This is another under the radar gem and it's another lost sitcom that was an almost classic. There really wasn't a sitcom like this, nor has there ever been. I feel the main fundamental problem with the sitcom genre is that it tends to become formulaic but also cookie cutter as most shows just takes up the same format over and over, almost like the same show just frosted differently. But this one was slightly different as it still was a family sitcom but with a little twist and turn to it, to make it unique.
In a way the show could almost be like a British comedy as it more on verbal and clever humor. The show has some memorable dialog and verbal jokes, and it also makes good use of build up to pay off or even simply making a running joke funnier than before. The theme song of the show is good, it's not one of the most memorable ever but a nice listen as it has a slightly catchy energetic beat which really gives you the feel there is a competitive game on.
The characters are all good and well rounded From the Principal played well by SNL alumi Garett Morris whom I think is another underrated comedic actor. Really like how he's not some stereotypical blowhole principal we've seen in dozens of shows and movies. But he's a principal that you can get behind and you like to work with. He's friendly, really like that he has that attitude of energy and pizzazz which helps as he really wants to have a well-run school but also wants people to do their best.
Norm played by David Garrison another underrated comedic actor and of course I remember in another comedy TV show "Married With Children". He kind of looks like actor Jimmy Stewart which in a way adds to the comedy, this almost feel like the kind of character Jimmy would play from Norm's mannerisms and even how he dresses. But anyway, Norm is a writer who has above average intelligence but is down on his luck and is looking to turn his life around.
But of course, the best character is Matthew Burton played well by Jason Bateman. This show is sort of the second in his 80's sitcom trilogy as his debut was as a supporting character in a couple of seasons of "Silver Spoons" (another forgotten gem and review for another time), the third being "The Hogan Family". He as usual is at his best as he has the sharp charisma and smart-ass charm.
His character is one that is just starting out in the con game as we see he's highly intelligent, but he decides to use that intelligence for his own gain, to mainly just get whatever he really wants in the minute. You can say this guy is cocky and arrogant as he does succeed most of the time in his gains. Though may 'be not all the time or not the way he wants it because sometimes when he does the reality of the results are a lot different then what he had in mind.
This was a bit different at the time as most kid character in sitcoms are on the straight and narrow, but this character was in a bit of a grey area. This strangely make him a more interesting character because it makes him more human. The kid though isn't totally selfish as he really does have a heart deep inside and does care about people, and does use his talent to help them out, which is exactly what he should do with it in the first place.
There is a good back and forth between both characters, it's pretty much your experienced and inexperienced motif. Both we see are alike whether they want to admit it or not. As we see both are trying to outsmart each other, though we see most of the time they outsmart themselves as both share that Achilles heel of being too smart for their own good. But also, whether they want to admit it or not both are bonding and filling in that empty space both have carried for a long time.
For Norm despite being in the writing game for so long, he's never really built enough of a life for himself to live. In a way that's one of the flipsides of the coin in writing where your can be so busy writing about other places and what they have, but never really visiting them yourself. Norm dating his mom is sort of a redemption story for him as it's his ticket to getting and living the life he always wanted to but is also the father figure that needs to help him steer him in the right direction.
For Mathew, Norm is the father figure and mentor he very much needs because as smart as he is, he's still a kid that still has a lot to learn about life. But also, to get a good dose of reality that the world isn't wrapped around his finger and that he needs to be real himself to live the best kind of life.
It's really too bad this show couldn't of been part of the long line up of classic 80's sitcoms/comedies but due to the shows premise it's a tough sell, though most comedies even the one's that are successful like "Seinfeld" usually are as some aren't always what everyone is use to. But also with the amount of competition this show had during the time it just didn't stand a chance.
Even though the show probably wouldn't of been one for the long haul, I would of like two more seasons just to see how much things develop for the two as well as where it all will lead. Only in the realm of fan fiction could this happen. And I wouldn't fret too much, because after this show Jason of course moved on to another 80's sitcom "The Hogan Family" (show I reviewed) which was a hit at the time though also another forgotten gem.
It would be cool if there was a Blu ray/DVD set of this show (also "The Hogan Family" and rerelease of "Silver Spoons" I mentioned) released from "Mill Creek", I know that the fanbase for this show is small however there are fans of the actor Jason Bateman, once again it would be nice to see another part of his earlier work.
So if your looking for more vintage 80's sitcoms or even just curious about more of Jason Bateman's work then checking this show out would be a good move.
Rating: 3 stars.
In a way the show could almost be like a British comedy as it more on verbal and clever humor. The show has some memorable dialog and verbal jokes, and it also makes good use of build up to pay off or even simply making a running joke funnier than before. The theme song of the show is good, it's not one of the most memorable ever but a nice listen as it has a slightly catchy energetic beat which really gives you the feel there is a competitive game on.
The characters are all good and well rounded From the Principal played well by SNL alumi Garett Morris whom I think is another underrated comedic actor. Really like how he's not some stereotypical blowhole principal we've seen in dozens of shows and movies. But he's a principal that you can get behind and you like to work with. He's friendly, really like that he has that attitude of energy and pizzazz which helps as he really wants to have a well-run school but also wants people to do their best.
Norm played by David Garrison another underrated comedic actor and of course I remember in another comedy TV show "Married With Children". He kind of looks like actor Jimmy Stewart which in a way adds to the comedy, this almost feel like the kind of character Jimmy would play from Norm's mannerisms and even how he dresses. But anyway, Norm is a writer who has above average intelligence but is down on his luck and is looking to turn his life around.
But of course, the best character is Matthew Burton played well by Jason Bateman. This show is sort of the second in his 80's sitcom trilogy as his debut was as a supporting character in a couple of seasons of "Silver Spoons" (another forgotten gem and review for another time), the third being "The Hogan Family". He as usual is at his best as he has the sharp charisma and smart-ass charm.
His character is one that is just starting out in the con game as we see he's highly intelligent, but he decides to use that intelligence for his own gain, to mainly just get whatever he really wants in the minute. You can say this guy is cocky and arrogant as he does succeed most of the time in his gains. Though may 'be not all the time or not the way he wants it because sometimes when he does the reality of the results are a lot different then what he had in mind.
This was a bit different at the time as most kid character in sitcoms are on the straight and narrow, but this character was in a bit of a grey area. This strangely make him a more interesting character because it makes him more human. The kid though isn't totally selfish as he really does have a heart deep inside and does care about people, and does use his talent to help them out, which is exactly what he should do with it in the first place.
There is a good back and forth between both characters, it's pretty much your experienced and inexperienced motif. Both we see are alike whether they want to admit it or not. As we see both are trying to outsmart each other, though we see most of the time they outsmart themselves as both share that Achilles heel of being too smart for their own good. But also, whether they want to admit it or not both are bonding and filling in that empty space both have carried for a long time.
For Norm despite being in the writing game for so long, he's never really built enough of a life for himself to live. In a way that's one of the flipsides of the coin in writing where your can be so busy writing about other places and what they have, but never really visiting them yourself. Norm dating his mom is sort of a redemption story for him as it's his ticket to getting and living the life he always wanted to but is also the father figure that needs to help him steer him in the right direction.
For Mathew, Norm is the father figure and mentor he very much needs because as smart as he is, he's still a kid that still has a lot to learn about life. But also, to get a good dose of reality that the world isn't wrapped around his finger and that he needs to be real himself to live the best kind of life.
It's really too bad this show couldn't of been part of the long line up of classic 80's sitcoms/comedies but due to the shows premise it's a tough sell, though most comedies even the one's that are successful like "Seinfeld" usually are as some aren't always what everyone is use to. But also with the amount of competition this show had during the time it just didn't stand a chance.
Even though the show probably wouldn't of been one for the long haul, I would of like two more seasons just to see how much things develop for the two as well as where it all will lead. Only in the realm of fan fiction could this happen. And I wouldn't fret too much, because after this show Jason of course moved on to another 80's sitcom "The Hogan Family" (show I reviewed) which was a hit at the time though also another forgotten gem.
It would be cool if there was a Blu ray/DVD set of this show (also "The Hogan Family" and rerelease of "Silver Spoons" I mentioned) released from "Mill Creek", I know that the fanbase for this show is small however there are fans of the actor Jason Bateman, once again it would be nice to see another part of his earlier work.
So if your looking for more vintage 80's sitcoms or even just curious about more of Jason Bateman's work then checking this show out would be a good move.
Rating: 3 stars.