Jack of All Trades

I am yet again impressed with the stuff that Sam Raimi and Bruce Campbell come up with. This is a silly and immensely entertaining show. It by far has the BEST opening theme song I have ever heard or seen. Bruce is the most entertaining ham to come along in years. His guest appearances on Xena and Hercules were the best episodes they ever made. I can Hardly wait to see a film with Raimi, Campbell and frequent collaborators, the Coen Brothers, working together in another film. Maybe some Briscoe County movies could be in the future!!

At first I couldn't stand this. But then one day, for some reason, I watched an episode. I found myself enjoying possibly the best program made ever. The comical banter between the two main characters Jack (Campbell) and Emilia (Dotchin) is perfectly laden with innuendo. Sure this relies on bending history for plot lines and uses the most rediculous of stereotypes for characters (the French are superbly played up), but I can sit for 30 minutes a week now with a silly grin on my face and enjoy. At that, folks, it pure entertainment.

Jack of all Trades chronicles the misadventures of Jack Styles (Bruce Campbell), a US special agent who is shipped off to the island country of Palau Palau in the year 1801. His mission there? Team up with a British agent and, together, thwart the occupying French forces that have taken over the peaceful Pacific island community.

Jack soon discovers that in order to get the people of Palau Palau behind him, he must pander to their beliefs. Dressing up as a Zorro-like avenger known as The Daring Dragoon, Jack fights off the French, pirates, mad scientists, the Marquis de Sade, and various other wacky villains.

The show incorporates historic figures into each show, even if they weren't around in 1801, when the series takes place. Most notably included in the series are Napoleon (played by Mini-Me, Verne Troyer), Lewis and Clark, the aforementioned Marquis de Sade, Benjamin Franklin, Blackbeard the Priate, and the seemingly mad King George.

The series lasted only 22 episodes, but each one gets funnier and funnier. Its a true shame that the series didn't nab a second season, as the characters were all truly coming into their own by the time the show was canceled.

If you're looking for Three Stooges-style slapstick, insane alternate history, and a very healthy dose of Mr. Campbell, check out this DVD boxed set. Its well worth the inexpensive price tag.

Viva la Jack!!!

The Plot overview here isn't entirely correct. It is the early 19th century when "Jack of All Trades" takes place and he is an American agent working with Emilia, a British agent, against the evil Imperialist forces of Napoleon. "J.O.A.T" has almost everything that one could demand in a TV show, swashbuckling, sword fighting, action, early 19th century hotties and a super hero (That's right Jack (already a secret agent) gets to have a mask wearing dual identity, called the Dragoon), and most importantly it stars Bruce Campbell. Jack also has something else that most shows have been lacking these last few years, that being a rocking, rollicking theme song. The song is sung by dancing Pirates, Bar Maids and Revolutionary Soldiers as well as a singing parrot. Jack himself is the perfect hero for Bruce Campbell to play, described as a "Scoundrel with a Heart" by the theme. Jack is like a fusion between James Bond, the Scarlet Pimpernel (except not as fopish), Zorro and most importantly now Ash. The only shame is that unlike it's older siblings "Hercules" and "Xena", "Jack of All Trades is only half and hour long. Oh well maybe this will draw in people with short attention spans.

Bruce Campbell shines in this action series set in the early 1800's. Bruce plays an American spy named Jack who is assigned to an island to keep Napoleon at bay. Not wanting the U.S. to become a French-speaking country, Jack agrees. Once there, Jack finds himself with a beautiful British woman assigned as his partner. Over the course of his adventures, Jack finds himself having to occasionally assume the role of a swashbuckling local folk hero named the Daring Dragoon.

Bruce Campbell is very entertaining to watch in this show, playing his Jack character as sort of a cross between Zorro and Ash. A must-see for any Bruce fan. The only drawback is that it's only 30 minutes long. So just as things are starting to take off, the show suddenly ends. I guess we can hope that the awful "Cleopatra 2525" gets cancelled and the show gets expanded to an hour.