Do You Think 'Small Wonder' Was A Classic Case Of It Was Soooo Bad It Was Good? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 03-26-2012, 11:17 PM

Cast
Dick Christie – Ted Lawson
Marla Pennington – Joan Lawson
Jerry Supiran – Jamie Lawson
Emily Schulman – Harriet Brindle
Tiffany Brissette – Vicki the Robot

Plot
Dad creates a robot, Vicki, but the family keeps it secret from the rest of the world (including nosy neighbors), pretending she is really part of the family.

Why it’s on the list
The only funny thing about Small Wonder is how bad the show was. Just goes to show that 1980s show standards were slightly lower than they are today. Really? A lame girl robot? And it ran for four seasons?

http://tv.popcrunch.com/the-25-worst-sitcoms-ever/

robby76 · 04-17-2012, 10:26 PM

Okay the premise of the show was a little lame, but for the 80s nothing was out of the question. Don't forget this is a kids show.

However... have you seen the episodes recently? I bought the season 1 dvds and the comedy one-liners hold up fine, and there are a lot of them! The cast has some noteworthy actors - namely the entire Brindle family.

LittleMissGenius · 06-17-2012, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robby76

Okay the premise of the show was a little lame, but for the 80s nothing was out of the question. Don't forget this is a kids show.

However... have you seen the episodes recently? I bought the season 1 dvds and the comedy one-liners hold up fine, and there are a lot of them! The cast has some noteworthy actors - namely the entire Brindle family.

I agree. The show really isn't that bad. I think it gets mocked so much because of the premise which is very far fetched and the production values were lower than low. I have the DVDs which I watch fairly regularly and a lot of the writing and jokes still hold up. I think the worst of actors of the bunch are the adults. The mom and the dad were pretty wooden but I think Tiffany Brissette was a good actress.

Marvo301 · 06-17-2012, 08:14 PM

You have to remember that Small Wonder was a first run syndicatiion show and as such it's production budget was much smaller than what a network show would have. I think they made a very good show within the limits they had.

Mr. Television · 06-17-2012, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marvo301

You have to remember that Small Wonder was a first run syndicatiion show and as such it's production budget was much smaller than what a network show would have. I think they made a very good show within the limits they had.

I agree Marv. I always enjoyed the show.

TMC · 06-17-2012, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LittleMissGenius

I agree. The show really isn't that bad. I think it gets mocked so much because of the premise which is very far fetched and the production values were lower than low. I have the DVDs which I watch fairly regularly and a lot of the writing and jokes still hold up. I think the worst of actors of the bunch are the adults. The mom and the dad were pretty wooden but I think Tiffany Brissette was a good actress.

The premise of Small Wonder sort of reminds me of the Not Quite Human books, which would later be turned into a trilogy of Disney Channel movies. The key difference is that said robot was a boy and was physically made to look like a teenager. I think the idea of having Vicki be a pre-teen instead of several years older, kind of makes the underling circumstances creepier (a la in almost a Toddlers & Tiaras sort of way perhaps).

GSU2004 · 10-28-2012, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marvo301

You have to remember that Small Wonder was a first run syndicatiion show and as such it's production budget was much smaller than what a network show would have. I think they made a very good show within the limits they had.

Agreed! It was a family oriented show. If it were to be on network television during this time, it should have been paired with Alf. The 80's were a time when science fiction was used as a formula for comedy.

Mace Dolex · 08-14-2013, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GSU2004

Agreed! It was a family oriented show. If it were to be on network television during this time, it should have been paired with Alf. The 80's were a time when science fiction was used as a formula for comedy.

I agree, Small Wonder is actually funny in a hokey lame sort of way that you should just leave your brain at the door.

You mentioned ALF, on the other hand is completely unwatchable and of the two I'm shocked that ALF was aired on a major network, what genius executive green lighted this? The jokes are bad you can almost play a drinking game in knowing what different laugh tracks there are.

MacLeaper · 08-14-2013, 06:26 PM

I think Small Wonder is a classic case of it's so good that it's good.

I watched Small Wonder as a kid and loved it- it's still fun to watch now.
And I have to disagree with this-

Quote:

You mentioned ALF, on the other hand is completely unwatchable and of the two I'm shocked that ALF was aired on a major network, what genius executive green lighted this? The jokes are bad you can almost play a drinking game in knowing what different laugh tracks there are.

You're welcome to your opinion of course- but I LOVE ALF- it's a great, funny show. I loved watching it as a kid and I still love watching it now. The comic book series based on the show is a great read too.

Mr. Television · 08-14-2013, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MacLeaper

I think Small Wonder is a classic case of it's so good that it's good.

I watched Small Wonder as a kid and loved it- it's still fun to watch now.
And I have to disagree with this-

You're welcome to your opinion of course- but I LOVE ALF- it's a great, funny show. I loved watching it as a kid and I still love watching it now. The comic book series based on the show is a great read too.

I agree. Both were good shows.

OH Nuts! · 08-14-2013, 11:54 PM

Well I get where Brian is coming from; the show could be a little cloying and hokey. But the Lawson family were so cute and charming it balanced out the corny writing. I found SW enjoyable, though certainly not in my top tier of favorite shows.

tlc38tlc38 · 08-18-2013, 05:32 PM

I loved this show growing up and I still love it today! I wish the remaining seasons would be released soon but I highly doubt they will. It actually surprises me that The Hub or another channel isn't airing this in reruns.

damin mance · 12-23-2014, 10:46 AM

the show is the greatest I love it the only character that I really didn't like was Jamie Lawson he was an ass hole to everybody in the show

stevea · 06-16-2015, 02:49 PM

For a low-budget show the writing could be pretty funny. When Vicki was eating everything in sight, the line at the flower vase, "This bud's for you", was pretty funny!

king of comedy · 06-16-2015, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by damin mance

the show is the greatest I love it the only character that I really didn't like was Jamie Lawson he was an ass hole to everybody in the show

Yes he was and he took advantage of Vicki.

03-26-2012, 11:17 PM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,108	Do You Think 'Small Wonder' Was A Classic Case Of It Was Soooo Bad It Was Good? Cast Dick Christie – Ted Lawson Marla Pennington – Joan Lawson Jerry Supiran – Jamie Lawson Emily Schulman – Harriet Brindle Tiffany Brissette – Vicki the Robot Plot Dad creates a robot, Vicki, but the family keeps it secret from the rest of the world (including nosy neighbors), pretending she is really part of the family. Why it’s on the list The only funny thing about Small Wonder is how bad the show was. Just goes to show that 1980s show standards were slightly lower than they are today. Really? A lame girl robot? And it ran for four seasons? http://tv.popcrunch.com/the-25-worst-sitcoms-ever/
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04-17-2012, 10:26 PM	#2
robby76 Member Forum Regular Join Date: Jul 18, 2004 Posts: 949	Okay the premise of the show was a little lame, but for the 80s nothing was out of the question. Don't forget this is a kids show. However... have you seen the episodes recently? I bought the season 1 dvds and the comedy one-liners hold up fine, and there are a lot of them! The cast has some noteworthy actors - namely the entire Brindle family.
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06-17-2012, 08:14 PM	#4
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,452	You have to remember that Small Wonder was a first run syndicatiion show and as such it's production budget was much smaller than what a network show would have. I think they made a very good show within the limits they had.
	__________________ 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

08-18-2013, 05:32 PM	#12
tlc38tlc38 Every day’s a Dolly day! Forum Star Join Date: May 02, 2008 Location: I’m just travelin’ thru Posts: 19,257	I loved this show growing up and I still love it today! I wish the remaining seasons would be released soon but I highly doubt they will. It actually surprises me that The Hub or another channel isn't airing this in reruns.
	__________________ Give generously to them and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to. Deuteronomy 15:10 In loving memory of my best friend, my Mama.

08-14-2013, 11:54 PM	#11
OH Nuts! Member Forum King Join Date: Feb 15, 2005 Posts: 133,383	Well I get where Brian is coming from; the show could be a little cloying and hokey. But the Lawson family were so cute and charming it balanced out the corny writing. I found SW enjoyable, though certainly not in my top tier of favorite shows.

12-23-2014, 10:46 AM	#13
damin mance Member Forum Regular Join Date: Apr 19, 2003 Location: new jersey newark Posts: 894	the show is the greatest I love it the only character that I really didn't like was Jamie Lawson he was an ass hole to everybody in the show

06-16-2015, 02:49 PM	#14
stevea 22 Years On Sitcoms Moderator Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 13, 2003 Location: Indy Posts: 44,331	For a low-budget show the writing could be pretty funny. When Vicki was eating everything in sight, the line at the flower vase, "This bud's for you", was pretty funny!