Double Trouble (NBC 1984-1985, Jean Sagal, Liz Sagal)

Right before shooting began for NBC’s Double Trouble, it was decided that Liz and Jean Sagal should switch parts. When the show aired, it was Liz who played Allison and Jean who played Kate. Of course, the Sagals are identical twins, so even if they’d changed characters in the middle of an episode, no one would have been the wiser.

Kate and Allie (not to be confused with Kate & Allie) were your typical television twins; that is, they were total opposites. Whereas Allie Foster was a studious and sensible high school student, Kate Foster was headstrong and impulsive. They both lived in Des Moines with their widowed father Art. Also on board was Art’s lady friend, Beth McConnell.

The series left the air in September of 1984, and when it returned three months later, the girls had somehow finished high school and were now living in New York City with their Aunt Margo, who wrote “Bongo Bear” children’s books. In the Big Apple, Kate pursued acting while Allison studied fashion design. Joining the cast were Allison’s pompous teacher, Mr. Arrechia, and comedy partners “The Funny Boys,” Charles Kincaid and Billy Batalano, two actors who also lived in Margo’s townhouse.

The new format didn’t save Double Trouble, however. The show was cancelled at the end of the 1984-85 season.

production details
USA / NBC / x25 minute episodes / Broadcast 4 April 1984 – 21 August 1985

cast
Jean Sagal as Kate
Liz Sagal as Allison Foster
Donnelly Rhodes as Art Foster (1984)
Patricia Richardson as Beth McConnell (1984)
Jon Caliri as Michael Gillette (1984)
Barbara Barrie as Margo Foster
Michael D. Roberts as Mr. Arrechia
Jonathan Schmock as Billy Batalato
James Vallely as Charles Kincaid
Anne-Marie Johnson as Aileen Lewis