Hotel (American TV series)

Hotel (American TV series) was a primetime drama series that aired on the ABC network from 1983 to 1988. Created by prolific television producer Aaron Spelling, the show was adapted from the best-selling 1965 novel Hotel by Arthur Hailey and the subsequent 1967 feature film. Set in the elegant and luxurious St. Gregory Hotel in San Francisco, the series followed the professional and personal lives of the staff and guests, blending high-stakes melodrama with glamorous storytelling typical of 1980s television.

Premise and setting

The series was centered on the daily operations and intricate dramas of the fictional, five-star St. Gregory Hotel, located in the heart of San Francisco. The setting provided a backdrop for a wide array of stories involving the hotel's management, employees, and the wealthy, famous, or troubled guests who passed through its doors. Episodes often intertwined multiple plotlines, ranging from corporate takeovers and criminal schemes to romantic entanglements and personal crises, all designed to showcase the behind-the-scenes intensity of a luxury hospitality business. The opulent hotel itself functioned as a central character, with its lavish lobby, presidential suites, and fine-dining restaurant serving as primary stages for the unfolding narratives.

Cast and characters

The series was led by James Brolin as Peter McDermott, the competent and compassionate general manager of the St. Gregory. Connie Sellecca co-starred as Christine Francis, the hotel's capable and resilient resident manager who later becomes McDermott's wife. Other key staff members included Nathan Cook as head doorman Billy Griffin, Shari Belafonte as public relations director Julie Gillette, Michael Spound as assistant manager Mark Danning, and Heidi Bohay as housekeeper Megan Kendall. The ensemble cast was frequently joined by a rotating roster of high-profile guest stars, including established film actors and television personalities such as Bette Davis, Morgan Fairchild, John Astin, and Betty White, who often played eccentric or demanding visitors.

Production and development

The series was developed for television by Aaron Spelling and Douglas S. Cramer through their production company, Spelling Television, following the success of their other glamorous primetime soaps like Dynasty and The Love Boat. Henry Mancini, the acclaimed composer known for his work on Breakfast at Tiffany's and the Pink Panther films, created the show's elegant theme music and score. Filming took place primarily on soundstages in Los Angeles, with establishing shots of San Francisco landmarks used to maintain the setting. The production design emphasized luxury and sophistication, with meticulous attention to the hotel's ornate decor and the fashionable 1980s attire of its characters.

Episodes and broadcast history

Hotel premiered on ABC on September 21, 1983, and ran for five seasons, concluding on May 5, 1988, after producing 114 episodes. The series initially aired on Wednesday nights before moving to Saturday evenings for its final seasons. Its format typically featured two or three self-contained storylines per episode, a structure popularized by Spelling's earlier series The Love Boat. A notable two-part episode in 1984 served as a backdoor pilot for a potential spin-off focusing on a New Orleans hotel, but it was not picked up as a series. Reruns of the show aired in syndication on various networks, including USA Network, throughout the late 1980s and 1990s.

Reception and legacy

The series received generally moderate reviews from critics, who often compared it to a more dramatic version of The Love Boat set in a hotel, but it found a consistent audience, particularly among viewers drawn to its blend of glamour and melodrama. It was nominated for several awards, including Golden Globe nominations for James Brolin and Connie Sellecca. While not as culturally enduring as some of Aaron Spelling's other hits like Charlie's Angels or Beverly Hills, 90210, Hotel is remembered as a quintessential example of the glossy, star-driven television dramas of the 1980s. Its legacy persists as an early example of the workplace ensemble drama set in the hospitality industry, influencing later series such as The Grand and elements of BBC's The Hotel.

Category:1980s American drama television series Category:American Broadcasting Company original programming Category:Aaron Spelling television series Category:Television series based on American novels Category:Television series set in San Francisco