identify this show (with no help from me) - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

voltair of isca · 04-16-2002, 02:33 AM

This is a longshot, because I have almost NO info to go on, but...

I'm trying to remember a show from about 11-12 years ago. I've been racking my brain for over a year now because for some reason malcolm in the middle reminds me of it.

what I know (or think I know)
I don't think it lasted long. It MAY have been a summer replacement. I'm pretty sure I remember seeing it sometime around the summer of 1990. I think it was on Fox network.

The sitcom involved a family, mom dad and two or three kids. I think one of the sons was the actual star of the show. About all I can remember of him is that I THINK he had blonde hair and was maybe a freshman or sophomore in highschool. Anyway, he was kind of the smart one in the family and may have even talked into the camera, although I'm not sure about this.

Any ideas?

Mysty Eyes · 04-16-2002, 04:14 AM

Might you be thinking about "Parker Lewis Can't Lose"? Its name was shortened to "Parker Lewis" about midway through its run.

It aired on FOX from Sept. 1990 through Aug. 1993.

It was a rip-off off the movie "Ferris Bueller's Day Off." NBC had another show on at the same time called "Ferris Bueller."

It used a lot of fancy camera angles and special effects.

"Parker" starred Corin Nemec as Parker. NBC's "Ferris" starred Charlie Schlatter, who later went on to co-star on Dick Van Dyke's "Diagnosis Murder" after Scott Baio left.

"Parker" was more successful than "Ferris" which lasted less than one season.

I very much liked "Parker Lewis" and was sad to see it end.

PS: Check the 90s Sitcoms board here. TJ has included "Parker Lewis Can't Lose" in that section. Take a look at the picture there to see if it's the show you're thinking of.

voltair of isca · 04-16-2002, 01:12 PM

Hi, thanks for the reply....

It wasn't Parker Lewis can't lose. I remember that show but Parker Lewis was on for a couple seasons. two or three IIRC...

The show I'm thinking of though was seriously short lived. I don't think it even lasted a whole year. Also, Parker Lewis always had all the answers, but the main kid on the show I'm thinking of wasn't so sure of himself.

Is there a website that would list what was playing in primetime back then? Kind of a TV guide grid archive? I could probably figure it out if I saw it. This really bugs me. Grrr...

The one thing I'm most sure of, is that it was on sometime in the summer of '90 and didn't last to the end of summer. So, it was either a summer replacement series or maybe a show from the previous season that I just never saw until that summer.

Thanks in advance

parkert · 04-20-2002, 10:42 AM

I think the show you are thinking of was "Great Scott!". It ran on fox from oct. 1992-Nov. 1992. It was pretty good, and sort of like malcom in the middle. It was about a teeenager (played by tobey maguire) and his family.

04-16-2002, 02:33 AM	#1
voltair of isca Member Forum Cub Join Date: Apr 16, 2002 Posts: 2	identify this show (with no help from me) This is a longshot, because I have almost NO info to go on, but... I'm trying to remember a show from about 11-12 years ago. I've been racking my brain for over a year now because for some reason malcolm in the middle reminds me of it. what I know (or think I know) I don't think it lasted long. It MAY have been a summer replacement. I'm pretty sure I remember seeing it sometime around the summer of 1990. I think it was on Fox network. The sitcom involved a family, mom dad and two or three kids. I think one of the sons was the actual star of the show. About all I can remember of him is that I THINK he had blonde hair and was maybe a freshman or sophomore in highschool. Anyway, he was kind of the smart one in the family and may have even talked into the camera, although I'm not sure about this. Any ideas?

04-16-2002, 04:14 AM	#2
Mysty Eyes Dreaming... Senior Member Join Date: Feb 04, 2002 Location: Los Angeles area Posts: 1,144	Might you be thinking about "Parker Lewis Can't Lose"? Its name was shortened to "Parker Lewis" about midway through its run. It aired on FOX from Sept. 1990 through Aug. 1993. It was a rip-off off the movie "Ferris Bueller's Day Off." NBC had another show on at the same time called "Ferris Bueller." It used a lot of fancy camera angles and special effects. "Parker" starred Corin Nemec as Parker. NBC's "Ferris" starred Charlie Schlatter, who later went on to co-star on Dick Van Dyke's "Diagnosis Murder" after Scott Baio left. "Parker" was more successful than "Ferris" which lasted less than one season. I very much liked "Parker Lewis" and was sad to see it end. PS: Check the 90s Sitcoms board here. TJ has included "Parker Lewis Can't Lose" in that section. Take a look at the picture there to see if it's the show you're thinking of.
	Last edited by Mysty Eyes; 04-16-2002 at 04:20 AM.

04-16-2002, 01:12 PM	#3
voltair of isca Member Forum Cub Join Date: Apr 16, 2002 Posts: 2	Hi, thanks for the reply.... It wasn't Parker Lewis can't lose. I remember that show but Parker Lewis was on for a couple seasons. two or three IIRC... The show I'm thinking of though was seriously short lived. I don't think it even lasted a whole year. Also, Parker Lewis always had all the answers, but the main kid on the show I'm thinking of wasn't so sure of himself. Is there a website that would list what was playing in primetime back then? Kind of a TV guide grid archive? I could probably figure it out if I saw it. This really bugs me. Grrr... The one thing I'm most sure of, is that it was on sometime in the summer of '90 and didn't last to the end of summer. So, it was either a summer replacement series or maybe a show from the previous season that I just never saw until that summer. Thanks in advance

04-20-2002, 10:42 AM	#4
parkert Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Apr 20, 2002 Posts: 22	I think the show you are thinking of was "Great Scott!". It ran on fox from oct. 1992-Nov. 1992. It was pretty good, and sort of like malcom in the middle. It was about a teeenager (played by tobey maguire) and his family.