I was so glad to discover TES on DVD, as I never saw it on TV. I adore it; I think it's every bit as good and funny as Ellen, perhaps even better! What perfect casting; Jim Gaffigan is so lovable, the Home Ec. teacher is a hoot, Cathy has her own thing going on, and I also think Cloris Leachman's character here is my favorite sitcoms character she's ever done.

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I also love it. I think it's better than both the first and final seasons of Ellen. Last year, I got the DVD out and re-watched the series. I forgot how good it was. I was sad when it was over. Such a short run. That was during the period in my life when ALL the shows I watched on Network TV were getting cancelled after a season or less. So I was pretty grouchy towards new TV for a while there, haha.

I never watched The Ellen Show, but I did watch Ellen when it was still These Friends of Mine. As you might predict based on my comments in other sitcom threads... I'm not a huge fan of the cast purge between seasons one and two. :lol:

I also love it. I think it's better than both the first and final seasons of Ellen. Last year, I got the DVD out and re-watched the series. I forgot how good it was. I was sad when it was over. Such a short run. That was during the period in my life when ALL the shows I watched on Network TV were getting cancelled after a season or less. So I was pretty grouchy towards new TV for a while there, haha.

lol, I can understand that. In Charlotte Rae's book The Facts of My Life (https://www.amazon.com/Facts-My-Life-hardback/dp/1593938535), she discusses this same sad phenomenon with TV shows when discussing her career before she found extended longevity as Mrs. Garrett from 1978 - 1986. Paraphrasing her, why cancel a show so quickly after investing so much time and money in actors, sets, writers, production, wardrobe, etc.? You need to give things a chance to find their audience.

Granted I'm also sad this wonderful show only had one season, I'm at least glad it was a bit of a longer season than some other shows' first season: The Facts of Life's first season was only 13 shows! At least with TES we get 5 "bonus" episodes to make it a little longer.

I never watched The Ellen Show, but I did watch Ellen when it was still These Friends of Mine.

Hi Retro! :wave:

I highly recommend checking out the single volume DVD release of this series. Ellen in a small town, with such gifted players---it's a real hoot!


As you might predict based on my comments in other sitcom threads... I'm not a huge fan of the cast purge between seasons one and two. :lol:

Ahh,hahaha! :lol: Well, frankly, I am, lol. Holly was good, but she's too much like Ellen (timid, quirky, etc.) for Ellen to really shine as a character among other personalities; she needed to be surrounded by others different from her, which she did on Ellen. Anita just did not come off as a character for me, and she was very under-served and not utilized much at all (she was pretty much "the Nancy" of TFoM), and Adam was okay, but he just didn't have enough charisma; I prefer Jeremy Piven as Spence when he comes at the beginning of season 3 and Adam is ousted 5 episodes later (sorry Adam, lol). So overall I much prefer the season 2-on cast; the only one I kinda miss is Holly, because she and Ellen had good chemistry; and although Ellen Morgan succeeds more as a unique personality, it was fun watching Ellen and Holly's "two peas in an L.A. pod" friendship.

I liked both of her sitcoms but am not much into the talk show.