Stacked

When I first saw "Stacked" advertised, I thought, "oh no, not another average sit-com based around a once famous personality" (Cybil, Jenny, Fat Actress, The Comeback etc etc). But this was different. For once, the main personality in the show, in this case Pamela Anderson, was an asset and not a hindrance. Her character and her performance fit in with the other characters, instead of the other characters revolving around the "most famous" person on the show.

Another good thing about Stacked is its consistency. It reminds me of Cheers in its heyday; consistently funny with solid characters. Unlike the very excellent 'My Name is Earl', which varies wildly from week to week as to how the characters behave, Stacked is much more solid and satisfying, because of this. It's also pretty unique to see something so well crafted in this day and age.

The entire cast is brilliant. I wasn't immediately enamored with the casting of the two brothers who run the store, but I soon warmed to their characters. Christopher Lloyd is absolutely on form, delivering his lines with the comedy precision of a master, knowing how to make one line turn from a chuckle into a gut-laugh. Even Pamela Anderson, not known for comedy talent, has a character which fits her personality perfectly, while allowing her to drop some great lines and still seem like the same person.

Every character in this sit-com feels "right" and you can only imagine the amount of time and effort that must have gone into making this happen.

Stacked is never mean-spirited, overly cynical or even topical, it's just brilliantly crafted, constistently funny, top-quality entertainment. It echoes Cheers in its heyday - whatever happened to shows like this? I hope Stacked finds its audience and remains as good as the first season, and then keeps running for years to come! It deserves to!

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.

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.

A lot of people told me how stupid this show was going to be but when I decided to watch it, I was laughing my ass off! Pamela Anderson stars in her 4th TV-series as Skyler Dayton who starts a new life as an employee at a bookstore called "Stacks" and gives up being a party girl and making bad choices in boyfriends and that sort of stuff. "Stacks" is owned by Gavin Dewitt (Tom Everett Scott) and his brother, Stuart (Brian Scolaro). Divorced and unlucky in love himself, Gavin's inclined to regard Skyler as an embodiment of the vacuous, image-obsessed culture he has come to abhor. Stuart, however, is dazzled by Skyler's beauty and, much to Gavin's horror, offers her a job at their store, which she happily accepts as the first step in her quest for a steadier lifestyle. Unhappy that she's going to be minding the till next to such an intimidating bombshell is the store's sole other employee, Katrina (Marissa Jaret Winokur), who doles out doses of realism and cynicism. Rounding out the characters is the store's one steady customer, Harold March (Christopher Lloyd) a preeminent but retired rocket scientist. But I was laughing my ass off when I watched this series! I think this show could be the next "Just Shoot Me" or some other workplace sitcom series that is famous and funny. This show premiered on FOX back in April 2005.

User Rating: 8/10

BOTTOM LINE: HILARIOUS!

I came across this 12-years after cancellation due to a suggestion on HULU. What an awesome show that I had never heard of before. When I did more research on it, I had found it was cancelled after 2 short seasons over 10-years ago. Too bad. At least it's bingeable because it's over so fast, but it left me wanting more.

Lloyd plays his typical spacey character. I was surprisingly delighted by Anderson's performance and it's too bad she didn't go on to do more regular sitcoms.