A Nova Família Addams

How could you ever hope to re-make this classic TV masterpiece? And do it well??? Just look at the dismal failures trying to re-create "the Munsters", or the "cheesy" reunions of the Addams Family. Yecchh!!! This project seemed doomed to failure too. Somehow, it's been updated and updated well. It's not really true to the Charles Addam's original, but is more true to the old TV series. Same stories, but in color, with added touches, like, a Judge Judy character, the internet, swing music, guest stars of note, and the occasional appearance of John Astin as grandpapa. The stories seem fresh.

Of course, the ingredient that keeps it all together is the fine characterization of Morticia by Canadian actress/comedienne, ELLIE HARVIE. She does this with a great look, great intonation, and wonderful facial gestures. The expressiveness may be a bit overdone at times, but c'est la vie (oooooh, that's French!!!), I find myself waiting for her "Jack Benny-esque" contributions.

During the original run of the show, I wasn't yet a teen, but I was totally in love/lust for the sexy Carolyn Jones (Morticia). Does it show? But now, ELLIE HARVIE is the ultimate Morticia and has replaced Ms. Jones in my heart. BRAVO MS. HARVIE !!!

PS... the guestbook isn't working, so it's okay if you email me, ELLIE...LOL

The New Addams Family provides a refreshing look at our old friends Gomez, Morticia, Fester, Wednesday, Pugsley, Lurch, Grandmama, and of course, Thing. This new series is quite recognizable to veteran Addams fans as a continuation of the amazingly popular 60's show, but with more of the feel of the Addams movies. The writers do, on occasion, show a lack of originality in the plot-lines, which are, four-out-of-five, re-wordings of the original episodes, but the feeling is preserved, and the plots and character development thus far have shown that the developers are resisting the temptation to bring the family all the way into the 90's. The family has a wonderful old-fashioned naivete about them, which has always been one of the main elements of the Addams Family. The original plotlines remain the best, and most interesting. If the script-writers use enough original material and avoid the cartoon-ish humor of Addams Family Reunion and the Munsters, the show may prove a success. The players all fill their roles quite well, living up to the expectations set by their predecessors. Taranto is amazingly reminiscent of John Astin, who he obviously studied in great detail, so as to recreate the work of the master. The other characters are likewise well studied and well executed. Overall, the show lacks originality, but is a good, logical step in the evolution of The Addams Family.

This show has gotten a bad rap...even though it is a remake and does steal a lot of plot from the original, the acting is incredible and the show's fresh enough to be a lot of fun. I'd say it's better than a lot of the new shows that are coming out these days...once you get used to the new actors, you might learn to love it!

Basically, this show is a remake of the original series, with very little of the "updating" that occurred for the two theatrical movies starring Julia, Huston, et al. The humor is very 60's, with only the Wednesday character being written with some of the more "90's" black humor of the movies. There's also a bit more sex, but not much. Generally an effort to cash in on the popularity of the movies, and this cast of no-names gives it its best. You'd probably be better off watching the original series on Nickelodeon, though.

I remember the original The Addams Family. It came to the air when I was 8. The humor of those shows stands up even today. The New Addams Family makes a great attempt at returning to those "original" values and humor. Certainly it isn't the first movie (but it is sure a heck of a lot better than the 3rd one!!!) which strove to bring a more modern feel to the franchise. But this new incarnation is actually rather clever. Instead of having a bunch of "names" with new faces to associate with the characters, the producers found relative unknowns that have some amazing resemblances (take a look at Michael Roberds as Uncle Fester) and some very similar vocal characteristics. Close you eyes when Gomez and Fester are talking and you can almost hear John Astin and Jackie Coogan. And Ellie Hervie is a great Morticia. I like this series. It is, of course, only in reruns now. Watch a few of them with an open mind. I think you will enjoy them as well.