Season 1 - 7 episodes (1995)
Season 2 - 21 episodes (1995-96)
Season 3 - 25 episodes (1996-97)
Season 4 - 22 episodes (1997-98)
Season 5 - 22 episodes (1998-99)
Rent Newsradio on Amazon Video (paid link)
Created by: Paul Simms
Starring: David Foley, Stephen Root, Andy Dick, Maura Tierney, Vicki Lewis, Joe Rogan, Phil Hartman, Khandi Alexander, Jon Lovitz
Rated: TV-14
Watch the trailer
Plot
Ancient Egyptian princess Ahmanet is awakened from her crypt beneath the desert, unleashing malevolence grown over millennia and terrors that defy human comprehension.
Verdict
Consistently funny in a variety of ways with assorted humors styles for three seasons, this never became a breakout hit. Part of that is this was solid, but never great. The fifth season certainly flounders without Hartman, but the fourth season was a step down. This is an easy watch. It was consistent with no bad episodes through the third season.
Watch it.
Review
This is very much a 90s sitcom, and workplace sitcoms are often funny. This starts out rather generic, but it has potential. Most of the episodes revolve around the staff and new manager Dave (David Foley) as everything happens at this radio station office. Dave is the eager and sympathetic manager trying to corral a diverse workforce. It's quite a sharp show with one liners often from Bill (Phil Hartman), the arrogant and emotionally detached news anchor. Matthew (Andy Dick) provides the physical comedy though he doesn't seem to have an actual job, Joe (Joe Rogan) is the electrician that has a connection for anything and can get you almost any item legal or illegal. Lisa (Maura Tierney) is Dave's competition and later love interest. She's the smartest and most able character on the show. Catherine (Khandi Alexander) is the other news anchor, but she noticeably is not as developed as far as the other characters. The first season is short at just seven episodes. It was good enough to hold my interest and continue watching.
 |
| Season 1 - Phil Hartman, David Foley play Bill, Dave |
There's always some odd situation in the office. It's a workplace where people seldom seem to actually work. Jimmy James (Stephen Merchant) is the eccentric owner that has enough money to do whatever he wants, and he often has some strange scheme.
The humor is broad, with sharp dialog, visual gags, and physical stunts. I like the quick wit the best, but this can be silly too. This has great timing with jokes. Hartman outshines everyone. Part of that is the character, but it's also how Hartman embodies the character. He's pompous and self absorbed as Dave tries to hold the office together. Hartman is the most fun, narrowly edging out Jimmy James.
It's an enjoyable show that doesn't rely on big story lines and ridiculous plots. It provides solid comedy that offers something for everyone. Starting with season three seasons end with a surreal episode full of jokes and parodies, but I like the show for it's consistent comedy, not these off beat episodes. It seems like more of a fun way to end each season.
 |
| Season 2 - Joe Rogan, Stephen Root, Vicki Lewis, Andy Dick play Joe, Jimmy James, Beth, Matthew |
Season four definitely becomes sillier, with situations that are even more over than previously seen. There's an episode where Joe develops "smart juice" that changes Matthews life. It's ridiculous. The first three seasons are definitely the best season of the show. Between seasons four and five Phil Hartman died. That leaves a big part of the show gone. The character is replaced by Jon Lovitz, but it isn't the same show. I appreciate the show didn't try to recreate the character and let Lovitz do his own thing. That season is even sillier than the fourth. If it wasn't the final season, I probably wouldn't have continued it. It's not the same show for a number of reasons. The final season is much wackier, and it's not in a good way.
This was a solid show, but that also made it easy to get lost in the shuffle. It's not as relatable as a show like Seinfeld and it isn't as clever as Frasier, but those are top tier shows. This show is a lot of fun and certainly worth giving it a watch.
No comments :
Post a Comment