One In A Million is an American television sitcom that aired on ABC for one season in 1980. The show was developed as a starring vehicle for comedienne Shirley Hemphill after the success of What's Happening!! in which she played a supporting role. The show was not a success and was cancelled after just 13 episodes. The series was broadcast on Saturdays at 8 p.m Eastern time. The series centers around Shirley Simmons, a sharp-tongued taxicab driver who inherits controlling interest in the multimillion dollar conglomerate Grayson Enterprises at the death of its founder, Jonathan Grayson, one of Shirley's regular fares. Gleefully assuming her position as CEO, she declares war on 'pompous stuffed shirts', especially company vice president Roland Cushing. She finds an ally in Nancy, Grayson's secretary. The series was set in New York City. The cast included several well-known character actors including Richard Paul as Mr. Grayson's nephew and Carl Ballantine as the owner of Shirely's favorite deli.
One in a Million (Season 1)
Chairman of the Board (Episode 1)
Writer: Bernie Orenstein
Air date: 1980-01-08
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: In this series premiere, a lady cab driver in Los Angeles inherits the controlling interest in a giant corporation and becomes a champion for the little guy against the system. Shirley Simmons is a cabbie who inherits controlling interest in a $200-million corporation. In the opener, she refuses to be bought out and assumes board chairmanship.
Italian Connection (Episode 2)
Air date: 1980-04-05
Runtime: 30 min
Executive Dad (Episode 3)
Air date: 1980-01-15
Runtime: 30 min
Stone versus Simmons (Episode 4)
Air date: 1980-02-16
Runtime: 30 min
On The Cuff (Episode 5)
Writer: Bernie Orenstein
Air date: 1980-02-02
Runtime: 30 min
The Committee (Episode 6)
Writer: Sally Wade
Air date: 1980-03-29
Runtime: 30 min
Over The Hill (Episode 7)
Air date: 1980-03-22
Runtime: 30 min
Max Falls in Love (Episode 8)
Air date: 1980-03-15
Runtime: 30 min
Shirley's Prince of a Guy (Episode 9)
Air date: 1980-01-26
Runtime: 30 min
Suddenly Single (Episode 10)
Air date: 1980-03-01
Runtime: 30 min
Lost Weekend (Episode 11)
Air date: 1980-02-09
Runtime: 30 min
Cushing Quits (Episode 12)
Writer: Donald Ross
Air date: 1980-03-08
Runtime: 30 min
The Chairman Babysits (Episode 13)
Air date: 1980-02-23
Runtime: 30 min
Overview: Shirley's good deed lands her in a pickle of a predicament that requires some outrageous maneuvering when she loses her secretary's nine-year-old son.
Seasons
Episodes 13