800 Words

800 Words was recently broadcast on PBS, and watching the 1st season made me buy as many series of it as I could get my hands on. The premise of the show has been discussed in other reviews, so I won't repeat it, but I'll give my opinion as to why the show is so good. The characters, actors and scripts are excellent, as is the scenery. The way it takes the trope of a quirky small town with "outsiders" adjusting to life there works so well because the show is very funny and very serious at the same time. That combination of laughing and then thinking - wow- this has something important to say about being human, grieving, family dynamics, making mistakes, loving and muddling through. It isn't preachy. It steals your heart because you fall in love with the characters. Even the town "villain" is likable in a way because the quirky characters are fleshed out human beings. The handyman is laid back and might be taken as a fool, but as with the Shakespearen fool, he has the role of helping his employer see the lay of the land and the people in it- plus he has a heart of gold. There are special characters throughout that show up in one episode (the has-been surfer dude is one of my favorites) and townspeople who make regular appearances. I like comedy to be meaningful, and meaningful drama to contain comedy. This show hits the bullseye.

For anyone who is from, lived, visited, NZ, then this show is a charming mix of people who are lost and find their way through others; relationships, communication and humour; family and friends are hard to navigate, especially teenagers, and the loss of a parent. Well done to all involved, this has been a great show to follow.

This is a "feel good", family oriented series. Typical of the genre, Single Dad has two teenage children, and all the problems that brings! The problems dealt with in each episode are all neatly resolved by the end of each episode. There are the usual stereotypical characters e.g annoying but useless handyman, beautiful and multi-talented schoolteacher, evil town Patriarch, etc. Everyone is impossibly good- looking, and at the end of each episode, all one wants to do is to move to this "Mayberry" in New Zealand. The scenery is stunning, and I'm sure the series has done wonders for tourism to that country. It's an entertaining series, and if this type of show is what you are looking for, this more than fits the bill!Be prepared however for a high dose of "Predictability". There are just no surprises!

..is it gripping TV.. of course not.. but while there is sooo much lesser stuff still on-air.. this one could really have been given more life..

..for three seasons, they all made it entertaining and most all times wide-audience friendly.. would one or two more really have been so bad..

..best of luck guys.. and like Erik said.. you did deserve better from the powers-that-be..

..and how can you possibly cancel a show with Melina Vidler in it..

I have loved this show since I found it streaming on Acorn TV here in the States. It's not often that we get to see the quality programs from New Zealand/Australia and that's not because there aren't any, it's because every time there is one (A Place to Call Home from OZ comes to mind) it gets canceled! Now the same has happened to 800 Words and there are enough characters to keep the show going many more seasons. I don't often get attached emotionally to series tv but this one was of the exceptions. As far as some people not understanding the liberal parenting style of the father in this series it's important to remember that drama can't be drama if there isn't tension in the writing. Who'd want two perfect children who never do anything wrong? I will miss this show. Maybe someone from NetFlix will pick it up!!