Complete Savages

Here is a question to Chicagocrtc - you mention "My Three Sons", did you notice that Mel Gibson appears to have tipped his hat to that classic series with his opening - shoes tapping together (and the paw!) and the "Nah Nah Nah Nah Nah Nah Nah Nah"? Strike a familiar note? The tune has been updated and there are a few more shoes - but it's a great tribute to the granddaddy of all sitcoms about a single parent trying to raise their kids. It's a tried but true format and Gibson has taken it to new heights, the laughs are from familiar situations every (normal) parent and child can relate to. If it hasn't happened to you, it's happened to someone you know. Kudos to Mel and his "Savages".

The poster who repeatedly claimed that "Complete Savages" is an imitation of "Quintuplets" needs to get his/her facts straight.

Firstly, the premises of the two shows are not particularly similar. The family in "Quintuplets" is comprised of three sons and two daughters (all of whom obviously are the same age) and their married parents. "Complete Savages" features five sons (all of whom are different ages) and their single father. The only obvious similarity is that both families contain five kids with differing personalities, which is a rather broad concept.

Secondly, both "Quintuplets" and "Complete Savages" entered development in 2003 (as candidates for their respective networks' fall 2004 schedules). The "Complete Savages" pilot was shot on April 20, 2004 -- a mere twenty days after the "Quintuplets" pilot was shot (March 31, 2004) and almost two months before the latter actually aired (June 16, 2004). The early debut of "Quintuplets" was enabled by Fox's decision to rush the series into production.

In other words, even if the two programs were virtually identical, neither could possibly be a "rip-off" of the other.

I have watched this show with my kids over the last couple of weeks and what a refreshing change from the normal rubbish American family situation comedies we are normally subjected to.Others have mentioned Quintuplets and 8 Simple Rules when reviewing here, outside of the US the only people who watch those truly awful shows are kids. I spent some of the summer in the US and you do have some excellent shows and some really awful ones. The rest of the world has a suspicion that all Americans are children and when a show like The Complete Savages is cancelled and the aforementioned crap is popular, it confirms that suspicion.Savages demonstrates to the rest of the world that Americans don't all live in perfect houses with perfect jobs and perfect lives. It makes you appear human, warm and funny sometimes,just like the rest of us. Savages is quirky and endearing. One of my children actually said that he thought American children only ever get 'A's in school, that is how family life is portrayed, plastic and enough sugar to make you reach for the sick bucket. I mourn the passing of this great family show! Just as an after thought, it could have been developed into an hour long comedy drama and may have worked better.

Complete Savages ROCKS! This show is the best. Definitely one of the best of the year. I've never laughed so hard at a TV comedy this hard as I do with Complete Savages. My friends and I have a Complete Savages party on Friday nights where we all watch the show and have snacks. It gives us great times and enjoyment. It has given us a reason to stay home on Friday evenings. The acting is great. The writing is great. Just an overall great show. ABC has a winner here, if they would give it a chance to grow and flourish. A single father raising five boys, who are, well, "Savages" and dealing with each of their individual personalities, attitudes and idiosyncrasies.

This show is soo funny! I have to be honest I started watching it because from the ads it looked like there were four or five really hot blonde guys in it! But, I keep watching it because it's so frickin' hilarious! Erik Von Detton is a comic genius, his timing is perfect. And Andrew Eiden is amazing as the "nerdy, smart one", his freak-outs are fantastically funny! The rest of the cast are great too, each portraying their individual characters so well. Also, the long pauses and close up shots of reactions are inspired, I end up cracking up simply on the look of someone's face, never mind the well-written dialog that keeps me laughing for the entire half hour! I cannot put into words just how funny this show is, just to say by the end of each show, I am rolling around on the floor in hysterics! Brilliant!