Crumbs

I had great expectations for this show when I saw the early previews of it. It seemed like the premise was brilliant. However, after watching a few episodes, what this show suffers greatly from is the writing. It is just too lethargic. What could be done with this show is simply not being done. You have a great cast who does the best they can do with the script, but until the writing is improved, "Crumbs" is on a crash course.

The first step to improving this show is to get rid of that laugh track. My God....if your not going to film it before a live audience, then don't use fake laughter. Plus, the volume is so low it sounds like people are laughing in the next room or something. Sort of a bizarre use of canned laughter I think.

Last night I saw Crumbs taped. It was an enjoyable evening. There was quite a large number of extras involved, who appeared to be playing the role of extras even when the cameras weren't rolling. The kitchen help was stirring and mixing almost constantly. It also looks like a real stove on the set. The acting was quite good, however the writing seemed a little less than it could be. There were some good jokes and a few weak moments as well.

Ms. Teri Garr showed great class in her guest appearance. Mr. Elliot Gould was on hand and he didn't miss a beat, but appeared distracted and uninterested between takes. Jane Curtain is - well - Jane Curtain. Fred Savage is, of course, a real pro. The cast is good, they just need some better lines to recite and better story concepts for this be a really great show. As it stands, I see it as a journeyman sitcom, lacking the edge, the magic of a Frasier, Friends or Seinfeld.

'Crumbs' simply was one of the best sitcoms in the past few years surpassing "critical" favorites like 'My Name is Earl', 'Will and Grace' and 'The Office'. But, thanks to ABC's shoddy treatment of the series, it never got to find its audience and was evicted, which is very disappointing because this is a high caliber, strongly written, funny and sensitive sitcom with a great cast.

Everything pretty much works here from the zany opening credits to the great set design, editing and music score, it all fits in perfectly. It is a traditional sitcom but it finds ways of being fresh and inventive and its use of outdoor shots and other devices makes it stand apart from the rest.

The cast are terrific. Jane Curtin has simply never been so funny and in a year where has-beens like Debra Messing got Emmy nominations for Best Actress, Curtin should have been a lock - her performance shows a side to her that one didn't see she had on 'Third Rock from the Sun', let's just say she's as out of it as John Lithgow was on that show. Fred Savage is always welcomed and he has a great part here that on first glances looked like he wouldn't be able to do, but he shines with an excellent, controlled and sensitive performance. Together, Curtin and Savage have two of the best roles in television last season.

The rest of the cast are good too - Eddie McClintock and William Devane are solid; Maggie Lawson got more to do as the season progressed but Reginald Ballard as a barman is unnecessary and if the show were to have continued, his exit would have been inevitable. Among the guest appearances throughout the season included: Elliott Gould, Illena Douglas, Rider Strong, Teri Garr, Rider Strong and Kevin Rahm.

It's disappointing that ABC didn't see its potential but again, this is a network that is only centering on three programs as their concern, but this really could have been something special and its 12-episodes were all fantastic and a true gift, hopefully one day it will get a DVD release. Like so many short-lived shows ('Action', 'Undeclared', 'Freaks and Geeks' etc), this is another that perhaps was just too good for real tastes. The only quibble is that the 12th episode left so many unanswered questions that one can be disappointed that there will never be a resolution.

An excellent series A+

After reading several reviews that were mixed about this new ABC series, I looked forward to seeing how the Pilot episode would turn out.

The writers took time to clearly point out all of the characters, and enticed this viewer into wanting to see more.

Many critics were harsh... saying this show wasn't funny and lacked substance, however I think that they have set the series up for a potential long run on ABC.

I can see the show being on the dial for sometime.

Due to ABC's ratings with "Dancing with the Stars" being so high, at least this show got a good lead-in.

The show goes up against CSI on CBS. Will ABC keep this new program up against the #1 show in America?

That would be, excuse me, crazy!

CRUMBS would be just another witty SitCom filled with odd characters, except two of those odd characters are Jane Curtain and William Devane...and that's the only reason I need to become a viewer. William Devane is a seasoned professional who can do anything from serious drama to light comedy and Jane Curtain is an icon, Mrs. Conehead, and a Saturday Night Live legend. For that reason alone, CRUMBS is a no risk bet for a thirty minute comedy and the first episode proves it. Jane Curtain is already over the top, the writing is fast and cute, and the general premise of the show is oil and water don't mix but there's no reason not to keep trying. All I know is I laughed, you may laugh too, so give it a try.