Raising Miranda

Raising Miranda is a television series aired on CBS in 1988 as part of its fall lineup. Raising Miranda is the story of Donald Marshack, a Racine, Wisconsin contractor who suddenly found himself a single parent when his wife Bonnie had abandoned him and their 15 year old daughter, Miranda, in order to go and "find herself". Despite this rather grim premise, the show was billed as a situation comedy, the humor being derived from undomestic Donald now being forced to serve as both father and mother to a teenage girl. Bryan Cranston played Donald's brother-in-law, Russell. Audiences apparently found the premise a little too grim and the program lasted only two months.

Directed by Jane Anderson, Raising Miranda leans on a strong ensemble — Bryan Cranston, Miriam Flynn, James Naughton — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The series landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about comedy titles of 1988.