for myself it was in 1984, I was the wonderful age of 13... Saw K&A and developed such a crush back then.. Living in NJ I was fortunate enough to attend many many ( I think I went to almost every taping from 86-89) of the show.
Met Allison on numerous occasions.. I remember the first time being 15 and being so nervous that I almost passed out from excitement, fear, joy, etc....
I don't remember the first time I saw Allison in a show or movie but I do know that I was smitten by her charm ad beauty when I first saw "Los Anos Barbaros". The movie itself is great and she was superlative. I managed to get a copy when the movie was re-issued and it is one of my prized possessions. Since then I have tried to see anything that has her name in the cast: West Wing, Without a Trace, Ghost Whisperer,The House on Terror Tract, etc. I was particularly impressed with her performance in "A Reason to Believe" as a victim of rape. It is a particularly good film for the way it deals with a difficult subject and she played the role to a T. I hope I get to see her in person some day. She is beautiful and she is my favorite actress bar none.
I just watched season 1 episode 22 of Silver Spoons. I haven't seen the show since I was a kid and I thought it would be nostalgic to watch it again. My first impression was, she is a cute red head, with pretty eyes and good actor. I was curious where she is now and it turns out she has had a great career stemming from that Silver Spoons episode. I'ts amazing watching a young girl in 1983 captivate my attention today than to see her as a successful, mature and beautiful woman in 2010.
I loved Kate & Allie back in the 80's, and have seen Allison in many things over the years. Always thought she added an interesting element to her characters. She was great in, "Lying Eyes," back in 1996, with Cassidy Rae. We just saw her in an episode of, "House" the other night.