View source for Rich Man, Poor Man Book II

{{one source |date=August 2017}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2025}}
{{Infobox television
| image                = Rich Man Poor Man Book II cast 1977.JPG
| image_size           = 220
| image_alt            =
| caption              = The main characters.  Standing: Maggie Porter and Rudy Jordache.  Seated: Wesley Jordache and Billy Abbott.
| genre                = 
| creator              = 
| based_on             = Characters created by [[Irwin Shaw]]
| writer               = Ann Beckett<br />Michael Gleason<br />Robert Hamilton<br />[[Millard Lampell]]<br />[[Robert Presnell, Jr.]]<br />[[Elizabeth Wilson (screenwriter)|Elizabeth Wilson]]
| screenplay           = 
| story                = 
| director             = [[Lou Antonio]]<br />[[Karen Arthur]]<br />[[Bill Bixby]]<br />[[Joan Darling]]<br />[[Harry Falk (director)|Harry Falk]]<br />[[David Friedkin]]<br />[[Jules Irving]]<br />[[Ted Post]]<br />[[Alex Segal]]<br />[[James Sheldon]]<br />[[Paul Stanley (director)|Paul Stanley]]
| starring             = [[Peter Strauss]]<br />[[Gregg Henry]]<br />James Carroll Jordan
| narrated             = 
| theme_music_composer = [[Alex North]]<br />[[Michael Isaacson]]
| country              = United States
| language             = English
| num_episodes         = 21
| executive_producer   = Michael Gleason
| editor               = 
| cinematography       = 
| runtime              = 46-49 mins.
| company              = 
| budget               = 
| network              = [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]
| first_aired          = {{start date|1976|9|21}}
| last_aired           = {{end date|1977|3|8}}
| related              = ''[[Rich Man, Poor Man (miniseries)|Rich Man, Poor Man]]''
}}

'''''Rich Man, Poor Man Book II''''' is an American television [[miniseries]] that aired on [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] in one-hour episodes at 9:00pm ET/PT on Tuesday nights between September 21, 1976 and March 8, 1977. A sequel to ''[[Rich Man, Poor Man (miniseries)|Rich Man, Poor Man]]'' that had aired the previous season, it focused on the further exploits and conflicts of the Jordache family.

Due to the popularity of the first series this was rushed out as the sequel before the author Irwin Shaw had even written a "Book 2" sequel.

==Synopsis==
The series began shortly after the death of Tom Jordache. His son Wesley ([[Gregg Henry]]) is now in the care of Tom's brother Rudy ([[Peter Strauss]]), who was seeking a seat in the [[United States Senate]]. Also living in the household was Billy, Rudy's stepson, and much of the ongoing storyline concentrated on the tension between the two ambitious boys. Also crucial to the plot was Rudy's protracted battle with Charles Estep ([[Peter Haskell]]), the mysterious [[billionaire]] owner of Tricorp. Returning from the original series was Anthony Falconetti ([[William Smith (actor)|William Smith]]), who had served time for the murder of Tom Jordache and was now free and intent on disposing of Rudy as well.

At the same time, Falconetti firmly intends to eliminate Rudy, Wesley and all the friends of the Jordache family and this time it will not be enough to ignore it to escape him.

==Cast==
[[Davey Davison]] replaces Kim Darby as Virginia Calderwood. Peter Strauss, Susan Blakely, Herbert Jefferson Jr., Van Johnson, Kay Lenz, Tim McIntre, Ray Millard, Dick Sargent and William Smith reprise their roles from the [[Rich Man, Poor Man (miniseries)|original series]].

{| class="wikitable"
! Actor !! Role
|-
! colspan="2" |''Starring''
|-
|[[Peter Strauss]]
|Rudy Jordache
|-
! colspan="2" |''Special guest star''
|-
|[[Susan Blakely]]
|Julie Prescott
|-
! colspan="2" |''Introducing''
|-
|[[Gregg Henry]]
|Wesley Jordache
|-
|James Carroll Jordan
|Billy Abbott
|-
! colspan="2" |''Guest stars''
|-
|[[Dimitra Arliss]]
|Maria Falconetti
|-
|[[Davey Davison]]
|Virginia Calderwood
|-
|[[Herbert Jefferson Jr.]]
|Roy Dwyer
|-
|[[Van Johnson]]
|Marsh Goodwin
|-
|[[Kay Lenz]]
|Kate Jordache
|-
|[[Tim McIntire]]
|Brad Knight
|-
|[[Ray Milland]]
|Duncan Calderwood
|-
|[[Claudette Nevins]]
|Mrs. Martindale
|-
|[[William Redfield (actor)|William Redfield]]
|Mr. Martindale
|-
|[[Dick Sargent]]
|Eddie Heath
|-
|[[William Smith (actor)|William Smith]]
|Anthony Falconetti
|-
|[[Susan Sullivan]]
|Maggie Porter
|-
|[[John Anderson (actor)|John Anderson]]
|John "Scotty" Scott
|-
|[[Sorrell Booke]]
|Phil Greenberg
|-
|[[Peter Haskell]]
|Charles Estep
|-
|[[Penny Peyser]]
|Ramona Scott
|-
|[[Larry Kert]]
|Danny Miller
|-
|[[Arlo Guthrie]]
|Himself
|-
|[[Cassie Yates]]
|Annie Adams
|-
|[[Kimberly Beck]]
|Diane Porter
|-
|[[Peter Donat]]
|Arthur Raymond
|-
|[[Laraine Stephens]]
|Claire Estep
|-
|[[Lynn Carlin]]
|Sarah Hunt
|-
|[[Madeleine Sherwood|Madeleine Thornton-Sherwood]]
|Mrs. Hunt
|-
|[[Russell Johnson]]
|Detective
|-
|[[George Gaynes]]
|Max Vincent
|-
|[[Dennis James]]
|Telethon Host
|-
|[[G. D. Spradlin]]
|Senator Dillon
|-
|[[Barry Sullivan (American actor)|Barry Sullivan]]
|Senator Paxton
|-
|[[Philip Abbott]]
|John Franklin
|-
|[[Ken Swofford]]
|Al Barber
|-
|[[Richard McKenzie (actor)|Richard McKenzie]]
|{{n/a|}}
|-
|[[David Sheiner]]
|{{n/a|}}
|-
|[[Nehemiah Persoff]]
|Charles Dietrich
|}

==Episode list==
{{Episode table |background=#500050 |overall= |title= |director= |writer= |airdate= |episodes=
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 1
| Title = Chapter I
| DirectedBy = [[Lou Antonio]]
| WrittenBy = [[Millard Lampell]]
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1976|9|21}}
| LineColor = 500050
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 2
| Title = Chapter II
| DirectedBy = [[Alex Segal]]
| WrittenBy = Ann Beckett
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1976|9|28}}
| LineColor = 500050
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 3
| Title = Chapter III
| DirectedBy = [[Bill Bixby]]
| WrittenBy = [[Robert Presnell, Jr.]]
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1976|10|5}}
| LineColor = 500050
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 4
| Title = Chapter IV
| DirectedBy = [[David Friedkin]]
| WrittenBy = [[Millard Lampell]]
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1976|10|19}}
| LineColor = 500050
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 5
| Title = Chapter V
| DirectedBy = Harry Falk
| WrittenBy = Ann Beckett
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1976|10|26}}
| LineColor = 500050
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 6
| Title = Chapter VI
| DirectedBy = James Sheldon
| WrittenBy = [[Millard Lampell]]
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1976|11|9}}
| LineColor = 500050
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 7
| Title = Chapter VII
| DirectedBy = Harry Falk
| WrittenBy = [[Robert Presnell, Jr.]]
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1976|11|16}}
| LineColor = 500050
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 8
| Title = Chapter VIII
| DirectedBy = [[Joan Darling]]
| WrittenBy = [[Elizabeth Wilson (screenwriter)|Elizabeth Wilson]]
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1976|11|23}}
| LineColor = 500050
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 9
| Title = Chapter IX
| DirectedBy = [[Jules Irving]]
| WrittenBy = [[Millard Lampell]]
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1976|11|30}}
| LineColor = 500050
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 10
| Title = Chapter X
| DirectedBy = [[Karen Arthur]]
| WrittenBy = [[Elizabeth Wilson (screenwriter)|Elizabeth Wilson]]
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1976|12|7}}
| LineColor = 500050
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 11
| Title = Chapter XI
| DirectedBy = [[Jules Irving]]
| WrittenBy = Ann Beckett
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1976|12|21}}
| LineColor = 500050
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 12
| Title = Chapter XII
| DirectedBy = [[Ted Post]]
| WrittenBy = [[Millard Lampell]]
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1976|12|28}}
| LineColor = 500050
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 13
| Title = Chapter XIII
| DirectedBy = [[Jules Irving]]
| WrittenBy = Michael Gleason
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1977|1|4}}
| LineColor = 500050
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 14
| Title = Chapter XIV
| DirectedBy = [[Ted Post]]
| WrittenBy = [[Elizabeth Wilson (screenwriter)|Elizabeth Wilson]] & Ann Beckett
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1977|1|11}}
| LineColor = 500050
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 15
| Title = Chapter XV
| DirectedBy = [[Jules Irving]]
| WrittenBy = Michael Gleason
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1977|1|18}}
| LineColor = 500050
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 16
| Title = Chapter XVI
| DirectedBy = [[Paul Stanley (director)|Paul Stanley]]
| WrittenBy = Michael Gleason
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1977|2|1}}
| LineColor = 500050
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 17
| Title = Chapter XVII
| DirectedBy = [[Jules Irving]]
| WrittenBy = Ann Beckett
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1977|2|8}}
| LineColor = 500050
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 18
| Title = Chapter XVIII
| DirectedBy = [[Bill Bixby]]
| WrittenBy = Michael Gleason
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1977|2|15}}
| LineColor = 500050
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 19
| Title = Chapter XIX
| DirectedBy = [[Jules Irving]]
| WrittenBy = Robert Hamilton
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1977|2|22}}
| LineColor = 500050
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 20
| Title = Chapter XX
| DirectedBy = James Sheldon
| WrittenBy = Ann Beckett
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1977|3|1}}
| LineColor = 500050
}}
{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber = 21
| Title = Chapter XXI
| DirectedBy = [[Jules Irving]]
| WrittenBy = Michael Gleason
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1977|3|8}}
| LineColor = 500050
}}
}}

==Reception==
[[Las Vegas, Nevada|Las Vegas]] and [[Aspen, Colorado|Aspen]], playgrounds of the rich and famous and powerful, were two of the settings for the series. Filled with [[soap opera]]-like touches, it was far more [[melodramatic]] than the original and not as successful critically or in the ratings. The series maintained a popular following in the UK and Europe and was released on a 6-Disc DVD set by Universal-Playback on June 18, 2007. The US DVD set contained both the original mini-series and the weekly series and was released for the first time by A & E Home Video on September 28, 2010.

==Awards and nominations==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Award
! Category
! Nominee(s)
! Result
! Ref.
|-
| [[American Cinema Editors#Eddie Awards|American Cinema Editors Awards]]
| [[American Cinema Editors Award for Best Edited Drama Series for Commercial Television|Best Edited Episode from a Television Series]]
| Jerrold L. Ludwig {{small|(for "Chapter XV")}}
| {{nom}}
| align="center"| <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/event/ev0000017/1978/1/?ref_=ev_eh |title=Nominees/Winners |publisher=[[IMDb]] |accessdate=April 3, 2019}}</ref>
|-
| [[29th Directors Guild of America Awards|Directors Guild of America Awards]]
| [[Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directing – Drama Series|Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Dramatic Series – Night]]
| [[Bill Bixby]] {{small|(for "Chapter III")}}
| {{nom}}
| align="center"| <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dga.org/Awards/History/1970s/1976.aspx?value=1976 |title=29th DGA Awards |website=[[Directors Guild of America Awards]] |access-date=July 5, 2021}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="2"| [[29th Primetime Emmy Awards|Primetime Emmy Awards]]
| [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series|Outstanding Lead Actress for a Single Appearance in a Drama or Comedy Series]]
| [[Susan Blakely]] {{small|(for "Chapter I")}}
| {{nom}}
| rowspan="2" align="center"| <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.emmys.com/shows/rich-man-poor-man-book-ii |title=Rich Man, Poor Man Book II |website=Emmys.com |publisher=[[Academy of Television Arts & Sciences]] |access-date=July 13, 2021}}</ref>
|-
| [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Single-Camera Picture Editing for a Drama Series|Outstanding Film Editing in a Drama Series]]
| Jerrold L. Ludwig {{small|(for "Chapter III")}}
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="3"| [[TP de Oro]]
| colspan="2"| Best Foreign Series
| {{draw|3rd Place}}
| rowspan="3" align="center"| <ref name="Rich Man">{{cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/completedirector00broo/page/662|author1=Tim Brooks|author-link=Tim Brooks (television historian)|author2=Earle Marsh|publisher=[[Ballantine Books]]|location=[[New York City]]|year=1988|page=[https://archive.org/details/completedirector00broo/page/662 662]|isbn=0-345-35610-1|title=The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows, 1946-Present|url-access=registration}}</ref>
|-
| Best Foreign Actor
| Peter Strauss
| {{won}}
|-
| Most Popular Personage
| [[William Smith (actor)|William Smith]]
| {{draw|2nd Place}}
|-
| [[29th Writers Guild of America Awards|Writers Guild of America Awards]]
| [[Writers Guild of America Award for Television: Episodic Drama|Episodic Drama]]
| [[Millard Lampell]]
| {{nom}}
| align="center"| <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wga.org/awards/awardssub.aspx?id=1551|title=Awards Winners|work=wga.org|publisher=Writers Guild of America|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121205095022/http://www.wga.org/awards/awardssub.aspx?id=1551|archive-date=2012-12-05|access-date=2010-06-06}}</ref>
|}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*{{IMDb title|id=0074047}}
*{{epguides|id=RichManPoorManBookII}}

[[Category:1976 American television series debuts]]
[[Category:1977 American television series endings]]
[[Category:1970s American drama television series]]
[[Category:1970s American television miniseries]]
[[Category:Television series by Universal Television]]
[[Category:Television shows set in Michigan]]
[[Category:American Broadcasting Company television dramas]]