GIMME A BREAK! - Season 5 (1985-86) Clip (The Family Remembers The Chief)

[@kevinmacdonald6546]

We all miss Dolph. He was a great man and he and Nell loved each other even off screen.. We love and miss you Dolph and Nell.

[@kevinmansell8746]

those were real tears in his untimely death in 1985 ending of the 4th season

[@holly20022004]

Nell was also at Dolphs hospital bedside holding his hand and signing to him as he passed on. They truly were best friends.

[@imaychat]

This episode hurt my heart and I was only like 5 when I saw it. I'm rewatching the entire series now. Its timeless. Love me some Chief and Nell❤🙏💯

[@nickadams2451]

Agreed. For me it was like losing my father. I was so proud of being Polish as a kid because of the character he portrayed. I remember my mother explaining to me what had happened to the actor who played Chief.

[@texasborn2720]

Dolph Sweet "Chief" died in 1985 at age 64. Nell Carter died in 2003 at age 54.They died too young so sad.

[@sha11235]

Interesting that Dolph lived longer than Nell. I'm talking about the ages when they died.

[@missymyers9786]

sha11235 I thought about that too. I had to look up the year of Nell’s death, cuz I remember when she died, but it seemed like a much longer time ago, n closer to the ending of the show than it actually was. I knew she died in her 50’s, which is why I didn’t realize there was such a big age difference back when the show was on. I suppose it makes sense now, but being just a teenager at the time, n the fact that it was played off in the storyline that Margaret (the Chief’s wife) and Nell were friends and she wanted Nell to help raise them, my mind just put them closer together in age. I thought she died not that many years after the show ended, but it was quite a while after. Yet she was still a decade younger than Dolph was when he passed away.

[@kimstepan8783]

Nell Carter had complictions from diabetes. Was sad to hear she passed.

[@microbios8586]

@@kimstepan8783 Nell also did plenty of drugs and drank a lot in her younger years. She swore it didn't cause her brain aneurysms though. RIP

[@kimmyhawk5612]

@@microbios8586 Why would it?

[@mattmaverick703]

COZI TV is showing this series now and I never heard of it because it was before my time, but I got to really like it and it wouldn't have made it long without Nell or The Chief. Those 2 were hilarious duo! Definitely a great sitcom worth watching.

[@marioplater3218]

This show was so great and since Dolph Sweet really died the cast was mourning his death.

[@Kreemerz]

Yeah, we all noticed it. And we all felt it.

[@davidmarsden192]

I really enjoyed this show when it was on TV!

[@thick28]

Grandpa was ALWAYS on point! ❤❤❤

[@Robizoid]

The voice of reason.

[@chriswideman1218]

He always fix the situation right away

[@thrillionaire6567]

I shed tears... RIP Dolph Sweet

[@alexanderpytko5394]

Dolph Sweet(Carl) died from cancer. His final episode aired a week before he died. Nell Carter was at his funeral and I think by his side when he was in the hospital. He was told that he had cancer that was getting worse but he still chose to keep working. Some actors are like that.

[@sha11235]

Alexander Edward Pytko Also, film critics. Gene Siskel worked from summer 1998 to February 1999 doing the TV show until he could no longer do it. He died 16 days after he said he was taking the rest of the season off to recover.

[@alexanderpytko5394]

sha11235 Peter Boyle was also the same way when he played Frank on "Everybody Loves Raymond." During the last 2 seasons of the show, Frank always looked like he was half asleep just like Carl did on the 4th season of "Gimme a Break" because Peter Boyle's health was in serious decline. Just like Dolph Sweet, Peter Boyle was also dying from cancer. He died the year after the show had it's finale. But I heard Peter Boyle found out he had cancer before even the first season and that didn't stop him from playing Frank for 9 seasons. Peter Boyle and Dolph Sweet were both great actors. May they both rest in peace.

[@sha11235]

Alexander Edward Pytko I didn't know that because I didn't watch that show.

[@schewitt1977]

Thanks for the information

[@HOHNancy]

Alexander Edward Pytko Also Alice Pierce who played the original Mrs. Kravitz found out she had terminal ovarian cancer just before "Bewitched" started and told no one about it. She worked on that show until she died around the 2nd season...she won an award for her portrayal after her death.

[@tombovitale2597]

Sad that Dolph Sweet died . they also had his character die off the show. The chief was good him n Nell really made the show work well. Gimme a break was one of my favorite shows in the 80s...

[@sha11235]

Yeah, it only lasted two more seasons.

[@jaredontv]

I think Dolph's last show was when Julie ran off the get married and it was a "to be continued" episode the next season to see the Chief's reaction.. but he either died or got to sick in that off season and they had to work around it

[@rozforthecoz5615]

How did he die on the show

[@Diostillrocks]

@@jaredontv Dolph's last show was actually the live episode.

[@oliviacovington4217]

@@rozforthecoz5615 The show doesn't mention how he died.

[@sha11235]

Grandpa should've mentioned, "How do you think I feel? He was my son! I'm supposed to go first, not him!"

[@sha11235]

Especially in a case where your child is murdered. I'm thinking of Fred Goldman.

[@latoyamosley6879]

That wasnt grandpa's fault. That's how the writers wrote that scene which they could have done a much better job

[@deltaboy767]

@@latoyamosley6879 Well seeing that the actor Dolph Sweet died during the show, the writers had to quickly make a storyline.

[@latoyamosley6879]

@@deltaboy767, it was sad though

[@deltaboy767]

@@latoyamosley6879 Yes it was.

[@DiffuserDudeAromatherapy]

I think this was the first show as a kid i remember an actor dying...this scene was so awesome to me. #Rip Dolph. Love the show!

[@oliviacovington4217]

I missed watching Gimme A Break in the 80s. I was in college then. I recently watched all six seasons and loved the family and Nell. I enjoy when Nell sings with her gifted voice like an instrument at times. Love when she sang her signature song Ain't Misbehavin, singing with Sammy Davis, and Andy Gibbs. Will watch Gimmie A Break again, and again.

[@stevemc01]

This was the godliest episode I have seen, not just the remembrance but how it did it. God bless.

[@JENDALL714]

Was she related to Florida Evans? DAMM, DAMM, DAMM!

[@sha11235]

JENDALL714 She just happened to use the same line.

[@RichWeigel]

Yeah that was definitely a reference to Good Times If I ever seen it.

[@bdchiaccio]

JENDALL714 I thought the exact same thing

[@sha11235]

Interesting thing: Rod Parker and Hal Cooper worked on Maude, which spun off Good Times.

[@latoyadawson9095]

Jendall, Thats not funny!

[@chesterbenjaminlane826]

Dolph Sweet passed away 34 years ago when I heard about his passing and I never forgotten about that at all because I'm only 42 years old and I'm very proud of myself because I own both seasons of the show itself between season 1 and 2 (1981-1982)

[@sha11235]

There should have been some words at the end saying, "We'll miss you, Dolph."

[@14DaveHunter]

Yes.

[@scootergurl48]

The picture said it all

[@schewitt1977]

I think there was when the episode first aired.

[@scootergurl48]

@@schewitt1977 I seem to recall it too.

[@RowdyRoddyManhammer]

No, that was perfect.

[@bobbyblue46]

The word Pussyfooting always makes me laugh 😂.

[@shavonnestacia2865]

Bobby Blue....That and the word "Nudes"

[@stevemoore9509]

Very touching episode also the one when Neil's father died. It was nice they showed the chiefs picture at the end. I remember I saw this episode in 1985. Also like him in the movie with Elizabeth Montgomery.Thanks for posting.

[@MikeLutton]

it schould of had a memorial at the end when they showed his picture just a thought

[@retrochickt7947]

What a great show!

[@Robizoid]

More realistic, and certainly funnier than the Cosby show.

[@LadyOmenesa]

Very emotional episode

[@hotfriedgriyoandpeeklees1522]

Rest in Peace Sweet and Nell

[@sha11235]

Amazing that the train set worked to begin with.

[@Juliaflo]

During the 1980's, a celebrated triumvirate of NBC actors passed away--Nicholas Colasanto (sp) of 'Cheers', Dolph Sweet of 'Gimme A Break', and, of course, Michael Conrad of 'Hill Street Blues'.

[@EdLillywhiteNorton]

Juliaflo and the two old baliff ladies from 'Night Court', Selma Diamond and Florence Halop.

[@ericandy88]

All of their passings were written into the show they were on, too. At least, with Cheers & Hill Street Blues, they were able to recover from such unfortunate deaths & continue on (it helped that they were ensemble shows, with plenty of other characters to build stories on). In this case, the dynamic between Nell & the chief was a huge part of the show's appeal. Without it, there was not much left.

[@dootuss83]

@@ericandy88 Yep, the chemistry between Nell and Dolph was irreplaceable. When Dolph died, the show died with him.

[@adrienneflowersscott9290]

I forgot Michael Conrad passed away that same year.

[@sha11235]

Some of the stuff they talk about at the end was in the show, like the Chief arresting Andy Gibb. Glad they did that.

[@mikevanriel7573]

I don’t care what anyone say, “Gimme a Break” was never the same when Dolph Sweet passed away.

[@kdizzle79]

I have the complete series box set and watching the later years reinforces that for me

[@adrienneflowersscott9290]

I agree

[@heinzpfaender9380]

I miss him so much so much time has passed and many characters from the show Give me a Break have passed away but left us many great memories thank you all for making us laugh making us cry just like in real life all in my prayers forever ❤️🙏Heinz

[@AarHan3]

Hail to The Chief... 👮

[@tombovitale2597]

Wow Joey has come along ways from this show till now. He is famous good looking funny great shape was awesome in Melissa n Joey. Great actor I am a big fan of his

[@sha11235]

Blossom really made him a star, since there he was older and was an original cast member.

[@sha11235]

I'd love to have watched Joey and Carl playing with the train set.

[@shaneslattery5810]

Great actor

[@ntom5579]

As a kid, I didn't have the appreciation for the fact that while everyone lost the Chief, grandpa lost a son 💔

[@latoyamosley6879]

Once the chief was gone the show wasnt as fun. I love Season 1 the best! R.I.P. Mr. Dolph Sweet Aka Chief Carl Kanisky

[@canadianscratcher7834]

When Nell said "Damn!" it reminded me of Good Times when Florida learned of James's passing and smashes a punch bowl on the floor.

[@Robizoid]

This episode always depressed me because I loved the chief. He was an excellent sparring partner for Nell. They had the perfect chemistry together and Dolph. Sweet was an amazing actor RIP to both Nell & Dolph!

[@blessedk77]

Emotional episode and ending. Unlike when John Amos was killed off, Dolph was really gone.

[@mikevanriel7573]

You got that right!

[@blessedk77]

@Paul Jackson Oh, I definitely agree.

[@RichardM1366]

Nell Carter had the best line. Just like Florida Evans, Damn Damn Damn!

[@mikevanriel7573]

You mean James Evans. John Amos, the actor who portrayed James Evans is still alive as of 2024.

[@blessedk77]

@@mikevanriel7573 Yes, I know. Nowhere did I indicate he was dead. I was talking about his character, compared to other shows where the actor actually died in real life, "unlike John Amos."

[@TVHouseHistorian]

I remember the night this aired. I was about 11 years old. Not a dry eye in the family that night.

[@alexanderpytko5394]

Without the chief, the show fell apart. It's like how "Two and A Half Men" fell apart after Charlie left.

[@sha11235]

Alexander Edward Pytko The 5th season still had good moments and stuff. I just wish there were more references to the Chief at times and of course, I wonder how he would've handled some things that went on, like Katie dating a married man, Julie being pregnant, all those adopted kids in the house, etc.

[@georgelee43211]

+Alexander Edward Pytko and ''good times'' without james evans sr.

[@ericandy88]

I think I read somewhere that Stranger Things kind of has an end-date in sight (though a season or two in the future), so they may escape that stumbling block.

[@stevyluv743]

Good times too man James Never the same without him ...

[@mikevanriel7573]

@rudy2fatLook at Diff’rent Strokes during its last 3 seasons.

[@Kevin198898]

sha he had every right to say that cause you do not suppose to bury your son first the son supposed to bury your father so it was perfectly understandable of Grandpa of what he said.

[@sha11235]

Jonathan: Who slapped him first? No one? Then let me.

[@richierich3541]

0:12, kind of reminded me of Florida Evans when James died, but the only difference was John Amos was actually still alive, but Dolph Sweet really died.

[@alongeleonard770]

one of my favorite episodes !!

[@normacastro7603]

Grandpa is right and l like how he wasn't afraid to challenge Nell

[@sha11235]

It took him awhile too to snap out of it, if you watch the whole episode.

[@skgoode75]

Great tv shows series like this one gimmie break rip

[@jasonryan1942]

She did her version of esther's damn damn damn

[@lisabaxter7786]

This was nice I wondered were some of them are today

[@Diostillrocks]

The oldest one has podcasts and is a fashion designer. The one with the glasses (yes, those glasses are real) still does acting. The youngest one went to law school and does voice overs. They are all on social media.

[@alanm7875]

Classic episode

[@lisabaxter7786]

Blessings on the cast

[@chrisb3976]

He served a tour of duty in World War II with the 44th Bombardment Group of the Eighth Air Force, where him as a Second Lieutenant served as a navigator on B-24 Liberator bomber aircraft. During his service, he was shot down over Romania while flying on Operation Tidal Wave, and subsequently spent two years as a prisoner of war . He joined other POWs in putting on short plays in the prison camp, leading to an interest in acting when he returned from the war.

[@susanfaulkner2304]

Thank you for this. It really makes him larger than life. A lot of actors and actresses have a lot more to them than meets the eye.❤

[@sha11235]

It looks like there is a picture of Julie next to Carl's photo, isn't it?

[@adrienneflowersscott9290]

It is 😊

[@matthewhill5178]

I can’t believe chief dead 😞 RNH Dolph, Nell, Grandfather, great show I b having Carl on my brain when he wasn’t here.

[@alexisblue6597]

Nell jacked Florida's DAMN DAMN DAMN!!!!

[@clamshell6863]

She did.

[@Ricobaca]

0:11 Florida Evans tribute. 😂

[@markhernandez8361]

1985 I was 1 year old hard to believe.

[@tvseriescoll]

The grandfather made the show when it moved to ny that's when it flopped miserably

[@pambaez207]

You're so right ! The show was not the same anymore.

[@sha11235]

Tom Williams There was no need for them to do that. I agree.

[@jmjfanss]

+Tom Williams and worse, the girls were gone as well, the show was never the same without the girls/

[@sha11235]

Well, the grandfather was in the final season. The problem with the final year was getting rid of the girls and moving to NYC. It wasn't the same show anymore.

[@sha11235]

Funny thing about John Hoyt, who played the grandfather. He was the first Beverly Carlton in the original stage production of The Man who Came to Dinner in 1939. You can see that character in Stanley.

[@MikeLutton]

not to be off topic but they should of done this for Harry Mac and Christine on the new Night court some sort of dedication would of been nice

[@mariek8140]

Kari Michaelsen, Lauri Hendler & Lara Jill Miller who played Katie, Julie & Samantha Kasinsky on the show should have dedicate the episode to him.

[@sha11235]

I wrote something about this: There should've been a dedication when it went to black.

[@alexisstewart8605]

I agree but the 80's was slightly different than now.

[@ericandy88]

I guess the lingering shot on Dolph's picture was a sufficient tribute. They did the same for Selma Diamond on Night Court after she passed. There were some exceptions at the time, especially a season 1 episode of Who's The Boss? about the death of Tony's father. It was dedicated to Tony Danza's real-life father who had passed around the same time.

[@sha11235]

@@ericandy88 Yeah, it just depends on how the producers want to do it.

[@mckinleycason8884]

I always watched this show as a kid. I remember I knew he’d passed away, and I wanted to watch the show right after he passed. I was out playing and Mama came to get me, but I’d missed the very opening of the show. She said they did a tribute before the show aired that night.

[@14DaveHunter]

Wrong to not say, "In Memory of Dolph Sweet" or "We'll Miss You Chief"; when it faded to black.

[@Diostillrocks]

Nell Carter did a tribute before the show began in the original one.

[@IAmAHeater]

Damn, they actin like the kid pissed all over his dad's stuff.

[@sha11235]

They are sensitive right now about using the Chief's room (he wasn't Joey's dad).

[@schewitt1977]

@@sha11235 he was raising him like his own.

[@lisabaxter7786]

I thought they we would show scenes they were talking about

[@Diostillrocks]

That would be later in the season.

[@Kevin198898]

Keith can you please upload both 5th and 6th season thanks

[@MichaelBrookham]

Interestingly enough, I think the episode just before this one had the Chief's voice off camera growling at Julie because she was married. I am assuming that was a recording of his voice, to mask the fact that he was ill.

[@sha11235]

No, that's not correct.

[@lionsfan7500]

I loved this show as a kid on Saturday nights. I remember when the chief passed it was sad on tv and in real life especially when nell carter did a public eulogy before the last show dolph sweet was in, and by coincidence that happened on the actual day of his funeral.

[@richmiller8615]

I remember watching this as a kid. If memory serves, didn't they just air an old episode the week Dolph died, followed by this one the week after?

[@feliciajenkins5041]

Why did I watch this😢

[@lisabaxter7786]

He will be missed RIP SIP shame wow

[@MichaelBrookham]

Does anyone else find it eerie when the camera slowly fades to the Chief's picture and then slowly fades out to blackness?

[@sha11235]

MichaelBrookham It is supposed to be a sad tribute there. I still think they should've had a written dedication on screen to Dolph.

[@sha11235]

MichaelBrookham You also see next to his picture a younger picture of Julie.

[@sha11235]

MichaelBrookham I also feel that during this season, although there were mentions of him at some times, there should've been even more. Guess they didn't want to overdo it.

[@loveandrockets4life]

What's eerie about it?

[@billybassman21]

Even as a kid I found it sad that the girls lost their mom and dad in such a short period of time.

[@lisabaxter7786]

Good episode funny heart warming

[@carmesundae2]

i Think they wear too ruogh on joey AnyoneElse

[@taminicamarsh]

Let the boy play trains in his room

[@sha11235]

They didn't want the Chief's room being used after he had died. They were not dealing with the passing in the right way, by denying he existed. That was why in the end Grandpa said that stuff. He realized it was wrong to not talk about the Chief .

[@kendascorner]

Anyone know What episode this was

[@williamgallucci9913]

Classic

[@dawnjustice6516]

😢😢 😭 i would feel like crying 😭 if lost my dad

[@ronelltoliver1761]

Very sad episode

[@betod3113]

Isn't this the last episode or the end of the show?

[@kdizzle79]

No, they still filmed one more season after this

[@arthurwatt4144]

The show lost alot when dolph sweet passed away. It was a terrible loss.

[@greenteabeauty.2801]

Really sad:'(

[@mirandavinci4146]

How did the chief die?

[@LBF522]

Heart Attack.

[@Diostillrocks]

Cancer.

[@charles1203]

I tell you, when Edith died, the father from Good times, a spin off from Maude, which was a spin off from All in the family, when the chief died, all episodes that made you go, no and why. When they killed Scott off in Beverly Hills 90210 I was heartbroken.

[@cherylpaoletti5177]

How did the Chief die on the show?

[@jtroll0724]

He got shot and killed in the line of duty I think.

[@sha11235]

They never said. They left that open. In real life, Dolph Sweet, who played him, died of cancer.

[@Diostillrocks]

Probably from how he died in real life.

[@sidrauneg]

Another good example that there is sometimes more to family than flesh and blood.

[@sha11235]

Too bad this wasn't cable, or Nell would've said, "Fuck, goddamn it, or shit!"

[@bigmacsama]

I guess but it would hafta be on HBO in order to get away with such vulgar language.

[@chriswideman1218]

Or Showtime

[@robertj.3383]

So did the guy die for real and they worked it into the show?

[@robertclark6349]

Yes.

[@tj205bama]

Dam, dam, dam.....

[@sha11235]

I think they should've also said, "I think the Chief would've voted for nightgown."

[@Illumination70]

I wonder how did the writers "kill off" the chief? I know Dolph Sweet passed as a result of having cancer,but I never saw an episode where the writers had him killed or in the line of duty, accident,etc.

[@travisjames3517]

I always assumed killed on the job.

[@sha11235]

I would've written than he grounded them after he fainted and was revived.

[@OMGiGi]

The irony is Nell gave the same speech to the chief about their mother’s on her birthday.

[@tjames9698]

I always thought that he was killed in the line of duty.

[@lisabaxter7786]

He was funny sweet

[@matthewhill5178]

I just love ❤️ & miss Carl I can’t believe he’s dead 😔he’s also Dead n real life Dolph he died 37 yrs ago n 1985 I wasn’t even born yet I was born n February 20,1989 that’s my bth day RNH Dolph, Grandfather, Nell, I b having Carl on my brain when he’s not on there.

[@25FADIII]

The Best TV Dad of all-time.

[@waynehoxit5566]

Was there a main reason she felt a lot of extreme rage at Joey just asking

[@Etobeeshawn]

in that episode, there was a rule that the Chief's bedroom was off-limits to everybody and nobody was allowed to go in there for any reason, and Joey broke that rule, hence why Nell was mad. Grandpa finally had to put his foot down (so to speak) and end that "rule", and Nell knew he was right which is why she didn't argue Grandpa

[@cilla4000]

Who child is this? So did Chief die while filming so they played it out on the show? This seems crazy. I would love to see the full episode

[@kdizzle79]

Joey Donovan is the foster child that Nell and the Chief took in two seasons earlier. Dolph Sweet "The Chief" passed away in May of 1985, right after production wrapped on the fourth season

[@Diostillrocks]

He died in the off season. You can hear some of the girls crying and sniffling.

[@waynehoxit5566]

Was there a main reason Nell was extreme mad at Joey just asking

[@Venus-bb7cd]

No, she was just grieving and took it out on him.

[@waynehoxit9782]

Was there a main reason Nell felt a lot of extreme rage at Joey

[@Diostillrocks]

The Chief's death.

[@sha11235]

When we first hear the train set, I think Nell could've thought, "He's taking another shower?" Well, it does sound like water running then.

[@FlappyBelly]

Did she just do a a Florence?

[@mikevanriel7573]

Sure Nell Carter is the reason why reason why Gimme a Break was a hit. I will admit it. However, Dolph Sweet was the heart and soul.

[@chriswideman1218]

Unlike when Valerie Harper's character on the Hogan Family being killed off and replaced by Sandy Duncan. The Chief Carl Kaninsky played by Dolph Sweet died in real life and there was no replacement for his character.