Scatchard Reviews

Shannon's Deal (1990–1991)

Shannon's Deal

[9 February 2005]

Shannon's Deal was a well-written, well-acted show. Jamey Sheridan was a perfect fit to play Jack Shannon, an attorney who was starting over with his own law office. The show played out more like a detective show than a typical show about a lawyer. Shannon was usually hunting down leads in an overcoat and even had the small office with the loyal secretary. It was created by John Sayles who also appeared in an episode.

With so many shows being released on DVD hopefully Shannon's Deal can find it's way there as well. Until then I suppose we can take comfort in that Who's The Boss? season one box. It was a high quality show at a low quality time. No wonder it didn't last.

If anyone has any episodes out there let me know!

Sam's Song (1969)

Here's the deal

[9 July 2003]

Okay the story is this: De Niro made some lame movie name around 1969 Sam's Song that never saw the light of day. Fast forward a few years (say around 1980) and De Niro is a star so some joker gets a hold of Sam's Song, recuts it, adds some footage and viola! The Swap was born! Which is probably even worse than Sam's Song.

So if you are a De Niro diehard, you have been warned. But hey, so was I and I saw it anyway.

Lucky (2003)

My new favorite show

[9/10 · 30 April 2003]

I have a tendency to like a show and then miss it all the time. But not this one. I make sure to know to be in front of a TV on Tuesday at 10pm for Lucky.

In case you don't know Lucky is about Michael "Lucky" Linkletter, a gambler who a year ago won the World Series of Poker and a million dollars only to lose it all (and his wife) due to his gambling habit. So pretty much each episode is Lucky trying to get by and put his life back together. He had reformed through Gambler's Anonymous but circumstances has lead to him being back at the poker table. The format is pretty loose which is what makes this show so unique.

John Corbett seems effortlessly cool as Lucky as things go his way and just as quickly turn around. A fun show done with style and originality. Hopefully it stays a while.

FYI: It's also on Sundays at 10pm.

Lookwell (1991 TV Movie)

Funniest 30 minutes

[10/10 · 11 December 2002]

This pilot for a tv show is the funniest 30 minutes I have ever seen. Adam West is perfectly cast as a hasbeen actor who used to star on a detective show back in the 70s who now thinks he can fight crime.

If anyone has this on tape let me know. I would love to see this again.

Wild Wild West (1999)

Oh What Might Have Been

[4 September 2002]

There was some real potential here. Honest.

I'm not a big fan of taking old television shows and rolling 'em off the assembly line as movies, but this one could have been good.

Will Smith isn't ideal as James West, but consider that this isn't a movie version of the show, but rather a movie that is loosely based on the show and there really shouldn't be a problem. Kevin Kline as Artemus Gordon should have been a stroke of genius. Ditto for Kenneth Brannagh playing the heavy, Loveless. Through a good director on top for good measure. Some who can play the mix of comedy and bang bang action well, like Barry Sonnenfeld and you should have something.

And you do. But it's not what you want. This movie is as flat as they come. A very limp script handcuffs the cast and the result is the embarrassment everyone else on this board is complaining about. Well except for the three of four people who think overblown junk like this is good. (Go seek help!)

So go watch the old show instead. Or just about anything for that matter.