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Join Date: Jan 09, 2001
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Spin City Boned the Fish When...
http://www.bonethefish.com/viewtopics.php?3960
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Spin City was an American sitcom television series that aired from September 17, 1996 until April 30, 2002 on the ABC network. Created by Gary David Goldberg and Bill Lawrence, the show was based on a fictional local government running New York City, and originally starred Michael J. Fox as Mike Flaherty, the Deputy Mayor of New York. The show was cancelled in 2002 due to low ratings from the 2001-2002 season and a change in target demographics.
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https://web.archive.org/web/20070225...ptheshark.com/
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I feel sorry for Mr. Fox and his family that he is stricken with Parkinson's disease. I also feel sorry for ABC when they see what is going to happen the ratings when his performances become more restrained.
This is not a very good show, and Michael J. Fox's illness is sure to make it worse. If you want to see how talented he really is, try to find Family Ties reruns.
They recently announced that they are going to work Michael J. Fox's illness into the show. Yeah, Parkinson's disease is really funny; I'll bet Muhammad Ali and Rev. Billy Graham get a lot of laughs about it.
It seems starting in the next season the old woman from Melrose Place (relatively speaking) will be on the show. I think the secretary is hotter than this 80's queen. Looks like it will be the last season, or can they get anymore desperate.
Since the new 99 season opened, the addition of Heather is not helping the show. She seems to be acting the bitch. It is not comedy to put down the main character every chance she gets. Her presents doesn't seem to fit in this once hilarous family. Where is the secretary that use to sit outside Mike's door, she is obvious gone. Mikes ex-girlfriend is dressed more like and older sister. The shows writers seem like they want us to like the banter between fox and locklear but everytime she comes on the scence, her attitude is that she is now incharge and overbearring. Sorry but if she is going to continue on the show, forget this viewer, I am changing the channel. This show was so good and so funny, it is a shame that somewhere someone felt they had to offer a job to someone who is not seen as a comedy talent.
It's easy; when Heather Locklear joined the cast. The show just isn't as funny as it used to be. It was one of the better sit-coms but not any more.
when Jennifer Esposito left the cast and the melrose ho took her place. it seems like every time i find a show i really like something like this happens. i dont know why networks feel like they need to take the leftovers from shows that have shot their wad and stick them somewhere their not needed or dont belong. besides being nice to look at Esposito was actually funny and when her and Paul would go to war it was simply hilarious, Locklear couldnt get a laugh at a funny farm and while she is pretty she doesnt measure up so who cares. this show was pretty well rounded everybody in the cast got a few laughs and everybody got laughed at. when i heard that Locklear was joining the cast i expected two things would happen 1.the show would revolve more around her and Mike 2.the other characters would fall a little more to the wayside. ive watched enough to see that not only is this happening but we lose one of the funniest characters to boot. shows dead, bury it.
The minute Heather Locklear appeared on it. Up to that point it was a fun show, quirky characters and then she came, now I don't bother watching it.
The very moment that Heather Locklear joined the show. She is a horrible, horrible actress. She will never be able to escape the Amanda Woodward character that she played for so long on Melrose. She was bad on that show, and now she's ruined Spin City. Who's brilliant idea was that anyway to add her to Spin City?!? And for god's sake, put some clothes on Heather! You're far from 17 and no one wants to see your old dried-up skin covered skeleton!! Yuk. Jennifer Esposito was a wonderful actress and I was sad to see her leave the show. I am hoping that she will pop up somewhere else. I never watch it anymore, even though Michael J. Fox rules. I just can't suffer through Locklear.
The jump began when Heidi Klum made her first appearance. Then they brought her back - yuck. She is only eye-candy for the male viewers and added nothing to the show. As if that's not bad enough, now we are stuck with Heather Locklear. There is no chemistry (comedic or otherwise) between Locklear and the rest of the cast. Bring back Stacy.
The moment Locklear appeared and Esposito left. I now watch Jag.
This show jumped the shark when Heather Locklear was cast on the show. She is a terrible actress, hasn't looked good since her TJ Hooker days. Just not funny anymore.
When Heather Locklear joined the cast. All other characters are ignored now that she's supplying the sexual tension (boring.....)
When I bite into a York Peppermint Patty...I get SHOT!
I know that the producers had to find a replacement for Michael J. Fox, but Charlie Sheen? There are a lot of great young comic actors out there who would have been great replacements (Matthew Broderick and Jon Cryer come to mind), but the casting geniuses decided to go with an oversexed, drugged-out, washed-up B-movie actor? The show jumped over a dozen sharks with that brilliant casting move. Sorry Charlie, but when Michael goes I'm going to be right behind him.
When Heather Locklear joined the show. Then the show became more about her character vs. Mike Flaherty, and the other characters have sort of taken a back seat. Yet she is the least entertaining and least funny of all the characters.
I realize I'm probably the only woman who feels this way, but I find Richard Kind incredibly sexy. I'd love to have a three-way with him and his pal George Clooney.
The instant Heather Locklear arrived. I tried to continuing watching and enjoying it, but it wasn't possible. She completely ruined it.
I haven't enjoyed this show half as much since Jennifer Esposito left and Heather Locklear joined. To me, Esposito was always ten times the actress Locklear was. I just don't like Locklear. I also didn't like the way that the rest of the talented cast was downplayed at about this time. I don't know what went on behind the scenes, but I think Esposito was dropped and the format was changed to make it "The Michael J Fox and Heather Locklear Show." Now Fox isn't even there anymore. I wish him the best of luck in his new goal, but that doesn't change the fact that I was unimpressed by his departure episode because of Locklear.
Nothing, the series finale with Michael J Fox leaving was as good as it gets, it was even better than when heather locklear joined.
This show seemed like it was revving up its engines when it dropped Carla Guilgiani from the cast halfway through its first season (I thought she and Mike had a terrific chemistry), but they managed to avoid it barely with the addition of the too-hot-for-TV Jennifer Esposito (although I preferred her as a redhead). But the 98 season when they built up this whole relationship with the co-worker-who-was-played-by-the-chick-in-the-Edward-Burns-movies, only to have it dumped by a second appearance by Heidi Klum and the addition of Heather Locklear, the show jump, missed, and was devoured whole....
HEATHER LOCKLEAR DID BRING THE SHOW DOWN. THAT IS PROBABLY WHEN THE SHARK JUMPED FOR ME. SHE IS VERY FLAT ( ACTING, NOT CHESTED). HOWEVER, MJF IS VERY FUNNY AND THE CHARACTERS OF STUART AND THE GAY BLACK GUY (CAN'T REMEMBER HIS NAME) STEAL THE SHOW. IF HEATHER DIDN'T KILL THE SHOW ALREADY, CHARLIE SHEEN WILL. I WILL PROBABLY STILL WATCH THE SHOW JUST TO SEE HOW MANY MORE SEX AND GAY JOKES THEY CAN COME UP WITH.
When Heather Locklear joined the cast, Spin City began a slow, agonizing death. Then Michael J. Fox decided to retire- now it's dead (put out of it's misery).
Spin City has jumped the shark. Michael J Fox last episode was ridiculous. Charlie Sheen can never replace him. It is over! Even with that hottie of a model, I will never watch this silliness again!
His episodes haven't even aired yet but replacing Michael J. Fox with sleazebag/human-punchline Charlie Sheen is awful. I feel I should take a shower just for typing Sheen's name. The guy has been arrested for beating his girlfriend, not to mention the drugs and hookers! No show could recover from an albatross like him.
When Heather Locklear joined the the show - the whole show became about her and Mike.
When they choose Charlie Sheen to be the new character----slime-ball city.
I really thought that when Michael J. Fox left the show, that was it. Especially with the two hour farewell, and hype, as well as the fact that several other key characters haven't come back, either. Though I watched it, so I could put it down, the show has impressed me, even more. Who thought Charlie Sheen (?!?) would be a good Sit-com actor.?
Adding Heather Locklear was a bad move. Also, in the new season, (season five), where are james & nikki? the characters are just caricatures of themselves now. It makes me sad.
The show jumped when Heather Locklear joined the cast and when Jennifer Esposito left!!! I miss Stacy!! It was such a great ensemble show. The cast was so wonderful together. too bad that the focus in off of the group and is on the Heather/Mike relationship. BORING!!
Spin City jumped the shark when Heather Locklear was added to the cast. She's a comedic actress? Oh, come on. Hemorrhoids are funnier than her but not nicer to look at.
Spin City jumped the shark when they brought in Heather Locklear. Locklear is a fine actress but she did not even remotely fit in with the cast. She changed the entire dynamic, which was wonderful and did not need changing. The writers allowed this stupid character to come between a budding romance between Mike and Nikki that had been building for YEARS! I watched two episodes with her on it and I couldn't stomach it after that.
Two words why it jumped; Heather Locklear. Go back to Melrose where you belong, you tramp!
When Nicky and James left the show the real and wholesome humour left with them. Charlie sheen seems to be waiting for a laugh after any one on his so called punch lines!!
I've got an enormous crush on the incredibly sweet, lovely and sexy Connie Britton. Then Heidi Klum shows up and suddenly the waters around Spin City are filled with dorsal fins. It became obvious that the producers and writers were going for flash over substance. Heidi Klum? This woman's acting is about as sharp as a used pencil eraser and equally as compelling. And, yeah, you see lots of six-foot super models dating squeaky, dwarf policy wonks working in municipal administration. That happens.
I think Charlie is a GREAT replacement and brings a lot of his own unique talent to the show. Heather continues to be one of the hottest babes in the biz and certainly draws a good portion of the male audience. Did this show jump the shark? I like both pre and post Michael episodes, but I would have to say it's days are numbered. I would like to congratulate everyone on the Spin City crew for keeping this show going. I have to admit, when I first saw Charlie in Michael's place I thought the show was dead. The show is very good now but different. GOOD LUCK MICHAEL!!!
jumped the shark when the blonde soap opera entered stage right (wrong) and if that wasn't enough, the entrance of Sheen (who is no M.J.Fox) tries to play comedy with very heavy boots. The show might have had a better chance if the characters of James and Nikki and the Esposita girl had returned. Frankly, I believe the producers made a mistake by not replacing the assistant mayor with Carter (Boatwright) Heywood, who incidentally is a superb actor and comedian..
With the replacement of charlie sheen for michael j. fox. he is nowhere near as funny or smooth as fox. heather locklear seems very out of place here. and the removal of the three back up characters nicky, james, and the black girl removed the core support the show depended upon. charlie sheen and heather locklear were not strong enough to carry the show by themselves.
When Michael J. Fox left the show, Charlie Sheen just doesn't make the show work.
This used to be one of my favorite shows. So many great, goofy characters. It got tougher to watch as MJ Fox's health deteriorated. Then when Heather Locklear brought her wooden acting and snare-drum-tight surgically updated face to the show, I stopped watching. The ensemble feel was gone. I just saw a Charlie Sheen episode for the first time. It is now unwatchable. I wish ABC would have canceled this show instead of "Norm."
Spin City did go a little down hill when Mike left, but I like Charlie Sheen too. But what happened to James, Nikki, Stacy, and Janelle? A lot of the show went with them when they left. I like Heather Locklear, but I miss Stacy. I'm glad Mike's still working behind the scenes of Spin City and I hope he comes back for a few more episodes.
It was nice to see MJ Fox, but I don't want to see him looking like that. I hope he gets better, but Parkinsons doesn't prevent you from getting a decent haircut.
Sorry, Charlie. It just ain't Spin City without Mikey.
Everyone knows Michael J. Fox cannot be replaced. I grew up watching this guy and nothing can be better.
Pity poor Heather Locklear, the female Ted McGinley. She's not a bad actress and easy on the eyes, but she's the sure sign the motorcycle is heading over the ramp. Can you say Dynasty, T.J. Hooker, Melrose Place and God knows how many other shows? Sure she's brought on to pump life into dying shows, but the "romantic interest" concept between her and Michael J. Fox was just TOO contrived to be believable. I watched for a few shows and lost interest. I feel sorry for Michael, but have NEVER liked him in anything really. This was a great ensemble cast, but it's a spent force now. As for Charlie Sheen, talk about a walking talking laughingstock. He tries to be funny, but he just comes across seriously creepy. YUCK!
using B grade/has been actors to improve ratings doesn't work.
When I realized it was still airing. Didn't this get cancelled 2 years ago?
WHY oh WHY did they get her??!! And then practically the minute she's gone, and Mike and Nikki are together, she turns up again and ruins it AGAIN!!! I'm sorry, but Heidi's not gonna get any fans this way! Then, just as we get rid of Heidi, oh the joy (!) We get Caitlin instead - who's acting is so false, and the temptation to kill her is too great to constrain! Plus, Stacey suddenly vanishes! And then as if it wasn't gonna be strange enough with Mike gone, they axe James and Nikki too... what was the point of that??!! But all this is a rebound from one thing: Heidi.
When Michael J. Fox exited the show. The new actor should have been brought in as a different character. I stopped watching.
stacy left, heather came, show stinks. "rapport" between heather and Mike (or Charlie) is basically a reprise of the worst of ross and rachel...
The first few years of the show were funny; Michael J. Fox and the supporting cast were great. But then they brought in Heather Locklear, just when the romance between Nikki and Mike was ramping up. She added nothing to the show and pushed some of the better characters to the background (or off the show altogether). She was an unlikable character and her role was was not well defined (what did she do after the Mayor decided not to run for Governor?). Plus, her attire was completely inappropriate (who dresses like that in the office???). Charlie Sheen just killed the show for me - I can't believe they moved the show to L.A. for him. But ABC is desperate for a hit so they're going to keep this show limping along as long as they can. Too bad, I definitely smell blood in the water.
Never jumped -- I liked this show when MJF was there, and I still enjoy it with Charlie Sheen. The guy plays one of the most hilariously shallow characters on TV. And how about Barry Bostwick, who plays the semi-clueless mayor to perfection. And one more thing, what's wrong with Heather Locklear? She doesn't bother me one bit.
Alex P. Keaton in New York City. Horribly predictable scripts with tired gags. Then, to completely kill any sense of comedy, they bring in Charlie Sheen, who makes the hugely overrated Michael J. Fox look like Sam Kinison. Heather Locklear also has zero sense of comedic timing, and the other characters are stereotypes. Who's watching this piece of unfunny crap?
I have watched this show since season 1 or 2. Although MJF and some actors left,the replacement didn't bother me at all. I still laugh when i see the show with Sheen and Heather Locklear on it. I don't understand why some of you hate Sheen and Locklear. What have they done to you?? They just do their job and they are doing great!!
I would argue that Heather Locklear is the female Ted McGinley. She is the epitome of Hollywood plastic. And wasn't Charlie Sheen nominated for an Academy Award for his work in the screen classic, "Men at Work". It was pure genius to pair these two talented actors. HA HA HA.. Click.
The show was overrated from day one. So was "Family Ties". I don't want to speak ill of the ill but Michael J. Fox just plain gets on my nerves (the bad joke was unintentional). Fox's every gesture is overdone and jittery behavior (Signs of Parkinson's?) is just plain annoying. Nikki (Connie Britton) was a reason for me to watch but when they keep bringing in hot babes who'll fall all over themselves to be with MJF, I just lost interest. The presence of the eternal babe of babes, Heather Locklear, brought me back. Charlie Sheen's underplaying is an improvement from MJF's overplaying but not enough. Plus they lost both Nikki and Stacey (Jennifer Esposito).
I really enjoyed this show during its first several seasons. Despite its large cast, which left many of the supporting players with nothing to do, it worked comedically. However, when Heather Locklear arrived, and then Michael J Fox left the show and was replaced by the extremely UNFUNNY Charlie Sheen, as well as the departure of 3 supporting cast members who apparently disappeared into thin air without any explanation (after the production moved from NY to LA) the show went into a serious decline. Mercifully, it has been canceled after 3 great seasons (1996-1999), 1 mediocre season (1999-2000), and 2 seasons that sucked (2000-2002)!
When Heather Locklear joined the cast. Nice to look at, yes, but she AIN'T FUNNY!
Once Heather joined the cast it became unwatchable. It's too bad too, that show WAS gut-bustingly funny before she came. Once Locklear arrived it became a standard will they/won't they affair, of which I couldn't have cared less. Not to mention Locklear just wasn't funny. Also the fact that they never explained Stacy's absence, (if they did, I missed it), AND just throwing the Nikki & Mike relationship in the junk heap when Locklear arrived was very jarring.
I like this show, but it got pretty bad when half the cast left. Now all there is is Charlie, Caitlen, Carter, Stuart, Paul, and the Mayor. When Mike, James, Nicky, and Jenelle left, half the humor of the show went with it.
When Heather Locklear joined the cast, I tired quickly of how the story revolved around when Caitlin and Mike would do it. I absolutely stopped paying attention when Nikki, James and Janelle just disappeared. I missed them...
This show jumped the shark when Heather Locklear joined the cast and the characters of Stacey, James, and Nikki left. The replacements of Heather Locklear and Charlie Sheen drop the show down to unwatchable. Was it ABC's choice to bring in two bigger names that aren't that talented in favor of three lesser names who added to the flavor of the show? Look at the cast pictures from the early episodes and it was a large array of various characters. Now its down to 5 characters, two of which are Sheen and Locklear who need to hang it up and stop embarrassing themselves in primetime.
Although like some of you I don't mind Locklear as an actress I must say I did mind what the writers did to Spin City when they added her. I was never a regular watcher of this program but during the 1998 season I became captivated by the budding relationship between Mike and Nikki. I thought the characters had great chemistry and was rooting for them to get together. Finally they did and unlike some they did it couples there was great potential for things to stay interesting for this couple, but instead what happens. TPTB decide to add Heather Locklear to the cast, promise her a huge role, and apparently the opportunity to be Fox's leading lady and the cute relationship of Mike and Nikki was destroyed. Their break up was literally stupid, I still don't think he actually cheated on her, the fact that they had no residual feelings for each other after pining away for each other the year before only added to the stupidity. No they break up and literally move on. Suddenly he's sparring left and right with Heather, and for the record I have seen romantic sparks generated by such banter and these two had zip, zero, nothing, in short there was absolutely no chemistry here. YEt TPTB were determined to cram this new relationship down our throats and do away with the one that they had taken the time to build over time. The odd thing is I really didn't watch too many of the episode with Charlie Sheen but he did have some chemistry with Locklear. Although, once again things were stupid she and Mike consummate their relationship before Mike goes to Washington but then he comes back and reassures Charlie that they really didn't have anything serious?? I might have bought this if somewhere before this Mike had informed her that he and Nikki had reunited and rekindled their old spark or his first girlfriend when the show began. At least that way the character of Mike would of ended up with one of the women he should of been with all along
The show Jumped the shark when Charlie Sheen joined the cast. Yes, it could be said that it jumped when Heather Locklear joined but it wasn't ALL that bad. There was just little screen time for Stuart, Nikki, James and the rest of the staff, but when we did see them we usually got plots that were done a couple seasons ago. That said, there were quite a few episodes that enjoyed in season 4 (like the Who Wants to Be a Millionaire one) but when Charlie Sheen joined, there were only a couple ones you could actually laugh at (the water cooler chat one was pretty funny). Plus, half of the cast left and you never really see how important they were until they're gone. That said, originally Micheal J. Fox was supposed to do 5th season and you can really tell that the writers were building up to it. It would've meant more screen time for the staff and all this "Will they get together or not?" crap with Mike and Caitlyn. Plus, the staff plots would've been better most likely. They can only learn form their mistakes. Wow, all that and I hardly mentioned Charlie Sheen. I guess you could say the ship started sinking in season 4 but instead of trying to fix it next season the just jumped off season 5. They probably could've fixed it, too.
Are these people insane? Michael J. Fox was fun in the 80s, but his style is as dated as Commodore 64s and Bow Wow Wow. Esposito was utterly unfunny, and that James guy is one of the few times I've actually wanted to be able to reach into the TV and whack someone. Then Charlie Sheen and Heather Locklear arrived and the show just got WAY funnier. So, of course, it's now been cancelled. I can understand some people wanting to be loyal to the one-dimensional wooden cast, but come on... how does Heather Locklear being sexy detract from the show? And why the anti-Charlie Sheen rubbish?
it never jumped the shark, well it might of but i didn't see that episode. but the fact of the matter is both Jennifer Esposito and Heather Locklear are super hot. and the guy who plays Cameron on Ferris Bueller's Day Off and is on the show is hilarious
The day Heather Locklear joined the cast everyone else was forgotten....now the show has died. 
In my opinion, this show never jumped. I was a huge fan of MHF on it, and was upset when he left (last show, lump in my throat!) but it carried on in a good way. They didn't go for the clean-cut good-guy character again. Having Charlie Sheen (whom I also like) come in as a man on his last chance was good. The show did suffer, however, during the Dierdre stage. I got bored with her being the 'sex bitch' as the acting was poor and she wasn't sexy. They pulled it back though.
This show never jumped, it was obviously a massive blow to lose the brilliant Mike. However Charlie Sheen has proved to be a superb and inspired replacement. Nothing will replace MJ Fox but you have to move on. A lot of criticism for Heather Locklear, seems unfair to me - she is perfectly fitting to her role (maybe its an American thing).
This has always remained a good show. I was sad to see Michael J Fox leave the show but the show still stood on its own two legs without him. Charlie Sheen is no MJF but he fits the role extremely well. I can't believe so many hate Heather Locklear. She's the perfect foil to Mike or Charlie. When half the cast left along with MJF I was a little concerned (especially since I loved the character of James), but the core supporting characters remained: Barry Bostwick's not-all-there Mayor Winston, Richard Kind's gullible Paul, Michael Boatman's well spoken yet silly Carter and of course Alan 'Cameron' Ruck and the human libido: Stuart. This show laughs at the shark.
This is definitely the jumping point of the show for me for one reason: Heather Locklear is the reason my two favourite characters left the show. When she came on the show, she took James' job. So, Stacey left for one reason or another [I don't really remember], and James took her job. A little while after that, HE left. Stacey and James.... how I miss them.
Michael J. Fox's shtick got old for me about the 3rd episode of family ties. I tuned into this because I knew and loved the work of Michael Boatman, Richard Kind, and Barry Bostwick. To ME, they made the overrated Fox look good. This is still the ONLY thing I can watch him in. Some of the writing the first 2 years or so was brilliant. A character who is gay AND Black and not a stereotype on the one hand or a one-dimensional saint on the other! That takes SKILL to pull off!! Barry Bostwick singlehandedly REINVENTED the "himbo", and Richard Kind could make me laugh reading the phone book!!!! My favorite episode was with guest star Lou Diamond Philips, whose character LITERALLY sweeps Boatman off his feet in a spoof of 'Officer and a Gentleman'. To watch these two (presumably) straight actors have so much fun with this material and not telegraph the least bit of discomfort or threat to their 'manhood' was priceless!!! Of course, Heather Locklear WAS the beginning of the end but she can't even SCREW UP without help--no-- sleazy, no-talent, nepotism-blessed Charlie Sheen showed up to thrust the entire project over the shark, never to be seen (by me) again. WHY oh WHY do the WHORES OF HOLLYWOOD continue with a show when the lead actor leaves, dies, or gets sick? (Chico & the Man, Valerie, Petticoat Junction, Spin City). IT NEVER WORKS!
Spin City never jumped the shark, it still had good writing and the characters on throughout the entire run of the series remained the same (Carter, Stuart, Paul, the Mayor). There were a few problems: (1) bringing in Heather Locklear and making her an immediate main character. She was not needed and to refocus the show on her and Mike was a slap in the face to everything done in the seasons before that. (2) when Michael J. Fox could no longer star he should have been replaced by Carter as Deputy Mayor. I have no problem with Charlie Sheen, I think he played the role well, but he is the reason production moved from NYC to LA, and that is why James, Nikki, and Janelle left immediately. With Carter as Deputy Mayor that would have prevented a stupid whoever-is-deputy-mayor must fall for Caitlin plot and the show could have returned to pre-Locklear plotlines. Time after time networks think they need a big name to secure ratings. Spin City is a perfect example of a well-written, funny series with a great cast that could have survived without Locklear and Sheen. Oh well, what could have been...
When Michael J. Fox left the show because of his disease. When he and Heather Locklear got together the magic was gone..... So that's another sharkjumper
What are you guys talking about? The Charlie Sheen years were funnier than all the Michael J. Fox years! When Mike left, the other characters really shone (especially Richard Kind: Crazy Kara?) I was sorry that the curly-haired writer had to leave though. Charlie Sheen was much better as an actor though MJF was believable as deputy mayor. Heather Locklear, although not the greatest actress in the world, was pretty good in her role as Katelyn. There was a lot of chemistry between her and Sheen.
I don't think Spin City jumped, because of its "supporting" cast. Barry Bostwick, Richard Kind, Michael Boatman and Alan Ruck are all terrific, as was Connie Britton. I also don't think Charlie Sheen made it jump - in fact for me, he's an improvement over Michael J. Fox, who has always been extremely overrated as an actor -- he has one character he does okay: the hyper, uptight smartass; but making every one of his roles into a variation on that character does not constitute good acting. Sheen may not be great, but he is funny in a low-key, underplayed way, which, as one poster pointed out, allows the supporting players to shine more (and makes Sheen look better too). I do agree with the comment made that they should have made Carter (Michael Boatman) deputy-mayor when MJF left, but since the deputy-mayor character is ostensibly the lead character, do you really think the networks would have handed it over to a black character who's also gay? Although they did handle Carter's "gayness" in a refreshingly untypical and positive way for TV, I think making him into the lead would have been (sadly) too much of a risk for the network at that time. As for Heather Locklear: she looks great, tries hard and by all accounts is one of the nicest people working in the TV industry, but I wish the network had cast a real comic actress in her part - there is much more that could be done with Caitlin's character, and there are certainly actresses out there who could pull it off better. Locklear of course is a name with a track record, so it makes sense that they would bring her in, but I wish she would let herself go more (acting-wise, I mean) - every now and then there are hints that she could do it, but I don't think she has enough training and/or natural "goofiness" at her disposal. But as I said, she looks great (Although Connie Britton looked great too). Anyway, all in all I thought this show was pretty cool-- not great, but certainly better than a lot of other sitcoms on the air.
It JTS within the first five minutes of the first episode when the word "erection" was used. Usually sitcoms don't include such low-brow humour until the ratings start to drop.
Heather Locklear's character was really annoying. I didn't like how the Nikki and Mike romance was dumped when the blonde "bombshell" came on the set. Still, the show probably should have ended when Michael J. Fox left. The last episode was so sad The other seasons, with Charlie Sheen, Heather Locklear and the absence of James, Nikki, and Janelle, are still okay, but not nearly as good. At least Barry Bostwick didn't leave too.
This show started to go downhill when Heather Locklear joined the cast. It's not just that she was incredibly unfunny, it seemed like every episode was about how she and Mike had this competitive rivalry thing, but really loved each other. It was way overused and took away from stuff that could have been much funnier. When Mike left the show it seemed like it would get even worse. Sheen was a passable replacement (Fox was never the show's strength anyways) but they hacked off half the cast. James and Nikki were funny characters, but it sorta worked out because the stupid Locklear-Fox interactions were gone (although she eventually got involved with Charlie which was another stupid plot line) plus probably the three funniest characters were given more screen time. Stuart, Paul, and Carter are all great and the actors who play them are very fun. We don't see enough of Richard Kind these days. He is hilarious. Paul made this show. Richard needs a new series!!
The show jumped the shark when Charlie Sheen joined the show. He's a good actor and does a good job on Two and a Half Men but Spin City was not his show. That was Michael J. Fox's show.
What happened to Nikki? Caitlin (Heather Locklear) joined and some of the funniest characters on the show just vanished. What happened to Nikki, James, Janelle and Stacie? When Mike left in 2000 Charlie replaced him (Thanks a lot ABC, NOT!) How could anyone think that he could replace Mike? How come Carter didn't become Deputy Mayor? Paul and Stuart are also very funny and the fact that the show left the air because of 1 person (who shall remain unknown, but we all know who I am talking about) saddens me very much. Goodbye Spin City forever!
Michael J. Fox MADE this show. After he left, i watched one episode and hated it. I still cry every time I see his final episode re-aired.
Heather Locklear was the catalyst. Soon after she replaced the lovely Jennifer Esposito, James and Janelle were out the door, and Paul had to take over for James as the goofy youthful one. Michael J. Fox left, but that was expected even before Locklear's arrival. Pretty soon, the show simply dwindled away. And I blame Heather Locklear, who caused a shark-jumping zeitgeist in City Hall.
Though the show definitely lost with Michael J. Fox leaving, it's still by far the best sitcom out there. There's no other show on TV making me laugh like Spin City.
Ensemble show it might have been, but it really belonged to Michael J Fox. When he left, it simply wasn't the same show any more. It should have stopped. It is a sad and bad habit of US TV producers that they simply cannot end shows before they absolutely have to be put out of their misery. Why can't they end shows on a high and make room for fresh stuff? It's easily done and leaves warm and cuddly memories for the fans. But no, they have to flog that dead horse until it's nothing more than pulp to be sent off to the glue factory. Speaking as a Brit, I can tell you that there is a lot of painfully awful crap on our screens, but there's one thing we've (mostly) got right. We end the show sooner rather than later, so fans don't have to watch that slow decline that spoils the good stuff that came before it. Watch and learn, US TV moguls - please - for the sake of all TV viewers.
Basically, this show totally jumped the shark when Michael J. Fox left. I only watched it because of him. I have tremendous respect for his work and what he's going through and when he left, the only thing left on that show for me to watch was Heather Locklear's body. But ok.
Under great duress, I am forced to write this; I have never put much thought into this, but in my esteemed opinion, I felt the show never jumped the big fish. Each season, despite cast overhauls, the quality of the show never wavered.
Heidi Klum wrecked spin city! I love the reruns but won't watch her.
Charlie Sheen ruined Spin City for me. As I haven't watched Spin City for a very long time, the following statements might be wrong. sorry (I didn't even SEE Michael J. Fox leave the show) Working an illness into a show is possible...if it's a one episode deal. I recall an episode where Mike thinks he has cancer...anyway, that's not really the point. I'm just saying it could work. Carter and Stuart became more 'gay'. Some of their lines were very funny, and I'm not homophobic, but....them actually being so close to being gay with each other showed that Spin City was going to jump. The departure of Carter's dog was tolerable. The departure of Michael J. Fox was not. I LIKE Charlie Sheen...sometimes. If he's fit for a role. This was a role for which he didn't work. They HAD to change Mike with a new guy. But damn, Charlie Sheen? That didn't work. The second Charlie stepped in, the show jumped.
Spin City is one of my favourite shows, unfortunately it was never the same once Stacey left and was replaced. Stacey was always funny.
I thought that when Carla Gugino departed, the whole premise went w/ her. You know, a love affair between a politician and a journalist. But I soon discovered what an incredibly hilarious and talented cast I've seen, especially the chemistry between Stuart, the obnoxious and horny straight guy, & Carter, the pretentious and nearly haughty gay guy. Granted, once Michael J. Fox left, "Spin City" had already peaked. But it seemed that any actor leaving the show was too commonplace during the course of the series. Alexander Gaberman and Jennifer Esposito played some very funny characters and it was a damn shame to see them go.
Once Michael was gone, that pretty much ruined it. It had already manned the waterskis bringing in Locklear, but Sheen was quite possibly the very poorest possible choice for Fox's replacement.
Spin City clearly jumped the shark when Heather Locklear joined the cast. She may be nice to look at, but she was never funny. Further, she joined when Jennifer Esposito left. And while Jen may not be the best actress in the world, she worked extremely well for this show and was funny and even better looking than Locklear. While the show always seemed like an ensemble cast, after Locklear joined, it seemed everything done was so the story could focus on Fox and Locklear. Also, her arrival coincided with a change in the title song from a good one to a horrible one.
Spin City is one of those shows that disappeared in the long shadows cast by Friends and Seinfeld in the late 1990s, but I recall it fondly. Nothing against Michael J. Fox and his status as main character, but the strength of Spin City was its supporting cast, ranging from Barry Bostwick – he of Rocky Horror Picture Show fame – as not-all-there Mayor Winston to Richard Kind as bumbling Press Secretary Paul to Rex the immortal dog. (“Kill me!”) Like many posters, I had a great deal of fun observing the interplay between Carter (Michael Boatman) and Stuart (Alan Ruck), though it seemed like every actor in the cast had good moments. In my opinion, the show had a slow start during the first season (featuring Carla Gugino, now appearing in Threshold), but it took off during the second season after adding Stacy (Jennifer Esposito) and Janelle (Victoria Dillard) to the cast. That being said, the Jump The Shark moment, for me, was the addition of Heather Locklear – nothing against her, she is a staple of network TV – for the third season. The departure of Michael J. Fox – the heart of the show, though hardly its best character – and half the cast occurred after she popped up, so ... that was the beginning of the end for Spin City for me. I did not feel up to watching the fourth (Charlie Sheen) season after that. Nonetheless, Spin City was one of my favorite shows, and I always hope for a DVD boxed set. Speaking of that, I wonder what happened to actors Connie Britton (Nikki) and Alexander Chapin (James)? I have not seen them in anything since Spin City, and that is a pity, as I liked watching them both.
I don't agree with a lot of the others. I watched this show some when it began, again in 98, and now reruns on dish TV. Locklear was fine. I think she's getting a hard time because she was a glamorous soap opera star at one time. It's funny just to watch her in such a different environment. She was always known as Amanda, the sweet bitch on Melrose Place. You'd think anyone who could bring that to a struggling sitcom could make a positive contribution. Let's face it. Thou sheen was probably one of the best replacements available, when MJF left, chemistry between cast members was lost, especially with the mayor.
Heather Locklear upset the entire chemistry what was a relatively good ensemble cast. Storylines became all about her and Fox, leaving the other 7 cast members as side stories. It's no wonder that the final season saw the loss of the James and Nikki characters.
Michael J. Fox made that show entertaining (of course with the cast.) When Charlie Sheen took over, it just became ridiculous.
Nikki and James leaving the show was the initial Jump (did not care for Janelle too much), since a great team was just torn apart. However, it was definitely all over when Mike left the show, although I do like Charlie Sheen. It was not his fault, nobody could have replaced Mike. Until the exit of Nikki and James it was the best sitcom on TV.
I enjoyed this show...but I also liked it from 1979-1986, when it was called "Benson."
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10-01-2013, 06:39 PM
