The Adventures of Sinbad

Yeah, I admit it; when this series aired I used to catch it on my lunch break every so often. It's really a kids adventure show, and not meant to be anything more than that. Shot in, I believe, South Africa, the show had a kind of campy appeal to it. Every time Sinbad and crew arrived at a "new" village, it was actually the same old village they'd built for the show, only shot at a different angle.

As usual Sinbads "Arab" origins are veiled by Anglo actors due to demographics... oh well. Myself, I think the show would've done just as well with a culturally authentic cast. It is after all a show for kids, and kids are pretty forgiving when it comes to perceptions. But that's neither here nor there.

The CGI and other effects were what they were, and the plots were pretty basic. The acting, for what the show was, was passable. I found it to be good mindless fun as I chowed down a salad in front of the tube.

If it ever comes to DVD, and by that I mean a good quality transfer and not some knockoff, then I'll buy a copy.

This series was one of three adventure series that I watched when I was a child, besides Xena and Hercules. The first season was lighter. I was fallen for this series, as soon as I had watched the first episode. The casts were talented, except Maeve, who has so-so acting skill. However, Sinbad and her have kind of dynamic and interesting relationship. I agree that they had great chemistry, even they only kissed once and the rest was just "eyes communication".

The second season, just like the first season, also has great potential. I'm not Maeve fan, so I still followed this season. However, unfortunately, I lost the feeling that I had gotten in first season. Bryn's acting skill was much better than Maeve, but Sinbad and her didn't have such a chemistry as the previous cast. This season was darker but it was not interesting anymore. This season, obviously, had a huge hole in the storyline, if you try to connect its story with the end of the first season. Maeve's departure was such a big loss for this series. Most of my favorite quotes ever from this series came from the first season. Personally, I prefer the first season and based from the series rating, I believe most audiences agree with me.

Of course, this series has some weakness. The special effect, the setting, and some of the plot stories were ridiculous and just kept repeating. Sinbad kissed almost all of the females cast so it kinda boring. But then, I wouldn't expect more from this series in 1996. I won't compare it with 'high-quality story or expensive special effect' series, but this series still good to watch. Anyway, the Maeve theme song (which was played in most of Sinbad-Maeve scenes) was so memorable, and I still remember it until now.

I used to watch this show every Saturday along with Xena and Hercules. It was obviously produced by Ed Naha et al. to take advantage of the successes of Sam Raimi's better funded ventures. Comparisons are inevitable and unfortunately the production values of this show leaves one with the impression that it was the poor cousin to the other two. Still, it made the most of what it had and I thought the episodes were entertaining. Gripes: Major characters not very well fleshed out, some continuity issues, chemistry b/n the major characters - what chemistry?? Other people talk about this relationship with Maeve and Sinbad but other than some eye contact, there wasn't much to go on. I guess the show just didn't "come together" like the Raimi shows did. Second season suffered from loss of Jacqueline Collen (Maeve) and, as mentioned elsewhere, a turn towards the "dark side". Reasons why I watched it - interesting stories, cool fight scenes, 3D animation, gratuitous up the skirt shots of Bryn and Maeve. Other than that last point the show was well suited for children and young adolescents who are more forgiving of the gripes that I mentioned. Too bad it was killed when one of the production companies got cold feet, I'm sure it would have lasted at least another season or two.

That little summary pretty much describes this series. While it was on TV, Sinbad seemed like a great little show. There was swashbuckling, action, humour, and creatures. Sure the FX were a little bad, but they were really still in their infancy then as far as TV shows go. Even the Hercules The Legendary Journeys effects seemed great then but are very poor now. I still enjoyed the show. It was great too how Sinbad grew up as the show progressed. I just wish there had been a third season to tie up some of the loose ends. Even a TV movie would have been great. Hopefully, the DVD release of season one will prompt others to go back and experience the nostalgia of a Saturday afternoon watching Sinbad.

Sinbad was obviously canceled due to the low audience on it's second season. After the character of Maeve left, the producers made the show darker, sexier and that lead them to an unevitable cancelation.

I want to remember AoS on it's first season, when Sinbad and his crew were fighting to find Dim Dim and save the world in the meantime, the wonderful chemistry between Zen Gesner and Jacqueline Collen was one of the reasons everybody fell in love with Maeve and Sinbad.

I not even watched Season 2, I was very sad when I knew about Jacqeline Collen's departure, but I said to myself "Hey Sinbad is not going to change because of her lost, in fact he's going to fight harder ro find Dim-Dim and get her back" Unfortuntaley I was wrong and I stopped watching the show at the fourth episode of Season 2, when I realized that they were making a fool of me.Let's face it you can't replace a sweet independent sorceress like Maeve with a juvenile criminal like Bryn (no offence to Bryn fans, I just dont like her)

Ed Nahla admitted himself that Season 1 was the best AoS season ever since he said that they used to be the best viewed new show, but their ratings fell in Season two and after losing one of their sponsors All American TV canceled "Adventures of Sinbad" for good, burning every hope of getting our S1 Sinbad back or maybe the posibility of Maeve's return.

I'll never forget "Adventures of Sinbad" (Season 1) it became into a classic for me, it was my favorite show and I still watch my AoS tapes from time to time.

Still all the Nomads like myself will never forget this wonderful show, cause it might had ended but the Nomad still sails around the web of the Sinbad community.

See you around