Thicke revels in 'good dad' TV role
  
Kirstie McLellan
CalgaryHerald.com
Saturday, April 26, 2008


From 1985 to 1992 Alan Thicke was Dr. Jason Seaver, psychiatrist and perfect papa in the hit sitcom "Growing Pains".

It was a typical family-centered sitcom, they would drive each other up the wall and then hug at the end. Part of the show's success was that it had such broad appeal -- young kids to grandparents.

Raised in Kirkland Lake, Ont., Thicke started out in the mid-'60s as a writer for the CBC. He worked on the The Tommy Hunter Show.

When he was in his early 20s Thicke moved to Hollywood and found work producing and writing "Fernwood Tonight", a talk show parody starring Martin Mull and Fred Willard.

In 1983 Thicke went in front of the camera to host "Thicke of the Night", a short-lived talk show that failed miserably. Today, he takes it all in stride. "Shows change, jobs change. It's California, wives change."

Thicke is also a talented composer. He wrote the theme music to game shows like "Wheel of Fortune" and "The Joker's Wild" and to sitcoms including, "Facts of Life" and "Diff'rent Strokes". "Back then it was important that in the opening 22 seconds you told the story, set it up, and at the same time had a catchy enough melody that everyone would rush into the living room to see it."

A lot of famous stars have been kicking around Hollywood since they were kids and several guest starred on Growing Pains.

"We were privileged to see most of the fine young teen actors at one time or another in the Growing Pains studios. People who have gone onto great heights since then, Hilary Swank, and Heather Graham, Matthew Perry, Brad Pitt. and of course, Leonardo."

In an effort to boost flagging ratings, Leonardo DiCaprio joined Growing Pains in its final season as Luke, a homeless boy taken in by the family.

So whatever happed to Alan Thicke? At 61, Thicke stays fit by skiing and risking his neck in celebrity hockey tournaments. "In the last minute of the game I might be standing in the spot, hoping for a lucky goal. Maybe something will bounce off my ass and go into the net."

Not too long ago he got smashed in the nose. "They took me to the dressing room and the trainer was kind enough to reset it. Which just about caused me to faint. I started getting weak, they gave me smelling salts, said, 'Look in the mirror, does that look familiar?' I said no. They said, 'We can fix it again!' I said, 'No, never mind! I know Michael Jackson's surgeon, I'll go back home and get this taken care of.' "

He starred on the recently cancelled CBC series, jPod about programmers in a video game company.

He played the father of the main character a nutty, ballroom dancing, actor wannabe.

"I don't have to audition for things, because they know who I am, they're either going to like me and call me or not."

Thicke says he is at the age and stage of his life where he is in a very good place. "I have so enjoyed the variety of my career. If I could have been Bruce Springsteen or Robin Williams I would have been.

"And if I have to have one thing on my tombstone professionally, and it's a good TV dad, then I can live with that."

Kirstie McLellan is executive producer of "Whatever Happened To?"

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