Editing Gimme a Break! (section)

==Cast==

===Main characters===
*'''[[Nell Carter]]''' as '''Nellie Ruth "Nell" Harper''' was a talented singer from [[Tuscaloosa County, Alabama]], who ran away from home when she was 18. She met and became friends with Margaret Kanisky and promised to look after her family after she had died from [[cancer]]. In keeping her promise, Nell took on the role of housekeeper and mother to the kids and remained in the series for the entire 6-year run. She later became a foster mother to Joey Donovan in season three. Nell moved to [[Greenwich Village]] in [[New York City]] in season six with Joey and Addy, and worked as an assistant editor for a [[publishing company]].
*'''[[Dolph Sweet]]''' as '''Police Chief Carl "Chief" Kanisky''' (seasons 1–4), known simply as "the Chief", was a widower with three teenaged daughters. After Dolph Sweet's death on May 8, 1985, his character  was written out of the series as also having died, and the show continued with Nell taking over as head of the household.
*'''[[Kari Michaelsen]]''' as '''Kathleen "Katie" Kanisky''' (seasons 1–5) is the Chief's eldest daughter. She decided not to go to college and opened a boutique called Katie's Corner. After her boutique went out of business, she was written out of the series in the final season as having obtained a job in [[San Francisco]]. Her last appearance was the first episode of season six, in which she was now [[brunette]]. 
*'''[[Lauri Hendler]]''' as '''Julie Kanisky Maxwell''' (seasons 1–5) is the Chief's middle daughter, portrayed as being very intelligent. She married Jonathan Maxwell at the end of season four and became pregnant in season five. In the season-six premiere, after Nell Maxwell had been born, the new three-member Maxwell family moved to [[San Jose, California|San Jose]] and was therefore written out of the series.
*'''[[Lara Jill Miller]]''' as '''Samantha "Sam" Kanisky''' (seasons 1–5, recurring in season 6) is the Chief's youngest daughter, portrayed as a typical [[tomboy]] in her preteen years, but developed into a boy-crazy teenager. She moved to [[Warren County, New Jersey]], to go to Littlefield College, and had a recurring role in season six.
*'''[[John Hoyt]]''' as '''Stanley "Grandpa" Kanisky''' (seasons 2–6, previously recurring) is the Chief's grumpy, but lovable [[Poles (people)|Polish]] immigrant father. He moves in with his son and granddaughters following his wife's death in season three. In season six, he moves to New York City, into the same building as Nell, after selling the Kanisky house.
*'''[[Joey Lawrence]]''' as '''Joey Donovan''' (seasons 3–6) eventually becomes Nell's foster son; he starts out working as a con artist to raise money to join his uncle in [[Chicago]]. Later, Joey becomes a key cast member. His father Tim Donovan appeared on the show in [[New Orleans]] and in New York City. Joey meets his younger brother and moves in with Tim at the beginning of season 6, but is reunited with Nell soon afterwards and moves in with her and Addy in New York City. 
*'''[[Howard Morton]]''' as '''Officer Ralph Waldo Simpson''' (seasons 3–5, previously recurring) is a not very bright, but lovable police officer who was a subordinate of the Chief's.
*'''[[Telma Hopkins]]''' as '''Dr. Adelaide "Addy" Wilson''' (seasons 4–6, previously recurring) is Nell's childhood friend, holder of a [[Ph.D.]], and a member of [[Phi Beta Kappa]]. Addy was chief educational curriculum supervisor for postgraduate students studying for doctorates in history, English, and economic geography in the California university system. She later moved to New York City, where Nell eventually joined her. Although Nell and Addy were friends, they also constantly clashed.
*'''[[Jonathan Silverman]]''' as '''Jonathan Maxwell''' (season 5, previously recurring) is Julie's boyfriend and later husband, pizzaman, and [[archeology]] student. Jonathan went to [[Mexico]] on a three-month dig. Jonathan, Julie, and their new baby left for San Jose after season five.
*'''[[Rosetta LeNoire]]''' as '''"Mama" Maybelle Harper''' (season 6, previously recurring) is Nell's stern, bitter, and critical mother, who was introduced in season four ("Alabamy Bound: Part 1"). Previously, in season one's "Nell Goes Home" and season three's "A Kanisky Christmas", the character's name was Emma, was played by Hilda Haynes, and was soft-spoken. 
*'''[[Matthew Lawrence]]''' as '''Matthew Donovan''' (season 6) is Joey's younger brother, who also lived with Nell and Addy in New York City.
*'''[[Rosie O'Donnell]]''' as '''Maggie O'Brien''' (season 6) is Nell's not-so-bright [[dental hygienist]] neighbor in New York City.
*'''[[Paul Sand]]''' as '''Marty''' (season 6) is the landlord of the building where Nell, Addy, Joey, and Matthew lived. He also owned the adjacent restaurant La Gazpacho, where he went by "Esteban".

===Recurring characters===

*'''Alvernette Jimenez''' as '''Angie McDaniel''' is Nell's tall, skinny, and dim-witted friend, the typical [[Airhead (slang)|airhead]] with a little girl's voice. The character was eventually written out of the show, but appeared in several episodes between seasons one and four.
*'''[[Jane Dulo]]''' as '''Mildred Kanisky (née Wuchetzky)''' is Stanley Kanisky's wife and Carl's mother; she was also played by [[Elvia Allman]] in "Katie the Cheat" and Elizabeth Kerr in "Grandma Fools Around". Dulo played the role in season two. The character died, leaving Stanley a widower in season three.
*'''[[Pete Schrum]]''' as '''Ed Kanisky''' is Carl's brother, an overweight [[mortician]] who loves to play practical jokes. Ed was a recurring character in seasons one and two, then got married and was written out of the series.
*'''Patrick Collins''' as '''Tim Donovan''' is Joey and Matthew's father, a [[Merchant shipping|merchant seaman]]. Joey reunited with Tim in New Orleans in season four (when Tim was played by [[Fred McCarren]]). Joey went to live with Tim and Matthew in the beginning of season six, when Tim decided to get a job in New York City. After realizing he could not handle a 9-to-5 job, Tim decided he wanted to go back to sea and Joey returned to Nell and Addy along with Matthew.
*'''Jack Fletcher''' as '''Erwin J. Swackhammer''' was a man who would annoy the Kanisky household in various ways, the most notable of which occurred when he was the manager of the telephone company and had Nell arrested and jailed. After five episodes, Swackhammer disappeared with no explanation.
*'''[[Harrison Page]]''' as '''Hamilton Storm''' is a news reporter who appeared occasionally during seasons one and two; he appeared more concerned with his appearance than giving the news.