An Eight Is Enough Wedding

This reunion film ran recently on PAX TV. As a fan who was re-acquainted with the fabulous "Eight is Enough" through the wonders of wholesome PAX TV, I had to tune in. (Kinda strange how the original series features the founder of PAX, Bud Paxson...hmm) The plot was predictable, the fashions and hairstyles atrocious (check out Tommy's "rock star" shlong haircut--short on the top, long in back). But the most disconcerting aspect was the absence of Betty Buckley as "Abby" (Sandra Sue) Abbott, Tom Bradford's second wife and stepmother to the Bradford clan. The actress playing Abby didn't have an even passing resemblance to the original Abby, and this was distracting in her scenes. Mys sisters and I yelled "Fake Abby!" every time she showed up on the screen. All in all, a good pic for fans, but be prepared to wince and yell "Fake Abby!"

I never watched Eight is Enough, but recently caught made-for-TV reunion one on TV Land's salute to Warner Brothers. Granted, the 80s had its share of terribly cheesy made-for-TV movies (but what decade, hasn't?), but this had to be the worst. It was even TV family corny, full of those pithy adages of "that's the funny thing about life..." which was reiterated by not just one, but several characters, tuned to the cheesy sound of an electric organ and harps.

In this reunion, the oldest brother surprises the family at their reunion with news that he is getting remarried to a woman with two kids. Needless to say, this causes a rift in the family and resentment towards the bride-to-be, because everyone is close with Janet, the son's ex-wife. It is particularly a few catty sisters that suspect that the future Mrs. Bradley is after the son's money. Obviously, these are misconceptions guided by jealously and hasty judgment.

Meanwhile, the Bradford father hardly seems present throughout most of this family drama, although is on cue to lend those idiotic moments of general, hallmark card advice. His wife, in the meantime, working at the paper with him, tries her best to avoid causing him any stress, but in managing the office affairs, leaves him out of so much more. Maybe he's just not involved enough because he's so clueless.

The youngest brother, Nick, comes home from his first semester at college, but is placed on academic probation for failing grades and loses his scholarship. So, he has to suck up to his vicious, cut throat brother, Tom, Jr. (Willie Ames who's fierce mullet kept me distracted throughout) who basically consumes the whole movie. Somewhere along the road, good old Tom Bradford, Jr. took a business class in how to be the most deceiving, emotionally void person in the industry and treats his family with the same disgust he treats his partners. (How his character was so easily resolved, I'll never know). He was the biggest creep and the whole wedding took a backseat to this.

Overall, it was a terribly cheesy made-for-TV movie, complete with corniness and predicted resolution. I'm not sure how you regular Eight is Enough viewers would like the movie, although it's also fun to see what the characters all look like a little older. And, dear editors, may I recommend digitally removing the Ames mullet? Also, look for Christopher MacDonald in a small role as one of the sister's husbands.