Fresno

FRESNO was a television rarity...a multi-part comedic TV miniseries. This near brilliant spoof of nighttime soaps like DALLAS and DYNASTY came right on time in 1986 when those shows were in their heyday. This laugh out loud miniseries followed the adventures of the Kensington family, the owner of the largest raisin dynasty in Fresno, California. The large and wonderful all-star cast included Carol Burnett, Dabney Coleman, Teri Garr, Anthony Heald, Bill Paxton, Michael Richards, Theresa Ganzel, Valerie Mahaffey, Melanie Chartoff, Pat Corley (Phil on "Murphy Brown")and despite the presence of all this comic talent, this entire mini series was stolen by Charles Grodin, in a brilliant comic turn as eldest son Cain Kensington. His JR Ewing take-off was perfectly executed comic genius and quite possibly Grodin's finest work on any screen anywhere. Just an exceptionally funny miniseries that stays fresh and hilarious throughout its extreme length. I, too used to have FRESNO on tape and lost it during a move. As another poster intimated, I too would gladly pay for a copy of FRESNO on VHS or DVD. If CBS hasn't put it on video it should be. A forgotten classic that is worthy of a second look for those who missed it the first time.

If you remember this line out of the opening segment, then you're still laughing, as I am. For those who don't, the line refers to how the town got it's name: the Spanish explorers catching a whiff of a foul odor and asking what the smell is-"Smells like...FRESNO!" From Carol Burnet riding backwards in her station wagon to Gregory Harrison barechested with a white t-shirt stuffed in the back pocket of his jeans, this is without a doubt the finest spoof ever created. I would dearly love to see this movie on VHS. It would be a favorite in my house.

This mini-series has some deeper meaning for me which I will spare readers. Suffice it to say, it is Carol Burnett at her best and supported by a wonderful cast who simply bring out the best in each other. It is of course a scathing parody of such 80s fare as Dynasty, Falcom Crest, The Colbys, Dallas, Knotts Landing (get the picture?) Except for one thing. Ms Burnett and crew totally and remarkably lampoon the above shows. Laughs abound as each member genuinely looks as if they are having the time of their lives. Charles Grodin is wonderful, Dabney Coleman is at his best and Bill Paxton is as sexy as ever. As a matter of fact, this is when I first began to notice Bill. He has evolved into a wonderful actor and I wish he would do more comedy. I love this mini-series so much.

Normally parodies don't age well and become dated, but this one just keeps on giving, with quotes like.

"Blech, these grapes tastes like Fresno".

Billy Joe Bob (idiot) to court appointed (female) attorney, "I just want my wife to stay home, cook my food and have babies, you know, to be in her place. You can understand that, can't you ma'am?".

Same idiot, "Dang it, we shouldn't have killed Martha, we should have killed Kane" - (I'm not going to explain this one, just trust me, I'm laughing right now just thinking about it ... 19 years later.).

And lastly, never for get, "No, I hadn't thought of that .... until now!".

I would pay between $50 and $100 bucks for this one on DVD (a legit copy, that is).

After so many years, I still get these spontaneous flashbacks about "Fresno" - like LSD, except this is even tripier! Think of an extended Carol Burnett skit as the most outlandish take-off, with the most insane dialogue and characters; and think of all of this as dead on target - the soap opera mini-series à la "Dallas" and "Dynasty," with a little "Santa Barbara" thrown in, and you get (I'm laughing as I type this) "Fresno".

Usually, after the premise has worn off, this kind of satire doesn't have the inventiveness or the talent to sustain a feature. But with "Fresno," the idiocy, the inanity, the hilarity is indeed sustained throughout: for the whole ride you really don't know what new goof is around the corner.

I would love to have seen Harvey Korman in the cast. Hey, can't have everything, though with "Fresno," I almost do. Something else outrageous, though un-funny, about "Fresno" is that no video has been issued for this, one of the greatest comedies in television history.