Open All Night

Amazing! 35+ years later, I remember something from such an obscure show.

Gordon is complaining that Susan's neer-do-well ex is back on the scene, and that he'll never change from being a jerk.

Bubba Smith says with perfect dryness:

"People do change. Look at me - 15 years ago, I was a little white man from Switzerland!"

This one just goes to prove that the TV moguls know nothing about what is good. They had a great cast here, and the writers consistently churned out good, laugh-filled scripts. I loved the one where the store was robbed and the Son was locked in the freezer. Dad asked what he did while the store was being robbed and he replied "Well, uh, I ate a roast of beef!"...well maybe you had to be there. This was one of the best, too bad no one watched it, but it ran opposite that great series "The Dukes of Hazzard" and who could pass up that kind of drama?

This show was based on an English show of the same title, I believe. It was written well and not short on laughs. A line that sticks out happened when the son, Terry Feester played by Sam Whipple, was eating frozen french fries and the father told him he was supposed to cook them first and, in a very Jeff Spiccoli manor, he replied, "Not if you like them crunchy." Much like Kramer on Seinfeld, the son would come in at inopportune times with lines like, "Have you seen my Hulk head?" George Dzundza as Gordon Feester was excellent. There were only twelve shows and I think it only lasted four months. I'm pretty sure it ran on Friday nights. Maybe if they had tried another time slot. Too bad they didn't give it a chance.

The writers of this show were 5 years ahead of the pack, the timing between Feester and his step son was great. The acting in general was great. I wish it would have gone on to bigger and better things but unfortunately it did not. It was pulled off the year after a season.It was the kind of show that made you realize that a comedic situation can occur anywhere. It all took place in Gordon Feester's 24 hour convenience store. For some reason I can recall that it was in Connecticut or somewhere "close" to New York City.(similar to a 7-11) slight tensions between step-father and step-son added to comedy as Gordon had to play the cards he was dealt, with a servant-like step-son. I can't remember the Mom that much, but I am sure she was good as well. I also remember the theme song being stuck in my head for a couple of years; it was memorable and incorporated the characters names in it.

I, too, was randomly inspired to look this show up just now. I was 12 when it aired, so I don't know how I'd react to it now, but most of the shows I liked back then have held up reasonably well -- and I'm a pretty harsh critic.

I recall the show as being absolutely hilarious in an oddball way that -- whatever the actual quality of the execution -- was ahead of its time. My best friend and I (who have long thought we were the only people in America who actually watched it) were quite disappointed, if not surprised, when the show was canceled, and have been lamenting its passing -- and quoting it -- ever since.

I'm also interested to note that it starred George Dzundza, an obscure but brilliant actor best known for his powerful work in The Deer Hunter and as the first-season lead on Law and Order. I hadn't made that connection.

I must check YouTube to see if anyone has been kind enough to preserve some remnant of the series.