800 Words

This is a "feel good", family oriented series. Typical of the genre, Single Dad has two teenage children, and all the problems that brings! The problems dealt with in each episode are all neatly resolved by the end of each episode. There are the usual stereotypical characters e.g annoying but useless handyman, beautiful and multi-talented schoolteacher, evil town Patriarch, etc. Everyone is impossibly good- looking, and at the end of each episode, all one wants to do is to move to this "Mayberry" in New Zealand. The scenery is stunning, and I'm sure the series has done wonders for tourism to that country. It's an entertaining series, and if this type of show is what you are looking for, this more than fits the bill!Be prepared however for a high dose of "Predictability". There are just no surprises!

After his wife dies, he brings his teenage kids from a big city in Australia to small town New Zealand to start over. Characters are quirky without over-doing it. I enjoyed it so much from the first episode that I binge-watched the first two series in a day and a half, and am looking forward to the third.

800 Words was recently broadcast on PBS, and watching the 1st season made me buy as many series of it as I could get my hands on. The premise of the show has been discussed in other reviews, so I won't repeat it, but I'll give my opinion as to why the show is so good. The characters, actors and scripts are excellent, as is the scenery. The way it takes the trope of a quirky small town with "outsiders" adjusting to life there works so well because the show is very funny and very serious at the same time. That combination of laughing and then thinking - wow- this has something important to say about being human, grieving, family dynamics, making mistakes, loving and muddling through. It isn't preachy. It steals your heart because you fall in love with the characters. Even the town "villain" is likable in a way because the quirky characters are fleshed out human beings. The handyman is laid back and might be taken as a fool, but as with the Shakespearen fool, he has the role of helping his employer see the lay of the land and the people in it- plus he has a heart of gold. There are special characters throughout that show up in one episode (the has-been surfer dude is one of my favorites) and townspeople who make regular appearances. I like comedy to be meaningful, and meaningful drama to contain comedy. This show hits the bullseye.

I love this show, Strangely about words and so much more and yet I struggle now to write why I love this show. Something for everyone perhaps; Clever for sure; Cliché for certain; but entertaining - absolutely. Out of a tragic beginning comes a show worthy of 42 minutes of my day. Watch and enjoy. I was and am still a huge fan of the 90's show Northern Exposure, and Chris' monologues, summary or prequels - insightful, prophetic, thought provoking and just plain good stuff; This simple 800 word show is up there for this fan

For anyone who is from, lived, visited, NZ, then this show is a charming mix of people who are lost and find their way through others; relationships, communication and humour; family and friends are hard to navigate, especially teenagers, and the loss of a parent. Well done to all involved, this has been a great show to follow.