Crumbs

'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+

Hey! It's the kid from The Wonder Years! With that out the way there's not a whole lot left to enjoy in this dysfunctional family series that was cancelled after five episodes - although there were 13 made.

Fred Savage plays a closeted gay screenwriter who returns home from Hollywood to look after his mother (Jane Curtain) who has just been released from a mental institute after trying to run over her husband, because he left her for another woman. Based on the real-life experiences of the creator/writer Marco Pennette (who co-created Caroline In The City) it's good to see a gay person portrayed on TV who isn't effeminate and overly camp, and there are some decent moments in here. However, gags about mental illness, drug use and depression might not be everyone cup 0f lithium.

It moves from attempts to get a laugh to outright schmaltz in a way that The Wonder Years got away with, but here the subject matter is a lot darker, and it's hard to tell if it really works.

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.

Once I saw the pilot I couldn't wait to watch the rest. I really hope they keep this one on the air. As others have mentioned, the writing could have used a little work, in some areas but I think it's a promising new show, lots of good jokes, kept me laughing. It's nice to see Fred Savage playing a comedy role again. It's almost as if he disappeared for awhile and then came back to the screen. The acting in this show good all around, each one of the cast members makes their role believable. I really like that there is some seriousness to it also, some realizations, along with a good mixture of comedy. The concept seems original to me, most of the family based sitcoms you see anymore are all the same, but this has originality to it that many sitcoms lack. ABC has really done it with this one, and lets try to keep it on the air? Hmm-K?