April’s Best and Worst

At the end of each month of viewing I look back on the shows and pick out 3 of the most enjoyable shows and 3 of the most disappointing that I watched.

At the end of the year the best and worst lists will be consolidated to determine the best and worst sitcoms I encountered over the past 12 months.

 

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APRIL’S BEST

1. Little Mosque on the Prairie (Day 120 – 4/30)

Terrific, hilarious Canadian show about Muslims in a rural Canadian town.

2. Father Ted (Day 96 – 4/6)

The humor derived in this one from religion and Catholicism is fantastic!

3. Suburgatory (Day 110 – 4/20)

Quite the gem! Angry I dismissed it based on premise while it was on, don’t make my mistake!

MARCH’S WORST (with my apologies to the creators)

1. Alice (Day 104 – 4/14)

No idea how this show lasted as long as it did, poorly written, directed and acted.

2. Hey Dude! (Day 113 – 4/23)

One of the first original programs from NICK, and it shows.

3. Just Our Luck (Day 99 – 4/9)

A poor excuse for an I Dream of Genie remake.

MOST PLEASANT SURPRISE (exceeded my expectations)

What I Like About You (Day 117 – 4/27)

My bias coming out again for this Amanda Bynes vehicle that was in my comedic wheelhouse.

Malibu, CA (Day 92- 4/2)

A poor man’s version of Saved by the Bell, but we all know how much I like Saved by the Bell! 

MOST DISAPPOINTING (not what I remember the show being)

Laverne and Shirley (Day 97 – 4/7)

Laverne and Shirley are kind of annoying and not as funny as Lenny And Squiggy

Honorable Mention for BUTLER AWESOMENESS (best TV Butlers of all time)

Mr. French- Family Affair (Day 115- 4/25)

Sebastian Cabot as the gentlemen’s gentleman, no one did it better

Mr. Belvedere- Mr. Belvedere (Day 118-4/28)

A rather condescending fellow, but that is what makes him awesome

 

DAY 120: Little Mosque on the Prairie

Series Run : 2007-2012

90 episodes

Network: CBC

Series Premise (as far as I can tell):

Life in a predominantly Muslim town in Saskatchewan

Episode Watched: Home Again (Season 6)

Episode Summary: Rayann and Amarr return home early from their honeymoon and try to readjust to life in the town.

My Thoughts: Canada really hit a home run with this show! Earlier in the month we lavished praise upon Father Ted (Day 96), for its it irreverent humor related to religion and the Catholic church. Well, what Father Ted did for Catholicism this show does for the Muslim faith. A smart, sophisticated look at the Muslim faith, the different factions therein, and the misunderstandings perpetrated by those of a different faith. All of that is on display here, but the show is genuinely funny, quite funny in fact. A wonderful exposition on the day to-day events of anytown USA (or in this case Anytown Canada), but surrounding characters that are sorely underrepresented on the TV landscape. I cannot recommend this show highly enough, if you get a chance to take a look at please do!

 Memorable Quotes:

“We understand to agree to disagree, it’s working out rather well” -Reverend

“What are Hi-Jammies?” -Rayann  “Part HiJab, part Jammies” – Sarah

“You’re telling me to my face that you are going behind my back to steal my Imam-ship from right under my feet?” – Baber

Acting Notables:

Zaib Shaikh- Amaar

Carlo Rota- Yasir

Sheila McCarthy- Sarah

Tomorrow: A BBC show that elicits thoughts of Saturday Night Live

DAY 119: Men Behaving Badly

Series Run : 1992-1998

42 episodes

Network: BBC

Series Premise (as far as I can tell):

Lives and love lives of 2 roommate, bachelors in England

Episode Watched: Weekend (Season 3)

Episode Summary: Gary and Dorothy go away for the weekend to re-ignite their relationship, while Tony gets a new job at a bar and tries to sabotage Leslie’s new relationship.

My Thoughts: After a run of 3-4 days in a row of shows I genuinely enjoyed, I end up with this slog. It’s not that there is anything wrong with this show, as much as it is rather dull to watch. The dialogue is full of British slang and there are at least 3 odd little musical montages. The plot of the show follows 2 20-30 year old guys and their difficulties in trying to get girls into relationships. They are portrayed as brutish, dumb men who can only see their point of view. There are a few laughs to be had, particularly around the uncomfortable exchange of sexual fantasies that Gary has with his current girlfriend. Other than that, there isn’t a whole helluva a lot I can say and/or recommend about this effort. Watch it if you must, but it can be skipped.

 Memorable Quotes:

“It was bad enough when I was faking it, when you started faking it, I knew we were in trouble.” -Dorothy

“Of course you realize, that is illegal even in Holland!” -Gary

“What’s the point of having a fantasy of someone you already have?” – Gary

Acting Notables:

Martin Clunes- Gary

Neil Morrisey- Tony

Deborah Burton- Leslie

Tomorrow: The Canadians redeem themselves from their last entry

DAY 118: Mr. Belvedere

Series Run : 1985-1990

117 episodes

Network: ABC

Series Premise (as far as I can tell):

Gentleman world traveling butler comes to live in Sports Writer’s house

Episode Watched: Strike (Season 2)

Episode Summary: George’s paper goes on strike, wreaking havoc with the day-to-day routine and wants/needs of the household

My Thoughts: Two days ago this post would be telling you about how Mr. Belvedere was the greatest man-servant ever depicted on television. Since Mr. French of Family Affair took that mantle, instead we will have a more reserved review of this show. While Mr. Belevedere is still quite formidable as a butler in of himself, I was shocked to see just how rude, selfish and obnoxious the kids of this household were. Additionally, the mom/wife character is depicted as flighty and dumb, and Bob Uecker is a macho male disciplinarian with no domestic skills at all. In short, the show really consists of Mr. Belvedere being condescending in one way or another to every member of this household, making you wonder why he agreed to work for them in the first place. I suppose one could say, he was bored traveling the world and working with the highest level of royalty and leaders, and wanted to be somewhere in which he would feel superior, even though the family would treat him as an inferior. Which again just puts him on that pedestal of awesome TV butler. In this entry, George’s paper goes on strike, he ends up at home for a month, screwing up Mr. Belvedere’s chores, and the kids whine because they can’t have a new car, a trip to Europe, or the foods they like. By the end we are  given a heavy dose of sentimentality as the kids try to ban together to give money to the parents (a plot line the Brady kids pull off a lot better- search for the stars anyone???) and Mr. Belvedere ends, as he does each show, writing in a diary summarizing the stupefying exploits of this family he willingly does servant work for. A terrific example of 80’s sitcoms at work, maybe with a more subtle edge to it than most.

 Memorable Quotes:

“Its practical. With these wheels he’ll pick up practically every chick in town!” -George

“I’m a guest Wesley, not a hostage” -Mr. Belvedere

“I mean you save a sheik’s life and they’ll do anything for you” – Mr. Belvedere

Acting Notables:

Christopher Hewett- Mr. Belvedere

Bob Uecker- George

Rod Stone- Kevin

Tomorrow: A rather uninspiring BBC entry

DAY 117: What I Like About You

Series Run : 2002-2006

86 episodes

Network: WB

Series Premise (as far as I can tell):

Younger Sister moves in with her older sister in New York

Episode Watched: Dangerous Liaisons (Season 3)

Episode Summary: Holly is slowly deleting all her friends from her phone for one reason or another, meanwhile the plumber that shows up is a 1 night stand of Val’s from high school.

My Thoughts: Holy cow does this show fit right into my wheelhouse!!! I am disgusted I didn’t watch it while it was on. This show comes from Head of the Class veterans Brian Robbins & Dan Schneider, who also launched some memorable shows/careers on Nickelodeon. It stars former 90210 stalwart, Jennie Garth, and a personal favorite of mine, Amanda Bynes. I am a certified Amanada Bynes apologist and really miss her on-screen. This show follows Amanda as she navigates into adulthood and romance in the big city, guided by her big sister (Garth). The show has a lot fo rapid dialogue and one could say its an adult version of a Nickelodeon show. I am not going to apologize for liking it, but I will understand if its juvenile format, and sentimentality is not for everyone. This episode is particularly hysterical, as it has a 90210 reunion with Luke Perry, playing a plumber who had had a 1 night stand with Jennie Garth in highschool. You should all watch it just for the flashback sequence between Garth and Perry in high school, which parodies 90210 story lines and includes references to both Brenda and Brandon. As for Miss Bynes, this episode also contains an actual video of a 10-year-old Amanda doing stand up comedy. It’s a part of her character’s storyline, but it has a weird foreshadowing vibe to it. It’s a show that isn’t readily available on youtube, going to have to buy this one via itunes or amazon if you want to watch it, but for my Saved by the Bell loving friends, its worth a gander!

 Memorable Quotes:

“When I was 10 you told me having sex without love would make a girls ear fall off” -Holly

“Hey Todd, I didn’t know you were back at school, how was jail?” -Val

“You know you look different with Brenda out-of-town” – Todd

Acting Notables:

Amanda Bynes- Holly

Jennie Garth- Val

Luke Perry- Todd

Tomorrow: My recently usurped favorite TV Butler of all time

DAY 116: Father Knows Best

Series Run : 1954-1960

203 episodes

Network: CBS/NBC

Series Premise (as far as I can tell):

Life of a “typical” 1950’s family from the midwest

Episode Watched: No Apron Strings (Season 3)

Episode Summary: Bud starts dating the daughter of an immigrant shop owner, the girl believes she doesn’t deserve Bud, thoughts validated when Bud attends his mom’s birthday party instead of a date with her.

My Thoughts: A show that I assume shows us the romanticized version of life in the 50’s. Very much a Leave It to Beaver, Ozzie and Harriet vibe to this show. I have mixed thoughts about this show after this episode, both good and bad. First of all, something all these shows should take heed on, if you are going to have kids on your show make good choices. In this case the 3 kids are terrific, they don’t over act, pretty down to earth and rather funny. When the show goes for humor its well done and very natural to the events and characters. What is odd is the strange class-war plot they try to do here. Bud’s Girlfriend, Georgia, from the very beginning is sullen and angry every time Bud mentions having to do something with his mom or for his mom. You see she is convinced Bud is a puppet for his mother, and the mother controls him because she doesn’t want him associating with the poor daughter of an immigrant from Italy. Rather heady stuff and one that seems out-of-place in an otherwise light-hearted show. Eventually the girl is show the error of her ways, but not after a lot of crying and threats to Bud. For a show titled, Father Knows Best, dear old dad doesn’t really enter the picture offering advice or really being an integral part of the story at all. I will say, despite the strange tonal differences I enjoyed the show and can see why it lasted as long as it did. I am a little worried that there was a reunion movie in 1977, not sure how this would have played in the late 70’s with the kids grown up. But that is a discussion for another time.

 Memorable Quotes:

“Go home little boy, to your mother!” -Georgia

“His mother was frightened by a broken compass and he had no sense of direction” -Bud

“I know what else they have, a mother better than anyone deserves” – Jim

Acting Notables:

Robert Young- Jim

Jane Wyatt- Margaret

Tomorrow: I show my bias towards someone and expose myself as an apologist for them

DAY 115: Family Affair

Series Run : 1966-1971

138 episodes

Network: CBS

Series Premise (as far as I can tell):

Bachelor and his manservant take in his nieces and nephew after their parent die.

Episode Watched: The Unsinkable Mr. French (Season 5)

Episode Summary: Mr. French proves unflappable as he teaches the kids about keeping their cool as he is beset by many disasters while preparing a business dinner for Uncle Bill.

My Thoughts: Growing up this show was always on in reruns during the summer, I never watched it mainly because I felt the kid that played the nephew was annoying, little did I know this show had the best TV butler ever broadcast! For years, Mr. Belvedere epitomized to me the consummate English gentleman butler, a sophisticated, wise man full of impeccable taste and wit. Well, Mr. French is the mold from which Mr. Belvedere comes. Mr. French is a man of impeccable integrity and skill. He not only admonishes the children for acting in a way unbefitting a young gentleman or lady, but handles crises with the grace unlike any other, further setting an example for the kids in his charge and teaching the rest of us what true sophisticated behavior should be. Yes, Brian Keith is in this and billed as the main star, and he has some fun moments, and the kids wander through the episode wreaking their own havoc, but Mr. French is an icon that should be celebrated! The kids even try to show their appreciation for Mr. French at the end, only to have Mr. French end up with a face full of whipped cream. Undaunted, Mr. French calmly cleans his face, straightens his suitcoat, and returns to the party with every bit of grace he has. A wonderful character and one that has usurped the afore-mentioned Mr. Belvedere as my favorite TV butler of all time!

 Memorable Quotes:

“A gentleman does not take out his frustrations on an inanimate object.” -Mr. French

“In life, one must meet all obstacles with courage and ingenuity” -Mr. French

“We put a candle on for every nice thing you’ve done for us, but we ran out of candles!” – Buffy

Acting Notables:

Brian Keith- Uncle Bill

Sebastian Cabot- Mr. French

Tomorrow: A wholesome 1950’s midwestern family

DAY 114: Madigan Men

Series Run : 2000

12 episodes

Network: ABC

Series Premise (as far as I can tell):

Single, Irish dad lives with son and his own father and works as an architect

Episode Watched: Love and Dermatology (Season 1)

Episode Summary: Ben wants to get back in the dating scene, so his secretary sets him up with her dermatologist.

My Thoughts: While this show doesn’t break any new ground in the sitcom world, either through its premise or characters, as I watched it I was mostly entertained, however its lead actor ultimately sabotages anything good this show has to offer. This show lists James Burrows (of Cheers fame) as a consultant, which gives it some clout in the world of TV executives, but you have to question if he was brought on before or after the lead was cast. I am not sure who thought Gabriel Byrne would be the perfect lead for a sitcom, but whomever was responsible was probably fired after the measly 12 episode run of this show was over. Don’t misunderstand me, Mr. Byrne is a fine thespian, and I have enjoyed him in many films, but as a comedic lead, even here where he is mostly the straight man, it just doesn’t work. The real bright spot here is the guy who plays his dad, an Irish actor by the name of Roy Dotrice, he shines in every scene he is in, too bad I’ve never seen him in anything else. This episode follows a tried and true plot line where the recently single man re-enters the dating world, only to immediately fall for the first person he dates, leading to “hilarity”. Too bad the casting process wasnt better, oh and for those fans of Murphy Brown, Miles shows up on this show as Gabriel Byrne’s loser co-worker, friend. A show that teaches us that it does matter sometimes who is your lead.

 Memorable Quotes:

“You ought to try the laundry room Benji, it’s a great place to meet women” -Seamus

“When I was a lad we only had one doctor, and if he couldn’t cure you, you went to the undertaker” -Seamus

“I’m a matchmaker, not a pimp, Ben!” – Wendy

Acting Notables:

Gabriel Byrne- Ben

Roy Dotrice- Seamus

John Hensley- Luke

Tomorrow: The man who displaced Mr. Belvedere as my favorite sitcom butler

DAY 113: Hey Dude!

Series Run : 1989-1991

65 episodes

Network: NICK

Series Premise (as far as I can tell):

Teenage adventures at a Dude Ranch

Episode Watched: Ride She Said (Season 4)

Episode Summary: Bradley learns about relating to kids with disabilities while Melody organizes a Christmas in July party for the ranch.

My Thoughts: This show is what you get when you cross the Dude Ranch episodes from Happy Days with the Afterschool Specials of the 80’s. Not to say that the people at Nickelodeon weren’t trying, this is only their second live action show (after Out of Control), and the first one that is a story based sitcom, rather than sketch show. The show lacks a laugh track, which makes the awkward jokes, that much more awkward without the laugh track to at least add a sense of campiness to the show. What makes this show painful to watch is the awful handling of the storyline involving a neighbor camp that teaches handicapped kids how to ride horses. The storyline is written badly, acted horribly, and is so patronizing to the kids with the handicaps, the show feels more insulting than it does inspirational. Throw in to this serious storyline an equally horrible attempt at Christmas in July, and you are left with a train wreck of a show. Watch it for an early view of Christine Taylor, who you may know as Ben Stiller’s wife or Marcia in the Brady Bunch movies. Other than that, just be glad Nickelodeon execs learned from this foray and stuck to campy. pop culture tween fare and jettisoned the PSA’s in their future shows.

 Memorable Quotes:

“There’s daylight saving time, which is just like the present, only an hour later.” -Jake

“A friend in need, presumably owns a steed” -Mr. Ernst

“Maybe I feel guilty because they have disabilities and I don’t” – Brad

Acting Notables:

Christine Taylor- Melody

Kelly Brown- Bradley

Jonathan Galkin- Jake

Tomorrow: A show that works on a lot of levels, too bad the star is horribly miscast

DAY 112: Bless This House

Series Run : 1971-1976

65 episodes

Network: BBC

Series Premise (as far as I can tell):

Life of a curmudgeonly father and his family

Episode Watched: The Day of Rest (Season 1)

Episode Summary: Sid’s day of rest turns into him trying to impress the neighbors while his son is creating scandalous abstract art.

My Thoughts: This entry from the BBC gives us another retread premise from the 70’s, involving a strong-willed/stubborn household patriarch dealing with the shenanigans of his family, friends and neighbors. Clearly a show that revolves around the “talent” of its star, Sidney James. I am not sure exactly how big a star he was in the U.K. during this time, but his popularity clearly managed to sustain this show for 6 years. There is an occasional chuckle here and there, but by and large the performances are uninspired and the jokes mainly fall flat. However, there are a lot of similarities to this show and early episodes of the 1980’s Cosby show. There are many situations created just to see how the male-lead is going to react to them. Aside from that weak comparison, this is a rather pedestrian show and very forgettable in the annals of sitcom lore.

 Memorable Quotes:

“What’s it called?” -Sid “Frontal Nude Protesting”- Mike

“That must be the young man who is always setting the garage on fire” -Williams

“I come in for a bloomin’ kip and I’ll have a bloomin’ kip! “ – Sid

Acting Notables:

Sidney James- Sid

Diana Coupland- Jean

Tomorrow: The second live action original program on Nickelodeon