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As an on-the-cusp "baby-boomer", I came of age watching
That Girl on television in the 60's and 70's. It had a profound effect on me
and how I saw the world and a girl's place in it. It changed my aspirations and what
I felt was possible. Like millions of other teens out there, I identified with Ann
Marie and her new-found independence. But of course, other than such lofty notations
on the show's significance — it was just plain funny. All "ground breaking"
aside, I really enjoyed each new episode and the interaction between Ann and Don and
between Ann and her father.
When I got my first VCR and USA was showing them in syndication (before
the advent of cable's "Nick at Nite"), I started taping the shows and reliving some
of those great memories. I still have that tape collection, though it's begun
to really show signs of age, and of course, these were the "cut-for-syndication"
versions, so I have retaped the entire series via TVLand (the rarely shown uncut
versions!.) They even showed the previously unaired pilot which
I was grateful to finally get on tape! I love it that the
series is finally released on DVD, restored and preserved.
And now, forty years after That Girl began its television run, I
find myself a web-developer and graphic artist and able to bring a tribute to the
show to another medium. I have very much enjoyed the creation of this site and
will maintain it with new photos, clips, and news as they become available.
When the site debuted, there was another page available here
called A That Girl Reunion? about the possibilties of a
new movie or mini-series to update the characters. It was dreamed up
by That Girl's own Ted Bessell.
Sadly, since I put up the site, Ted Bessell has passed away. He died Sunday,
October 6, 1996. Obviously there will be no reunion now. We have included
here at this website, the Tribute from TV Guide to
Ted, Variety's Army Archerd's Comments, as well as
the Tribute from Entertainment Weekly Magazine. We
will miss Ted very much and regret that the world has lost his wit, tremendous
talent, and charm. He left us way before his time....
As you explore the site, we hope you'll find something you can take with you, or
that we can bring a smile of remembrance to you if you were a fan of the show.
At the current time, I am not aware of That Girl being shown in the U.S.;
since Nick at Nite's TV Land dropped it from their schedule. If you have
any news or information about the show, its production, or its
stars, please e-mail me and let me know.
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