Fair Exchange

Desilu, the studio that produced this mini-classic, didn't know what to do with this show. It was one of the first one hour comedy/dramas ever to be a weekly series. When the one hour version didn't take off as they had hoped, they re-tooled it into a 1/2 hour situation comedy. And when that didn't go over either. The canceled it. Too bad, because the casting was great, the stories real, and everything about it just fantastic. One of the first series I ever remember seeing that really meant something to me. Wish someone would release this, as I would love to see these shows again. Oh, and does anyone remember that other 1/2 season TV classic....IT'S A MAN'S WORLD?

Fair Exchange could have been a good vehicle to show the cultural differences between Americans and Britons. Two families deciding to exchange daughters experiencing culture shock in what was the innocent 60s of TV land. It was a fun show, but hardly trend-setting or innovative. Still, it was nice to see (in one episode) an Asian man dressed in a suit and cane, talking perfect English in an impeccable British accent. Ah, an early piece of Americana with no stereotype Asians!

I was only 11 when this show was on but I loved it. I was fascinated by it's view of Britain. In the Christmas show. The families go to visit each other and the Americans wind up in England and the Brits in the US. In England, it was a big issue for the Finchs to get "central heating." I realized that they were different. Was especially amused by the character of Willie Shorthouse. Who hated Americans. His interactions with Patty were hilarious! I identified with the boys, of course and found Neville's life fascinating. I was always interested in the cast members afterwards, especially Victor Maddern, who was on shows as varied as Bonanza and Doctor Who. I know Dennis Waterman became a big star so I got a Region 2 DVD of the first season of Minder as I am also a big George Cole fan.

Well actually I can't recall how good or bad this series was, but I had a terrible crush on Dennis Waterman's character! It was the start, at age 12, of my love affair with Brits. Would love to re-watch them.

This show was notable for two things: It was the first situation comedy to run for a full hour every week, and it introduced Judy Carne to America (she went on to fame, fortune, and emotional trauma as a regular on Laugh-In). Basic plot: Judy wants to make it big in American theater, and Lynn wants to attend the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London, so old war buddies Eddie and Victor agree to house and feed each other's daughters while they pursue their dreams. It was a sweet and funny situation which demonstrated that culture shock can be found where least expected. Unfortunately they couldn't sustain the one-hour format so after about half a season they cut back to a half hour. The show did not get the audience it deserved and ended shortly thereafter.