Boca Livre

I'm really bored so I feel the need to write a review of the pilot episode I saw when it originally aired way back in 1986.

This series was obviously a rehash of 'The Beverly Hillbillies' with a fish out of water scenario.

The premise: Two elderly grizzle impoverished rednecks have nothing better to do than joke about killing themselves when Loni Anderson arrives as one of their long lost daughter or granddaughters.

Anderson has hit it big time as a showgirl gold digger and married a Beverly Hills billionaire. After a brief marriage she's become a mega rich widow and come to rescue her grizzel father or grandfather and his friend from a life of poverty.

The troubles in paradise come from the late husband's family headed by villain James Cromwell. ('Babe') The fact that I can still remember the plot after all these years means it was either really good or really bad. But I honestly cannot remember which.

This show experienced a short renaissance on Lifetime Television Network in the early 90s. The writing was, for the most part, good (and in some cases, downright smashing). Unfortunately, a lot of expectations were riding on Loni Anderson's ability to score a hit after leaving WKRP in Cincinnati (this was her first series after that show). And when the show failed to deliver the numbers that were expected (due in part, I think, to poor scheduling and inadequate promotion by the network), the show went into a rapid downward spiral. Which is a pity, because Anderson gathered perhaps one of the finest casts imaginable for this show. Broadway actress Dana Ivey and future-Oscar-nominee James Cromwell shone as the rich in-laws who are constantly trying to oust Anderson's character from their midst. Ivey and Cromwell wrung every bit of comic juice from the material, with Ivey stealing (characteristically) pretty much every scene she was in. Unfortunately, the show was canceled before it could hit its stride, and the actors went on to greener pastures. I think, if it had been given a chance, it could have been a hit.

Although this wasn't the best comedy in the world, it isn't too bad--but as my summary said--it was Jack Elam and Lee Weaver that made the show such fun to watch. It was Bully and Ricardo's down home attitude that made the show such fun to watch. All in all, not a bad show, but it could have been better.

I'd love to see reruns of this show if nothing more than to hear "Illegal Smile", the theme song written and sang by the late great John Prine. Having my favorite character actor and my favorite song writer together somehow seems mighty fitting.

Loni Anderson plays a rich girl who loves to play tennis, eat expensive meals, shop, & spend, spend, spend. If I remember correctly, her two comedic godfathers come to live with her in her plush mansion. All of the sudden having money is something they are NOT used to...& that is were the laughs come in. The show was really cute on the lines of the Beverly Hillbillies meets Down & Out in Beverly Hills...ratings were not in line due to stiff competition(s) on the same night and even though it was switched to another night, it was too late. I doubt that this one will make it into TVLAND or somewhere like that, but if it does, try & watch about two or three episodes & you will get the idea of what the whole thing was about. Z. 1-10 (6)