Grand

In 1990, my wife had each browsed through the new Fall TV issue of the TVG...and had both independently decided that, based on the cast and storyline, this was a show we wanted to watch. We started with episode one and loved every minute of it...and like so many others on here, were utterly blown away by the network's decision to cancel...an the worse yet, rework it.

Bonnie Hunt was wonderful in an already wonderful cast...but John Randolph made this show. His portrayal of the dour millionaire was priceless and the thing that kept the show moving.

Yet another show that should have survived.

During the first season, the opening credits featured the cast lip synching the opening song. I thought it was a hilarious parody of MTV. The show never took itself too seriously, and that's what made it so refreshing. I don't ever expect to see anything like it again.

I believe that Ed Marinaro played Janice Pasetti's (ex-)husband. I forgot who played Norris Weldon's mother, Viveca, but she was really funny. You have to see it to appreciate it. I have to give a lot of credit to the writers of the show for making cutting social commentary so funny.

I saw every episode of the first season twice, but it just got weird during the second season. I only saw a couple of second season episodes. They had a different version opening song, but the cast stopped lip synching it. It was probably for the best that the show was canceled before it went on too long.

If you never got the chance to see Grand when it first aired, you really missed on a clever and witty show. You also aren't alone. Although it was a major ratings surprise its first season (NBC actually had canceled not expecting its strong ratings), its second season dropped off. This was partly a result of NBC's cancelling the show. In an unusual step, the show filmed and aired a series finale which was notoriously final. The second season was mostly spent trying to explain the dramatic events of the series finale. At least they didn't cop out and make it a dream.

Bonnie Hunt and Pamela Reed offered stand-out performances. The beautiful Sara Rue was possibly the funniest cast member. You may remember her from any number of small supporting roles in any number of things. Its a shame her size have kept her from getting more desirable roles. She's still playing teen-agers 10 years later!

Overall, this show was always very funny and was a favorite of mine in its time. If you get a chance to see some episodes, jump at the chance! You won't be disappointed.

Why hasn't anyone yet put this out? (NBC?) I loved it but missed the "final" episode, which was never shown again in my area (my VCR was broken at the time, but I figured, "Hey, I'll watch it in reruns"), and have been waiting lo this many years to see it. Surely it's worth it for NBC to pop it onto a DVD and put it out there.

There have been so few shows that merit keeping forever -- and now that I have children and want to introduce them to my favorites from the past, Nick shows only "Beaver" and ABC Family shows only "Fresh Prince," when what I really want to show them is "Grand" and "Dinosaurs" and "Max Headroom" and shows like that.

I absolutely agree with Riverstone. This was a wonderful show..one I too planned to follow with high hopes. I never knew why it was pulled and I didn't even remember it being reworked...I guess by that point I was so disgusted with the network that I gave up. It was a clever, witty show that could have made T.V. history. Fortunately, most of the actors did end up with successful careers, but this certainly would have been a feather in their caps had it been given a chance. Any chance that the few shows they filmed could be found on tape?

All I can remember about the theme was, "If you want to play it, play it Grand"...