Stacked

I'm the kind of person who likes strong ensemble comedies with wit and the occasional farce, like "Frasier", "Taxi", "Seinfeld", "Everybody Loves Raymond", etc.. So when I heard about "Stacked", I had my doubts as to how funny it could be. Pamela Anderson...is it possible for her to be intentionally funny? I figured I would watch the first episode if, for nothing else, to see the genius of Christopher Lloyd and the spunk of Marissa Jaret Winokur. They did not disappoint, and the show had me laughing out loud in bits where those actors weren't even present.

Basically, this is a surprisingly smart show. Anderson has the ability to poke fun at herself and not take everything so seriously. She knows she's not Olivier, and she doesn't try to be something she isn't. Maybe that's why I found the character so endearing. Winokur has great delivery, and a gift for physical comedy. Scolaro and Gold are deft comedians, who know how to wring the humor out of their lines and expressions. Lloyd is great and proves he can still make you laugh without even opening his mouth. His slightly grumpy retired physicist character is the perfect foil to everyone else.

If you come into watching this show with an open mind, you'll like it. If you come into it with a hatred for all things Pamela Anderson, you could easily find yourself surprised at her charm and the wit of the show. If your head is so far stuck up your butt in your prejudices, then you wouldn't like this, even if it were Oilivier performing "Hamlet". Bottom line: this show is a lot better than the unfunny formula comedies littering the airwaves right now ("Joey", "Freddie", basically anything where the title is someone's name) and has a strong cast, solid acting, witty writing and the potential to be a great show.

Skylar (Pamela Anderson) goes into a San Fran area bookstore called Stacks one fine day. She needs a book on relationships NOW. Very eager to help is one of the co-owners, Stuart (Brian Scolaro), who is please as punch to have such a stunning female in the place. His brother, fellow owner Gavin (Elon Gold) is less certain, being more cerebral. In fact, Gavin, who is a not-so-successful published author, has been trying to get back with his wife, although the divorce came through two years ago. Therefore, when the ex comes in the door, he begs Skylar to pretend to be his new galpal. She agrees, even though she thinks Gavin is a pain, having recommended a haughty, very long psych book to her. Soon, the ex may indeed be changing her attitude toward Gav while Stuart just wants to hear about Skylar's past. In fact, bolstered by the advice from a self-help book, Skylar decides to summon her cheating boyfriend to the place and call it quits in front of the world! Fun times, are ahead, especially when Stuart urges Skylar to join the staff. After all, she is already charming customers, like the retired professor (Christopher Lloyd) who visits daily. The lovely lady agrees. With this new twist at Stacks, what other entertaining events are ahead for the gang? Lots! This fun show, albeit a bit racy, was once on Fox, for a season or two. For those who missed it, like me, shame, shame. Its quite enjoyable. Anderson's sweet voice and knockout looks are most welcome while Gold and especially Scolaro are a stitch. Lloyd, too, is a treasure and so is the woman who plays the barista. Of course, not many books get sold in each episode but with nice costumes, sets, plots, humor, and great timing, Stacked stacks up well for an evening's pleasure. Make that multiple evenings, dear viewers.

Pamela Anderson hits a home run with this show. She is very comfortable as this character, and this ensemble works perfectly together along with consistent writing. A very simple set-up, using almost exclusively one setting, dialog is fresh and funny without being busy or repetitive. All characters are well-played by confident staff. This is a quintessential example of a situation-comedy: not preachy, not pushy, not offensive, and not boring. Unusually fresh and relaxed, it is a pleasure and true enjoyment to watch. Too bad people will remember Anderson for 2nd rate products like "VIP", and a shining performance like this goes largely unknown.

Pamela Anderson is a Fox sitcom. I know it is hard to believe but she is actually very good in this show. She pokes fun at herself. This show has a great, talented cast like Tony award winning Marissa Jaret Winokur who won her Tony for playing Ricki Lake's role in the Broadway musical, Hairspray. Of course, Christopher Lloyd plays a retired professor who frequently visits the bookstore as his second home. Think of Norm at Cheers. Christopher Lloyd is always welcome anywhere. The show, Stacked, is set in a bookstore starring Pamela Anderson who plays pretty much herself who wants to change her life. Of course, being so beautiful, she reminds the group of their own insecurities and desires. Of course, Marissa who plays Katrina cannot help but envy Pamela Anderson. She jokes "Even I want a piece of that." The customers do not seem to mind their car getting towed if they get served by Skyler, Pamela's character. Pamela's Skyler adds much needed excitement and diversity to this much need bookstore, Stacked. After all the owner jokes "It's not Hooters, it's Stacked!" Please watch this show! Even if your not a fan of Pamela Anderson or if you are. Show your support! She just surprises you.

I think people should give this show a chance, because it's really funny! The show contains a great combination of funny characters, who you learn to know very quickly. Pamela Anderson also plays pretty good as Skyler Dayton, this blonde party girl who suddenly starts working at a book store, from what she has very little experience. Of course a lot of people think that this is just a shallow sitcom men watch just to see Pamela Anderson, but it has so much more.

It's like a combination of Cheers, "Step by Step", Becker and "Two Guys, a Girl and a Pizza Place". Pamela's role reminds a little of Suzanne Somers when she plays the mom in "Step by step", Christopher Lloyd who plays Harold, the bitter older man who's there always, got the attitude of Becker, and the brothers are a little like the two guys in "Two Guys, a Girl and a Pizza Place". They are brothers, but they are very different from each other and not exactly best friends. The whole atmosphere is a little like the atmosphere in Cheers. It also has some things in common with "Friends", like when they are slandering the funny customers in the store, and sometimes even dating them.