Spencer

I remember "Spencer" in 1984 being wildly funny and after just a few episodes there was talk on shows similar to "Entertainment Tonight" (maybe it was that show) that Chad Lowe seemed to be as talented as his brother Rob Lowe. Then I heard after only about 7 episodes Chad wanted to get out of the show right away to do movies.

I originally thought it was because he knew the critics were talking about how great he was on the show and wanted to get out while he was hot and before he was typecast as only a t.v. star, but it could be because doing a t.v. series was much more time-consuming and demanding than he wanted and figured he could get movie roles right away with his new popularity. The show had a completely different feel to it without him , I like probably many others only watched 1 of the 7 more episodes with the new actor.

It seems like it was two years before Chad finally continued his acting with a t.v. movie. I might have seen something he was in but didn't know it was him after that, but I didn't notice him again until his wife was giving her acceptance speech for best actress in 2002. I had forgotten about his show "Spencer" until then and thought if he had stayed on that show he probably would have had many awards by then for his t.v. work and could have done movies during the summer. Hope to see it on DVD.

This show was a rare gem and went off the air all too soon. I rate this right up there with the Jason Bateman comedy "It's Your Move" for funny, clever mid-80's teen comedies. My best memory of Spencer is the New Year's Eve episode, where Spencer has a date with a very lovely girl, who just happens to be several inches taller than him. That was the first time I saw 6-foot tall Terry Farrell, who later went on to play Lt. Dax in "Star Trek: Deep Space 9." Despite her being on that show for several years, I never forgot the first time I saw her. Fortunately for me, I am lucky enough to have a copy of that episode of Spencer that I taped the night it was broadcast. I wish I had others. I would gladly buy a DVD of it if one is ever released, although with so few episodes, I doubt one ever will be. But if you ever get a chance to, watch any episode. I don't remember any bad ones!

Spencer was one of my favorite shows and i taped them when it was in prime time. too bad it only lasted one season (for me) because of two things. first, they replace chad Lowe with some geeky, mopey dork that had absolutely no charisma or personality. all because Mr Lowe wanted top billing. maybe it would have been worth it. second of all, they make the father disappear. i loved Bailey and Wayne as the best friends. the mere sight of them cracked me up. my favorite episode was the new years eve one when the two goofs thought they had dates with smoking chicks, while Spencer had a date with a girl considerably taller than he was. chick from back to school. anyway, had chad not wanted STAR status, or the execs decided just to give in to his wishes, the show probably would have lasted a few more seasons. boo too you NBC.

I remember just enough of this show to know it was a finely done piece of work. Chad Lowe played the central character, a much beset upon student who couldn't catch a break from anyone - teachers, parents, principal, other students - yet always came out on top using his wit and guile to do so. Of course, in so doing many funny moments - sometimes some very touching ones as well - were to be had. The characters played well off of one another and the writing was excellent as well.I too, like the previous reviewer, was very much saddened to see this series which had so much going for it and so much potential not get renewed.

What is it about really good TV shows centering around teens? Despite the under 25 crowd being a significant segment of the viewing population, and the given assumption that most TV programmers would be clamoring to create more shows revolving around their concerns, very few shows portraying the teen experience with any level of intelligence and/or sensitivity last for long. ROOM 222, JAMES AT 15, THE WHITE SHADOW, THE BRONX ZOO, THE MARSHALL CHRONICLES, MY SO-CALLED LIFE--none of these shows had the runs they deserved. Even the vaunted THE MANY LOVES OF DOBIE GILLIS, admittedly a hipper show than MY THREE SONS and FATHER KNOWS BEST, only lasted two or three seasons(one of the longer runs). Getting to my point, we have SPENCER, a notch or two above fare like IT'S YOUR MOVE, a concurrent offering about a teenage boy. Spencer tries to navigate the jungle of high school life with humor and a little insight, and occasionally we get some poignancy. Case in point: Spencer(who was forever getting sent to the guidance counselor by exasperated teachers)ends up visiting the G.C. in one episode with a zany new girl with multicolored hair. Come to find out this free-spirited girl is really a troubled runaway, and Spencer has the sensitivity to help her by contacting her parents against her wishes. Not earth-shattering, but better by far than most representations of teens at the time. Pity that it didn't last longer(it's demise was hastened, no doubt, by the fact that actor Chad Lowe vacated the roll of the title character mid-way through the first and only season) O Great TV Land, grant our prayer and run this show over a teen-TV themed marathon weekend. Amen