I remember the Musso door glass gag because one time it failed to shatter so she quickly swivelled her head around to glare at the door and the glass promptly shattered. The weird part is that there was a Ferris Bueller's Day Off series, the pilot for which aired a week before Parker Lewis, but it was so much the inferior knockoff. It was cancelled after 13 episodes; I wonder if losing that direct competition lead to the change you noticed in the first season of Parker Lewis Can't Lose?
I was born in 1979, and I loved _Parker Lewis Can't Lose._ Now, it seems like if someone was a few years away either way, they'd never heard of it, but a lot of people remembered it my age. Weirdly enough, I went to high school with a guy who looked like a cross between Parker Lewis and Dobie Gillis.
This is a GREAT way to put it. I was born in 84, but my brother was born in 79. So it was aimed more towards him - but it became a thing we all watched in my home as a kid. These days, I never find anyone who has ever heard of this show. I was a big fan of Saved by the Bell, but Parker Lewis was so much better.
This came on Sunday nights, and everybody in my college dorm watched it in the common room. What was fresh about it at the time, was that it was kind of like a live action comic book... the sound effects that go with the action, the jiggly camera when the big guy goes stomping down the hall, weird bits of surrealism, etc.
I had always heard that PLCL did Ferris Bueller better than the actual Ferris Bueller TV show, but to hear you describe the show becoming its own thing eventually, has me intrigued. I’ve never seen either show (but have seen the Ferris Bueller film an incalculable amount of times).
The Ferris Bueller movie is a crom damn masterpiece. The show was TERRIBLE. I remember it and I remember being offended by its repugnance. Parker is GOLD.
I watch it in the winter every couple years. That show came on at a tough time in my life and it was what I looked to every Sunday evening. Thanks for making the video.
Hi, this is the first video of yours that I come across, and I just wanted to say thank you for the genuine passion here. It's really nice to see and feel that you truly love the show, which indeed was iconic back in the day. Thank you, good luck for your channel.
@@WarlockHVN i have to thank for this short moment down the memory lane… In fact I‘ve just rewatched the whole series a couple of months ago.. and I love it even more today than I did back in the days.. So thank you, you brought a big smile on my face with this love letter.
Nailed it. Great memories. TV shows have always been a few years behind the current times. Parker Lewis Cant Lose is soooooooooo visually 1985, even 1982 style sets and new wave graphics. It seemed like it was directed like a 1940s Warner Bros Cartoon. When did Roger Rabbit come out? Very similar. Was a great show.
I always consider the beginning part of a decade to also be part of the decade before it. Just like I consider the ending part of a decade to also be a part of the next one. It is not like everything stops and changes immediately at the stroke of midnight on that last year of the decade. Some stuff bleeds over, be it fashion, music, etc. And some stuff a decade becomes known has has roots in, or otherwise begins during the previous decade.
My favorite elements of Parker Lewis Can't Lose: 1) The sheer amount of times the writers break the 4th wall. Many of these 4th wall breaks deal with either Parker taking a light hearted jab at some of the other popular shows of Fox at the time, such as Married with Children, or In Living Color. Either that, or they'd make a Polk High reference from Married with Children, in one episode, Bud Bundy himself showed up for a cameo wearing a Polk High T shirt, effectively setting Parker Lewis Can't Lose in the same universe as Married with Children. 2) The cartoonish and absurd quality of the humor. This was chock full of gags that repeated, but at a rate where it never got old. Some examples include, how the principal always broke the glass on her office door by slamming it open or closed, the whip sound effect when the principal would point with her thumb for someone to go to her office, feeding the school giant, Kubiak, fish, and how everyone had one readily available to feed him, and how the nerdy kid Jerry had a trench coat on that housed anything the gang would ever need lol. 3) Parker Lewis was nothing more than a funnier version of Zack Morris from Saved by the Bell.
It should've been a contender... for more than 3 seasons. I loved Parker Lewis and first watched this show 30 years ago and love it on many levels. The snappy story lines, the innovative camera work really ahead of its time, the chemistry between the characters, whether they be major or minor. Many of the episodes had a moral to it (sort of like Happy Days) and some very laugh out loud moments. It's as though you really wanted to be part of Santo Domingo High School and hang out with Parker and the gang. I'm in the minority because I actually liked season 3 (which was also the final season). Well I liked all the episodes of season 3 and the finale, The Last Supper. But I liked season 3 because the focus shifted to relationships. I'd say most of the episodes dealt with relationships between the various characters and I really liked it! There was a warmness to season 3 which drew you to the characters. Even Kubiak (the big guy) became likable. Still it wasn't enough to save the series and this fine show should have been a contender for at least 2 more seasons.
susanfit47 you’re damn right! All of it is glorious. When I met corin, I mentioned to him that the show was waaaay ahead of its time and I see shades of it in comedy today. Thanks for watching and stopping by the channel!
Loved this show, so many people I've talked to about this show don't remember it, or have never even heard of it. I agree with you, it's very 80s even though it was made 1990-1993 it was still very 80s-centric, and you're right, it changed around 1994/1995 into more 90s format/style . Was really sad when they cancelled it, really honestly thought it would've gone on a couple more seasons at least.
The potential was there and it was ahead of its time. I still watch it and love it and it’s fun to introduce it to people to see their reactions to it. Thanks for watching!
FOX was really rocking back then. Tracey Ullman, In Living Colour, The Simpsons, Married with Children.... I'd say that "Parker" was a jewel in their crown.... it's ingenuity, the cast, the "transitioning 80's" probably most evident in his father's movie video business, which was what you did when you wanted to be cool back then, you rented movies, I mean.... it's such an important snapshot of kidhood.... especially if it was YOUR kid/teenhood (definitely mine). "The Wonder Years" with Ferris adventures. I can't watch without smiling. Thank you ❤️
@@WarlockHVN oh yes ! I showed it to my husband , who hadn’t really watched it here in the USA, and we enjoyed it. Thanks for making this video about it !
Couldn't agree more abour PLCL having an 80s soul to it. I actually was surprise it didnt start until 1990. I wish this one had lasted longer. I think it deserves to be in that pantheon of that era, it is unfortunate that it doesnt get quite as much attention.
I wish there was a complete series of all 3 seasons of Parker Lewis Can't Lose on DVD by Shout! Factory one day. The 4 disc set would have contained all 73 episodes, including the final 22 episodes from the 3rd and final season which were previously unreleased.
So many good memories. It played for a bit in France, I loved it so much. The way it was filmed was super fresh, Kubiak, Musso, Mikey… ❤❤❤ For some reason I link this to Buckaroo Banzai or maybe Escape from Little China
As I grew up - and crept up - during the '80's and '90's, well, I don't see a terminal line between the two. I just clump all of it under the memory bin marked "childhood/teen." I just enjoy the shows, a lot. And, first time watcher and all that here! Keep up the good work!
Very goofy but at that age (16-17) you loved it, I certainly did. Yeah, Life goes on, Dr Doug, Fresh prince of bel air, the Flash tv series, full house were going on as well. Very "scrubs" typa show.
I loved this show! Absolutely LOVED IT! And it was so, so far ahead of its time! Go watch a few episodes, and realize that a lot of yhe things that are done on that show had never been done before, and NOW they are staples of almost every sitcom that comes put each year!
I pretty much based my high school style on billy jayne.lol I just watched Abraham Benrubi in the movie bliss yesterday. I've liked that guy since Parker. Was a huge fan of this show from ep.1 I was heartbroken when they canceled it. I gotta watch it now.
I remember this series. The title was later shortened to just Parker Lewis. Is it me or was this just a copy of Ferris Bueller's Day off? Was that intentional or a coincidence?
One of the best shows of the 90s - I like the video however it is not an 80s show in the time line or tone or style - Parker Lewis is a definitive 90s show - also the show aired opposite the Ferris Bueller sitcom (which was horrible) and the difference you discussed after the first handful of episodes in PLCL was that Parker didn't always act in his own self-interest- often he would plot to benefit others (especially his buds) and that was what separated the show from Ferris Bueller (and made Parker a likeable character who really could get away with almost anything)
Always remember this show fondly and no one knows about it.
Same here! They're like ''Huh? No, didn't see it''
Saw it, know it, love it! ❤️
One of my all time favorite shows.... USA network was AWESOME back then.... Parker Lewis ,Duckman, and Elvira...... Those were the days....
Brian Smith thanks for joining the channel!!
Parker Lewis was on Fox.
I remember the Musso door glass gag because one time it failed to shatter so she quickly swivelled her head around to glare at the door and the glass promptly shattered.
The weird part is that there was a Ferris Bueller's Day Off series, the pilot for which aired a week before Parker Lewis, but it was so much the inferior knockoff. It was cancelled after 13 episodes; I wonder if losing that direct competition lead to the change you noticed in the first season of Parker Lewis Can't Lose?
It amazes me that more people know about "Saved By the Bell". "Parker Lewis Can't Lose" was really a much better show, and so underrated.
Truth!!! I still enjoyed saved by the bell for what it was but damn, Parker was special and really was catered to someone like me.
Yes, Parker Lewis was the answer to the question: "What if 'Save By the Bell' was funny?"
Thankyou forever for this video. We will never have anything like this again. Lightning in a bottle man.
Truth
I was born in 1979, and I loved _Parker Lewis Can't Lose._ Now, it seems like if someone was a few years away either way, they'd never heard of it, but a lot of people remembered it my age. Weirdly enough, I went to high school with a guy who looked like a cross between Parker Lewis and Dobie Gillis.
This is a GREAT way to put it. I was born in 84, but my brother was born in 79. So it was aimed more towards him - but it became a thing we all watched in my home as a kid. These days, I never find anyone who has ever heard of this show. I was a big fan of Saved by the Bell, but Parker Lewis was so much better.
This came on Sunday nights, and everybody in my college dorm watched it in the common room. What was fresh about it at the time, was that it was kind of like a live action comic book... the sound effects that go with the action, the jiggly camera when the big guy goes stomping down the hall, weird bits of surrealism, etc.
i challenge anyone to go watch a random episode of Parker Lewis on youtube right now and try to stop watching. You won't be able to. Its so good.
I had always heard that PLCL did Ferris Bueller better than the actual Ferris Bueller TV show, but to hear you describe the show becoming its own thing eventually, has me intrigued. I’ve never seen either show (but have seen the Ferris Bueller film an incalculable amount of times).
The Ferris Bueller movie is a crom damn masterpiece. The show was TERRIBLE. I remember it and I remember being offended by its repugnance. Parker is GOLD.
I watch it in the winter every couple years. That show came on at a tough time in my life and it was what I looked to every Sunday evening. Thanks for making the video.
Hi, this is the first video of yours that I come across, and I just wanted to say thank you for the genuine passion here. It's really nice to see and feel that you truly love the show, which indeed was iconic back in the day. Thank you, good luck for your channel.
man i was watching a few episodes the other day, and damn the audio engineers were on it. Everything was done with heart on that show.
Finally someone who seems to love the show as much as I do… great video and great energy :-)
Thanks so much!
@@WarlockHVN i have to thank for this short moment down the memory lane…
In fact I‘ve just rewatched the whole series a couple of months ago.. and I love it even more today than I did back in the days..
So thank you, you brought a big smile on my face with this love letter.
Nailed it. Great memories. TV shows have always been a few years behind the current times. Parker Lewis Cant Lose is soooooooooo visually 1985, even 1982 style sets and new wave graphics. It seemed like it was directed like a 1940s Warner Bros Cartoon. When did Roger Rabbit come out? Very similar. Was a great show.
Hearing the voice of Ms. Musso as Didi Pickles was a very strange experience the first time it happened.
I always consider the beginning part of a decade to also be part of the decade before it. Just like I consider the ending part of a decade to also be a part of the next one. It is not like everything stops and changes immediately at the stroke of midnight on that last year of the decade. Some stuff bleeds over, be it fashion, music, etc. And some stuff a decade becomes known has has roots in, or otherwise begins during the previous decade.
My favorite elements of Parker Lewis Can't Lose:
1) The sheer amount of times the writers break the 4th wall. Many of these 4th wall breaks deal with either Parker taking a light hearted jab at some of the other popular shows of Fox at the time, such as Married with Children, or In Living Color. Either that, or they'd make a Polk High reference from Married with Children, in one episode, Bud Bundy himself showed up for a cameo wearing a Polk High T shirt, effectively setting Parker Lewis Can't Lose in the same universe as Married with Children.
2) The cartoonish and absurd quality of the humor. This was chock full of gags that repeated, but at a rate where it never got old. Some examples include, how the principal always broke the glass on her office door by slamming it open or closed, the whip sound effect when the principal would point with her thumb for someone to go to her office, feeding the school giant, Kubiak, fish, and how everyone had one readily available to feed him, and how the nerdy kid Jerry had a trench coat on that housed anything the gang would ever need lol.
3) Parker Lewis was nothing more than a funnier version of Zack Morris from Saved by the Bell.
It should've been a contender... for more than 3 seasons. I loved Parker Lewis and first watched this show 30 years ago and
love it on many levels. The snappy story lines, the innovative camera work really ahead of its time, the chemistry between the characters, whether they be major or minor. Many of the episodes had a moral to it (sort of like Happy Days) and some very laugh out loud moments. It's as though you really wanted to be part of Santo Domingo High School and hang out with Parker and the gang.
I'm in the minority because I actually liked season 3 (which was also the final season). Well I liked all the episodes of season 3 and the finale, The Last Supper. But I liked season 3 because the focus shifted to relationships. I'd say most of the episodes dealt with relationships between the various characters and I really liked it! There was a warmness to season 3 which drew you to the characters. Even Kubiak (the big guy) became likable.
Still it wasn't enough to save the series and this fine show should have been a contender for at least 2 more seasons.
susanfit47 you’re damn right! All of it is glorious. When I met corin, I mentioned to him that the show was waaaay ahead of its time and I see shades of it in comedy today. Thanks for watching and stopping by the channel!
@François Whyte, Yes, it did. The 3rd and final season of Parker Lewis didn't sucked at all.
Loved this show, so many people I've talked to about this show don't remember it, or have never even heard of it. I agree with you, it's very 80s even though it was made 1990-1993 it was still very 80s-centric, and you're right, it changed around 1994/1995 into more 90s format/style . Was really sad when they cancelled it, really honestly thought it would've gone on a couple more seasons at least.
The potential was there and it was ahead of its time. I still watch it and love it and it’s fun to introduce it to people to see their reactions to it. Thanks for watching!
For some reason my brain holds this show and Scrubs in the same brain compartment.
FOX was really rocking back then. Tracey Ullman, In Living Colour, The Simpsons, Married with Children.... I'd say that "Parker" was a jewel in their crown.... it's ingenuity, the cast, the "transitioning 80's" probably most evident in his father's movie video business, which was what you did when you wanted to be cool back then, you rented movies, I mean.... it's such an important snapshot of kidhood.... especially if it was YOUR kid/teenhood (definitely mine). "The Wonder Years" with Ferris adventures. I can't watch without smiling. Thank you ❤️
100 percent agree, my friend!! Thanks for watching
Yes, I used to watch it dubbed when living abroad as a young teen . It’s a really cool memory !
Have you seen it since with the actual voices? What a cool unique way to experience it. Thanks for watching
@@WarlockHVN oh yes ! I showed it to my husband , who hadn’t really watched it here in the USA, and we enjoyed it. Thanks for making this video about it !
Couldn't agree more abour PLCL having an 80s soul to it. I actually was surprise it didnt start until 1990. I wish this one had lasted longer. I think it deserves to be in that pantheon of that era, it is unfortunate that it doesnt get quite as much attention.
Parker Lewis was so much fun! I loved it back then!
I wish there was a complete series of all 3 seasons of Parker Lewis Can't Lose on DVD by Shout! Factory one day. The 4 disc set would have contained all 73 episodes, including the final 22 episodes from the 3rd and final season which were previously unreleased.
So many good memories. It played for a bit in France, I loved it so much. The way it was filmed was super fresh, Kubiak, Musso, Mikey… ❤❤❤
For some reason I link this to Buckaroo Banzai or maybe Escape from Little China
I love love love Parker Lewis 😍!!!!!
As I grew up - and crept up - during the '80's and '90's, well, I don't see a terminal line between the two. I just clump all of it under the memory bin marked "childhood/teen." I just enjoy the shows, a lot. And, first time watcher and all that here! Keep up the good work!
I never forgot this show; in fact, when I first saw the Buffy episode "Triangle" and Olaf the Troll showed up, I actually said: "Kube!"
Very goofy but at that age (16-17) you loved it, I certainly did. Yeah, Life goes on, Dr Doug, Fresh prince of bel air, the Flash tv series, full house were going on as well.
Very "scrubs" typa show.
I loved this show! Absolutely LOVED IT!
And it was so, so far ahead of its time!
Go watch a few episodes, and realize that a lot of yhe things that are done on that show had never been done before, and NOW they are staples of almost every sitcom that comes put each year!
Great video
I pretty much based my high school style on billy jayne.lol
I just watched Abraham Benrubi in the movie bliss yesterday. I've liked that guy since Parker. Was a huge fan of this show from ep.1
I was heartbroken when they canceled it. I gotta watch it now.
Larry Shepherd king Kubiak Rules!!!
Even Bud Bundy was on it..!!!
Damn this brings back memories 💚🧡💜
Wow I couldn’t remember this show until I saw a picture of it on a nostalgic page.
They replaced the original character with a look-alike actor; just like they did in Bewitched.
Right quick , was parker lewis not kinds the template for Eerie Indianna in some way?
I remember this series. The title was later shortened to just Parker Lewis. Is it me or was this just a copy of Ferris Bueller's Day off? Was that intentional or a coincidence?
Scott Ross I mention all of that in the video! Thanks for watching
"Ferris Bueller" ripoff. LOL! I never thought of that, but I see the similarity....👌
One of the best shows of the 90s - I like the video however it is not an 80s show in the time line or tone or style - Parker Lewis is a definitive 90s show - also the show aired opposite the Ferris Bueller sitcom (which was horrible) and the difference you discussed after the first handful of episodes in PLCL was that Parker didn't always act in his own self-interest- often he would plot to benefit others (especially his buds) and that was what separated the show from Ferris Bueller (and made Parker a likeable character who really could get away with almost anything)
I was born in '80. I remember seeing commercials for it, but i never watched it. I watched like 2 minutes of it once.
made a lot of references to Earie indiana
Synchronize Swatches!
I loved Parker Lewis as a kid! Thanks for the video!