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Harry Weston

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Empty Nest Article
Betty White as Rose Nylund
 "It's like we say in St. Olaf, Christmas without fruitcake is like St. Sigmund's Day without the headless boy."

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Dr. Harry Weston, M.D. is a central character in the 1988-1995 NBC sitcom Empty Nest and a minor character in its sister series The Golden Girls and Nurses. A good-hearted and slightly-bumbling pediatrician from the Miami suburbs, Harry's life is turned upside-down when two of his three daughters move back home as he copes with the loss of his wife.

Harry appeared in all seven seasons of Empty Nest and in four episodes of its spin-off, Nurses. He also played a small role in Empty Nest's parent series, The Golden Girls, appearing in three episodes. He was portrayed by veteran stage and screen actor, the late Richard Mulligan.

Personality and Characteristics[]

At the start of the series, Harry is left mostly alone to cope with the loss of his late wife, Libby, and their now-empty house when personal problems lead two of his adult daughters, Barbara and Carol, to move back into the house. Having spent the majority of his adult life building his medical career, Harry sees this as his chance to be a real father to his girls. He soon learns to play the fatherly role and becomes a constant source of support and security for each of his children. While Harry tends to be a bit overprotective at times, fretting and fussing over the girls’ lives, it all comes from a place of love and wishing to be there for them. Harry’s fatherly instincts also extend to his office at the Community Medical Center -- he cares very deeply for each of his patients and doesn’t hesitate to go out of his way to help any of them, including buying one lonely patient a pet[2] and offering to take another to her school dance. However, his superb medical skills don't necessarily add to his organizational skills, which leads nurse Laverne Todd ends up running many of the organizational aspects of the office.

Without fully realizing it, Harry soon finds himself propelled back into the dating game as he is now one of Miami's most eligible bachelors. For a while he is a little reluctant at starting a new relationship -- even managing to ward off Blanche Devereaux herself[3] -- as he feels it's still too soon after Libby’s death. As the first season progresses, Harry slowly finds himself getting more and more comfortable with dating again, while still holding on to the memory of his wife. He sparks a relationship with a woman whom he truly cares about, but gets nervous when the two plan a weekend trip together.[4] When an organ ordered by Libby before her passing arrives at the house, Harry becomes obsessed with learning to play it in hopes of holding on to the past.[5]

Despite his love for his daughters, Harry occasionally wonders what it would be like to have had a son. He almost took up a former patient's request for him to father her child as there was a possibility he could finally have a son.[6]

Biography[]

Childhood[]

Harry was born on May 22nd,[7] 1933[8] to pediatrician Stanfield Weston and his first wife, Ellen. Harry was conceived out of wedlock[9] and raised in Rochester, New York.[10] Harry had a strained relationship with his father, as the latter did not believe that Harry would be able to be as good a doctor as Stanfield was. When he was young, Harry wanted to be a fireman, though he had an irrational fear of suspenders.[6]

When Harry was fifteen, he was friends with Leonard. The two attended camp together and got caught mooning the camera, but Harry took the rap for them and ended up being the only one who got punished. Harry and Leonard also went on their first double-date together with the Huber twins, but those relationships presumably ended after Harry caught Leonard "making eyes" at the twin Harry was dating.[8]

When Harry was applying to Bedford Medical College, Stanfield did everything he could to make sure Harry didn’t get in, as he wasn’t sure he would make it as a doctor. He even went to his colleague Royce Garrison, who was Bedford's Dean of Admissions at the time, and told him that Bedford would be better off without Harry. Nevertheless, Harry was able to get into Bedford against his father’s negative recommendations, and was under the belief that Stanfield’s word was responsible for getting him into college. When he received word of his acceptance, Harry immediately called up his father to thank him for his kindness, and Stanfield took credit for what had happened. He then immediately told Harry he was getting a stepmother the following Tuesday.[9]

While Harry was in medical school, he met his future wife Libby. When Harry decided to propose to her, the only thing he could afford to do was take her to a free ice-skating rink. He tipped the rink's organist a dollar to play romantic music for them, but as Harry got down on his knee to propose, the organist began to play "How Much Is That Doggie in the Window?". Libby laughed so hard that she began to slip and slide on the ice, but managed to accept through her laughter. Harry jumped up and hugged her, and their embrace ended up causing a twenty-five skater pileup. Instead of kissing Libby, Harry accidentally kissed a man from New Jersey.[5]

With Love, Libby[]

Harry and Libby lived in the suburbs of Miami, Florida. During Harry's internship in 1958, Libby became pregnant with their first child. Harry presumably married Libby after they learned she was pregnant, but since they couldn't afford a traditional wedding, they were married at a courthouse.[11] As Libby's due date grew closer, Harry became a nervous wreck.[12] Their daughter Carol was born on July 14th, 1958.[13]

After Carol was born, Harry graduated from Bedford in 1959. His father Stanfield did not attend his graduation.[9] Harry was mentored by Dr. Leo Brewster.[14]

Four and a half years later, they had another daughter, Barbara.[11] One year, Harry gave his daughters a pair of baby chicks for Easter.

Before their third daughter Emily was born, Harry and Libby went to a fancy restaurant, and halfway through their lobster, Libby told Harry she wanted another baby. After convincing him to check into a nearby motel as Dr. Smith (while Libby checked in as "a bimbo" named Mitzi), Harry was halfway through the check-in process when he realized that Libby had let him get all the way to the motel without taking off his lobster bib.[15]

On December 24th, 1969, Harry was almost unable to make it home for Christmas because he was busy with a very sick patient at the hospital. Despite Harry's best efforts, the patient passed away, becoming the first casualty of his medical career. Harry returned home from the hospital early the next morning and told Libby what had happened. When their daughters came downstairs, he announced to that he was taking the family on a two-week road trip. For the first week, they went to visit the girls' grandparents in Atlanta, Georgia, and the second week they went to Disney World. One night in the hotel, Libby and Harry talked about the deceased patient, and Libby told him that there was nothing more he could've done and he couldn't run away forever. Unknown to them, the eleven year-old Carol was listening at the door.[16]

Six years before the series pilot, Harry hired Laverne Todd to be his nurse.

Libby's Death[]

At Libby's funeral, his colleague Eva Barrett reportedly kissed him. For the next year and a half, Harry largely enjoyed the company of Dreyfuss, with Carol and Barbara occasionally visiting to cook and bring by groceries.[17] On his first wedding anniversary without Libby, Harry sat in front of the fireplace polishing all of his shoes.[5]

Empty Nest, Full Again[]

Eighteen months after the death of his wife, Harry suddenly realized that he'd been dating Eva.[17]

In 1989, Dorothy Zbornak came to Harry asking for aid in determining whether or not she was sick. Harry was instrumental in Dorothy getting a proper diagnosis, being the only physician besides his referral who believed she was actually sick.[18]

The Canal Street Clinic[]

Harry sells his practice to Dr. Tyler in the fall of 1993, deciding to retire from pediatrics and take some time to travel and enjoy himself. Before leaving for a vacation to Europe, Harry is sent to evaluate the center's inner-city clinic in downtown Miami to determine if it should continue to receive funding. On arrival, he meets Dr. Maxine Douglas, a hard-driving woman who has no sympathy for posh hospital “pinch-butts” like Harry. Harry convinces Maxine that he is on her side and isn’t just there to check up on her. Unfortunately, despite his recommendation, the Canal Street Clinic’s request for a budget increase is denied, and Maxine is forced to close the doors. But with his connections and the savings he was planning to spend on his trip, Harry decides to put his retirement on hold and help Maxine keep the clinic open as a private business, with Laverne joining them after having been fired by Harry's replacement.[19]

Life Goes On[]

In the series finale, Harry is offered a teaching job in Vermont and prepares to sell the house to move there. He isn't sure he should take the job.

Family[]

Template:Westonfam

Career[]

Harry worked as a pediatrician for thirty years, and worked at the Community Medical Center for twenty-five years.

In the fall of 1993, Harry sold his practice with the intention of retiring, but changed his plans after evaluating an inner-city clinic in downtown Miami. He decided to put his retirement on hold and join Dr. Maxine Douglas in running the place, which he does for two years until, in the series finale, he is offered a teaching job in Vermont.

Appearances[]

The Golden Girls (1985-1992)[]


Empty Nest (1988-1992)[]


Template:ENSeason5Appearances

Template:ENSeason6Appearances

Template:ENSeason7Appearances

Nurses (1991-1993)[]

Template:NursesSeason1Appearances

Template:NursesSeason2Appearances

Template:NursesSeason3Appearances

Casting and Development[]

EmptyNests

George Corliss (Paul Dooley) and Oliver (David Leisure) in the Golden Girls episode "Empty Nests" (1986)

In the original Empty Nest pilot, which aired as a backdoor pilot for the second season finale of The Golden Girls, the show focused on the Corliss family, consisting of breadwinner George, housewife Renee, and their daughter Jenny. George was a general doctor at a local hospital, both very efficient and very dedicated to his work -- even being nicknamed "Saint George" by his coworkers. George routinely spent more time at the hospital than he did with his family, and was oblivious to Renee's growing loneliness as he wasn't accustomed to being involved in his family's lives. After Renee went to New York to help their daughter get back into college and pursue an acting career, George finally felt the loneliness Renee was talking about and went to go and bring her home. The couple reconciled their differences and decided to stay for a week in New York as their first honeymoon.[20]

After the original backdoor pilot aired, the concept of the series was retooled extensively until it had reached what would become Empty Nest. George was changed to Harry Weston, and he was given a job as a pediatrician.

Trivia[]

  • According to the pilot, Harry has never been to the opera.[17]

Site Navigation[]

V - E - H
Empty Nest characters
Main Cast Barbara Weston • Carol Weston • Charley Dietz • Dreyfuss
Harry Weston • Laverne Todd • Maxine Douglas • Sophia Petrillo
Recurring Cast Ben Braxton • Doris • Emily Weston • Fred Dietz • Jeffrey Millstein • Kevin Millen • Lurlene Moss • Matt Kane • Miss Bingham • Mr. Garrison • Nick Todd • Patrick Arcola • Scotty Weston • Ursula Dietz

References[]

  1. ↑ Empty Nest, Season 1, Episode 9, “Harry's Friend”. Kogen, Arnie (writer) & Cooper, Hal (director) (December 10th, 1988)
  2. ↑ Empty Nest, Season 3, Episode 5, “The Tortoise and the Harry” Garrett, Roger (writer) & Zuckerman, Steve (director) (October 20th, 1990)
  3. ↑ Empty Nest, Season 1, Episode 4, “Fatal Attraction”. Harris, Susan (writer) & Cooper, Hal (November 5th, 1988)
  4. ↑ Empty Nest, Season 1, Episode 11, “The First Time, Again”. Jacobs, Gary (writer) & Cooper, Hal (director) (January 7th, 1989)
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Empty Nest, Season 1, Episode 10, “Libby's Gift”. LaZebnik, Rob and Sacks, David (writers) & Cooper, Hal (director) (December 17th, 1988)
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Empty Nest, Season 2, Episode 5, “Just You and My Kid”. Harris, Susan and King, David Tyron (writers) & Zuckerman, Steve (director) (November 4th, 1989)
  7. ↑ Empty Nest, Season 5, Episode 26, “Surprise! Surprise!”. Kogen, Arnie (writer) & Zuckerman, Steve (director) (May 22nd, 1993)
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Empty Nest, Season 1, Episode 9, “Harry's Friend”. Kogen, Arnie (writer) & Cooper, Hal (director) (December 10th, 1988)
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Empty Nest, Season 1, Episode 19, “Man of the Year”. Julian, Mady (writer) & Cooper, Hal (director) (March 4th, 1989)
  10. ↑ Empty Nest, Season 3, Episode 6, “Mad About the Boy”. Dougherty, Pat (writer) & Zuckerman, Steve (director) (October 27th, 1990)
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Empty Nest, Season 1, Episode 5, “Father of the Bride”. Harris, Susan (writer) & Cooper, Hal (director) (November 12th, 1988)
  12. ↑ Empty Nest, Season 6, Episode 6, “Diary of a Mad Housewife”. Tischler, Bob (writer) & Zuckerman, Steve (director) (October 30th, 1993)
  13. ↑ Empty Nest, Season 3, Episode 20, “Drive, He Said”. Sacks, David (writer) & Zuckerman, Steve (director) (March 16th, 1991)
  14. ↑ Empty Nest, Season 3, Episode 16, “The Mentor”. Kogen, Arnie (writer) & Zuckerman, Steve (director) (February 2nd, 1991)
  15. ↑ Empty Nest, Season 1, Episode 8, “What's a Father to Do?”. Cooper, Rod (writer) & Cooper, Hal (director) (December 3rd, 1988)
  16. ↑ Empty Nest, Season 2, Episode 15, “M.D., P.O.V.”.  King, David Tyron and LaZebnik, Rob and Sacks, David (writers) & Zuckerman, Steve (director) (February 3rd, 1990)
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 Empty Nest, Season 1, Episode 1, “Pilot”. Harris, Susan (writer) & Sandrich, Jay (director) (October 8th, 1988)
  18. ↑ The Golden Girls, Season 5, Episodes 2, "Sick and Tired, Part 2". Harris, Susan (writer) & Hughes, Terry (director) (September 23rd, 1989)
  19. ↑ Empty Nest, Season 6, Episode 1, “When The Rooster Dies”. Gallay, Peter (writer) & Zuckerman, Steve (director)
  20. ↑ The Golden Girls, Season 2, Episode 26, “Empty Nests”. Harris, Susan (writer) & Sandrich, Jay (director) (May 16th, 1987)
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