The New Addams Family

Having watched "The Addams Family" when it originally ran and having seen the Addams Family movies, I'd have to say the New Addams Family series on FoxFamily is incredibly more pleasing and entertaining to me than I found the movies to be. I felt the casting of the original movie ruined its playfulness and really didn't have the same flavor as the 60's series. Glenn Taranto is eerily much more reminiscent of John Ashton and seems much happier and outgoing than Raul Julio was. He and Ellie Harvie portray the Addam's passions more frequently, but in such a carefree way it makes physical touch seem like a normal happy occurrence of two people in love instead of a segway to adult entertainment. Nicole Fugere is an excellent Wednesday and steals the show. Both she and Brody Smith as Pugsly really bring out the children's parts (it is on a children's network) as two average children with just some seriously odd family values. The show is incredibly cast, better written than the movies I saw, and very entertaining; both my son and I love to watch it! It's one of the few 60's revivals that is actually a treat to watch. I just wish the production company would put up a web site for the show as the FoxFamily site is very limited.

Basically, this show is a remake of the original series, with very little of the "updating" that occurred for the two theatrical movies starring Julia, Huston, et al. The humor is very 60's, with only the Wednesday character being written with some of the more "90's" black humor of the movies. There's also a bit more sex, but not much. Generally an effort to cash in on the popularity of the movies, and this cast of no-names gives it its best. You'd probably be better off watching the original series on Nickelodeon, though.

On a whim I decided to watch this since I was a big fan of the original series and I really enjoyed the two movies. I really enjoy this new incarnation. There will never be a better cast than John Astin and the lot but this new crew is wonderful for a TV version. The humor is very similar to the original and of course the nifty sets and special effects are less than the movies provided but the writing, which is fairly witty and sharp, more than makes up for any of this. Compared to the recent overdose of poor remakes (anyone see the Munsters Today?) This program ranks well above the rest.

I am a huge fan of the original series and because of that I am giving a chance to every adaptation of Addams. Movies were OK, although not even close to the original show. Animated series was unwatchable and now there's this. "The New Addams Family" is a color remake of the original series. Although story and humor are quite similar, the new cast is way below the original, both in looks and performances, and overall atmosphere leaves an impression of a parody rather than a remake. I can not say it is especially bad, and if I didn't watch the series from the sixties maybe I would even like this a bit. But I did watch it and I love it very much, so I experienced this as a blasphemy and it was literally painful for me to watch.

4/10

How could you ever hope to re-make this classic TV masterpiece? And do it well??? Just look at the dismal failures trying to re-create "the Munsters", or the "cheesy" reunions of the Addams Family. Yecchh!!! This project seemed doomed to failure too. Somehow, it's been updated and updated well. It's not really true to the Charles Addam's original, but is more true to the old TV series. Same stories, but in color, with added touches, like, a Judge Judy character, the internet, swing music, guest stars of note, and the occasional appearance of John Astin as grandpapa. The stories seem fresh.

Of course, the ingredient that keeps it all together is the fine characterization of Morticia by Canadian actress/comedienne, ELLIE HARVIE. She does this with a great look, great intonation, and wonderful facial gestures. The expressiveness may be a bit overdone at times, but c'est la vie (oooooh, that's French!!!), I find myself waiting for her "Jack Benny-esque" contributions.

During the original run of the show, I wasn't yet a teen, but I was totally in love/lust for the sexy Carolyn Jones (Morticia). Does it show? But now, ELLIE HARVIE is the ultimate Morticia and has replaced Ms. Jones in my heart. BRAVO MS. HARVIE !!!

PS... the guestbook isn't working, so it's okay if you email me, ELLIE...LOL