Perfect Strangers

[Bobby Southworth]

How about this sitcom about two cousins(Larry and Balki) that ran from 1986-1993, and ended up being the show that started the classic TGIF lineup on ABC, and spun off the show "Family Matters".

This is a show that unless you are from my generation or older, a lot of people don't seem to be familiar. I find this wild because of how popular it once was, even if it was never a smash hit. It was normally in the top 35, and held pretty steady until it was moved around during the 1991-92 season. I just don't think it's been in syndication much since the mid 90's.. this is probably the reason just about everyone I reference the show to gives me a blank look.

This one will always have a special place for me simply because it takes me back to my childhood and my mom. We stuck with it up through the 7th season, but the quality had admittedly gone downhill during that season; I didn't even know there was an 8th season until years later.

As an adult watching this show, I find the earliest episodes to truly be the most well written and comical. It remained funny, but more in a stupid and predictable way. It was a Miller-Boyett show after all..I don't know how much of a chance it ever had in being more intelligent humor, but whatever potential it had in that area quickly fell away as the show became a success, and was moved to Friday nights to target a younger family and children demographic. So..it had a lot working against in a sense, but these things falling into place are perhaps the reason it actually became a success, and as I've stated, it remained decent entertainment, at least up until they moved out of the apartment.

Any fans or thoughts on this one?

 

[Chris2]

I didn’t like the actor who played Larry. I supposed it could have been worse: Louie Anderson played the part (called Lou) in the unaired pilot. That definitely would have been worse.

 

[Bobby Southworth]

I didn’t like the actor who played Larry. I supposed it could have been worse: Louie Anderson played the part (called Lou) in the unaired pilot. That definitely would have been worse.

I've always wished they had included that unaired pilot in the 1st and 2nd season DVD. I'm assuming there was a whole episode filmed??

Mark Linn Baker. I thought he brought a lot of unique humor to the Larry character, especially his facial expressions. Unfortunately, as the show became a success, both of the characters were exaggerated..which tends to happen, but in this case, it made Larry look like a scheming weakling(at times), and Balki less intelligent. Where, in the beginning, Larry was a bit neurotic, but he was basically just representative of an average guy, and Balki was just naive, and learning about America.

I also wish the other characters, Jennifer and Maryanne(their girlfriends)had been developed more. I have mixed feelings on this because I've read that the creators were very careful about keeping the show about Larry and Balki, and I have a place for that, but then the other characters just seem more like plot devices, which I guess in a sense they were?

I think they rushed the cousins into relationships too fast. It was fine to see Larry crushing on Jennifer, but it would have been more interesting if perhaps they had the cousins dating around a little more at some point during the series, or just had simply fleshed out the girl's characters. I feel the same way about the other additional cast members, such as Lydia(Belita Moreno), Mr. Gorpley(Sam Anderson) but in a way those scenarios worked a little better because those characters could be funny in smaller doses.

and most importantly..one of the best theme songs ever! I didn't post the iconic version used from season 3 on, but opted to go with my favorite version of the opening.

 

[Bobby Southworth]

To give an example of the more mature humor/better writing in the beginning, watch the episodes "Check This", "Hello Baby", and "Ladies and Germs". Yes, there are still cookie cutter/contrived moments, but some of the dialogue between Balki and Larry is just absolutely hilarious. Later, I would say it became more about the crazy situations they found themselves in, and the predictable, exaggerated reactions, but in the early episodes I'm talking about, the dialogue between the two is just more witty, and relatable.

I wanted to post a clip from the episode "Ladies and Germs", but I can't find it anymore.
So, I guess instead, I will just quote a line, and if anyone remembers the episode, they'll know what I'm talking about.

-After Larry downs the whole glass of Balki's Myposian cure..when it was supposed to to just be a sip.

Larry- Well, how quickly does it work?
Balki- well, that amount should work pretty fast..
Larry- Balki.... I can see 'through' you...

You really need to hear the way they speak these lines, and see the reactions, but..

Here are about 3 minutes worth of clips, but not that one. The scene here from "The Karate Kids" is pretty good.