The Susan Beavers Collection, 1955-2014, consists primarily of scripts from the Lifetime network television series Oh Baby, created by Beavers. Also in the collection are scripts and material from other shows Beavers worked on as well as scripts, notes, and production materials originating from Beavers’ parents who worked in the early TV industry.

Susan Beavers was born in Santa Monica, CA to Jackie and James Beavers. James was an executive at the advertising agency Campbell-Ewald where he headed up the Chevrolet account. Jackie Gordon Beavers worked freelance television production in New York and Los Angeles and was notably a script supervisor on Matinee Theatre as well as assisted Al Capp with his 1952 TV show. Susan’s first television job was with Danny Arnold as a receptionist on Barney Miller. She subsequently worked as a production secretary, writer’s assistant and script supervisor on shows such as Soap and Night Court. Her first spec script for It’s a Living was bought as the show went into first run syndication and from there she wrote freelance episodes of Newhart and Golden Girls among others. After years as a staff member and eventually producer on Growing Pains, Empty Nest and other sitcom staffs, she created a vehicle for Dudley Moore, Dudley and one for Valerie Harper, The Office (1995). In 1998, Susan wrote a spec TV pilot, Oh Baby, based on her experiences as a single mother. To her surprise, Lifetime bought the pilot and subsequently Sony and Lifetime produced it for two years. When Oh Baby ended, Susan went on to write and produce on the staffs of Dharma & Greg followed by nine years on Two and a Half Men. At present, she’s trying her hand again at development. –SB, November 2015

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