It's Your Move

I own all the episodes of this UNFORGETTABLE 80's show. I saw it once or twice when USA re-ran it in 92 and couldn't get it out of my mind so i desperately found a way to purchase it...long story. Anyway, Jason Bateman as Mathew Burton is a crafty, smart ass that (if I wasn't 4 years old when this show was out) would have been in love with! There's just something about those polo shirts and colored sweatshirts and that shady smile of his that turn me on! LOL, back to the rest of the cast....Eli (who i know on a personal basis) is an adorable clutz and also a great juxtaposition to Matt's conniving, shrewd ways. He is in love with Matt's big sis, the popular cheerleader/slut Julie, who is a cute 80's girl who gives her brother a run for his money with some petty fights and snide remarks. The mom, Caren Kaye, is rather flighty and unaware of her children's un-innocence but she has her place in the show and if Norman Lamb (Steve from married with children...another favorite show of mine!) loves her, than golly gee I love her too! Norman is also hilarious. Him and Matt carry out the greatest rivalry in television history--at least in this reviewer's opinion. In closing, let me just say, if you haven't seen the "Dregs of Humanity" episode, you haven't lived. "Bones lives in the fast lane."

Norman: "So how are the ladies?" Tombstone: "Who cares. They're just objects of lust. We cast them aside. We're THE DREGS!" enough said. BOW DOWN TO THIS (sniff sniff) ONE SEASON WONDER 80's GEM OF A SITCOM!!!to think they let trash like gimme a break, webster, etc go on for 5 seasons and "It's Your Move" gets shafted after one...what a sick and twisted world we live in!

This was an unbelieveably funny show. Unfortunately, as with most cutting edge shows, it ran into some criticism and was not allowed to reach its full potential. When they were forced to tone it down in the second season, it lost its edge. But it could very well be in the top five for premier seasons for any sitcom.

While he was playing Ricky Schroeder's wiseacre buddy in "Silver Spoons" he showed a knack for one-upping his cast mates. This gave him a chance to BE number 1.

The show is dated beyond belief now. The sweaters and the early 80's new wave clothes might make even blind men cringe now. But the humor was dead on target.

Bateman owned this show. He was not only the eye, but the whole hurricane. He may remind people of a teen version of Hawkeye from M*A*S*H. His feathers never ruffled despite the problems he got into.

The puns and one-liners were non-stop as well. Made every episode full of those groaning laughs. I can't figure why it didn't succeed. But I'm glad Jason did.

DVD release???

I think that the producers of !It's Your Move" are missing out on a great opportunity because it is still not available on DVD. If it was to be released in this format, then I would certainly buy it. Another character not very often mentioned was the janitor of the flats where they all lived. Ernie Sabella played this man, Mr Donatelli, (I think that was his name) a most revolting person who hated Mathew Burton intensely. Every time they could, they exchanged insults at an alarming rate. "So that the flies can shower" was only one of the jibes from Burton to Donatelli. This sequence still makes me laugh when ever I think about it. As everyone else says, (well, most people) it is a pity that it is no longer shown. Rather strange when other shows get constant re-runs and do not have such biting humour. I would give this show full marks, even though it first aired such a long time ago.

This show could have lasted a little longer, only if the producers made an annoucement before each episode aired saying. "What you see in this show is just for pure laughs, and never to be copied in real life". But because they did'nt the show got cancelled quickly. A very funny show, nothing like The Cosby Show, Family Ties, and Growing Pains. The star of the show was Jason Bateman playing Matthew Burton, a cool fourteen year old, living with his clueless mother(Caren Kaye) and selfish sister(Tricia Cast). Matthew was quite a scheamer, and felt he could get away with anything. That all changes when his mom starts dating Norman Lamb(David Garrison) a strugling writer. Matthew does'nt like him, and tries to think up a scheam to get rid of him. But he's in for a big surprise, when Norman proves he's just a bigger scheamer then him. Jason Bateman and David Garrison both had comic chemistry. But there charm could'nt save the show. Because the producers where afraid that kids would start copying Matthew's antics. Like some of those family shows when the kids try to pull a fast one, but they always get caught in the end. But this show was cool, because Matthew rarely got caught, only once by his mother, only twice by Norman. The show was fun to watch and it deserved a little better, then what it got.