Mixed Doubles

Mixed Doubles is an American dramatic television series that was broadcast on NBC from August 5, 1949, until October 29, 1949. Background Mixed Doubles was created by Carlton E. Morse, who also produced and directed the 30-minute series. It was first broadcast as Slice of Life on the West Coast. Then a 20-minute show, it ran three times a week, with two scripted episodes and one improvised. The title was changed when it debuted nationally on NBC, and the format changed to one scripted 30-minute episode per week. The NBC version was initially broadcast from 9 to 9:30 p.m. Eastern Time on Fridays. In September 1949 it was moved to 8:30 to 9 p.m. E. T. on Saturdays. Format and cast Eddy Coleman and Bill Abbott were advertising copywriters. Each had recently married, and the two couples lived in adjacent one-room apartments. The series focused on how the couples were "trying to build their lives on the husbands' meager incomes." The husbands differed in that Coleman was "a healthy go-getter", while Abbott was an "unaggressive" hypochondriac. Elaine Coleman was a "glamorous, frivolous" wife, while Ada Abbott had a serious nature. The characters and the actors who portrayed them were: Eddy Coleman — Eddy Firestone Elaine Coleman — Rhoda Williams (first two episodes), Bonnie Baken (rest of series) Bill Abbott — Billy Idelson Ada Abbott — Ada Friedman Eddy's and Bill's boss — Calvin Thomas