7th Heaven is an American family drama television series created and produced by Brenda Hampton. The series debuted on August 26, 1996, on The WB, where it aired for ten seasons, making it the longest-running series in the history of the network. Following the shutdown of The WB and its merger with UPN to form The CW, the series aired on the new network on September 25, 2006, for its eleventh and final season, airing its final episode on May 13, 2007. 7th Heaven was one of the network's first major successful shows and, alongside Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Dawson's Creek, helped in the early success of the WB during the mid to late 90s. It was also the last series to be produced by Spelling Television (later produced by CBS Paramount Network Television for the eleventh and final season) before the company was shut down and became an in-name-only unit of CBS Television Studios.
Premise
The series follows Reverend Eric Camden, a Protestant minister living in the fictional town of Glen Oak, California, and his wife Annie as they deal with the drama of raising seven children ranging in age from babies to adults with families of their own.
Main cast and characters
Stephen Collins as Eric Camden
Catherine Hicks as Annie Camden
Barry Watson as Matt Camden (seasons 1–6 and 9; recurring 7–8, special guest 10) David Gallagher as Simon Camden (seasons 1–7 and 9–10; recurring season 8) Jessica Biel as Mary Camden (seasons 1–6; recurring season 7, special guest 8 and 10) Beverley Mitchell as Lucy Camden Mackenzie Rosman as Ruthie Camden Happy the Dog as herself Chaz Lamar Shepherd as John Hamilton (seasons 4–5; recurring in seasons 1–3) Maureen Flannigan as Shana Sullivan (season 4; recurring in season 3) Adam LaVorgna as Robbie Palmer (seasons 5–7; recurring in season 4) Nikolas Brino as Sam Camden (seasons 6–11; uncredited in seasons 3–4, featured in season 5) Lorenzo Brino as David Camden (seasons 6–11; uncredited in seasons 3–4, featured in season 5) Geoff Stults as Ben Kinkirk (season 7; recurring in seasons 6 and 8–11) George Stults as Kevin Kinkirk (seasons 7–11; recurring in season 6) Ashlee Simpson as Cecilia Smith (seasons 7–8) Rachel Blanchard as Roxanne Richardson (seasons 7–8) Jeremy London as Chandler Hampton (seasons 7–8) Scotty Leavenworth as Peter Petrowski (season 8; recurring in season 7) Tyler Hoechlin as Martin Brewer (seasons 8–11) Sarah Thompson as Rosanna "Rose" Taylor (season 10; recurring in season 9) Haylie Duff as Sandy Jameson (seasons 10–11) Megan Henning as Meredith Davies (season 10)
Episodes
Reception
Critical reception
The Parents Television Council (PTC) often cited 7th Heaven among the top ten most family-friendly shows. The show was praised for its positive portrayal of a cleric and for promoting honesty, respect for parental authority, and the importance of a strong family and a good education through its storylines. It was proclaimed the best show in 1998-1999 by the PTC. The council also explained "7th Heaven manages to provide moral solutions to tough issues facing teenagers without seeming preachy or heavy-handed. Additionally, unlike most TV series, 7th Heaven shows the consequences of reckless and irresponsible behavior." It was also noted that "While addressing topics such as premarital sex and peer pressure, these parents [Annie and Eric] are eager to provide wise counsel along with love and understanding."
However, other critics feel differently about the show, citing 7th Heaven as "arguably one of the worst long-running shows on television". Reasons given include heavy-handed moralizing, Christian propaganda, and depiction of a caricature of a real family, that is "so clean it is obscene".
Some criticize the predictable plotlines of each episode, that follow always the same pattern: "One of the Camden family has a problem and/or secret; some sort of Three's Company-esque misunderstanding ensues as a result of that problem and/or secret; a confrontation and/or intervention takes place, usually involving a short sermon delivered by one of the Camden parents; and whoever stands at the center of the drama eventually figures out how to 'do the right thing.'" On top of this, implausible scenarios are seen to be regularly included, such as the daughter Mary's absence from the show for several seasons being scarcely explained with the character being busy, wayward or in New York.