Cybill

I haven't yet been able to determine if all the episodes of this frequently very funny sitcom have been purchased for its current syndicated run on Oprah Winfrey's OXYGEN cable TV channel. I do know that I am now familiar with every single episode that has been shown, some of them four, five, six, seven...I've lost count!...times. Thank goodness for VCRs which allow us to tape the rebroadcasts; fast-forward through the many, many, many commercials; and skip past episodes that have finally worn out their welcome. (Certain ones, though, are the product of scriptwriters at the top of their form - admittedly superficial to the nth degree but sharply witty to a degree rarely attained by television writers since America discovered that mindless fun is a guilty pleasure, sufficient to distract us from the world's harsher realities.)

But I have to admit that this is one professionally done TV series, with a wonderful cast, headlined by Cybill Shepherd as the titular star and her tart-tongued best friend played with unwavering aplomb by Christine Baranski (whose makeup, hair styles and wardrobe were, and perhaps still are, the envy of every woman who would like to show off her privileged financial status.)

When i heard that MOONLIGHTING star Cybill Shepherd was returning to television, i was thrilled. And after seeing the series, i was even more thrilled. as CYBILL is without-a-doubt one of the best comedy series i've ever seen. Cybill Shepherd was just brillant in this series, as was mutliple Emmy-Winner Christine Baranski. This series featured first-class writing, and first class acting, and launched the careers of a bevy of young stars, including Danny Masterson (that 70's show), Alicia Witt (Urban Ledgend), Peter Krause (Sports Night, Six Feet Under and Dede Phiffer (For Your Love, yes michelles sisters!).. The only complaint i have is that Ms. Shepherd never got an Emmy for her work on this brillant series.

Although I was never aware of this show while it run during it's 95 thru 98 seasons I have caught all the reruns on the TV Guide Channel. I wish I had know of it back then so that I could have written and had begged for them to keep it going. It truly was a laugh a minute series. The chemistry between all the actors was so well casted but I have to say that the writing and the back and forth of Cybill and Mary Ann was magic. I have always loved both these actresses but I have to say that Christine Beranski's talents have been so underrated. I would love it if they were to ever bring it back or even just do an anniversary show. Does anyone know why it wasn't renewed? Bad time slot? Network decision? I always thought that Cybill would had been a much better lead in the movie version of Mama Mia. Wonder if she was every considered.

Cybill is one of the best comedies of the 90s, and I'm quite befuddled by the "comparisons" to Ellen's TV comedy. Anyway, Cybill was a groundbreaking show in many ways. It was self-aware, and it had sharp humor for sure.

Before this show aired in 1995 I wasn't expecting much even though I had always liked Cybill Shepherd but to my surprise I enjoyed it very much and it was one of the better 90's comedies.

Cybill Shepherd played Cybill Sheridan, a Hollywood actress. She had two daughters who caused her problems at times and two ex-lovers called Ira Woodbine and Jeff Robbins. Her friend was Maryann Thorpe, played by the talented Christine Baranski.

Cybill was great. The characters were all very convincing, the dialogue was top-notch at times and it was consistently good throughout it's run. You could do worse than check it out next time it airs because it was a real gem in the mid-90's.