My Three Sons

Watch My Three Sons

  • TV-G
  • 1960
  • 12 Seasons
  • 7.1  (4,384)

My Three Sons was a beloved family sitcom that aired on CBS from 1960 to 1972. It followed the life of widower and aeronautical engineer Steven Douglas, played by Fred MacMurray, as he raised his three sons: Mike (Tim Considine), Robbie (Don Grady), and Chip (Stanley Livingston). The boys matured and changed throughout the series, dealing with school, relationships, and ultimately moving out and starting their own families. Alongside the Douglas family were several recurring characters, including Steve's father-in-law Bub (William Frawley), his uncle Charley (William Demarest), and his eventual wife Barbara (Beverly Garland).

The show was known for its wholesome, family-friendly content and its ability to tackle sensitive issues in a lighthearted way. Some episodes dealt with topics such as death, divorce, and teen pregnancy, but they always found a way to convey a positive message and showcase the strength of the family bond. The show was also notable for its large ensemble cast, which expanded over the years to include several love interests for the Douglas sons as well as their own children.

One of the strengths of My Three Sons was its ability to create memorable and endearing characters. Fred MacMurray was the perfect choice to play the affable and dependable Steve Douglas, and he became a role model for fathers everywhere. William Frawley and William Demarest were both comic geniuses, bringing a unique blend of humor and heart to their roles as Bub and Charley. The Douglas sons were all likable in their own way, with Mike being the responsible eldest, Robbie the dreamy musician, and Chip the mischievous youngster. The show also had a knack for casting guest stars who would later become big names in Hollywood, such as Dick Van Dyke, Sally Field, and Ronny Howard.

My Three Sons was a pioneer in many ways, breaking new ground for family TV shows. It was one of the first shows to use a laugh track, which has since become a staple of TV sitcoms. It was also one of the first shows to feature a widowed father as the primary caregiver, paving the way for other shows like Full House and Gilmore Girls. The show's longevity was a testament to its popularity and its ability to adapt to changing times.

In conclusion, My Three Sons was a classic family sitcom that touched the hearts of millions of viewers. Its legacy endures to this day, and it continues to be a beloved favorite for generations of fans. The show's message of love, loyalty, and the importance of family will never go out of style.

My Three Sons is a series that is currently running and has 12 seasons (380 episodes). The series first aired on September 29, 1960.

My Three Sons
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Seasons
Whatever Happened to Ernie?
24. Whatever Happened to Ernie?
April 13, 1972
Steve's boss Bob Anderson and his wife share 'Where-did-we-go-wrong?' panic as they struggle to communicate with their son; Steve and Barbara are the counselors. The teenager is rude and disrespectful to his parents but his insolence doesn't bother them nearly as much as not knowing if he is taking drugs.
Barbara Lost
23. Barbara Lost
April 6, 1972
Chip decides to quit his Chemical Engineering studies in favour of a rock music career when he meets up with a former friend who is now a big star. When Barbara visits John in the studio she is baffled by all the switches on the recording console, and realises that professional musicians know what they're doing, so how will Chip handle it?
Lonesome Katie
22. Lonesome Katie
March 30, 1972
Katie becomes disillusioned about life without Robbie, and seriously thinks about divorce after speaking with another of the wives in the same situation. Meanwhile, Dodie and her two pals campaign to Barbara to let them have a slumber party.
The Birth of Arfie
21. The Birth of Arfie
March 23, 1972
The Douglas family becomes concerned about Dodie's despondency when Tramp, the ageing family mongrel, keeps disappearing at night. Meanwhile, Uncle Charley makes her a rag-doll and names it Arfie.
Bad Day for Barbara
20. Bad Day for Barbara
March 16, 1972
Although Barbara is feeling very ill, she is saddled with the responsibility of looking after the entire Douglas household but in the end, to escape the pressure, she just walks out leaving Steve in a worried state.
Alfred
19. Alfred
January 27, 1972
A little first grader named Alfred develops a big crush on third grader Dodie Douglas -- much to her displeasure. When Uncle Charley invites him to dinner, Dodie tries to fake illness to get out of it. Very soon Alfred's mother reports that he is missing.
Bad Day for Steve
18. Bad Day for Steve
February 24, 1972
Steve suddenly becomes accident-prone when his youngest son Ernie tries to discover by graph and observation how the moon's lunar phases affect people's behaviour.
Buttons and Beaux
17. Buttons and Beaux
February 3, 1972
When the Douglas men feel sorry for Katie because of her husband's continued absence, they proceed to overwhelm her with attention by each one of them taking her out to the same restaurant each night.
Peanuts
16. Peanuts
February 17, 1972
Dodie commits the entire Douglas family to a time consuming project - the awesome task of getting a four foot tall bag of Peanuts into small little sacks which they hope to sell at the school fair to raise money for Korean orphans.
Second Banana
15. Second Banana
March 2, 1972
While Steve becomes pre-occupied with a time-consuming project named Taurus, Barbara blossoms forth as a Championship Cook. Her recipe for 'Tangy Tidbits' wins her a trip to Hawaii for the final cookout.
Three for School
14. Three for School
January 20, 1972
Katie decides to put the triplets in a nursery school during the day when she fills in for a friend as a secretary, a move that enrages Uncle Charley when he hears about it. Later, it becomes apparent that he goes missing every afternoon causing the family to worry.
TV Triplets
13. TV Triplets
January 13, 1972
Katie's triplets are spotted by a talent scout for a production company and are selected to appear in a television commercial. The temperemental Director yells when the boys misbehave and make a shambles of the studio. Grandfather Steve is asked to replace the actor doing the same so the boys will feel at ease.
The Sound of Music
12. The Sound of Music
December 6, 1971
Uncle Charley is persuaded to fill in as a Cello teacher to a small group of reluctant young music students. His teaching methods leave much to be desired as he makes sure that they practice and practice for the upcoming recital.
Polly's Secret Life
11. Polly's Secret Life
November 29, 1971
Polly fears that Chip is losing interest in her as a woman, and she takes some very dramatic steps to remedy the situation. Ernie gets the impression that the marriage is on the rocks when he finds out she is sneaking away from school and making mysterious calls to a man named Andre.
Katie's Career
10. Katie's Career
November 22, 1971
Katie Douglas takes a job singing in a small coffee house, but both Steve and Charley have their doubts about the man she is going to work for. After meeting the owner's wife, they realise she is in very good hands.
The Enthusiast
9. The Enthusiast
November 15, 1971
Barbara's natural enthusiasm bubbles over into an embarrassing evening for Steve and some of his business associates. Barbara explains to Steve that adrenalin gets her going in competition, and she is apprehensive when he is asked to play in his work's bowling team for fear she will make him lose concentration.
Proxy Parents
8. Proxy Parents
November 8, 1971
Childless young marrieds Chip and Polly Douglas suddenly find themselvs the temporary guardians of several young children including the triplets, when Katie flies to Peru for a weekend rendezvous with Robbie. Meanwhile, Steve, Barbara and Charley go on a camping trip and Barbara isn't exactly Mrs. Daniel Boone -- as Steve eventually finds out.
Polly the Pigeon
7. Polly the Pigeon
October 25, 1971
Chip complains about Polly's lack of sales resistance because they have an apartment full of useless things. But she is trapped by a salesman into giving a dinner party for eight people in exchange for a free set of cookware.
Happy Birthday, Anyway
6. Happy Birthday, Anyway
November 1, 1971
Uncle Charley leaves for a week's vacation in San Francisco but meanwhile, birthdays disrupt the Douglas household, when Barbara, Katie and Polly turn against their spouses over the men's apparent oversight.
Four for the Road
5. Four for the Road
October 18, 1971
Having no choice, Steve takes the triplets to work where a secretary offers to take them home until he is finished. However he accidentally loses her details and when she finally rings, she announces that the boys have run out the front door, much to Steve's annoyance.
Goodbye, Fergus
4. Goodbye, Fergus
October 4, 1971
The wedding day for Steve's Scottish cousin and bowling alley waitress Terri Dowling finally arrives amid the traditional confusion and tears. They leave for a three day honeymoon in Las Vegas but Uncle Charley is worried about the lack of thankyou from them.
Lady Douglas
3. Lady Douglas
September 27, 1971
Steve's Scottish cousin Fergus, after only one date with Bowling Alley Cocktail Waitress Terri Dowling, proposes but gets turned down by her. She feels inadequate to return to Scotland as royalty, but is eventually persuaded by Steve.
Fergus for Sale
2. Fergus for Sale
September 20, 1971
When Uncle Charley learns that Fergus is looking for a wife to take back to Scotland to provide him with heirs to carry on the family name, he takes out an ad in the local newspaper in an effort to rid the Douglas home of his nemesis.
The Advent of Fergus
1. The Advent of Fergus
September 13, 1971
Steve's look-alike Scottish nobleman cousin Fergus, comes to America looking for a bride to take back to his hometown of Sithian Bridge and moves in on the entire Douglas family, much to the dismay of Uncle Charley.
Description
Where to Watch My Three Sons
My Three Sons is available for streaming on the CBS website, both individual episodes and full seasons. You can also watch My Three Sons on demand at Amazon Prime and Pluto TV.
  • Premiere Date
    September 29, 1960
  • IMDB Rating
    7.1  (4,384)
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