The hit 80s sitcom “Growing Pains” recently had a much-anticipated reunion, bringing back memories for fans of the show and the cast members themselves. The show originally aired from 1985 to 1992 and followed the Seaver family, with patriarch Dr. Jason Seaver played by Alan Thicke, and his wife Maggie played by Joanna Kerns. The couple had three children, Mike, Carol, and Ben, played respectively by Kirk Cameron, Tracey Gold, and Jeremy Miller, and later had a fourth child, Chrissy, played by Ashley Johnson.
Growing Pains was a beloved family sitcom that aired from 1985 to 1992, following the life of the Seaver family. Recently, the cast had a reunion, revealing some behind-the-scenes secrets about the show.
During the reunion, the cast members reminisced about their time on the show and shared some behind the scenes secrets with fans. One of the biggest revelations was that Kirk Cameron, who played the rebellious teenage son Mike Seaver, would often ad-lib his lines and try to push the envelope with the show’s writers.
Cameron was known for frequently adding his own jokes and quips to the scripts, making for some memorable moments on set. He shared that the iconic living room set was actually smaller than it appeared on TV. He also revealed that the cast would sometimes sneak into the studio at night to play basketball.
Tracey Gold, who played Mike’s younger sister Carol Seaver, shared that she and Kirk Cameron had a brother-sister dynamic both on and off screen. She revealed that they would often joke around and tease each other on set, and that they even pulled pranks on each other during filming. She shared that she used to have a crush on her on-screen brother Mike. She also shared that during the show’s final season, she struggled with an eating disorder and her co-stars were a big support system for her.
Joanna Kerns, who played the matriarch of the Seaver family, also shared some behind the scenes secrets. She revealed that during the show’s earlier seasons, she was pregnant with her second child and had to hide her pregnancy from the show’s producers. In order to conceal her growing belly, she often had to stand behind objects or carry large bags in front of her.
Alan Thicke, who played the patriarch of the Seaver family, unfortunately could not be there for the reunion as he passed away in 2016. However, the other cast members shared fond memories of him and his sense of humor. They revealed that Thicke was always quick with a joke or a one-liner and that he would often break into song on set.
Overall, the “Growing Pains” reunion was a nostalgic trip down memory lane for fans of the show, and a chance for the cast members to reminisce about their time on the popular sitcom. The behind the scenes secrets they shared only added to the show’s charm and legacy, and will no doubt continue to be talked about by fans for years to come.
