MovieChat Forums > Square Pegs (1982) Discussion > Worst of the 80's

Worst of the 80's

posted 19 years ago by Sleepensheep
32 replies | jump to latest

In a decade that brought us the vomit inducing shows Fame and Facts of Life, square pegs has to stand as the worst of the lets-look-into-the-lives-of-young-adults-struggling-with-problems dramedies. Written by a writer who had been on SNL, it's a show void of any humor, and full of the stereotypical high school students that I'm not sure ever existed except in television.

Maybe it’s the new-wave students, or the fact that it seems the characters, who are all supposed to be freshman, seemed to be involved in everything, and the fact that I was born in 1978 so never had to suffer through that era, but this show has got to be one of the worst ever. And to think, in the early 80s, cable was still new and people were basically forced to watch this show. Thank God for Comedy Central and Fox.

[–] 19 years ago

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[–] 19 years ago

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[–] JaneLane-2 19 years ago

I'm sorry to hear you didn't like it, Sleep. Good thing you were only four when it came out. I was nine and adored it. Jami Gertz as Muffy Tepperman! The still-great "Totally Tired" song! And Jennifer DiNuccio's gorgeous Princess Di-like clothes. I'd love to see it on DVD too -- preferably with a "Laugh Track Off" option. (Canned laughter makes TV less funny.) This site is offering unofficial DVDs for $35, but I dunno. http://dogwood.phpwebhosting.com/~tvshrine/pegsdvd.htm

Was the name "Patty Greene" a nod to the Waitresses' Patty Donahue, or just a coincidence?

[–] domchota 19 years ago

Dude you were born in 78!
No f_cking wonder you didn't like this show. It wasn't made for you, You Dope.
Go watch Trigger Happy TV or one Comedy Central's lame game shows, and don't forget My Big Fat Obnoxious Boss and The Sketch Show. Yeah dude, TV is so much better now. Stupid Dope!

[–] tvshrine 19 years ago

Could be a long wait for the DVD, if they didn't put it out to cash in on SJParker while she was on Sex in the City I doubt it will come out at all.
But why wait you can get it here on DVD
http://dogwood.phpwebhosting.com/~tvshrine/squarepegs.htm

[–] domchota 19 years ago

Another reason the Pegs won't be out on DVD is the rights to the music that was used in the show.
Devo can be a real pain in the ass when it comes to money.

[–] Austintayeshus 19 years ago

Saw a car commercial the other day with a Devo song in it... and let's not forget that awful dustmop commercial that used "Whip It."

I doubt Devo is what's holding it up from an official release.

I bought the unofficial DVDs from the site posted above and they were pretty good quality for being recorded from a TV broadcast. Most commercials were edited out and the picture quality was great (except for the last few, which were taken from a different source, but even those weren't terrible).

I'll settle.

~Austin

[–] domchota 19 years ago

Remind me not to try and be funny on this messege board.
Austin won't get it.

[–] Austintayeshus 19 years ago

haha..

Sarcasm, what's that?

I feel dumb.

Thanks.

~Austin

[–] ubercommando 19 years ago

I absolutely hated this show...and for a brief moment it made my life a misery. I was at high school when it aired, and it became "aspirational" tv for the stupid, fashion conscious, arrogant, clique infested bullies. Some of these kids would quote the show and act like the characters in the show and take their angst out on those who weren't in the "cool club". If you ever want an example of how shallow and insidious teens in the 80's could get, you need look no further than this trash.

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[–] judiatsz 19 years ago

It was a comedy, not a "dramedy". It was endearing yet it never took itself too seriously. What show were you watching?

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[–] ubercommando 18 years ago

I rest my case.

[–] gijane71 18 years ago

Just a question: if the show "totally rocked" why did it only last one season?

I rest MY case....

[–] MichaelMovieLoft 17 years ago

The show only lasted one season because the production crew was inexperienced and there was also some drug use on the set.

MM

[–] WalterDenton 18 years ago

Born in 1978! So what are you? Some kind of revisionist? THis show was on when you were in preschool, so who cares what you think of it looking back on it now. This show was ahead of it's time. As for comedy central and fox-eegads, most of the shows on those networks cater to the 13 year old boy mindset. If it is vulgar then it is funny. Kid, leave our shows alone from our era, the only show you should talk about from the early 80's are the shows that would have fit your speed then-like Sesame Street and Mr. Rogers. Us big kids were watching Square Pegs until the lack of vision network heads yanked it. Leave our day and age alone. As for being forced to watch it, we were too busy having fun enjoying the times. No PC's, No cell phones etc. Sadly, we got too modern and now spend our time debating 20 somethings on the internet about the shows, music and movies we liked back in our day.

"It's the stuff that dreams are made of."

[–] 18 years ago

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[–] ubercommando 18 years ago

Well, I was a teenager when "Square Pegs" came out and I found it dreadful!

[–] dekaxpo 17 years ago

Yes, it's horrible. It's bland, awkward, and even racist. And what was up with that Johnny character? Was he a drug addict or something?

[–] megmarch2003 17 years ago

I was 19 years old when this show aired, but didn't watch it at the time because I was always working evening shifts. I caught an episode on Deja Vu here in Canada today, and have to say, it was horrible.

Tracy Nelson's character was the worst. I couldn't tell if she was trying to sound like a Valley Girl or a "New Yawker". And my gawd.... the make up! I refuse to believe that I looked that bad back in the 80s when we all wore that pastel eyeshadow.

Was nice to see Sarah J. Parker and Jami Gertz looking young and fresh-faced, though.

"You can't tell me nothin' if you ain't had an 8-track." -Sinbad

[–] 17 years ago

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[–] weirdandcrazy 17 years ago

Well, I was born in 78 and I happen to love this show. I've seen most of the episodes when it was on TV Land. Wonder why TV Land decided to stop airing this show? :(

[–] hereminton 17 years ago

Well first let me say that today is Square Pegs' 25th anniversary, as it debuted on CBS 25 years ago tonight (Monday, September 27, 1982). I remember when it premiered, and just like the main characters in it I was 14 and a high school freshman, having just began 9th grade. I never watched it, don't know exactly why, but I did live through that era (I assume you mean the early-mid 1980s) and it was a good time. And I remember it as not going to be renewed for a second season the following spring, as they said it was amusing and funny, but just not up to being continued. Still, 25 years ago tonight, and I wonder if Sara Jessica Parker will observe this in any way today.

"I happen to be a vegetarian". Lex, from Jurrasic Park

[–] jeffoc 13 years ago

I was born in 1970 and was in 7th grade when SP aired. Everybody I knew watched it. it was must see tv, and its all anyone talked about at the bus stop on tuesday mornings. We were a bit bewildered when it was cancelled while still so popular.

Glove slap, baby, glove slap!
Glove slap, I don't take crap!
Glove slap, shut your big yap.

[–] 13 years ago

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