In today's column, I check out the new DVD sets for "Parker Lewis Can't Lose" (which came out on Tuesday) & "The State" (which comes out on July 14). On the latter, I'm supposed to be talking to David Wain later today, for something to run on or around the official release date.
Thursday, July 02, 2009
'The State' & 'Parker Lewis Can't Lose' DVD reviews - Sepinwall on TV
In today's column, I check out the new DVD sets for "Parker Lewis Can't Lose" (which came out on Tuesday) & "The State" (which comes out on July 14). On the latter, I'm supposed to be talking to David Wain later today, for something to run on or around the official release date.
I've been nervous about revisiting Parker Lewis as well. I was just a little kid when it aired, and I became semi-obsessed with the reruns on USA when I was in middle school. I imagine my reaction will be fairly similar to yours when I get around to watching the DVDs.
ReplyDeleteI think you (and I) liked Parker Lewis at the time because it was so fresh. That was before Malcolm, Scrubs, 30 Rock.... all shows that broke out of the three-cameras-in-a-living-room model of sitcom. It's hard to remember how god damn boring most sitcoms were in 1991.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad "The State" held up. I still giggle over the weirdest memories of that show. Like when the two guys go to a five year old's birthday party and one scene shows, I think, Showalter trying to explain the genius of Pink Floyd's "The Wall" album to a kid.
ReplyDeleteOn Disney, both "Even Stevens" (the one with Shia LaBeouf) and, of all things, "Phil of the Future" have always struck me as direct descendants of "Parker Lewis". Sadly I don't think they have anything on right now of that type.
ReplyDeleteI am an obsessed fan of The State, and still have all of my tapes with the original episodes. I'm glad I kept them, because though I'll buy the DVDs, they won't be the same without the original music.
ReplyDeleteI do not understand why labels put up such a hassle about music that is now 15-20 years old. How is it not some kind of promotion for me to listen to that music now when it leads me to say, "Gosh, I really should get that Pretenders album on iTunes"?
Where "Ferris Bueller" star Charlie Schlatter was so smug that he accentuated all of his character's most insufferable qualities, Nemec offered up the same kind of innate sweetness that Matthew Broderick brought to the original character
ReplyDeleteThey needled "Ferris Bueller" a few times, with Nemec flat-out mocking Schlatter.
And on PLCL's first-season finale, after FB had long been cancelled, the cameras pull back to show the set. An onlooker says, "see Ferris, that's how you do it."
I vaguely remember watching and loving Parker Lewis when I was younger, and was wondering if it would be as fun to watch now. I considered buying it, but will probably keep it as a gift idea now.
ReplyDeleteI've never seen The State, but I think I'm going to have to check it out, given how much I enjoyed Role Models and Wet Hot American Summer.
Am I the only one who just cannot deal with music replacement on DVDs?
ReplyDeleteIt's an immediate deal breaker for me. So frustrating.
I loved Parker Lewis and The State as well. I just can't get over how we've been able to watch Abraham Benrubi age--from the giant high school bully on PLCL to gray-bearded on ER!
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