Family Ties - Washed Up

Uncle Ned is afraid that he's already washed up and refuses to admit that he has a drinking problem. (Say Uncle)

[@jagarcia1]

Man Michael J. Fox sold that slap like a champ. All that was missing was Jim Ross shouting, "Good God Almighty, he killed him, he killed him".

[@efan2011]

+jagarcia1 "Bah gawd! That kid's gotta future and he broke him in half!"

[@SamGuthrie1977]

"Stop the damn match!" :)

[@carlhepp6193]

“Uncle Ned you no good son of a bitch! Christ almighty! He may have slapped Alex P. Keaton in half, King! Bah gawd!”

[@superstarreviews9937]

As god as my witness,he slapped him in half!!!

[@bridgetryder5352]

If Elise hadn't been there, Steven would have "Gone Medieval" on Uncle Ned!

[@djmoch1001]

"Okay, Ned. That's it. It's over. Right now. Either you get some help, or you get the hell out of my house." It's chilling just how calm Michael Gross reads the line, you can tell he's absolutely furious. It's kind of scary, actually.

[@jenpeterson3712]

Michael Gross was amazing! Most powerful scene

[@famouslastwords0791HR]

He's just fantastic. He can do EVERYTHING so well.

[@pallavisreetambraparni6995]

Yes

[@joemckim1183]

@@jenpeterson3712 Michael Gross, Tom Hanks, Meredith Baxter and Michael J. Fox were all great in this scene.

[@derekllewellyn6663]

@@jenpeterson3712 do you know Tom Hanks he's family ties and love bout TV show on doing live TV show on doing live

[@hanscombe72]

Close your eyes and Woody is confessing he has a drinking problem.

[@bryancarbone6053]

hanscombe72 And Marty Mcfly is trying to help.

[@rand0mdude779]

“I hit Buzz...how could I do that!? 😥😢😭”

[@GiovannatheSTRONG]

😂😂😂

[@noveaubleu8716]

Okay mr light beer prove it

[@favrerules04]

It's all Andy's fault

[@natalieschannel7675]

Forrest Gump gets wasted, rides the Bipolar Express and knocks Marty McFly Back to the Furniture.

[@caesar349]

Natalie's Channel underrated comment!

[@Lupinthe3rd.]

It should be Forrest Grump to complete the chain

[@pipsta]

OMG hahahahahahahhahahahahah

[@catnapgee5357]

your comment made today worth living for me!!

[@loriraymond6789]

Oh no

[@jenpeterson3712]

I love the way Alex reaches out for his Mum and she securely holds his hand ❤❤ All actors handled that scene beautifully. I wish Steven showed his anger a little longer. He was.great!. Michael Gross was amazing in that episode.

[@JamesNYCGuy3]

His...mum?

[@11Stucat]

Ned's lucky Steven didnt go down in the basement and get something from his arsenal. That would have sent "Tremors" through Ned...

[@FightOstinFight]

He was amazing in the whole series.

[@donaldpump3072]

Hus mem

[@johnhhford8482]

Someone here commented that this episode was a turning point in Hanks' career. He of course had Ron Howard to thank for making him a movie star with Splash that same year, but this episode was seared into the memory of every audience member, and one has to imagine people in the industry took note of Tom Hanks. For such a young actor to handle comedic and dramatic moments effortlessly in the same scene was/is true talent. Also, notice the shock that Alex is in. His hero and mentor did that to him. Fox handles that scene amazingly. As has been pointed out, there were several 'special episodes' in sitcoms back in the day, but Family Ties always had a way of navigating them the best, in my opinion. And to this day, I am still astounded that Michael Gross never got an Emmy nomination for his role as Steven Keaton.

[@jroysims44]

Tom Hanks is THE actor.

[@kristinesmart3134]

Beautiful, eloquent comment. I agree with you at least 99%. Especially about Michael Gross. He wasn't the "wimpy" Dad. He ruled the roost with a gentle, fair hand. I love men like that, no matter the age of adulthood.

[@aslan9334]

Wow that means i was 8 😢

[@Johnnyrocks34]

Id think it was bosom buddies. It’s 2024 and ive never seen this. He acted on a popular tv show for 2 yrs so he was already famous at this point. Splash was a comedy and bosom buddies was comedy.

[@Johnnyrocks34]

@@kristinesmart3134you don’t think starring in bosom buddies for 2 yrs got him more notice than this? I used to watch this show as kid and this first time I’m seeing it. I might be wrong. I’m thinking maybe few people forget he starred in show before this

[@favrerules04]

Hanks and Fox got their acting chops from working with two of the greatest American actors of all time: Michael Gross, and Merideth Baxter-Birney

[@sxhbk]

Stephen keaton like a boss... you get the hell outve my house or you get help... This was when 80s sitcoms would have serious episodes.... a classic

[@Shanethefilmmaker]

And people wonder why they picked Gross to play Burt Gummer. Stephen while badass, mostly threatens. Gummer is basically Stephen if he decided to go through with his threats.

[@sxhbk]

@Arthur Archambeau taught you shit tho.. i know it did me..

[@TheBandit025Nova]

@@ShanethefilmmakerNick would have died

[@pedrobakale7180]

the scene is absolutely realistic. Substance abuse turns the best people into the worst monsters, almost without them noticing. They can be the most sympathetic and funny people until they start to be uncontrollable and violent. Sometimes only a few seconds are enough for that. And I think that's the time to stop and leave. This is called "rock bottom".

[@honestdave]

Sadly I know the feelings of rock bottom. About 2 years ago when I was a hardcore meth addict unfortunately I ended up hitting my girlfriend when she and I were angry at each other. To this day I can't forgive myself I've hated myself ever since. Even after being off of drugs since 2017 I still can't get over what I did. And even though she forgave me I never forgave myself

[@QuasiELVIS]

It's a bit of a cliche that people suddenly start getting violent with substance abuse. You could be a drunk or addicted to whatever but you won't magically become aggressive if you weren't already like that.

[@pedrobakale7180]

A drunk does not know what he does. They lose control very easily. That is the pure truth.

[@QuasiELVIS]

@@pedrobakale7180 The pure truth is that some people do, some people don't.

[@cindybrooks2786]

@@pedrobakale7180 that's the truth

[@Sherpaful]

Houston, we have a problem. A drinking problem.

[@sportsygirl8]

HAHA GOOD ONE!

[@WorthlessDeadEnd]

I haven't seen this scene since I was a child. I had completely forgotten the slap, but I vividly remember the father saying, "Either you get help, or you get the hell out of my house."

[@bigwillietheb]

I remember I was 8 years old when this episode aired , & I remembered Tom Hanks from Bossom Buddies, played a great role there as Uncle Ned

[@maryellen968]

I can only remember him drinking the vanilla back in the days...thinking i gota try that, in 1984 i was 11... And the taste was horrid

[@djmoch1001]

It's terrifying just how calm Michael Gross was in portraying his anger. You can absolutely tell he's furious.

[@WorthlessDeadEnd]

@@maryellen968 I've been an adult now for a while, and I still don't like the taste of alcohol. 🤢

[@jenpeterson3712]

@@djmoch1001 that was one of the most powerful scenes of Family Ties. I loved seeing Steven's dramatic side😳

[@honestperson6280]

Tom Hanks hit Michael J. Fox?!? This should go down in television history!

[@mattbartolovich8228]

That was a first for him!

[@josephschauster6277]

i know quite the cameo in this episode

[@PIXPromosMore]

@@mattbartolovich8228 He fought Fonzie, too

[@mattbartolovich8228]

@@PIXPromosMore when?

[@PIXPromosMore]

@@mattbartolovich8228 Here 'ya Go... kzbin.info/www/bejne/amfScniaqsmies0

[@kimmyfreak200]

"my name is ned and i have a drinking problem" the way he forces the words out emotionally sounded so real... like a deep dark secret u are admitting out loud for the 1st time.. brilliant acting

[@cbsteffen]

And we know from him that Elyse’s maiden name was Donnelly.

[@Ribberflavenous]

Brought me right back to the first time I had to stay that, wow. Nearly 7years ago and it shook me up. I will never forget it.

[@jackdull5699]

Back in the day when television sitcoms shows dealt with real issues.

[@keensterd3654]

True

[@Shanethefilmmaker]

Well as real as you can make it on 80s Television.

[@monmothma3358]

And were filled with melodrama and moralizing....

[@kaharold]

Exactly.. REAL ISSUES and Not all this Crap thats on Today.. I So Agree Jack..

[@kaharold]

@Jacob Wilkes EXACTLY, I Hate all those Reality Shows,

[@MrCarl220]

Fox really played that hit well..what a fall! I remember this, pretty powerful episode. Always liked the show, too bad we have none like it now.

[@hiplikeapril]

Ikr i love him!!!

[@popeyedoyle235]

MrCarl220 he fell on a padded mat on set.

[@Gazeroni]

As a kid I saw this and thought - why did he turn his head the wrong way?

[@reedrothchild4013]

He took a dive... worse than the soccer divas.

[@bridgetryder5352]

I think that Hanks really hit Fox!

[@olegunnarsolskjaer337]

Steven Keaton 99% of the time is a kind, patient, tolerant man. But for that 1%, you had better run.

[@kpag3030]

Michael played it so well after the slap. He isn’t physically hurt as much as he is scared. This is a very heavy moment that he has to be a part of and he doesn’t know how to deal with it. It’s very well done by him.

[@Mikem-mq2hh]

I'm a 12 sober alcoholic thanks to Alcoholics Anonymous. And all comedy aside, I well up like its the first time I saw this episode. The missed opportunities, the shattered relationships and friendships. Its a horrible hole I dug and kept digging until I stopped at 42yo. I'm 55 and I don't miss it at all and am so blessed today.

[@edwardshipman5756]

Forest Gump backhands Marty Mcfly. Remember this episode when i was little. Did not know uncle Ned was Tom Hanks. Great post.

[@QuasiELVIS]

How old are you?

[@Posijax]

Me too...a powerful era for TV...

[@Horus175]

And Burt Gummer tells him to go to rehab or GTFO.

[@Theordoreqaz]

I still think this is one of Tom Hank’s best acting performances. It’s gut wrenching

[@joemckim1183]

Its definitely one of his best acting performances of pre-1990.

[@LinkRocks]

Michael Gross is a damn good actor. I always loved his work.

[@jenpeterson3712]

He was magnificent!

[@thecapecodder]

So well executed!! Note, they didn't return violence with violence ... instead their goal was to address mental health.. every second of this scene by each actor was perfection!

[@SoulShines4Music]

Steven & Elyse Keaton were peace loving, war hating, commune living hippies when they got married and Alex & Mallory were babies. It would've been completely out of character if Steven's first reaction had been to hit Ned, (his brother-in-law) in the scene. Steven was extremely angry, and rightfully so, but he never would've resorted to violence. The writers were being truthful to the characters they created handling this scene the way they did.

[@Stephen0560]

Powerful scene.

[@lupitagonzalez7949]

Steven Matthews Very.

[@ignatiushendra4698]

this is why I really like this old sitcom. the moral value of a family.

[@CyanoticFuture]

My name is Ned Donnelly, and I have a drinking problem. Uuuhhhhhh sir, this is Dominos Pizza...

[@ThePython666]

CyanoticFuture that would be so funny if that happened

[@emmalee4211]

Lol

[@jamessmith9989]

😂

[@QuasiELVIS]

Who's he going to ring in the middle of the night anyway?

[@almostparadise123]

Well then could I have a large pepperoni and sausage with maraschino cherries pleaaase

[@rockslime]

TV shows today don't have a message like this show did years ago.

[@PennSavvy]

Yunaton F Langhirt That’s false.

[@QuasiELVIS]

What you mean is TV shows aren't as outrageously corny as they were years ago. The problem with this "message" and many like it from that era is that they barely reflect reality at all.

[@jk56f2]

@@QuasiELVIS Reflected my reality growing up and many other's realities. Alcoholism has hurt a lot of families. I didn't find this that corny at all.

[@SirCamera]

Y’all never seen Bojack Horseman?

[@robinsmith2118]

That's is so tru

[@kennethb375]

In all seriousness. Tom Hanks was so wonderful and beautiful in this episode. At such a young actor he mixed humor with a serious problem which was, otherwise, an underlying condition in the 80's. Tom Hanks is an amazing actor

[@ZerogGames]

That one time Sheriff Woody got drunk and smacked the hell out of Stuart Little.

[@goggysworld1486]

2:01. Michael J Fox sold that slap like a professíonal wrestler.😂

[@chriswideman1218]

He sold it like a daytime soap opera actor

[@davidstrange6759]

And this was the closest that Tom Hanks ever got to playing a villian

[@mkaplan1383]

If you don't count the time he played an anti hero in Road To Perdition.

[@bigwillietheb]

I don't think Tom Hanks ever played a role as a Villian

[@Shanethefilmmaker]

Actually the closest he ever got to playing a villain Ironically was Toy Story. Before they made him simply a jealous jerk, Woody was a full on villain. Abusing Slinky, boasting about being the favourite and even out right trying to kill Buzz.

[@gravylawyer]

He did play a rude manager in A League of their Own, but his character was somewhat caring.

[@Mai2727]

He was kind of an ass in That Thing You Do

[@anthonyrodriguez4574]

even though tom hanks played an alcoholic and slapped marty mcfly....i still can't hate him lol

[@sportsygirl8]

Same here! I was shocked to see him get hit, I was upset, about as upset as Steven was, but I got over it.

[@Bardock025]

AROD2287 Forrest Gump slapped Marty mcfly

[@espresso5512]

you can not hate Tom Hanks no matter what

[@w6p7a]

Marty Mcfly lmao

[@axelfoley1406]

It's Toy Story, the live action version. Woody attacks Andy.

[@davidbreen6335]

Had Tom Hanks been available they should've added an episode where Uncle Ned after being in rehab for a long period shows up clean and sober and to make amends for all of this.

[@thebandit0256]

I think it would be a good episode when Andy Keaton is on the

[@7233145]

Powerful, powerful writing, and equally powerful performances by everyone! I'm a child of the '80's (38) and I never forgot that episode. The ultimate definition of a "very special episode".

[@briankelly9347]

Did u ever a blonde girls armpits?

[@hiplikeapril]

Michael J Fox is amazing!!!! 😍👌😄🙏✌

[@sportsygirl8]

Sure is!

[@hiplikeapril]

Ikr

[@willrobinson3662]

hiplikeapril Amen. Michael J. Fox is a genius and Charlie Sheen is an idiot.

[@Frankybroadcast]

He's hilarious in 'The Hard Way'

[@jenpeterson3712]

@@willrobinson3662 totally agree with you. When Charlie took Michael's place in Spin City, it went down hill

[@goldengirl5165]

This touches me because I lived with my uncle and grandparents. My Uncle was an alcoholic and died of cirrhosis right there in our basement at the age of 37 on Thanksgiving Day when I was 11 years old. That was 24 years ago. He refused to get help for his drinking problem. I still remember that day like yesterday.

[@pallavisreetambraparni6995]

I am so sorry. Unfortunately, u can't help people who don't want to be helped. Your uncle destroyed himself. He was self destructive.

[@Lucaya4Life]

It was so sad when Steven told him the drinking was gonna kill him and he said he didn't care. He really lost all hope for himself.

[@leanajo754]

Reminds me of my Dad's drinking problem when I was a kid. My Mom finally put him in a 90 day rehab & he went through AA, for a year or 2, & stayed sober for 20 years (he passed in 2003, with 20 years sobriety). This episode always made me tear up. Tom Hanks was excellent playing a drunk.

[@angelacarleton9575]

Incredible actors both Michael J. Fox and Tom Hanks loved this episode. They sold me on their talent from the get go!

[@jenpeterson3712]

Garry Goldberg said that Michael pleaded with him to have an alone scene with Tom. Probably the kitchen scene.

[@chingannb]

"Ned, you're sick, you have a dizeeeeeze..."

[@kellyscott4719]

Show how great these two actors are. Love ya Michael and Tom

[@destrysanchez7185]

This scene shook me to my core. This first time I watched it I couldn’t leave my house the rest of the day.

[@deiiiify]

who thought tom hanks would turn out to be one of the biggest actors ever

[@reedrothchild4013]

You'll find his finest work in "Joe Versus the Volcano" and "Bachelor Party"

[@bridgetryder5352]

I liked the other guy on "Bosom Buddies" better.

[@porkwoofles3909]

You can see the transition in Apollo 13 I think. The movie starts off with him cracking jokes, and by the end, he's the new dramatic Tom Hanks.

[@ms.felonystrutter2472]

Only because MJF got sick

[@xtraflo]

Never - Ever. It wasn't until Forest Gump that people started to really pay attention.

[@Thurisaz314159]

I'd give a lot to sound like Michael Gross when he's angry.

[@Shanethefilmmaker]

+Thurisaz314159 It's actually really easy. Just picture someone you care about. It doesn't have to be a real situation, but the person you are thinking of is real. Now imagine that person, has gotten hurt by someone else in one way or another. Rather than blow a top or shout loud, let the anger you have flow to the point where it makes you calm. That's called Tranquil fury.

[@Thurisaz314159]

I know. This scene is listed under that section. Thanks, fellow troper!

[@pipsta]

He goes "GRWGRW" like a dog

[@jenpeterson3712]

When people with a solemn nature get angry, the firm and definite tone makes people listen

[@dnasty312]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/qoe3omxqltCShKs

[@SciTrekMan]

“My name is Ned Donnelly and I have a drinking problem.” Hanks did that so well.

[@sportsygirl8]

That slap really shocked me! And then Alex flying across the room, that sure was a scary moment seeing that too, glad that Ned didn't knock him out, which he could have. And as mad as Steven was I'm surprised that he didn't punch him or really scream at him for touching Alex, great restraint, but you could hear it in his voice that he really was ticked! I loved the ending part where Ned says "Hi, yes. Um...would you be interested in a subscribing to the Columbus Express?" Too funny, but glad that he finally admitted that he has a drinking problem. Great acting by Tom Hanks, he can play whatever role you give him and he'd play it so well. Fun fact, Tom Hanks was also in an episode of Taxi, I just found that out from someone on another video of where Tom Hanks guest starred on Happy Days. So pretty cool that he worked with 2 stars from Back to the Future!!!

[@AnalyticalMenace]

Yes. He sure did slap Alex Back to the Furniture! XD

[@mattmcdermott3919]

Matt. McDermott. To be continued next week and next episode.

[@yowodup6094]

Such a well acted scene, you really feel the emotion and the intensity in this scene.

[@targetrender9529]

Even early on, Hanks acting was amazing. When he said “I have a drinking problem” and his voice was quavering….

[@Tanya-sc4zz]

I remember watching this when it originally aired and yelling at my television: "Let him go Elyse! Kick his a$$ Steven!!"

[@avishaychinaka4662]

they didnt say that

[@jenpeterson3712]

I wished that too. It would have been great if Steven had shown his anger a little longer

[@pizzulo81]

Ned would have bitch slapped Steve half way across the room too if he tried to pull anything.

[@thebandit0256]

​@@pizzulo81 That only works if the person is Irish

[@Wh3nYour3Strang3]

2:44 "Uncle Ned... please stop massaging my thigh..."

[@willrobinson3662]

Simon Corvax Exactly! Uncle Ned has gone nuts.

[@rickymoranjr9609]

this is the moment that made Tom Hanks' career as an actor, plus the way he cried made this scene a lot more heartbreaking because Alcoholism is a disease that should never be taken likely especially when it effects the family.

[@bigwillietheb]

Tom Hanks at his best , he did a fantastic job playing uncle Ned, to me one of the best episodes of the whole series

[@HackTheGamer]

It pains me to see him like this but to know he's still With us fighting PD everyday is really inspiring. Grew up watching and inspired by Michael J. Fox. I wanted to be Marty McFly at one point, but from Family Ties to Back to the Future, to Teen Wolf to The Secret of my Success he's definitely one of the best to ever do it.

[@notafraid06]

I have a drinking problem. Shalalalaaaaa

[@Nightshift10000]

Back in the 80’s when Michael Gross looked like Kenny Loggins before he was blowing up giant worms

[@Shanethefilmmaker]

Hanks slaps Fox in family ties and years later they both get prominent roles in Zemeckis films.

[@libblyster16]

+Shanethefilmmaker good point... LOL

[@Shanethefilmmaker]

Liberty Hoffman I actually once during one of those tumblr ask me anythings, tried to ask Hanks if that slap had anything to do with them nailing the roles of Forrest Gump and Marty McFly, but I got no answer.

[@libblyster16]

+Shanethefilmmaker aww too bad

[@sportsygirl8]

Yeah, that is pretty cool. Tom Hanks was in 2 Zemeckis films, the most obvious one was Forrest Gump, but he was also in The Polar Express! Well, he actually did a voice part, but that still counts as being in a movie. Another cool thing about The Polar Express, is that someone my mom went to school with, his name is Eddie Dezen, can't spell the last name right, anyway, he did the voice of one of the boys in The Polar Express.

[@Shanethefilmmaker]

sportsygirl8 Don't forget Cast Away. He had to wait till after Zemeckis filmed What Lies Beneath to regain all the weight he lost.

[@rand0mdude779]

Everyone's talking about the punch but honestly 2:17 is powerful as hell

[@prathameshbhambure]

I finished watching this episode 1½ hrs ago, and I came here to watch this clip. To know that Tom Hanks never returned to the show after this is a hard fact to gulp since I've loved his character dearly. Such an endearing character and Family Ties is already becoming my most favorite show ever.

[@prathameshbhambure]

23rd Mar. '23

[@leastlikedcritic7529]

You instantly feel the threat when Steven says 2:17, cause you know he means it.

[@johnrig9434]

Marty McFly went flying 😂

[@romulusnr]

"or you get the hell out of my house" 80s sitcoms dealt with real shit

[@Nati4Truth]

Exactly. And this one was the best out of those in 80s.. n can say, in 90s or nowadays ones.. u won't find a show like that in any sitcom anymore. Where they r bringing up real life issues, of child or adult, without mocking any situation! Go, find similar sitcom. Good luck in endless search:p this one is the best TV show in its genre for sure.

[@markmoretti9122]

Every actor here is brilliant!

[@Meme-zc4cw]

As someone who is a recovering alcoholic I can relate to Ned and have to say, Hanks did an amazing job at portraying one.

[@marklamphear7531]

Steven Keaton kept it real.

[@charliegeraldjr5926]

My dad was like Uncle Ned he seriously got help on his birthday and I was really proud of him but I’m still feeling guilty for not saying I’m sorry when he died in 2009

[@D2Kprime]

He knows. :')

[@tayladunn7490]

You did nothing wrong !! You did everything in your power to help him, and he knows how much you love and miss him. No matter what he will always be with you !! 🙏🏾🥺

[@katiejohnston988]

This reminds me of the episode from 7th Heaven with Aunt Julie who was, also, an alcoholic. Her illness made her so sick that she, also, physically hurt her nephew Simon like Ned did to Alex here. It’s like it turns them into a completely different person which is pretty scary, so sad. 😢

[@xTonyTonyx]

When I flunked out of college i used to think about this episode alot ... I too had a drinking problem both in college and after

[@bigwillietheb]

well hopefully , you got help & I hope you are doing well today

[@xTonyTonyx]

I was able to quit drinking all together about 6 years after leaving college. 22 years sober this year.

[@elizabethh776]

@@xTonyTonyx Wow Congrats!!!!! :) 22 years sober is a long time!

[@xTonyTonyx]

@@elizabethh776 Thanks Elizabeth! 😃 l was happy to see your comment … how’s your day going?

[@oldeenglishd45]

This was tough to watch. EVERYONE has an Uncle Ned.

[@jx5189]

I saw this interview with family ties producer Gary Goldberg talking about Tom Hanks. Tom had agreed to do two episodes he did the first episode and then his career started to take off Tom's agent called Gary and said he is not going to do the second episode. "This episode" Tom personally called back Gary and said I will do the second episode you guys were great. Now that is a classy guy!!

[@alanahclaire6494]

Woody's drunk again......😂

[@lunember95]

Gucci Grassi I guess you could say Woody......was Buzzed

[@bryancarbone6053]

Lol

[@terrybogard2336]

And slaps Marty McFly

[@shaneomacdaddy]

​@@terrybogard2336Or Stuart Little

[@c-man2nd739]

2:18 All Right, Ned, That’s It, It’s Over

[@donaldpump3072]

The pressure of living as an adult begins to overwhelm him, and he longs to return to his simple, former life as a boy.

[@megamouthspike1930]

Michael J. Fox made a radical physical transformation from the time he filmed Class of 1984 in early-1982, until premiered in Family Ties in mid-1982.

[@jamesdavison2927]

One of the most powerful moments in sitcom history

[@pallavisreetambraparni6995]

When it came to protecting his family, Steaven Keaton would do anything in his power to do it, legally that is. And here, steven keaton meant serious business when it meant protecting his family. Every man should be like Steven Keaton.

[@TheTsar1918]

Two of my idols in the same scene. Enough said.

[@dr.hookyeah2883]

Notice how when Ned rambled on feeling sorry for himself, Mr. Keaton called him pathetic-Which is true. Such truth would never be uttered on television today let alone in real life.

[@jenpeterson3712]

That is so true. I was watching Becker recently, and they blurred out an "ups" sign someone was giving him. Ridiculous

[@nellabozhko6941]

Everyone who has a drinking problem denies it. Alcoholics have 2 options: get help or lose it all. Steven Keaton stepped in to protect his son like a papa bear. That's exactly what every father should do.

[@jenpeterson3712]

If they didn't, they'd be something wrong

[@jhgfdsertuiokjhg]

3:23; tension break joke with no laugh track then leads to a great line read from Hanks, very moving.

[@GIguy]

No modern sitcom can hold a candle to shows like family ties, and all the other shows from that era that knew how to take life seriously, not pull any punches without using vulgarity, and show a side of life that’s reality for 100s of millions of people all over the world, aside that no other shows would even come near. At 53, I know I sound like an old fart when I say there’s nothing worth watching on TV anymore, but the more I watch these reruns the more I’m convinced that I’m right. Things like integrity, decency, determination, compassion, and love, don’t exist the way they should anymore, everything now is sensationalism and shock value, just to grab ratings. But these older shows were written to grab your imaginations, to get under your skin and into your brain, and get us all thinking together in a positive way, something no modern show has been able to do, at least not that I can see. They didn’t have to use hyped up needless violence or graphic sexuality to make an excellent, excellent show, they all stuck with a real simple formula, reality as raw as they could portray it.

[@marcspardello1254]

That is a well thought out piece of comedic genius

[@sara31773]

Great slap sequence. I slow mo’d it and Hanks actually smack MJF’s hand but MJF really pulled that off.

[@khfan4life365]

This scene doesn’t fully hit you until you live it.

[@kevkoster7877]

1:57 Sounds like he called him Uncle Ed

[@simplyapleb9027]

I remember this episode like yesterday. This is what sitcoms were made of.

[@67marlins]

Poor Alex....

[@samanthashiplett9388]

I LOVE FAMILY TIES💜💜

[@jenpeterson3712]

I want to buy the complete series

[@ExecutionStyleInc]

it didn't even look like he hit hIm but Fox hella took a fall lol

[@mikeymartin80]

Forrest Gump voice I don’t remember much this one time . I was trying to burn news paper clippings and this kid grabbed ma arm and for No particular Reason . Slapped Him. His father was Angry.

[@karlvonboldt]

I think Mr. Keaton handled that rather calmly, considering his brother in law just hit his boy.

[@jenpeterson3712]

He handled it beautifully. Calm and strong mannerisms like that make people listen

[@thebandit0256]

If Elyse wasn't in the room it would be worse reminder Elyse is the older one between her and Ned despite there being two older children

[@CarlyneDTQTonPod]

damn this sitcom still makes sense and is relevant in 2022 for so many people Tom Hanks was already a great actor

[@jeahavvalentin980]

Now it's 2023

[@davidbreen6335]

I went back and watched all the Uncle Ned Episodes on Pluto. What's really sad about this whole thing is Ned developed alcoholism from going to prison for doing the right thing. He tried to stand up and fight for people who were going to lose their jobs and got punished by society for it.

[@Userrrio]

I watch this show when life gets sad for me. And I was very disappointed to find out there’s no way for me to watch full episodes anymore. So I’ve just been watching a bunch of these clips to get the same effect

[@rjb1216]

Paramount +

[@collectivesartori]

All of them. Brilliant in this scene.

[@7233145]

what made that scene so powerful (to those familiar with the series) was it was the first time you ever saw the dad (Micheal Gross) angry. when he told tom hanks "or get the hell out of my house.." , that was more shocking than Ned smacking Alex!

[@jenpeterson3712]

Definitely! That look and that tone. He got his message across

[@aosanshou]

not impressed by that though. All he did was rage toward the real sick who needed help AND he was the one who should have protected Alex, use serious force then or and get hit instead or something.

[@alstinson]

Powerful Stuff. Take a lesson from this. Self destruction places a bomb not only around yourself, but others in your life. Get help, keep trying, it's never too late.

[@myles-spikewebby8519]

Go Steven Go! Michael Gross rocks!

[@Agent.Wadsworth]

I now know why even in his Bosom Buddies & Bachelor Party days, TH had incredible range & a gift for his profession.

[@Jerry74]

That was probably the most angry I have seen Steven get on the show If Elyse wasn't there I think he would have belted Ned. One very tense moment.

[@jenpeterson3712]

Michael Gross played that episode really well.

[@olegunnarsolskjaer337]

Ned would have died that night

[@efan2012]

When I was a kid I decided to never drink or anything; this episode was a huge reason why. Tom made it all seem realistic and painful. Granted his comedy scenes were funny but he nailed what it's like ot be an out of control drunk as I've seen a plenty of them. That ending bit here is some of the most dramatic I've seen a sitcom do. Shame we never heard what happened to Ned.. In RL though as soon as Ned woulda hit Alex most dads would at least grab Ned by the throat; I know mine would have.

[@jakehosey1688]

It resonants with me when he says I don't care.