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The Ropers (1979–1980)
7/10
Not a bad spin off.
6 December 2016
Decent at most, "The Ropers" is a spin off to the ABC hit sitcom "Three's Company". The show is based off the British series "George & Mildred", which itself is a spin off of the series " Man About the House" the series "Three's" is based off of.

Stanley and Helen Roper have sold their apartment and move to a townhouse in upscale Cheviot Hills. Their neighbor the pompous stuffed shirt Jeffrey P. Brooks is also their real estate agent. Played to hilarious perfection by Jeffrey Tambor. Brooks is a married man with a child, at times his personality clashes with Stanley's and it's up to his wife Anne (Patty McCormack) and Helen to calm their spouses down. At the same time Helen deals with her snobbish sibling Ethel and her forgetful mother.

Some of the episodes are exact copies of the "George & Mildred" story lines. Much like "Three's" the series had special guest stars, and even introduced a certain actress named Stevie"Louise"Vallance who would later be one of the pioneers in Canadian animation. Unfortunately just as the series had finally found its footing ABC pulled the plug, citing bad ratings. Audra Lindley and Norman Fell both were hesitant to do this series, in fact Norman would only agree if the show flopped and he could return to "Three's", the producers decided to make the show go a season and a half and resulting in the agreement being null and void. Overall, the series was a valiant attempt but it proved that sometimes supporting cast members can not make it on their own.
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7/10
Not a bad film
8 August 2015
Warning: Spoilers
Albeit slightly sugarcoated it follows the book quite well.

We start the movie with this beautiful opening that showcases the film's setting. We then see John Arable trying to decide what to do with a pig who is a runt. But, before he can do away with it his daughter Fern is able to stop him. John then decides that Fern can raise the pig until he's big enough to be sold. She develops a bond with the piglet and names him Wilbur, but the bond is cut short. Much to Fern's protest John then decides to sell Wilbur to his brother in law Homer Zuckerman this way Fern can come for a visit.

Wilbur is lonely until he meets a spider by the name of Charlotte A. Cavatica. The two become friends and although Wilbur is excited to have made a friend he later learns that he will be slaughtered in the fall. Charlotte decides to help save Wilbur's life. With the help of a rat named Templeton Charlotte is able to write messages in her webs to describe Wilbur.

The pig becomes famous and Zuckerman decides to take him to the county fair. Where a final message from Charlotte decides the fate of Wilbur. "Humble" is the word that makes Zuckerman decide that his pig will live to a ripe age. Charlotte is proud of Wilbur and decides to show him her egg sack containing 514 baby spiders. Sadly, Charlotte tells Wilbur she will not be able to go back to Zuckerman's farm because she is too old and exhausted. Charlotte passes away and Wilbur is saddened. Taking her egg sack Wilbur decides to keep her children safe until Spring when they hatch. 511 spiders are seen leaving the farm and this upsets Wilbur. Until he sees three little spiders up where Charlotte's Web used to be. He christens them Joy, Aranea and Nellie.

This movie does a good job telling the story but the emotional scenes were toned down compared to the 1973 animated film. Added slapstick involving Templeton and a couple of crows and a celebrity heavy voice cast including Julia Roberts and Reba McEntire. Personally I think it's a fine adaptation and families will love it.
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