On Thursdays, I take a detailed and critical look at a TV show. This year, I will be splitting full seasons into two posts. Here's a look at Season 2 (Part 1) of Perfect Strangers!
PERFECT STRANGERS: SEASON TWO
1986-1987
22 episodes
1986-1987
22 episodes
Season Two is the first full season of Perfect Strangers after its abbreviated first season. It continues on with most of the same setups as Season One with the notable additions of Melanie Wilson and Rebecca Arthur to the cast though they are not utilized all that well in their first season on the show. As I mentioned in my Season One entry, this is my first time watching through Perfect Strangers so some of what you're reading are my first impressions without knowing much about how the show evolves aside from general knowledge.
Starring
Bronson Pinchot as Balki Bartokomous (22 episodes)
Mark Linn-Baker as Larry Appleton (22 episodes)
Ernie Sabella as Donald Twinkacetti (15 episodes)
9. The Unnatural (10/1/86)
When Larry is down a man for his baseball team right before the championship, Balki volunteers to play.
This is a pretty predictable plot related to sports. It seems like throughout TV history, we have had episodes about someone being terrible through practice and driving the expert character crazy. It also seems like in every episode, I'm on Team Balki as far as disagreements between Larry and Balki go. I'll be curious to see if the show ever makes Larry the more reasonable or likable character because most of the time so far he's been pretty obnoxious and self-centered. And the ending was oh so predictable.
RATING: 6/10
10. Lifesavers (10/22/86)
Larry saves Balki's life and in accordance with his country's customs, Balki must serve Larry for life.
This episode certainly seems to make an attempt to make Balki the more annoying one and from a character perspective, it's easy to side with Larry for perhaps the first time. The difference is that Balki is still endearing even when he's the more annoying one. This episode is one of those quintessential sitcom episodes with a plot that has happened, to some variation, on multiple sitcoms but would never happen in real life. A real burglar shows up on the night that a fake burglar was scheduled? Only in sitcom land.
RATING: 7.5/10
11. Babes in Babylon (10/29/86)
The guys win a trip to Las Vegas and Larry is worried that Balki will become a compulsive gambler but Larry ends up getting obsessed.
The "Dance of Joy" that Larry and Balki do at the beginning this episode (and at various times in the series) is the worst instincts of Miller-Boyett sitcoms. Yes, I know how many fans love things like that but it seems like too many of their shows feel the need to rely on catchphrases and it always takes otherwise decently written shows down a peg down the "dumbcom" level. Anyway, this is the first show that takes them out of Chicago and has a couple good moments in a new setting but it's an overall pretty predictable plot that spends too much time at each individual casino game and then has a super obnoxious parody of The Shining.
RATING: 2.5/10
Starring
Bronson Pinchot as Balki Bartokomous (22 episodes)
Mark Linn-Baker as Larry Appleton (22 episodes)
Ernie Sabella as Donald Twinkacetti (15 episodes)
Melanie Wilson as Jennifer Lyons (13 episodes)
Rebecca Arthur as Mary Anne Spencer (13 episodes)
Rebecca Arthur as Mary Anne Spencer (13 episodes)
Lise Cutter as Susan Campbell (2 episodes)
Belita Moreno as Edwina Twinkacetti (4 episodes)
7. Hello Baby (9/17/86)
Balki and Larry take care of a pregnant immigrant from Balki's citizenship class.
Season Two begins for Perfect Strangers and it feels as though they've infantalized Balki which I hope is not a beginning trend for the series. In season one, he was very lovable and a little silly. But here, especially with the stuffed animal at bedtime, he's already veering a little bit toward a caricature and a very child-like one at that. The scene where Gina goes into labor and has to go to the hospital certainly has shades of the famous I Love Lucy scene when Lucy goes into labor but it feels more like a cheap imitation than great comedy.
RATING: 5/10
8. Hunks Like Us (9/24/86)
Balki and Larry join a health spa to impress Jennifer and Mary Anne, who are members there.
Holy 1980s. This show really dates itself when it gets to the scene at the health spa which is such a typical 1980s style. Most notably, this is the first appearance for Jennifer and Mary Anne who become the most important thing to Perfect Strangers besides the two main characters. One thing that struck me is how simplistic plots were back then. Somewhere in the late 80s or early 90s, the plots on sitcoms became more detailed or at least there were more of them in an episode. These plots aren't any more sophisticated than 1950s sitcoms. But yet they can get a decent amount of material out of a plot. I didn't care for Larry's macho act though which was pretty poor acting. The being sore bit plays a little better but goes on too long.
RATING: 4.5/10
Balki and Larry take care of a pregnant immigrant from Balki's citizenship class.
Season Two begins for Perfect Strangers and it feels as though they've infantalized Balki which I hope is not a beginning trend for the series. In season one, he was very lovable and a little silly. But here, especially with the stuffed animal at bedtime, he's already veering a little bit toward a caricature and a very child-like one at that. The scene where Gina goes into labor and has to go to the hospital certainly has shades of the famous I Love Lucy scene when Lucy goes into labor but it feels more like a cheap imitation than great comedy.
RATING: 5/10
8. Hunks Like Us (9/24/86)
Balki and Larry join a health spa to impress Jennifer and Mary Anne, who are members there.
Holy 1980s. This show really dates itself when it gets to the scene at the health spa which is such a typical 1980s style. Most notably, this is the first appearance for Jennifer and Mary Anne who become the most important thing to Perfect Strangers besides the two main characters. One thing that struck me is how simplistic plots were back then. Somewhere in the late 80s or early 90s, the plots on sitcoms became more detailed or at least there were more of them in an episode. These plots aren't any more sophisticated than 1950s sitcoms. But yet they can get a decent amount of material out of a plot. I didn't care for Larry's macho act though which was pretty poor acting. The being sore bit plays a little better but goes on too long.
RATING: 4.5/10
9. The Unnatural (10/1/86)
When Larry is down a man for his baseball team right before the championship, Balki volunteers to play.
This is a pretty predictable plot related to sports. It seems like throughout TV history, we have had episodes about someone being terrible through practice and driving the expert character crazy. It also seems like in every episode, I'm on Team Balki as far as disagreements between Larry and Balki go. I'll be curious to see if the show ever makes Larry the more reasonable or likable character because most of the time so far he's been pretty obnoxious and self-centered. And the ending was oh so predictable.
RATING: 6/10
Larry saves Balki's life and in accordance with his country's customs, Balki must serve Larry for life.
This episode certainly seems to make an attempt to make Balki the more annoying one and from a character perspective, it's easy to side with Larry for perhaps the first time. The difference is that Balki is still endearing even when he's the more annoying one. This episode is one of those quintessential sitcom episodes with a plot that has happened, to some variation, on multiple sitcoms but would never happen in real life. A real burglar shows up on the night that a fake burglar was scheduled? Only in sitcom land.
RATING: 7.5/10
11. Babes in Babylon (10/29/86)
The guys win a trip to Las Vegas and Larry is worried that Balki will become a compulsive gambler but Larry ends up getting obsessed.
The "Dance of Joy" that Larry and Balki do at the beginning this episode (and at various times in the series) is the worst instincts of Miller-Boyett sitcoms. Yes, I know how many fans love things like that but it seems like too many of their shows feel the need to rely on catchphrases and it always takes otherwise decently written shows down a peg down the "dumbcom" level. Anyway, this is the first show that takes them out of Chicago and has a couple good moments in a new setting but it's an overall pretty predictable plot that spends too much time at each individual casino game and then has a super obnoxious parody of The Shining.
RATING: 2.5/10
12. Ladies and Germs (11/5/86)
Larry tries to get over a terrible cold before he has a date with a girl he has been trying to go out with for a long time and Balki tries to give him a cure from his country.
This episode starts with a very funny conversation between Balki and Larry about germs with more great timing from Bronson Pinchot. As someone who has never watched Perfect Strangers, I am curious how many episodes are going to end with Larry having to apologize to Balki. They have not done a good job of making Larry any less annoying in these early episodes of season two aside from "Lifesavers." I am currently trying to decide if it's the character or the actor. I'm sure I'll have more to say on future episodes.
RATING: 6.5/10
13. Falling in Love is... (11/12/86)
Balki is in love with a girl from his history class but Larry fears she is only interested in him to get a better grade.
This episode has a good plot for a conflict between Larry and Balki even if it's yet another standard sitcom plot. Larry is perhaps the most likable he has been yet in the series because his motives are truly related to helping Balki instead of being self serving. In fact, he's more than likable, the scene is actually pretty poignant and sweet with Larry leaning on his own personal experience. Mark Linn-Baker plays understated and a little sad much better than silly or over the top.
RATING: 9/10
14. Can I Get a Witness (11/26/86)
Balki inadvertently takes a job working for a criminal and both he and Larry end up being asked to testify against him.
This episode has a funny plot, but is hurt midway through the episode with a pretty silly guest appearance by John Del Regno as the cartoonish villain. This episode could have been helped by not showing the character who was threatening them. Not that a sitcom needs to be super suspenseful, but it took away all the thrill of this episode by having such a ridiculous bad guy. Once I met that character, I wasn't that interested in what happened in the courtroom scene.
RATING: 2.5/10
Larry tries to get over a terrible cold before he has a date with a girl he has been trying to go out with for a long time and Balki tries to give him a cure from his country.
This episode starts with a very funny conversation between Balki and Larry about germs with more great timing from Bronson Pinchot. As someone who has never watched Perfect Strangers, I am curious how many episodes are going to end with Larry having to apologize to Balki. They have not done a good job of making Larry any less annoying in these early episodes of season two aside from "Lifesavers." I am currently trying to decide if it's the character or the actor. I'm sure I'll have more to say on future episodes.
RATING: 6.5/10
Balki is in love with a girl from his history class but Larry fears she is only interested in him to get a better grade.
This episode has a good plot for a conflict between Larry and Balki even if it's yet another standard sitcom plot. Larry is perhaps the most likable he has been yet in the series because his motives are truly related to helping Balki instead of being self serving. In fact, he's more than likable, the scene is actually pretty poignant and sweet with Larry leaning on his own personal experience. Mark Linn-Baker plays understated and a little sad much better than silly or over the top.
RATING: 9/10
14. Can I Get a Witness (11/26/86)
Balki inadvertently takes a job working for a criminal and both he and Larry end up being asked to testify against him.
This episode has a funny plot, but is hurt midway through the episode with a pretty silly guest appearance by John Del Regno as the cartoonish villain. This episode could have been helped by not showing the character who was threatening them. Not that a sitcom needs to be super suspenseful, but it took away all the thrill of this episode by having such a ridiculous bad guy. Once I met that character, I wasn't that interested in what happened in the courtroom scene.
RATING: 2.5/10
15. Two Men and a Cradle (11/19/86)
Balki and Larry babysit to let Gina have some time with her husband and end up taking the wrong baby home from the park.
We see Gina again in this episode after she gave birth in the season premiere. This episode is pretty predictable and not one of the strongest although there is a funny scene when Larry and Balki both trying singing lullabies to the baby. The rest of the episode is a pretty standard "we lost the baby" plot that has been done better by other sitcoms. That's one of the problems with Perfect Strangers using such standard sitcom plots, there's often better examples of similar plots from other sitcoms.
RATING: 4/10
16. The Rent Strike (12/10/86)
Larry and Balki lead the residents of the apartment building in a rent strike against Mr. Twinkacetti.
This episode is a good opportunity for more of the ensemble with most episodes focusing primarily on Balki and Larry. However, the ensemble is not well developed at all. Twinkacetti is annoying and the three girls do not do much to distinguish themselves from one another. I think with the women the problem is they are not distinct characters at all yet. They have similar personalities and serve similar purposes within the show at this point. It's fine if the show is primarily about Balki and Larry but this episode was clear that the rest of the characters have not been serviced much. Of course this is remedied partly by the departure of Lise Cutter. This is her final appearance on the series.
RATING: 3/10
Balki and Larry babysit to let Gina have some time with her husband and end up taking the wrong baby home from the park.
We see Gina again in this episode after she gave birth in the season premiere. This episode is pretty predictable and not one of the strongest although there is a funny scene when Larry and Balki both trying singing lullabies to the baby. The rest of the episode is a pretty standard "we lost the baby" plot that has been done better by other sitcoms. That's one of the problems with Perfect Strangers using such standard sitcom plots, there's often better examples of similar plots from other sitcoms.
RATING: 4/10
16. The Rent Strike (12/10/86)
Larry and Balki lead the residents of the apartment building in a rent strike against Mr. Twinkacetti.
This episode is a good opportunity for more of the ensemble with most episodes focusing primarily on Balki and Larry. However, the ensemble is not well developed at all. Twinkacetti is annoying and the three girls do not do much to distinguish themselves from one another. I think with the women the problem is they are not distinct characters at all yet. They have similar personalities and serve similar purposes within the show at this point. It's fine if the show is primarily about Balki and Larry but this episode was clear that the rest of the characters have not been serviced much. Of course this is remedied partly by the departure of Lise Cutter. This is her final appearance on the series.
RATING: 3/10
Tomorrow: The Friday Five - Top 5 TV news stories of the week!
Next Thursday: A look at Season Two (Part 2) of Perfect Strangers!
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