Series Description

The Life Goes On TV show was a 60 minute family drama series on ABC about the struggles of a teenage boy named Corky with Downs Syndrome as he fought to live as normal a life as possible and be accepted by his family and his peers. Corky's family members had their share of problems too with work and relationships but the Thacher family never gave up regardless of the obstacles and things somehow always turned out allright in the end.

Life Goes On Cast

Bill Smitrovich .... Andrew "Drew" Thacher
Patti LuPone .... Elizabeth "Libby" Thacher
Chris Burke .... Charles "Corky" Thacher
Kellie Martin .... Rebecca "Becca" Thacher
Lance Guest .... Michael Romanov
Ray Buktenica .... Jerry Berkson
David Byrd .... Hans (1990-1991)
Tanya Fenmore .... Maxie (1989-1991)
Michele Matheson .... Rhona Lieberman (1989-1991)
Tommy Puett .... Tyler Benchfield (1989-1991)
Monique Lanier .... Paige Thacher (1989-1990)
Tracey Needham .... Paige Thacher (1990-1993)
Mary Page Keller .... Gina (1990-1991)
Leigh Ann Orsi .... Zoe (1990-1991)
Chad Lowe .... Jesse McKenna (1991-1993)
Dorothy Lyman .... Mrs. McKenna (1991-1993)

Life Goes On Theme Song

Title: "Ob-la-di, Ob-la-da"

Written By: "John Lennon & Paul McCartney"

Performed By: "The Beatles"

Desmond had a barrow in the market place
Molly is the singer in a band
Desmond says to Molly, "Girl I like your face."
And Molly says this as she takes him by the hand

Ob-la-di, ob-la-da life goes on - bra
La, La, how the life goes on.
La, La, how the life goes on.

In a couple of years they have built a home sweet home
With a couple of kids running in the yard
Of Desmond & Molly Jones

Happy ever-after in the market place
Desmond lets the children lend a hand
Molly stays at home and does her pretty face
And in the evening still sings it with the band
Ob-la-di, ob-la-da life goes on - bra
La, La, how the life goes on.
La, La, how the life goes on.
La, La, how the life goes on.

Life Goes On Trivia

Chris Burke who played Corky on Life Goes On really does have Downs Syndrome in real life. It's almost as if Chris is not acting because both he and his character overcame their obstacles and made a successful life for themselves!

In 1990, Chris Burke won a special Young Artists' Award for being an "Inspiration to Youth".

Chris' "Life Went On" very successfully after the series ended too! He made several other appearances on TV shows and in the 2003 film, "Mona Lisa Smile" starring Julia Roberts, Kirsten Dunst, Julia Stiles and Ginnifer Goodwin! After that he became a goodwill ambassador for the National Down Syndrome Society and the editor-in-chief of its quarterly magazine! He also tours with his three-piece folk band and is an Usher at his church!

Episodes List With Original Air Dates

Season 1

1. Pilot Episode (9/12/1989)
2. Corky for President (9/24/1989)
3. The Baby-Sitter (10/1/1989)
4. Break a Leg, Mom (10/8/1989)
5. Becca's First Love (10/15/1989)
6. Paige's Date (10/22/1989)
7. Paige's Mom (11/5/1989)
8. Call of the Wild (11/12/1989)
9. Corky Witnesses a Crime (11/26/1989)
10. Ordinary Heroes (12/3/1989)
11. Pets, Guys and Videotape (12/10/1989)
12. Corky's Crush (1/14/1990)
13. Thacher and Henderson (1/21/1990)
14. The Return of Uncle Richard (2/4/1990)
15. Brothers (2/11/1990)
16. Corky Rebels (2/18/1990)
17. It' Ain't All It's Cracked up to Be (3/4/1990)
18. Pig o' My Heart (3/25/1990)
19. Becca and the Underground Newspaper (4/1/1990)
20. Save the Last Dance for Me (4/15/1990)
21. With a Mighty Heart (4/29/1990)
22. The Spring Fling (5/13/1990)

23. Honeymoon from Hell (9/16/1990)
24. Corky and the Dolphins (9/23/1990)
25. The Visitor (9/30/1990)
26. Becca and the Band (10/7/1990)
27. The Banquet Room Renovation (10/14/1990)
28. Halloween (10/28/1990)
29. Chicken Pox (11/4/1990)
30. La Dolce Becca (11/11/1990)
31. A Thacher Thanksgiving (11/18/1990)
32. Libby's Sister (11/25/1990)
33. The Buddy (12/9/1990)
34. The Bicycle Thief (12/16/1990)
35. Isn't It Romantic (1/6/1991)
36. The Bigger Picture (1/13/1991)
37. Last Stand in Glen Brook (2/3/1991)
38. Head over Heels (2/10/1991)
39. Corky's Travels (3/10/1991)
40. Thanks a Bunch, Dr. Lamaze (3/17/1991)
41. Ghost of Grandpa Past (3/31/1991)
42. Arthur (4/7/1991)
43. Lighter Than Air (4/28/1991)
44. Proms and Prams (5/5/1991)

45. Toast (9/22/1991)
46. Hello, Goodbye (9/29/1991)
47. Out of the Mainstream (10/6/1991)
48. Armageddon (10/13/1991)
49. Sweet 16 (10/20/1991)
50. Life after Death (11/3/1991)
51. Dueling Divas (11/10/1991)
52. Invasion of the Thacher Snatchers (11/17/1991)
53. Loaded Question (11/24/1991)
54. Triangles (12/1/1991)
55. The Smell of Fear (12/15/1991)
56. Struck by Lightning (1/5/1992)
57. Jerry's Deli (1/19/1992)
58. The Room (2/9/1992)
59. The Wall (2/16/1992)
60. The Blues (2/23/1992)
61. The Fairy Tale (3/1/1992)
62. Hearts and Flowers (3/15/1992)
63. Corky's Romance (3/29/1992)
64. More Than Friends (4/26/1992)
65. Confessions (5/3/1992)
66. Consenting Adults (5/10/1992)

67. Bec to the Future (9/20/1992)
68. Exposed (9/27/1992)
69. Premarital Syndrome (10/4/1992)
70. The Whole Truth (10/18/1992)
71. Love Letters (11/8/1992)
72. Windows (11/22/1992)
73. Babes in the Woods (11/29/1992)
74. Udder Madness (12/13/1992)
75. Happy Holidays (12/20/1992)
76. Choices (1/3/1993)
77. Incident on Main (1/10/1993)
78. Lost Weekend (1/24/1993)
79. Visions (2/14/1993)
80. Five to Midnight (2/21/1993)
81. Bedfellows (2/28/1993)
82. Last Wish (3/7/1993)
83. Life Goes On (and On and On) (5/23/1993)