Paul Walker’s Forgotten ’80s Sitcom ‘Throb’ Is Nearly Impossible to Watch Today

Paul Walker, widely recognized for his iconic role as Brian O’Conner in the Fast & Furious franchise, began his acting career in the 1980s, appearing as Jeremy Beatty in the short-lived sitcom Throb. Despite running for two seasons in syndication, the show has become nearly impossible to watch today, with few episodes available online in low quality. Fans of Walker or classic TV may find it challenging to revisit this early project, which featured a cast of actors who later became well-known. The series aired from 1986 to 1988 and showcased a young Walker before he achieved Hollywood stardom.

Paul Walker and ‘Throb’

Throb starred Diana Canova as Sandy Beatty, a thirty-something divorcee starting a new career at an independent Manhattan record label. Paul Walker, credited as Paul W. Walker, played her son Jeremy during the first season, appearing in 12 out of 48 episodes. After the first season, Walker was replaced by Sean de Veritch, and the show shifted focus toward Sandy and her co-worker Prudence Anne “Blue” Bartlett, played by Jane Leeves. Other cast members included Jonathan Prince, Maryedith Burrell, and Richard Cummings Jr. The show aired in syndication across independent U.S. stations, lacking a major network home, which contributed to its limited long-term visibility.

Quotes and Reactions

TV historians note that early sitcoms like Throb often become lost media. “Shows from this era, particularly syndicated series, frequently vanish because they were not preserved digitally,” said television archivist Lisa Hernandez. Fans who have posted clips online emphasize the nostalgic charm of the series, even if production and acting were still developing. While Walker’s performance was brief, it offered a glimpse of his early talent and foreshadowed his later success in the Fast & Furious films.

Cultural and Career Perspective

Though largely forgotten, Throb remains a part of Paul Walker’s early career trajectory. His role on the sitcom contributed to his experience on set and exposure to Hollywood’s working environment. Today, the difficulty in accessing episodes highlights broader issues in media preservation; without streaming or physical releases, early works by actors like Walker risk fading entirely from public view. Despite this, enthusiasts and historians continue to seek out any remaining footage, preserving it for archival and educational purposes.

Access and Preservation

Currently, the only accessible episodes of Throb exist on YouTube, albeit in poor quality. There are no official streaming or physical media releases, and the show remains largely absent from classic TV libraries. Fans interested in revisiting Walker’s early work must rely on these clips, or hope for a future release from CBS Television Distribution or media preservation groups. Meanwhile, retrospectives and documentaries on Paul Walker’s life and career continue to reference Throb as a formative experience.

Sources:

• SlashFilm

• CBS Television Distribution

• TV historians and archival commentary