The New Addams Family

I am a huge fan of the original series and because of that I am giving a chance to every adaptation of Addams. Movies were OK, although not even close to the original show. Animated series was unwatchable and now there's this. "The New Addams Family" is a color remake of the original series. Although story and humor are quite similar, the new cast is way below the original, both in looks and performances, and overall atmosphere leaves an impression of a parody rather than a remake. I can not say it is especially bad, and if I didn't watch the series from the sixties maybe I would even like this a bit. But I did watch it and I love it very much, so I experienced this as a blasphemy and it was literally painful for me to watch.

4/10

How could you ever hope to re-make this classic TV masterpiece? And do it well??? Just look at the dismal failures trying to re-create "the Munsters", or the "cheesy" reunions of the Addams Family. Yecchh!!! This project seemed doomed to failure too. Somehow, it's been updated and updated well. It's not really true to the Charles Addam's original, but is more true to the old TV series. Same stories, but in color, with added touches, like, a Judge Judy character, the internet, swing music, guest stars of note, and the occasional appearance of John Astin as grandpapa. The stories seem fresh.

Of course, the ingredient that keeps it all together is the fine characterization of Morticia by Canadian actress/comedienne, ELLIE HARVIE. She does this with a great look, great intonation, and wonderful facial gestures. The expressiveness may be a bit overdone at times, but c'est la vie (oooooh, that's French!!!), I find myself waiting for her "Jack Benny-esque" contributions.

During the original run of the show, I wasn't yet a teen, but I was totally in love/lust for the sexy Carolyn Jones (Morticia). Does it show? But now, ELLIE HARVIE is the ultimate Morticia and has replaced Ms. Jones in my heart. BRAVO MS. HARVIE !!!

PS... the guestbook isn't working, so it's okay if you email me, ELLIE...LOL

The New Addams Family provides a refreshing look at our old friends Gomez, Morticia, Fester, Wednesday, Pugsley, Lurch, Grandmama, and of course, Thing. This new series is quite recognizable to veteran Addams fans as a continuation of the amazingly popular 60's show, but with more of the feel of the Addams movies. The writers do, on occasion, show a lack of originality in the plot-lines, which are, four-out-of-five, re-wordings of the original episodes, but the feeling is preserved, and the plots and character development thus far have shown that the developers are resisting the temptation to bring the family all the way into the 90's. The family has a wonderful old-fashioned naivete about them, which has always been one of the main elements of the Addams Family. The original plotlines remain the best, and most interesting. If the script-writers use enough original material and avoid the cartoon-ish humor of Addams Family Reunion and the Munsters, the show may prove a success. The players all fill their roles quite well, living up to the expectations set by their predecessors. Taranto is amazingly reminiscent of John Astin, who he obviously studied in great detail, so as to recreate the work of the master. The other characters are likewise well studied and well executed. Overall, the show lacks originality, but is a good, logical step in the evolution of The Addams Family.

This show has gotten a bad rap...even though it is a remake and does steal a lot of plot from the original, the acting is incredible and the show's fresh enough to be a lot of fun. I'd say it's better than a lot of the new shows that are coming out these days...once you get used to the new actors, you might learn to love it!

The Addams Family charisma, was first dreamed up under the pin of Charles Addams and had been a part of American art culture long before the original Addams Family television show was first aired in the 60's. In his cartoons, seen for over 60 years in the "New Yorker" and many other fine magazines, Americans saw a different side of life. His themes showed the unnatural in its natural setting, being taken for granted and in some strange way always making perfect sense.

In September 1964 we gathered around our TV's and watched this weird new show called "the Addams Family". No one thought it would work, how could they take live actors and recreate that special Addams charm? We decided to watch it. Suddenly it turned out to be good, and each show it got better. Age didn't seem to matter everyone in the family loved it. As we watched week after week, we saw the cast expand their characters, gain confedence and present a trully magical show about a loving family....

Time passed...

It is Oct 1998. The family gathers together again to see this, so called, "New Addams Family" show. As we wait for it to start everybody has an opinion. "Never heard of these actors, why not just bring back some of the movies actors?"...."Why not just create new Addams characters and leave the original names alone"..."there was only one Gomez"...."name the father Repelli, the wife Prunella, the son Pubert, the..."..."can't be done again"..."Mama, are they going to do it like the movies or like the original show?". Most of the people who watched that first show expected to be disappointed. Now 65 shows later, families all over the world still crowd infront of their TV's to watch Gomez, Morticia, Fester, Mama, Wednesday, Pugsley, Lurch, the ever faithful Thing, Cousin Itt, a whole cemetery full of cousins and special guests recreate the wonderful world of Addams for us. Yes, there are weak moments, yes there are strong moments, but when it comes right down to it each one is a pure Addams moment. The cast, crew and writers of the New Addams Family show, have worked hard to bring the Addams Family into the 90's. They accomplished that with out losing the special magic and family love that was a trade mark of the first show. They also managed to do honor to the Addams Family Movies without losing the original show's certian something.

The humor and insight of Charles Addams has been an important part of American culture for over 80 years. The New Addams Family television show has survived it's trial by fire and can take it's place in Addams Family history. Who know 25 years from now we may gather around the WebTV to watch the all new Addams Family of 2025. I bet you it will be a blast too. Especially if Uncle Fester has anything to say about it.

Happy viewing! :)