being recorded or remove them for the upload?

[@la73sh19]

@@jensmom604, maybe not, "most," but yes, some of the original cast was missing, I think. It did air for a full season, though.

[@melciveng]

I was in my final year of school in 1987 and this was a favourite of mine. But watching it now it seems very much of its time. A bit dated and slow paced. I wonder if anyone else feels the same...

[@greglawrence1314]

Wow, I was a high school senior when this show aired, too. It wasn't a mini series, as I recall.

[@kdkseven]

@@greglawrence1314 It was both. There was a 3 part mini-series, and it did so well (it was the 3rd highest rated mini-series that season) it was picked up as a regular series for the next season. As for it being 'dated', i think it's definitely of it's time, but it was also pushing boundaries with it's very serious and straightforward approach to real life problems and situations, and in it's more cinematic presentation of music, acting and cinematography.

[@Amy-dw5nm]

I was a sophomore in college, and I do not find it slow now. There are so many character reactions and expressive moments that reveal a deeper story and meaning .

[@ameerordimly1449]

1:03:00 So...you promise you "wouldnt hurt me for the world" but you are fine with deeply hurting your fiance who you are about to marry? Yes...I believe you...you'll never do the same to me.... Huhhhh?

[@sayitloudblcknproud]

He wasn't in love with his fiance.

[@francescadesmond8846]

I know. Such a ridiculous storyline in an otherwise fabulous mini-series/show. Why oh why can't we ever see somebody break up with someone before choosing to hurt them when they are just going to leave anyway? And in what universe does a man leave a beautiful Miss America type for a hot mess like SJP?

[@tadiwatyrone]

lol mum I ĺòve ýoù

[@lwh7301]

I don't recall video quality back in the 80's being this bad.

[@user-ir8mf7km6w]

Im sorry Adam Aarkin doesn't fit for me... I know his father was famous but wtf?

[@kdkseven]

What? Adam Arkin's great! He was awesome just a few years later on Northern Exposure.

[@Amy-dw5nm]

I love him in this.

[@sayitloudblcknproud]

He was perfect in this!

[@mvunit3]

Wow :) This popped in my head and thought why not check if this is on KZbin :D. I loved this series :).