TMC
09-13-2022, 02:45 AM
https://jacksonupperco.com/2022/09/13/short-lived-sitcom-potpourri-pop-out-shaping-up/
Thoughts: An ensemble workplace multi-cam (https://www.nytimes.com/1984/03/20/arts/getting-physical-and-shaping-up.html) written by Taxi veterans (https://www.yahoo.com/amphtml/sam-simons-role-making-20th-century-us-tv-143324970.html) who’d go on to produce Cheers (https://books.google.com/books?id=GqRWDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT500&lpg=PT500&dq=shaping+up+1984+leslie+nielsen&source=bl&ots=eIuf9gZBz-&sig=ACfU3U2VHsfIQZXu1gOQQ2qFUJ3JzZuRnQ&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwigs43qlJH6AhUksDEKHbBgDjA4KBDoAXoECAMQAw#v=onepage&q=shaping%20up%201984%20leslie%20nielsen&f=false) — one of whom (Sam Simon (https://lostmediaarchive.fandom.com/wiki/Shaping_Up_(Lost_1984_Sitcom))) would also co-helm the iconic The Simpsons — Shaping Up (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaping_Up) has a great pedigree. And, happily, I can confirm that it is indeed a terrific effort by all those involved, offering the hilarious Leslie Nielsen (https://books.google.com/books?id=8qVPEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA192&lpg=PA192&dq=shaping+up+1984+leslie+nielsen&source=bl&ots=x12ffaF1q1&sig=ACfU3U12M0qWgu9XrxckABq9Jw1o6ES-Ew&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwigs43qlJH6AhUksDEKHbBgDjA4KBDoAXoECAIQAw#v=onepage&q=shaping%20up%201984%20leslie%20nielsen&f=false) in the Sam Malone-like role (https://books.google.com/books?id=70szDAAAQBAJ&pg=PA147&lpg=PA147&dq=shaping+up+1984+leslie+nielsen&source=bl&ots=ssVGrnxShw&sig=ACfU3U0nBT22SEo9zZs4Dahxho6X4M_e5g&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwigs43qlJH6AhUksDEKHbBgDjA4KBDoAXoECAQQAw#v=onepage&q=shaping%20up%201984%20leslie%20nielsen&f=false) of an aging popular jock who’s now the managing boss of a boutique recreational/hangout spot — not a bar this time, but a gym (https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1984/03/20/muscle-bound-movie-38/9f37f569-2267-44cc-b37b-58f199e30ba7/). And instead of a romance informing the central relationship, this series’ emotional anchor is Nielsen’s, or “Buddy’s,” bond with a trainer, the son he never had — a sort of “straight man” who can talk plain to him while fighting to keep both Buddy and the business young.
Thoughts: An ensemble workplace multi-cam (https://www.nytimes.com/1984/03/20/arts/getting-physical-and-shaping-up.html) written by Taxi veterans (https://www.yahoo.com/amphtml/sam-simons-role-making-20th-century-us-tv-143324970.html) who’d go on to produce Cheers (https://books.google.com/books?id=GqRWDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT500&lpg=PT500&dq=shaping+up+1984+leslie+nielsen&source=bl&ots=eIuf9gZBz-&sig=ACfU3U2VHsfIQZXu1gOQQ2qFUJ3JzZuRnQ&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwigs43qlJH6AhUksDEKHbBgDjA4KBDoAXoECAMQAw#v=onepage&q=shaping%20up%201984%20leslie%20nielsen&f=false) — one of whom (Sam Simon (https://lostmediaarchive.fandom.com/wiki/Shaping_Up_(Lost_1984_Sitcom))) would also co-helm the iconic The Simpsons — Shaping Up (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaping_Up) has a great pedigree. And, happily, I can confirm that it is indeed a terrific effort by all those involved, offering the hilarious Leslie Nielsen (https://books.google.com/books?id=8qVPEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA192&lpg=PA192&dq=shaping+up+1984+leslie+nielsen&source=bl&ots=x12ffaF1q1&sig=ACfU3U12M0qWgu9XrxckABq9Jw1o6ES-Ew&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwigs43qlJH6AhUksDEKHbBgDjA4KBDoAXoECAIQAw#v=onepage&q=shaping%20up%201984%20leslie%20nielsen&f=false) in the Sam Malone-like role (https://books.google.com/books?id=70szDAAAQBAJ&pg=PA147&lpg=PA147&dq=shaping+up+1984+leslie+nielsen&source=bl&ots=ssVGrnxShw&sig=ACfU3U0nBT22SEo9zZs4Dahxho6X4M_e5g&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwigs43qlJH6AhUksDEKHbBgDjA4KBDoAXoECAQQAw#v=onepage&q=shaping%20up%201984%20leslie%20nielsen&f=false) of an aging popular jock who’s now the managing boss of a boutique recreational/hangout spot — not a bar this time, but a gym (https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1984/03/20/muscle-bound-movie-38/9f37f569-2267-44cc-b37b-58f199e30ba7/). And instead of a romance informing the central relationship, this series’ emotional anchor is Nielsen’s, or “Buddy’s,” bond with a trainer, the son he never had — a sort of “straight man” who can talk plain to him while fighting to keep both Buddy and the business young.