McKenna (ABC 1994, Chad Everett, Eric Close)

Short-run TV series McKenna aired on ABC during the 1994–1995 season. It starred Eric Close as Brick McKenna, who returned to Oregon to take over his brother’s business, McKenna Outfitters, after his death.

He runs the business with his brother’s widow, Leigh, and his father, Jack. His sister, Cassidy (who started out being played by Vanessa Shaw before being replaced by Jennifer Love Hewitt), and his niece and nephew, Rose and Harry, help out.

production details
USA | ABC | 6×50 minutes | Broadcast 15 September 1994 – 20 July 1995

Creator: Gil Grant

cast
Chad Everett as Jack McKenna
Eric Close as Brick McKenna
Shawn Huff as Leigh
Vanessa Shaw as Cassidy (1)
Jennifer Love Hewitt as Cassidy (2)
Rick Peters as Dale
Jacob Loyst as Harry
Ashlee Lauren as Rose

THE EPISODES

1. McKENNA’S WONDER (Broadcast 9/15/94)
Jack’s prodigal son, Brick, returns home for the first time since the death of his older brother two years before.

guest cast
Randy………………….James Parks
Rob……………………Eric Laneuville
Walter…………………Jack Kohler

2. SPLENDER IN THE McKENNA GRASS (Broadcast 9/22/94)
When a man (Scott Marlowe) shows up and offers twice the going rate to be taken out the next day, Jack thinks nothing of it.

guest cast
Fowler………………….John Roselius

3. THE PONY (Broadcast 9/29/94)
Visiting the ranch: a yuppie (Gloria Reuben) from L.A. who wants to open a B&B–and wants Leigh to help her run it; and a Boston teen who’s more interested in Cassidy (Jennifer Love Hewitt now) than in the Great Outdoors.

guest cast
Jeremy………………….Jan Sevitar

4. RACING IN THE STREETS (Broadcast 7/13/95 Thursday at 9.00pm)
While Jack has to entertain a bickering couple (Candice Azzara, Robert Walden), his son Brick gets the urge to prove himself as an auto racer when a smug pro-driver and his girlfriend (Tracy Middendorf) arrive in town.

guest cast
Clint……………………John Terlesky

5. JOURNEY OF COURAGE (Broadcast 7/20/95 postponed from 13 Oct 1994 broadcast)
An 18-year old (Jay Ferguson) with a prosthetic leg has something to prove: that he can climb a 500-ft sheer rock face. A renowned abstract artist (Viveca Lindfors) also has something to prove: that she can still paint. Meanwhile, Leigh ponders an offer from Dale.

THE REMAINING EPISODES WENT UNAIRED
6. THE PURSUIT
7. GIRL GONE
8. THE HIRED HAND
9. THE SHOOTING
10. THE TRIAL
11. THE BEAR
12. REMEMBER THE NIGHT?
13. SAME TIME, NEXT YEAR