Sometimes a show can boast substantial critical acclaim and yet, just not manage to click with the viewing public. Such was the case of Brooklyn Bridge, an autobiographical series created by Gary David Goldberg, who already had a major hit under his belt with the hugely successful sitcom, Family Ties.

Brooklyn Bridge focused on the life of 14-year-old Alan Silver (Goldberg’s alter-ego) a Jewish kid growing up in New York City in 1956. Alan shared his Brooklyn residence with his postal worker father, George; his mom, Phyllis; little brother, Nathan; and maternal grandparents, Jules and Sophie - the overseeing matriarch of the family. On the streets, his buddies included Benny, Warren and Nicholas, as well as Katie, his Catholic girlfriend (much to the displeasure of Sophie.)

Combining superb writing and acting (especially from Marion Ross, who portrayed Sophie), Brooklyn Bridge was a quick hit with the critics. The show captured the time period in meticulous detail, down to the classic rock and roll and vintage radio coverage of the Brooklyn Dodgers games (recreated by real-life Dodgers announcing icon, Vin Scully)

But although audiences have often held a soft spot for the nostalgic, witnessed in shows such as The Wonder Years and Happy Days, Brooklyn Bridge never quite garnered the same recognition from viewing audiences that it did from the critics. The show received dozens of Emmy and Golden Globe nominations, and did manage to gather a very loyal fan base, but the numbers never materialized and the show would sadly end after a mere two seasons.