Bosom Buddies

An American sitcom created by Chris Thompson, Thomas L. Miller, and Robert L. Boyett, which ABC carried between November 27, 1980 and March 27, 1982. The series follows two young advertising professionals in New York City—Kip Wilson (Tom Hanks) and Henry Desmond (Peter Scolari)—who, facing financial difficulties, disguise themselves as women to live in the affordable all-female "Susan B. Anthony Hotel." Under the aliases Buffy and Hildegarde, they strive to maintain their secret while navigating work responsibilities and personal relationships. Supporting characters include Amy Cassidy (Wendie Jo Sperber), a colleague aware of their secret; Ruth Dunbar (Holland Taylor), their boss; Sonny Lumet (Donna Dixon), Kip's love interest; Isabelle Hammond (Telma Hopkins), a hotel resident and manager in season two; and Lilly Sinclair (Lucille Benson), the hotel manager in season one. The show is noted for its humor, improvisational exchanges between the leads, and satire on gender stereotypes. Although initially successful, it was canceled after two seasons but served as a launching pad for Tom Hanks's career.