'My Sister Sam' Review from the NY Times (Oct. 20, 1986) - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Skywalker · 12-06-2008, 12:46 AM

TV REVIEW; 'MY SISTER SAM,' SERIES STARRING PAM DAWBER
By JOHN J. O'CONNOR
Published: October 20, 1986

TOP-HEAVY with parent-child generation differences, television sitcoms are now exploring the demographic potential of sibling gaps. CBS's ''My Sister Sam,'' Mondays at 8:30 P.M., offers preppy-ish Samantha Russell, whose comfortable life as a photographer in San Francisco is disrupted -charmingly, of course - when her kid sister, Patti, suddenly arrives from Oregon wanting to become a rock star. Irrepressible, pretty Patti is 16. Finicky, pretty Sam (the juices in her refrigerator are arranged alphabetically) is 29. The difference of 13 years is enough, the producers hope, for a world of laugh-provoking age collisions.

The scene is set, for the most part, in Sam's nicely appointed loft apartment and business studio. In one corner are Sam (Pam Dawber) and her friends: Dixie (Jenny O'Hara), her wisecracking assistant; J. D. (Joel Brooks), her wisecracking agent, and Jack (David Naughton), her wisecracking neighbor. In the other are Patti (Rebecca Schaeffer) and a passing contingent of teen-age school friends. In the premiere episode a couple of weeks ago - written by Gary Murphy and Larry Strawther, directed by Ellen Falcon - her friend of the moment was Brandon (Dean Cameron), a punk rocker done up in spiked hair and a metal glove.

The predictably horrified Sam was further perplexed when Brandon announced that he was far more interested in her than in Patti. Wondering what to do about Brandon (''Have you spoken to his guidance counselor?'' suggested J. D.), Sam also had to deal with a resentful Patti, who was reduced to ''feeling like floor dust.'' In the end, of course, within the confines of less than 25 minutes, the sisters came to their senses and realized that, well, that's life. A dejected Brandon was sent on his nonconforming way, sweetly but firmly. ''Don't cry,'' Sam warned, ''you'll rust your glove.''

In tonight's episode - Ms. Falcon directs once again, Lisa Albert is the writer - a very nervous Sam agrees to let Patti have the loft for a party to entertain her new school friends. While Sam and her friends try to amuse one another next door, Patti finds her good intentions going out of control. In the end, needless to say, common sense and thoughtfulness triumph even as all sides are seemingly proved right in their suspicions about one another. Dreadful consequences are virtually unheard of in the land of sitcom.

As a harmless and reasonably diverting exercise, ''My Sister Sam,'' created by Stephen Fischer, has two things going for it. There is an attractive cast, topped by Miss Dawber, who won her sitcom combat stripes serving as a charming foil to Robin Williams on ''Mork and Mindy.'' And it is scheduled between two of the best shows on the CBS lineup, ''Kate and Allie'' at 8 and ''Newhart'' at 9. Never underestimate the power of a good time slot.

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpag...+Sam%22&st=nyt

catlover79 · 12-06-2008, 01:21 AM

Thanks for sharing the article, Justin. It's a shame the show never really took off - and that Rebecca Schaeffer met such a tragic end.

Skywalker · 12-06-2008, 01:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

Thanks for sharing the article, Justin. It's a shame the show never really took off - and that Rebecca Schaeffer met such a tragic end.

No problem.

Hard to believe she's been gone for almost 20 years now.

catlover79 · 12-06-2008, 03:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skywalker

No problem.

Hard to believe she's been gone for almost 20 years now.

1989, wasn't it?

Jude The Obscure · 12-06-2008, 02:33 PM

Well CBS killed this show--it was doing great (a Top 20 show) on monday nights and then CBS put it on Saturdays the next season--and Gurgle, gurgle, gurgle........down the drain. I always hoped that USA would have revived it since USA aired the reruns for awhile after CBS axed it.

Now, we need the DVDs!!!!

Skywalker · 12-06-2008, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

1989, wasn't it?

Yeah, she died on July 18th, 1989.

catlover79 · 12-06-2008, 09:56 PM

Such a sad, sad event. I have yet to see Moonlight Mile, which her boyfriend based on her life. Have you seen it, Justin?

Skywalker · 12-06-2008, 11:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

Such a sad, sad event. I have yet to see Moonlight Mile, which her boyfriend based on her life. Have you seen it, Justin?

Not yet. I remember wanting to see it when it first came out, but then I completely forgot about it.

catlover79 · 12-06-2008, 11:10 PM

I'll have to check it out one of these days. I'll see if I can get it out of the library.

Jude The Obscure · 12-06-2008, 11:39 PM

I watched this last year while I was still working at Blockhead Video and we had 14 free rentals a week to use. I enjoyed that movie and DID NOT KNOW that it was by the guy who was Rebecca's boyfriend!

catlover79 · 12-06-2008, 11:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jude The Obscure

I watched this last year while I was still working at Blockhead Video and we had 14 free rentals a week to use. I enjoyed that movie and DID NOT KNOW that it was by the guy who was Rebecca's boyfriend!

Yes, Brad Silberling was dating Rebecca at the time of her death and was inspired to create Moonlight Mile because of it. He is now married to Amy Brenneman (Judging Amy).

12-06-2008, 12:46 AM	#1
Skywalker Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Apr 04, 2003 Posts: 14,205	'My Sister Sam' Review from the NY Times (Oct. 20, 1986) TV REVIEW; 'MY SISTER SAM,' SERIES STARRING PAM DAWBER By JOHN J. O'CONNOR Published: October 20, 1986 TOP-HEAVY with parent-child generation differences, television sitcoms are now exploring the demographic potential of sibling gaps. CBS's ''My Sister Sam,'' Mondays at 8:30 P.M., offers preppy-ish Samantha Russell, whose comfortable life as a photographer in San Francisco is disrupted -charmingly, of course - when her kid sister, Patti, suddenly arrives from Oregon wanting to become a rock star. Irrepressible, pretty Patti is 16. Finicky, pretty Sam (the juices in her refrigerator are arranged alphabetically) is 29. The difference of 13 years is enough, the producers hope, for a world of laugh-provoking age collisions. The scene is set, for the most part, in Sam's nicely appointed loft apartment and business studio. In one corner are Sam (Pam Dawber) and her friends: Dixie (Jenny O'Hara), her wisecracking assistant; J. D. (Joel Brooks), her wisecracking agent, and Jack (David Naughton), her wisecracking neighbor. In the other are Patti (Rebecca Schaeffer) and a passing contingent of teen-age school friends. In the premiere episode a couple of weeks ago - written by Gary Murphy and Larry Strawther, directed by Ellen Falcon - her friend of the moment was Brandon (Dean Cameron), a punk rocker done up in spiked hair and a metal glove. The predictably horrified Sam was further perplexed when Brandon announced that he was far more interested in her than in Patti. Wondering what to do about Brandon (''Have you spoken to his guidance counselor?'' suggested J. D.), Sam also had to deal with a resentful Patti, who was reduced to ''feeling like floor dust.'' In the end, of course, within the confines of less than 25 minutes, the sisters came to their senses and realized that, well, that's life. A dejected Brandon was sent on his nonconforming way, sweetly but firmly. ''Don't cry,'' Sam warned, ''you'll rust your glove.'' In tonight's episode - Ms. Falcon directs once again, Lisa Albert is the writer - a very nervous Sam agrees to let Patti have the loft for a party to entertain her new school friends. While Sam and her friends try to amuse one another next door, Patti finds her good intentions going out of control. In the end, needless to say, common sense and thoughtfulness triumph even as all sides are seemingly proved right in their suspicions about one another. Dreadful consequences are virtually unheard of in the land of sitcom. As a harmless and reasonably diverting exercise, ''My Sister Sam,'' created by Stephen Fischer, has two things going for it. There is an attractive cast, topped by Miss Dawber, who won her sitcom combat stripes serving as a charming foil to Robin Williams on ''Mork and Mindy.'' And it is scheduled between two of the best shows on the CBS lineup, ''Kate and Allie'' at 8 and ''Newhart'' at 9. Never underestimate the power of a good time slot. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpag...+Sam%22&st=nyt

12-06-2008, 01:21 AM	#2
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	Thanks for sharing the article, Justin. It's a shame the show never really took off - and that Rebecca Schaeffer met such a tragic end.
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

12-06-2008, 02:33 PM	#5
Jude The Obscure Retired Eternal Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 10, 2006 Posts: 7,519	Well CBS killed this show--it was doing great (a Top 20 show) on monday nights and then CBS put it on Saturdays the next season--and Gurgle, gurgle, gurgle........down the drain. I always hoped that USA would have revived it since USA aired the reruns for awhile after CBS axed it. Now, we need the DVDs!!!!

12-06-2008, 09:56 PM	#7
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	Such a sad, sad event. I have yet to see Moonlight Mile, which her boyfriend based on her life. Have you seen it, Justin?

12-06-2008, 11:10 PM	#9
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	I'll have to check it out one of these days. I'll see if I can get it out of the library.

12-06-2008, 11:39 PM	#10
Jude The Obscure Retired Eternal Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 10, 2006 Posts: 7,519	I watched this last year while I was still working at Blockhead Video and we had 14 free rentals a week to use. I enjoyed that movie and DID NOT KNOW that it was by the guy who was Rebecca's boyfriend!