The show originally began as a two-part, four-in-a-half hour TV mini-series that aired on October 4th and October 5, 1982 on CBS. Due to the mini-series' ratings, NBC picked the show up after CBS passed on the series. The series aired from February 15 to June 13, 1983, lasting 11 episodes. A TV movie "Bare Essence: The Final Chapter" aired in July of 1983.