Mr. Mom (Exclusive Series) (Hulu/Amazon via the Starz app)

Initial release date: August 19, 1983

Studios: 20th Century Fox/Sherwood Productions

Tagline: When mom goes to work, dad goes berserk!

Plot: During the 1980s recession, automobile engineer Jack is fired from his job. When his wife, Caroline, finds a job before he does, they switch roles, placing him in the unfamiliar position of homemaker and caretaker to their three children. He embarks upon a series of misadventures, from navigating grocery store trips to playing poker games with housewives. Jack and Caroline must figure out the intricacies of their new roles while maintaining their relationship.

Cast

Michael Keaton (Netflix’s Trial of the Chicago 7) - Jack

Teri Garr - Caroline Butler

Frederick Kochler (The Little Things) - Alex Butler

Taliesin Jaffe - Kenny Butler

Martin Mull (Netflix’s The Ranch) - Ron Richardson

Ann Jillian - Joan Hampton

Jeffrey Tambor (Disney Plus’ Magic Camp) - Jinx Latham

Christopher Lloyd (Nobody) - Larry

Graham Jarvis - Howard Humphries

Carolyn Seymour - Eve

Valri Bromfield - Doris

Writer: John Hughes (Flubber; Dennis the Menace; Home Alone)

Director: Stan Dragoti (1980s The Man with One Red Shoe)

Rated PG (91 minutes)

During the 1980s, Michael Keaton hit it big with being the Dark Knight, aka Batman and the Ghost with the Most, aka Beetlejuice. He was also ‘Mr. Mom,’ which was actually his first leading role in a movie.

‘Mr. Mom’ is a refreshing, humorous comedy that is really enjoyable. Yea, the movie can be quite predictable. But, this 1983 comedy does a great job keeping the laughs going.

There are quite a few stand out moments that are very hilarious, like when Jack Butler (Michael Keaton’s character) attempts to do the house chores for the first time and his first time navigating through a grocery store while shopping and losing a kid. Lots of very funny moments!

So, take some time with the family and check out this hilarious 1983 Michael Keaton comedy. You can stream it on Hulu and Amazon via the Starz app!

*** And FYI this beloved comedy is actually 38 years old! Feel old yet???

Here are some interesting tidbits about ‘Mr. Mom’:

• Michael Keaton turned down 1984s ‘Splash’ to do this movie.

• This movie was the first time Keaton got top-billing for a role.

• The premise came about when John Hughes told producer Lauren Shuler Donner about a disastrous experience he had looking after his two children while his wife was away. Donner found it hilarious. Hughes asked if that could make a good movie, and Donner replied that “it sure sounds funny to me.” Hughes wrote the film, and flew to LA to rewrite the script with Donner.

• A TV spin-off came out a year later Except for Hughes (credited for characters) and Dragoti (credit for story), the cast and crew were completely different.

• ‘Mr. Mom’ is the second feature film written by John Hughes.

• Part of a mini-cycle of Hollywood role-reversal comedies of the 1980s. The films include: ‘Mr. Mom,’ ‘Baby Boom’ and ‘Three Men and a Baby.’

• Chevy Chase, Michael Douglas, Steve Martin and John Travolta were considered for the Jack Butler role.