I loved this show, it was really well-done and it had great characters! It should've lasted longer.
The first season of this show is the best by far...however, NBC insisted on changes in the following seasons in order to "lighten" things up. The suits didn't like the dark humor. I think the show would've actually lasted longer if they'd left it alone. Still, even the last two seasons are worth watching...
I agree. It's the loss of shows like this one and many others and the lack of any interesting new ones on the main networks that has me never ever watching the main networks in Prime Time.
The problem often times is that (boy do I sound like a network Execubot*) 'dark' shows like this with characters that are down and out is that the majority of the audience (at least that qualify for being used in ratings like neilson!) has a "good life" and don't want to see the so called dark side of society except maybe in crime dramas or such. Even Good Times (being another show sans that darkness but 'down and out' as well) was considered scrubbed clean for TV.
When the description said "dark" and sitcom together that reminded me of that problem. I was really ****ed for messing up the schedule then and then canceling the show. I was surprised it ran 4 seasons!
* see Futurama reference, and automated version of the network executives!
Oh, and dark to me means more like "doom and gloom" plus messed up main characters that are alcoholic for example or nitty gritty street people as often shown on the show.
I don't know, but that was the thought.
It was definitely one of the last human Dramadies to air on Network television as most of the programming started to digress into trivial bohemian oriented comedies involving overly self-absorbed yuppies (take your pick). This show and "Dear John,..." really captured a moment of the human condition that wasn't focused on superlative outcomes. Even "Frasier", which started out really rich with character and content, started to mimic "Friends" with its ridiculous love triangles and poor attempts at mayhem/screwball antics reminiscent of "Three's Company".
I guess today's only saving grace is that we have stations like AMC and FX producing television dramas that aren't just target practice for TV demographers and their advertising sponsors.
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