For many fans of the show, the true charm of “Family Ties” lies in the heavy tension between the hippie, democratic baby boomer parents Steven and Elyse, and their young Republican son, Alex.
This major family conflict is one that began soon after Alex’s birth, who, believe it or not, was actually born in Africa while his parents were in the Peace Corps. But despite Alex’s liberal upbringing, he would eventually establish his own, more conservative views.
Nearly Fired...Over A Lunchbox?
Fox was nearly fired from “Family Ties”—and it was all because of a lunchbox. Apparently, according to NBC president Brandon Tartikoff, Fox was almost fired from the show simply because he did not believe Fox had the right face for 'display on a lunchbox'. “I’m telling you, this is not the kind of face you’ll ever see on a lunchbox,” said Tartikoff.
Years later, after both Fox and the show rose to great prominence and fame, Fox claimed he made a lunchbox just for Tartikoff, which was hilariously decorated with his face. We can’t help but believe Tartikoff definitely deserved that one.
Ubu Roi: The Dog Behind the Show's Logo
Ever wonder who the dog in the show’s production logo was? Interestingly enough, the widely recognized dog—known to all true “Family Ties” fans—was actually the faithful canine of none other than the famed writer, producer, and “Family Ties” creator, Gary David Goldberg.
A black Labrador Retriever known by the name of ‘Ubu Roi’—after playwright Alfred Jarry’s 1896 stage play, “Ubi Roi,”—the particular shot of Goldberg’s dog was taken in Paris, in front of the iconic Louvre art museum. Apparently, during the very same trip in which this dog-portrait was taken, Goldberg and his wife were in the midst of an adventurous hitchhiking journey across Europe.
The Alternate Series Ending - A Fatal Plane Crash
Though the series ultimately ended with Alex packing up for his move to New York, in reality, if the cast would've had it their way, the series would have ended very differently. According to reports, the cast of “Family Ties” actually wanted the series to end with a fatal plane crash. Apparently, for whatever reason, at the time when the last episode was filmed, the cast didn't want even the slightest possibility of a future reunion show after the series' initial ending.
"Everybody wanted to get it right, and there were rewrites up until the last minute,” commented Gross on the last episode. "Maybe some perverse part of our writers never wanted the show to end.” According to Michael J. Fox, the last episode was taped in front of an audience of family and friends of the cast members. "I was fine until the curtain call, then I started weeping. I felt like an idiot until I looked around and realized I had company,” said Fox.
The “Family Ties” Cast Reunion
Despite the cast’s clear opposition to the outcome of the final episode of the show, decades later, they would actually take part in a cast member reunion. During the reunion, Michael J. Fox and “Family Ties” crew members agreed to meet up and reunite, taking part in an Entertainment Weekly sponsored get-together in 2015.
The “Family Ties” cast and creators wanted to give fans a chance to see what the Keatons looked like years after the show’s final episode. Apparently, behind the scenes, the “Family Ties” cast actually managed to stay in touch. "It's cliché to say that it was like a family and everybody always says, 'They're so great. We all loved each other.' But we really did," said Fox, then 54, about the cast back in 2015.