Out of Control

Holy s**t! This was a great show. Does anyone remember the one where Dave went to the St. Louis Museum of miniatures, and was putting the little shoes on his fingers and walking around that little house. I don't know how I remember that. I am only 15 years old, and I was probably only a sprout when I saw that. I would give my right testicle for some crazy network to bring back that show. I have been reduced to tears looking back on these old memories. Oh cut- it- out..!

This show was part of what I consider the "golden age" of the Nickelodeon cable channel, along with shows like "Live Wire", "You Can't Do That On Television", "Pinwheel", and "Turkey TV". Dave Coulier (known as "Joey" on the unfunny sitcom "Full House") was the host, as well as the voice of Ha-Ha, the comedy computer that spat out jokes on little ribbons of paper. The show had animation, as well as several very entertaining segments like "It's Probably True", in which Dave would visit strange places or people in various parts of the country.

While it may not be as well remembered by my generation as "You Can't Do That on Television," "Out of Control" was just as big a part of Nick's "Golden Age" of programming. While it would be a few years until I was of age to stay up late enough to learn that the opening spot light on the curtain, and Dave's intro was a spoof on "The Tonight Show," it didn't matter. This show was simply downright fun!

I'll never forget an episode where Dave goes to a japanese restaurant and learns all about sushi. Now being 24, sushi has become a phenomenon within my lifetime, and so at the time this show was on it was still very much a foreign concept to alot of people, and especially me! I'm sure everyone remembers what a stink was made in "The Breakfast Club" over having sushi for lunch. To make a long story short-when I finally DID try sushi, all I could think of was this show and how I finally did something that seemed so cool and, well "Out of Control!"

For people who seem surprised at how awful Nickelodeon has become, and how shows like this are long gone-just consider the source. Nick was created by MTV, which at the time was also hip, original, and above all entertaining. Now neither one is even a shadow of it's former self.

At least we still have memories of a great show like "Out of Control!"

I have more of a faded and fond nostalgic memory of this show. I recall it being the more entertaining shows to watch on Nickelodeon when the network was quite young itself. Remembering Dave Coullier's catch phrase and gestures to "Cut It Out" to Diz's overly expressive hyped-out Cyndi Lauper style and personae always makes me smile. I wish this show was on DVD just so I can see what has been locked away in my memories of childhood t.v.

Not everyone my age remembers this show but those who do always seem to have enjoyed it. It may have appealed to an 8-13 year old age-group on the "network for kids", but you're reading a comment from someone who was mearly 4 when this show first aired in 1984. Maybe that's why I can only think of bits and pieces of that crazy and fun show. (Was it part farce comedy talk show with Dave Coullier as a skinny tie wearing host as well as part sketch comedy?) Regardless, I do remember those outrageous press-on nails, radically dyed hair, pre-1990s Courtney Love mussed up 80s punk make-up, and 1950s style multi-colored tulle dress that Diz wore all the while she failed in standing still and talking calmly in her stand-up. Personally I always thought she was the "Out Of Control" representative on Out Of Control. As for the rest of it, I wish I could describe in as much detail. Nevertheless, it was an entertaining show for the era that I certainly enjoyed as a kid from the 80s.

This show is one of several reasons why I watched Nickelodeon when I was a kid. I used to laugh my head off regularly whenever it was on. My favorite segment was "How NOT To Do Things". One particular episode took place at a bowling alley. The guy forgot to let go of the ball and was pulled down the lane, his fingers still in the holes, I might add. That was hilarious! My fiancee liked this show, too, and one bit she remembers is the "Hurry-Up", which, for some reason, didn't ring a bell for me. I wish this show were still on!