Dear John

1988·Show
90Episodes in4Seasons
62
DecentGoodWatch score

Where to watch

No stream option in US yet.

Links go to licensed services. Data from JustWatch and TMDB.

Dear John fingerprint

Funny, strong craft, low-key.

Energy

Calm and low-key

  • Fast Pace5
  • Tension2
  • Adrenaline1

Heart

Wholesome

Much of it is about family.

  • Family Dynamics8
  • Wholesome7
  • Romance6

Humor

Plenty of situational comedy and sharp wit

  • Situational Comedy9
  • Wit & Wordplay7
  • Cringe Humor5

World

Everyday modern life and family

Holds up on a rewatch.

  • Dialogue Centrality9
  • Rewatchability8
  • World Immersion7

Craft

Standout performances, dialogue, and characters

  • Acting8
  • Dialogue Quality8
  • Character Depth8

Style

Functional look and sound

  • Editing7
  • Cinematography6
  • Music Composition5

Who it's for

AdultsFriends NightPartner WatchPublic Viewing SafeSolo WatchTeensBackground WatchBinge-FriendlyComfort WatchDrop-in FriendlyPure Escapism

Find more like it

Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every show. Select a row to see all of them.

About

Dear John starred Judd Hirsch as easygoing Drake Prep high school teacher John Lacey who is dumped by his wife, Wendy, via a Dear John letter. Wendy ends up with everything in the divorce settlement, including custody of the couple's son, forcing John to move into an apartment in Ozone Park, Queens. John soon joins the One-2-One Club, a self help group for divorced, widowed or lonely people. The group is led by Louise (Jane Carr), a sex-obsessed British woman. Other members of the group include Kate McCarron (Isabella Hofmann), a sweet divorcée; Kirk Morris (Jere Burns), a cocky ladies' man; Ralph Drang (Harry Groener), a shy and neurotic tollbooth collector; Bonnie Philbert (Billie Bird), a feisty senior citizen; and Tom, Mrs. Philbert's quiet boyfriend (Tom Willett).
Classic SitcomEnsemble ComedyPost-Divorce LifeFound FamilyCharacter-Driven HumorRelationship Dynamics80s NostalgiaDialogue-HeavyComfort Watch

Actors

Crew

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about Dear John

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Dear John legally?

GoodWatch doesn't know of a legal streaming option for Dear John in the United States right now. Pick another country in the Where to Watch section to check elsewhere.

Is Dear John worth watching?

62
DecentGoodWatch score

Opinions are mixed, with a GoodWatch score of 63/100 (IMDb 6.8). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is Dear John rated?

Strong language

Content advisories: strong language.

How many seasons does Dear John have?

4 seasons

It has 4 seasons with 90 episodes.

When did Dear John air?

It ran from 1988 to 1992 and has ended.

What language is Dear John in?

English

It was made in English.

What tropes does Dear John use?

Annoying LaughThe VicarBreak-Up SongTaking the KidsLyrical DissonanceTropaholics AnonymousCasanova WannabeDysfunction JunctionThe Good Old British CompJerk JockDigging Yourself DeeperNice Guyand 16 more

TV Tropes lists 28 storytelling tropes for Dear John, including Annoying Laugh, The Vicar, Break-Up Song.

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