Silver Spoons

Another one of my favorite shows during the '80s. Who couldn't help but love Rick Schroder as a kid? He moves in with his wealthy father and learns that dad has never really grown up himself. The show concentrated on the "little lessons" that each member of the show tried to provide each other with.

This show was never meant to be a hit but it was with a stellar cast including a young Rick Shroeder as the spoiled but likable rich kid. Who could forget the train in the house? His grandfather was played by legendary actor, John Houseman, and his father was well-played by Joel Grey. His stepmother and father's secretary was played by Erin Gray better known for her female role in the short-lived series, Buck Rogers. Everybody knew that they would get together. Anyway the Strattons live in Long Island, we also got to see Jason Bateman before he became famous. I liked Christina Belford who played the mother and former wife, Mrs. Stratton. She left an unforgettable impression on me that I always remembered her name. Well, the series had a nice five year run during the sitcom explosion of the 1980s.

It's not very often that you come across a TV show, let alone a situation comedy, in which the father is portrayed as more childish than his son. Nevertheless, such a program came into fruition in the form of Silver Spoons, when it debuted on NBC in September 1982. Joel Higgins was perfect as Edward Stratton III, a wealthy man who discovers that he is the father of a 12-year-old boy named Ricky Stratton, played by Ricky Schroder. But who could have guessed that someone like Ricky Schroder, known for dramatic movies such as The Champ and The Earthling, would star in a sitcom? Regardless, Schroder was great as Ricky Stratton.

Silver Spoons is an enjoyable sitcom. The series ran for five years, on NBC from 1982 to 1986 and in first-run syndication from 1986 to 1987. It produced a total of 116 episodes. That was a good run. It has been over thirty years since the series ended its run, but I still have fond memories of it.

This is another sitcom I've watched when I was a kid. It's a nice, heartfelt show about Ricky Stratton and his millionaire father, Edward. While Ricky is pampered with lots of materials possessions, Edward still takes raising Ricky seriously and tries to avoid spoiling him too much while still letting him have a great childhood.

It's a charming show full of life lessons, comedy and heartfelt moments and a little bit of drama as well. There's good acting for the most part.

I don't remember most of the show, but I did enjoy it as a little kid for the most part. And, it's full of innocence and family-oriented fare.

Grade B+

Silver Spoons, may not have been a worldwide cultural phenomenon, like Cheers, which started just a few days after this, but is well and fondly remembered by people somewhere in their 30's to maybe those somewhere in their 50's. I'm only 25, but wise and kind of an old soul. The series was referred to as "treacly sweet" or something along those lines, Rick Schroder was a lovable boy, starting as Ricky Stratton, the 12-year old who was mature and wise beyond years. Dad was a kid at heart; VERY much a kid. That is to say he played with electric trains and played in the fashion of a child. Nonetheless, I think he was still a good father and the nicest TV dad I remember. Jason Bateman was in the first two seasons, of course, as Ricky's trouble-making, smart aleck friend. It's a wonder that was Jason Bateman, seeing him today in the ultra-contemporary 21st century programs, like Arrested Development, which i did not like, and his feature films in recent years. Though, maybe not hilarious and sometimes serious with pro social messages and "special episodes" e.g. Ricky babysits a little girl who was neglected by adopted parents,and characters with disabilities maybe the theme in at least an episode, and teen pregnancy (no it wasn't Rick's fault) it made me laugh more than most other shows, strangely. I bought the first season in a vintage style lunch box at Best Buy about 2 and a half year ago, and it took me almost 3 months to finish. Sexism and cliché'd gender stereotyping comments also seems kept to a minimum. I didn't like Jason Bateman so much in the show. By season 2 or Season 3, Alfonso Ribeiro became the new friend. A waiter at Olive Garden from the generation said he was the show's star. Next to Ricky Schroder at least. I carry the lunch box around with me, as I got tired of the little backpack. Joel Higgins, was no prolific actor on the silver screen and I can only think of maybe TV movies he was in, but he went on to record some music. He seemed rather quiet in Hollywood, something underrated, in my opinion. Erin Gray was also lovely as the assistant who was like a surrogate mother to Rick and later his father marries her. Ricky was clean cut like the Brady kids, a style and time in television I miss.