Car 54, Where Are You? - The Complete First Season DVD Review - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TJ · 04-06-2011, 12:43 AM

“There’s a holdup in the Bronx, Brooklyn’s broken out in fights.
There’s a traffic jam in Harlem that’s backed up to Jackson Heights.
There’s a scout troop short a child, Khrushvhev’s due at Idlewild.
Car 54, Where Are You?”

That theme song kicked off one of the funniest sitcoms of its era. Car 54 was created by Nat Hiken, who was also responsible for The Phil Silvers Show/Sgt. Bilko. The show, an attempt to poke fun at the large number of cop shows on the air at the time, follows two police officers, bumbling Gunther Toody (Joe E. Ross) whose wife is a shrew, and cultured Francis Muldoon (Fred Gwynne) who lives with his mother. The two are also best friends and, therefore, get in all sorts of crazy situations both on the job and off. The supporting cast also included Gwynne’s future Munsters co-star Al Lewis, Charlotte Rae, Nipsey Russell, and Paul Reed. The show has been hailed by many as one of the funniest of all time, and even though it only lasted two seasons on NBC, it is quite witty and hilarious.

Read our review by Greg here:
http://www.sitcomsonline.com/car54wh...dvdreview.html

Please post any questions or comments about this set.

Video Clips:

Marvo301 · 04-06-2011, 01:17 AM

Another great 1960's TV series has made it on to DVD! We no longer need to ask the question Car 54 Where Are You? I'm stoked!

MickeyMac · 04-07-2011, 11:21 AM

Will be getting this for sure!!!!!!!!!!!

1960'sTVfan · 04-09-2011, 04:38 PM

They should have put the episodes on the DVD's in some sort of order, either by airdate or production. But this isn't my type of show anyway, so I won't purchase the DVD's. With the exception of Gomer Pyle USMC, I think sitcoms about the police or military are unfunny and in bad taste. In Car 54, Joe E. Ross acts like a crazed lunatic, Fred Gwynne and Al Lewis are seen to much better advantage in The Munsters. Just my opinion. But for fans of Car 54, it's nice that DVD's are now available.

MickeyMac · 04-11-2011, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by retroTVfan4ever

They should have put the episodes on the DVD's in some sort of order, either by airdate or production. But this isn't my type of show anyway, so I won't purchase the DVD's. With the exception of Gomer Pyle USMC, I think sitcoms about the police or military are unfunny and in bad taste. In Car 54, Joe E. Ross acts like a crazed lunatic, Fred Gwynne and Al Lewis are seen to much better advantage in The Munsters. Just my opinion. But for fans of Car 54, it's nice that DVD's are now available.

If this isnt your kind of show, then why bother commenting on it in the first place?

1960'sTVfan · 04-12-2011, 01:10 PM

One good thing about Car 54, it's better than the junk that's called sitcoms today. But when compared to other comedies from the 60's, it doesn't measure up. I have seen a couple episodes that are mildly amusing, the episode where they try to get the old lady to move out of her apartment in the condemmed building, and the episode where Paul O'Keefe guest stars as a boy scout. But to me, overall the show falls flat. Except for Gomer Pyle, I'm not a fan of sitcoms about the military or police. I know of people who dislike shows that I enjoy, that's just how life is not everyone is going to like the same thing. But discussing different opinions makes for interesting discussion.

dlemond · 04-12-2011, 02:55 PM

I haven't seen much of this show but I was looking forward to renting it on Netflix.

Unfortunately, for now at least, this is listed as "Save" on Netflix.
I hope it will eventually be available.

Albert71292 · 04-12-2011, 09:57 PM

Got the DVD set earlier this afternoon, via UPS from Amazon. Watched the first few episodes on disc 1, most recently the "Who's for swordfish" episode. Seems to be a bit of "film jitter" during the first 8 minutes or so of that episode on the DVD, which wasn't present in the VHS of the episode on the Republic Pictures release from the 80's (which I just transferred to a DVD about three years ago).

Overall, picture is better on this set so far, just thought I'd point out what I have observed so far.

McGillicuddy · 04-12-2011, 10:48 PM

Big week for Charlotte Rae!! Being honored for Facts of Life on The TVLand Awards, and the release of Car 54 on dvd, which she costars in.

04-06-2011, 12:43 AM	#1
TJ Site Owner Administrator Forum Star Join Date: Feb 03, 2000 Location: Marietta, GA Posts: 10,648	Car 54, Where Are You? - The Complete First Season DVD Review “There’s a holdup in the Bronx, Brooklyn’s broken out in fights. There’s a traffic jam in Harlem that’s backed up to Jackson Heights. There’s a scout troop short a child, Khrushvhev’s due at Idlewild. Car 54, Where Are You?” That theme song kicked off one of the funniest sitcoms of its era. Car 54 was created by Nat Hiken, who was also responsible for The Phil Silvers Show/Sgt. Bilko. The show, an attempt to poke fun at the large number of cop shows on the air at the time, follows two police officers, bumbling Gunther Toody (Joe E. Ross) whose wife is a shrew, and cultured Francis Muldoon (Fred Gwynne) who lives with his mother. The two are also best friends and, therefore, get in all sorts of crazy situations both on the job and off. The supporting cast also included Gwynne’s future Munsters co-star Al Lewis, Charlotte Rae, Nipsey Russell, and Paul Reed. The show has been hailed by many as one of the funniest of all time, and even though it only lasted two seasons on NBC, it is quite witty and hilarious. Read our review by Greg here: http://www.sitcomsonline.com/car54wh...dvdreview.html Please post any questions or comments about this set. Video Clips:

04-06-2011, 01:17 AM	#2
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,450	Another great 1960's TV series has made it on to DVD! We no longer need to ask the question Car 54 Where Are You? I'm stoked!
	__________________ Only a life lived for others is worth living. Albert Einstein A life isn't worth living unless it has impact on other lives. Jackie Robinson Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. Benjamin Franklin

04-07-2011, 11:21 AM	#3
MickeyMac Member Forum Star Join Date: Jun 18, 2008 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan Posts: 19,004	Will be getting this for sure!!!!!!!!!!!

04-09-2011, 04:38 PM	#4
1960'sTVfan Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 30, 2009 Posts: 6,046	They should have put the episodes on the DVD's in some sort of order, either by airdate or production. But this isn't my type of show anyway, so I won't purchase the DVD's. With the exception of Gomer Pyle USMC, I think sitcoms about the police or military are unfunny and in bad taste. In Car 54, Joe E. Ross acts like a crazed lunatic, Fred Gwynne and Al Lewis are seen to much better advantage in The Munsters. Just my opinion. But for fans of Car 54, it's nice that DVD's are now available.

04-12-2011, 01:10 PM	#6
1960'sTVfan Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 30, 2009 Posts: 6,046	One good thing about Car 54, it's better than the junk that's called sitcoms today. But when compared to other comedies from the 60's, it doesn't measure up. I have seen a couple episodes that are mildly amusing, the episode where they try to get the old lady to move out of her apartment in the condemmed building, and the episode where Paul O'Keefe guest stars as a boy scout. But to me, overall the show falls flat. Except for Gomer Pyle, I'm not a fan of sitcoms about the military or police. I know of people who dislike shows that I enjoy, that's just how life is not everyone is going to like the same thing. But discussing different opinions makes for interesting discussion.

04-12-2011, 02:55 PM	#7
dlemond Hey, I know you. Moderator Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 03, 2001 Location: New Jersey Posts: 6,752	I haven't seen much of this show but I was looking forward to renting it on Netflix. Unfortunately, for now at least, this is listed as "Save" on Netflix. I hope it will eventually be available.

04-12-2011, 09:57 PM	#8
Albert71292 Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Jan 18, 2008 Location: West Monroe, Louisiana Posts: 69	Got the DVD set earlier this afternoon, via UPS from Amazon. Watched the first few episodes on disc 1, most recently the "Who's for swordfish" episode. Seems to be a bit of "film jitter" during the first 8 minutes or so of that episode on the DVD, which wasn't present in the VHS of the episode on the Republic Pictures release from the 80's (which I just transferred to a DVD about three years ago). Overall, picture is better on this set so far, just thought I'd point out what I have observed so far.

04-12-2011, 10:48 PM	#9
McGillicuddy Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 28, 2002 Posts: 5,179	Big week for Charlotte Rae!! Being honored for Facts of Life on The TVLand Awards, and the release of Car 54 on dvd, which she costars in.