danwroy

Mediocre Brady-Bunch rehash for students of ABC's TGIF lineup. Lame jokes, dialogue, acting, too much Ted Duffy hamming, and a hell of a lot of sexual innuendo for a show targeted at kids (at one point I remember Duffy wearing an outfit labeled "Horny little devil"). If nothing else, shows like "Step by Step" and "Family Matters" prove how callous "family programming" executives can be. And that no sitcom is complete without a dopey mascot.

"Hey Dude," along with shows like "You Can't Do That On Television," "Clarissa Explains It All," "The Adventures of Pete & Pete," "Salute Your Shorts," "Roundhouse," and "Are You Afraid Of The Dark?" brings instant pangs of nostalgia to those who grew up on Nickelodeon as it passed from the 80s to the 90s, before it was overtaken by animated programming (though later shows like "The Secret World of Alex Mack" and "All That" managed to launch a few careers). While it wasn't perfect (Melody ISN'T the attractive one?), it was great fun, uncomplicated without being insulting to kids, and had characters who were unique and likable in context - except for Lucy as the all-purpose wisdom dispenser. The stories managed to stay lightweight yet engaging, and it was interesting observing what we would later know as sexual tension between the lead male and female (David Lascher and Kelly Brown). It's a shame that it never made it to video or at least reruns - it's due for a marathon.