6 Rms Riv Vu

This made-for-TV version of the Bob Randall comedy play is available for viewing at the Paley Center for Media in Beverly Hills and New York City. I saw it today in Beverly Hills after searching for it for many years. Perhaps because I had already enjoyed another adaptation of a stage play starring Alan Alda as a married guy who starts a relationship with a married woman (Bernard Slade's "Same Time Next Year," filmed four years after this aired), I was expecting something more along those lines. But this TV version of "6 RMS RIV VU" is more like a videotaped stage play recorded in front of a live audience, thus having more of a sitcomy feel a la "One Day at a Time." Both leads are quite young and in excellent form here, although some of the material is naturally quite dated (i.e., jokes about "shrinks"). As others have pointed out, it does have a distinct Neil Simon flavor, so if you like him, you'll probably like this. I have no idea why the IMDb page omits the supporting cast; somebody should add Millie Slavin and Lawrence Pressman, who play Alda's and Burnett's spouses, as well as Jose Ocasio and Francine Beers in small but pivotal roles.

There are no finer comedies. This is laugh-out-loud, comedic extravaganza. Alda and Burnett are wonderful, and the support is equally excellent. This needs to be released on DVD!! The pace is rhythmic and the story human, sensitive and hysterical. Is anyone listening?! The human condition is sensitively portrayed. The characters, though comedic, are fleshed out beautifully. Alda and Burnett are at their pinnacle, but the supporting cast is equally engaging, and equally funny as they support the development. As comedies go, this is up there with the finest of Neil Simon; The Good-bye girl comes to mind a an appropriate comparison to the quality and touching humanity of fine comedy!