Shasta

I really used to enjoy this show. It was fast-paced and quirky. Just about anything could happen at any time. One episode in particular stands out. They had a coupon book and they had to use every coupon in order.

It was one of the weirder episodes.

I was sad when they canceled it. My wife and I liked it as one of the freaky weekend shows. You know, like X-files and American Gothic. I barely remember the girl in the show. She was no Jessica Alba, but I think she was hot. To me, Jake Busey made the show because he was so freaky and yet confident about it.

Vern was the bartender.

I think they had a band but I'm really not sure. I remember them wearing zoot suits for some reason.

This comedy, about a ne'er-do-well rap group living in Venice Beach may have looked good on paper, but it stank when it hit the air. With the advent of "South Park" and "Family Guy" pushing the boundaries for better or worse, the powers that be are running scared. We must be daring! Don't be afraid of crude humor! The trouble is that they have forgotten that, as an executive said about an unaired pilot starring Kelsey Grammer, "A comedy should be funny".

"Shasta McNasty" is not. It is not, with a vengeance. The first show "Pilot" has Verne Troyer (Mini-Me from "Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me") in one of the first scenes walking around in a sombrero with chips on the brim and salsa on the crushed crown. In another scene, he is seen with the same hat, but now it has popcorn on the brim.

No, I didn't laugh, either, but believe me, this is as funny as the show got. The leads are sadly, listless, the writing goes out of it's way to be offensive (which "Seinfeld" did occasionally, but still managed to be funny, more times than no)and it's on UPN, which recently lost a couple of affiliates.

To quote Troyer in one scene, "Lame, lame, lame!"

When I read some of the reviews for this show (man, they were bad) I thought it was going to suck. But when I saw it for myself I couldn't stop laughing. I love that they had a friend who happened to be a little guy. It was fun to watch Verne Troyer play a regular character and not that mini-me crap. I also liked the romance between Scott and Diana, she was pretty sexy. I wish there were more shows that took a chance like this one did.

I saw the second Vern Troyer guest episode (Oct 99) of Shasta McNasty and my friends and I all loved it. I didn't know this guy can act really well!! -(And, no, I didn't make it a priority to see Austin Powers 2). Troyer's character is just great. (I don't even watch sitcoms! But this was just great, so maybe I ought to be more open-minded.) This is the episode that opens with Troyer as a buddy of the regular cast characters, and they come across him working as a crab-cracker at a crabhouse (he gets on the table, slips a plastic bag over foot, and smashes crab claw for customer). As caring friends, they are aghast, and tell him that they feel he deserves more dignity than that! Then there's some stage talent competition as the informal entertainment at this restaurant, which Troyer and his friend jump in to improvise and win - which starts a fight with someone who's jealous... Troyer's character beams him beautifully well, and they all realize that a new career as boxer is begun... Troyer's character loves the idea... soon they are all taking bets, there's ring-girl humor from both male and female perspectives, etc... they search for contenders, which brings more than they bargain for. Troyer's character learns to work out the wrong way, and the right way (both with a number of twists on traditional methods that are hysterically funny). The whole 1/2 hour was just a scream, and at the same time VERY human, very practical straight-shootin' earthy humor, dealing with little people, man-woman, etc. life issues universal to everyone, while keeping you laughing and riveted on the sitcom level. Included great site-gag spoofs on many well-known films (rocky, pulp fiction, etc.).....--- I sure hope this is rebroadcast! ......(& if anyone knows if/when, please email ).

Six o'clock is the one time that no phone in our whole town rings. Everyone is watching Shasta. Why not? It is cool, hip and trendy. Fresh, new and innovating. Just about everyone finds something to their liking in this extremely funny series. We in South Africa support it. Do you?