In his first-ever podcast interview, Patrick Duffy sat down with his former
Step by Step
co-stars Staci Keanan and Christine Lakin on their rewatch podcast, Keanan and Lakin Give You Déjà Vu. The conversation spanned Duffy’s illustrious television career, touching on his iconic roles in Dallas and Man from Atlantis, before diving into the beloved ‘
90s sitcom
Step by Step.
Describing the show as a “new era of The Brady Bunch,” Duffy, now 75, reflected on the series that followed his character, Frank Lambert, and Suzanne Somers’ Carol Lambert as they navigated life with their blended family of six children.
First Impressions of Suzanne Somers
Duffy fondly recalled meeting the late Somers for the first time when they were cast as Frank and Carol without even auditioning. The chemistry between them was instantaneous, leading to a dynamic on-screen relationship that became a cornerstone of the show.
While Step by Step was celebrated as a wholesome family sitcom, Keanan brought up how some viewers have retrospectively labeled the show as “horny.” At first, she was taken aback by the observation. “I thought, ‘What are they talking about? Our show is a very wholesome and sweet family show,’” she admitted. But after rewatching some episodes, she began to see where the perception might come from.
Duffy addressed this with humor, explaining the underlying chemistry between Frank and Carol. “The reason these two families got together is we, on a whim, on a vacation, got married after knowing each other for two days,” he said. “And it wasn’t because we were both good at playing poker.”
He added that the show subtly leaned into the couple’s romantic spark. “Every chance that we could, we wanted to go upstairs, and we couldn’t because we had a house full of kids. And they wrote to that … and we played to that,” Duffy shared with a laugh.
A Lasting Legacy
Step by Step may have ended in 1998, but its charm and humor continue to resonate with fans today. For Duffy, it remains a highlight in a career filled with iconic roles, and his memories of working with Somers and the rest of the cast are a testament to the magic of the show.
English (US) ·