Fresno

FRESNO was a television rarity...a multi-part comedic TV miniseries. This near brilliant spoof of nighttime soaps like DALLAS and DYNASTY came right on time in 1986 when those shows were in their heyday. This laugh out loud miniseries followed the adventures of the Kensington family, the owner of the largest raisin dynasty in Fresno, California. The large and wonderful all-star cast included Carol Burnett, Dabney Coleman, Teri Garr, Anthony Heald, Bill Paxton, Michael Richards, Theresa Ganzel, Valerie Mahaffey, Melanie Chartoff, Pat Corley (Phil on "Murphy Brown")and despite the presence of all this comic talent, this entire mini series was stolen by Charles Grodin, in a brilliant comic turn as eldest son Cain Kensington. His JR Ewing take-off was perfectly executed comic genius and quite possibly Grodin's finest work on any screen anywhere. Just an exceptionally funny miniseries that stays fresh and hilarious throughout its extreme length. I, too used to have FRESNO on tape and lost it during a move. As another poster intimated, I too would gladly pay for a copy of FRESNO on VHS or DVD. If CBS hasn't put it on video it should be. A forgotten classic that is worthy of a second look for those who missed it the first time.

I am looking for a copy of this Show. This by far the funniest show I have ever seen. My favorite about this show is they take "class" and "refinement" and make a mockery of it. My favorite part of the show is the "Martini in the Face"

I have always thought that was so funny. It makes my stomach hurt.

If you have not seen this show I strongly recommend it if you like to laugh. I have been looking for it for 3 years and finally found this site. If anyone has this show on tape or DVD I would be ecstatic. Thanks Scott

This mini-series has some deeper meaning for me which I will spare readers. Suffice it to say, it is Carol Burnett at her best and supported by a wonderful cast who simply bring out the best in each other. It is of course a scathing parody of such 80s fare as Dynasty, Falcom Crest, The Colbys, Dallas, Knotts Landing (get the picture?) Except for one thing. Ms Burnett and crew totally and remarkably lampoon the above shows. Laughs abound as each member genuinely looks as if they are having the time of their lives. Charles Grodin is wonderful, Dabney Coleman is at his best and Bill Paxton is as sexy as ever. As a matter of fact, this is when I first began to notice Bill. He has evolved into a wonderful actor and I wish he would do more comedy. I love this mini-series so much.

My husband and I very much enjoyed all of the actors in the mini series. The entire film was beautifully directed and the cast was wonderful. We wish there was more television like this. Is there anyway that we can find out which network broadcast Fresno in 1986. We did attempt to record the series, but missed the last part. It would be great if the network would show the series again. Better yet, record it on VHS! We've been searching for this one for a long time.

As far as we know, we are two of about ten people on planet Earth to have watched this show. This is so frustrating, because Fresno has to be one of the best shows of its kind ever produced.

Fourteen years later, my spouse and I still quip about certain memorable scenes and lines. For me, the most memorable was the breakfast table scene culminating in the "You'd think this was Roots or something" comment. For my spouse, it was Carol Burnett always telling the driver to bring around the Bentley (always in the garage under repair), and then riding, facing backward, in a broken down station wagon like nothing was wrong.

We wish other people could/would watch Fresno, so we can be sure that it was as funny as I remember (and we aren't crazy).