Fresno

I have a two VHS set of tapes of FRESNO that appear to have been distributed by "Terry Blood Distribution" out of England (licensed by MTM).

Now - I found this on Ebay of all places and was quite surprised to find that they were commercial reproductions. Quality is fair to mediocre but all the comedy is there. There have been some DVD's listed but I'm sure they are either fan-produced or copies of tapes like these.

Since there is a ten line minimum for comments I'll add that this version has no laugh track as has been mentioned on some of the rebroadcast versions.

Personally, the comedy is more apparent when the laugh track is omitted since this was never shot as a stage performance.

Normally parodies don't age well and become dated, but this one just keeps on giving, with quotes like.

"Blech, these grapes tastes like Fresno".

Billy Joe Bob (idiot) to court appointed (female) attorney, "I just want my wife to stay home, cook my food and have babies, you know, to be in her place. You can understand that, can't you ma'am?".

Same idiot, "Dang it, we shouldn't have killed Martha, we should have killed Kane" - (I'm not going to explain this one, just trust me, I'm laughing right now just thinking about it ... 19 years later.).

And lastly, never for get, "No, I hadn't thought of that .... until now!".

I would pay between $50 and $100 bucks for this one on DVD (a legit copy, that is).

If you remember this line out of the opening segment, then you're still laughing, as I am. For those who don't, the line refers to how the town got it's name: the Spanish explorers catching a whiff of a foul odor and asking what the smell is-"Smells like...FRESNO!" From Carol Burnet riding backwards in her station wagon to Gregory Harrison barechested with a white t-shirt stuffed in the back pocket of his jeans, this is without a doubt the finest spoof ever created. I would dearly love to see this movie on VHS. It would be a favorite in my house.

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.

I can only second all the preceding calls that this masterpiece of modern American comedy be issued on DVD. It was shown here in Australia in the late 80s and missed by most, but I was lucky enough to see it and it remains a cherished memory. My girlfriend (now wife) and I and all our flatmates laughed our guts out at the time, but how dearly I wish now that I'd kept the videotape!

I loved the whole cast, Carol really shines, must be her best comedy part ever IMO; the whole team is totally spot-on; this was my second major sighting of Bill Paxton, who's very funny indeed, and it's all done with such a straight face, a twinkle in the eye and *perfect* timing. Dabney Coleman at his hilarious, magnificent, slimy best best ... Charles Grodin (also a personal best IMO) hamming it up magnificently as the petulant Cane, Teri Garr fantastically funny as uber-bitch Talon ... Gregory Harrison perfect as the the mega-dumb Torch, who literally does not have his shirt on for one single shot in the entire show ... Valerie Mahaffey *wonderful* as the oh-so-dim Tiffany. The shot that stays in my mind is Carol's sidesplitting look of non-plussed resignation as she clambers into the back of the station wagon.

The script is brilliant, funny in its own right as well as striking its targets with perfect accuracy -- anyone who has ever watched any of the daytime or primetime soapies will squeal with laughter. It stripmines the entire genre for send-ups -- the overacting, the improbable shots and set-ups, the overblown emotions, the ridiculous names, the unbelievable plots and coincidences, the flouncy 'rivalry' between the antagonists, the gordian interpersonal relationships ... the whole Armenian name shtick ... oh I could go on for ages ...

It's really sad that this hasn't kicked on and attracted the kind of following that similar efforts like 'Soapdish' enjoy, because it's every bit as good.

I can only conclude by appealing: CBS - PLEASE issue this wonderful show on DVD RIGHT NOW!!!!!!! I've been waiting nearly 20 years - we all wanna see it. What's up? Don't you want the money???