User reviews

Many thanks to TRIO for running several episodes of this horrible, horrible show during June, 2004. I watched the first few episodes during its first run, and believe it or not, I could still hum the theme song almost 40 years later. What went wrong here? Scripts by Burns and Hayward (Bullwinkle, etc.) and James L. Brooks (Oscar winner)! But the two episodes I watched this week were PATHETIC, one-joke episodes. Strangely, one had NO laugh track, and the other had a laugh track that laughed far too hard in all the wrong places. The premise must have sounded good at the first meeting; then when they actually had to write full episodes, they realized how difficult it would be to pull off. You have to see this turkey to understand why virtually EVERY poll of bad TV shows puts it at or near the top.

I remember My Mother the Car when the local station in New York showed the reruns in the late 60s and I thought it definitely put the gimmick in gimmick shows. Along with shows like Mister Ed, Bewitched and My Favorite Masrtian, the show thrived on one premise, a talking car which Dave Crabtree claims it's his mother. According to the theme song, it's a 1928 Porter that only talked to Dave, but not to his wife Barbara and his two children Randy and Cindy.

There was also the bad guy, Captain Manzini. Brilliantly played by Avery Schrieber of Burns and Schrieber fame, he constantly mangles Dave's last name as he desperately tries to buy the Porter.

It was also the show that put Jerry Van Dyke on the map, after years of being in the shadow of his brother Dick. Even long before he played Luther on the long-running sitcom Coach. There was also Maggie Pierce as his wife Barbara and Randy Whipple and Cindy Eilbacher as the Crabtree's two children Randy and Cindy. And Miss Ann Sothern as the voice of Mother.

Even though many critics panned the show, I thought there were some funny moments. But it wasn't enough for this gimmick to run out of gas after one season.

I was about 10 when this show was on, and I watched as many episodes as I could.

That said, I ROTFL in a "Get Smart" rerun I saw a while back. The bad guy is dying and:

Max (reassuringly): "Help is on the way."

Bad guy (in great pain): "I'll never make it, but do one thing for me."

Max (compassionately): "What?"

Bad guy: "Tell me 'My Mother the Car' is coming back on TV."

Max (with a puzzled look): "Why?"

Bad guy: "Then I won't mind going so much."

That pretty much summed up the opinions from the rest of my family when I tried to watch this show.

You have to wonder at times why people would sign on to appear in a show like My Mother The Car. What could possibly have attracted someone like Ann Sothern to have in her resume the role of the voice of an antique car?

This TV show which actually ran for a full season has Sothern recently dying and coming back to earth as the voice of a 1928 Porter which her Jerry Van Dyke owns. The family name was Crabtree and not only did the car with his mother's voice speak to Van Dyke, but it spoke to no one else. I guess we didn't want word to get out that the Crabtree Family owned a talking car.

Someone knew something was fishy with this car. The villain of the show was Avery Schreiber who was hatching schemes every episode to get the Porter. But he was as effective as Mr. Bluster on the old Howdy Doody Show. Who wouldn't want a talking car?

In fact the show was 10 years ahead of its time. When Knight Rider premiered we had a talking car with William Daniels's voice. But it was a state of the art futuristic new car which housed a computer which could do all.

So the concept was bought with different packaging.

Did anyone EVER ask Ann Sothern how she got into this show.

I remember watching episodes of My Mother, the Car many years ago on Trio and I did not have high hopes for it after that. That having been said, two of the episodes actually did impress me. When I saw it was online, then, I started watching episodes of the show. While I won't say it was a great show, it definitely was not a bad show! The cast is very appealing. Jerry Van Dyke and Avery Schreiber are very funny. And many of the episodes were quite inventive. I'm not sure I would say it was a classic, but I would say it is better than about half the sitcoms on the air now and far better than any of the reality shows aired in the past ten years! I now have to wonder if Trio did not select the worst episodes of the show's run to air, for whatever reason.

If the show was not that bad, then, why did it get its reputation as the worst show of all time? I have read many of the reviews from 1965 and it seems to me that the critics just could not get past the idea of someone's mother reincarnated as a car. True, by that point there had been shows about ghosts (Topper), a talking horse (Mister Ed), a Martian (My Favourite Martian), a robot (My Living Doll), and a witch (Bewitched), but in most of the reviews I have read from 1965 it seems the critics just seized upon the show's premise as a sure sign it was a bad show, even if from today's standpoint it doesn't seem that bizarre for the era. After all, it was only a few days after the debut of My Mother, the Car that a show about a genie debuted (I Dream of Jeannie)! I think My Mother, the Car just fell victim to bad press. The critics hated it and called it the worst show of all time. The show only lasted one season so it was not rerun for literally decades. As a result the label of "worst show of all time" stuck. I think this is a bit unfair. Okay, as I said, it is not a great show. It is not on the same level as, say, Bewitched or even I Dream of Jeannie, but it is an entertaining show that is generally well done and funny. It really needs to be reassessed!

"My Mother The Car" does NOT deserve its reputation among TV critics (and some viewers) as the worst sitcom of all time. The premise of someone being reinCARnated as a car is fanciful and far-fetched, while the show itself is very silly and over-the top. Those same descriptions could also apply to other TV series from the sixties, including "Mister Ed," "I Dream Of Jeannie," and "Bewitched," to name a few. While those shows lasted several seasons and are fondly remembered, "My Mother The Car" only lasted one season and, not having enough episodes to make it into syndication, is barely remembered. After viewing all thirty episodes, I can honestly say that I found them to be amusing and enjoyable. Jerry Van Dyke, who stars as attorney Dave Crabtree, proves that he can carry a TV series as the main character very well. Avery Schreiber, who plays his nemesis Captain Manzini, is also a talented comedian, and makes for a comical villain. The video quality of the show is outstanding; the colors are pristine and vivid. In addition, I was pleasantly surprised that most of the laugh tracks were removed. Last but not least, the theme song by Paul Hampton is very catchy and memorable. All in all, I can heartily recommend "My Mother The Car" as a family-friendly show that does NOT insult the viewer's intelligence.

I've often heard this short-lived TV series referred to as the worst sitcom in TV history. I can remember watching the series and being more entertained by it than many of it's contemporaries. It never lasted long as many viewers and critics believed the concept of a mother being reincarnated as a classic car was a tad over the top. Perhaps viewers of the 60s were a little less imaginative and tolerant than those of today. After several decades of talking horses, beautiful genies, chatty Knight Rider cars, Incredible Hulks, and Ghost Whisperers, we now accept over the top situations as mundane. Perhaps we should call the hilarious and lovable Jerry Van Dyke out of retirement and give the series one more chance.

I was one of the writers for this series. I wrote one episode ("The Blabbermouth" was the title.) It is quite true that at the time the series was on the air, it was considered one of the worse sitcoms in the history of TV. However, over the years, MY MOTHER, THE CAR has achieved something of a cult status. It is broadcast every Mother's Day on TV Land.

I have always been proud of my contribution to this much-maligned and underrated series.

Many authors of the previous comments have eloquently pointed out that My Mother the car wasn't the "wackiest" show of its era, nor was it the shortest running, or even the worst. They held up qualified examples to bolster their opinions, and I for one heartily agree! I also loved this show as a kid, and for years afterward I tried to understand why it was held in such malicious contempt. I think it wasn't only unfair to the show, but to all who participated in it, ESPECIALLY Jerry Van Dyke. I am sure it affected his career, but I am very happy for him that it didn't destroy it for him. It would have been a dirty shame. I recently downloaded all 30 shows, and I watch them on my Blackberry every day. So far I have not seen one episode that I would consider a true clunker. I am happy I rediscovered the show, and I hope TV Land will offer it up more than once a year.

everybody knows in the second life, you all come back sooner or later

as anything from a pussycat to a man-eating alligator

well, you all may think my story is more fiction than it's fact

but believe it or not my mother dear decided to come back - as a car

she's my very own guiding star

a 1928 porter that's my mother dear

she helps me through everything i do and i'm so glad she's here

my mother the car, my mother the car

also, while there was no such car company as porter, i recall reading something way back then that the car used to film the series was actually a buick with some cosmetics to the grill. jerry van dyke talked to his mother and she responded through the radio of the car. a 1928 automobile with a radio? well, that's Hollywood.

I think that this show might be the first show that I noticed was gone. I saw the show when I was 3-4 years old; I doubt it was ever reran back then. I remember liking it, and wondering what happened when it wasn't on anymore. I must have really liked it to have noticed it wasn't there anymore. I haven't thought about this since then, so it blows my mind, and makes me wonder if the memories are real or imagined. My memory of the car was that it was a newer model, not an antique, so who knows if the rest of my memory is real. Since it says that it was popular with kids (according to who?) too bad it wasn't moved to Saturday mornings. It would have been ahead of later live action fantasies like "HR Puffenstuff".

There's been scores of bad TV sitcoms (due to bad writing, bad acting, bad production values), but this is not really one of them. The premise (a man's mother is rein-CAR-nated) can hardly be considered out of the norm in a world of Jeannie, Samantha, the Flying Nun, Herman Munster, Lost in Space's robot, and Gilligan. Jerry Van Dyke (who chose this role over the Gilligan role) does the same humor he always does and Ann Sothern's voice as "Mother" adds class and talent. Wacky premise, wacky character, wacky car...should have worked. Nick at Nite should put this on the air where it belongs.

Everybody loves a hate list. Worst cars. Worst Movies. Worst Presidents. The problem with these lists is they're mostly subjective. Perhaps the most blatant example is TV shows. Sure, ratings are a part of it, but plenty of TV and movie bombs were adored by critics. Not that My Mother the Car was. But it lasted an entire season of 30 episodes. How many shows have been canned after 13? Or 6? Or ONE? In a season that had Giiligan's Island, I dream of Jeannie, Bewitched and several other improbable concepts, was this so bad? Not really. I loved it...though I was 11 at the time. But seeing it again on DVD some 60 years later (!) hasn't changed my mind. It was a funny show with a great cast, high production values and an ear worm of a theme song. Was it a Cheers or Seinfeld? No, but how many shows are? Jerry Van Dyke is a hoot no matter what he's in. It's a shame it took a couple decades for him to reappear as the irrepressible Luther on Coach. And no other voice actor could replace Ann Southern as Mother.

So ignore the naysayers, leave your logic at the door, and pop in the DVD. Welcome back to the comic weirdness of the '60s.

I have fond memories of this show at age 6 1/2 to almost 7 1/2. Loved the theme song and I thought Van Dyke was perfect for the role. There are many cute episodes with known character actors of the time. Granted, there were some lame episodes. I did not find thia show any "stupider" than many of the shows of that era of witches, genies, monsters, talking horses, Martians, lame Space shows, etc. Loved the late model, Model T and Ann Sothern was great with her distinct voice. I own the DVD and watch it periodically. It was light and I found many higher rated shows with the poorest of acting. No names mentioned. So I'm good with this show and the fond memories it has brought to me of my childhood in the 60's.

VERY far from the worst TV show of all time. Granted that the ideas for stories probably would have grown thin had this series lasted any longer than three years or so. It did have it's moments of humor and it did last for 30 episodes which is a lot more than a lot of other real Turkeys!

My Mother the Car - a 1965 vintage actual classic.its to bad the negative commenters can,t see past the "Original gray shop worn Fictional Porter car" at the very beginning of the 30 episodes created!

As many commentors have stated: Alone with "The Munsters" "I Dream of Jeannie" and " The Adams Family" etc, etc - I watched the 1st episode a few days ago.

I bumped into this memory from surfing WWW factoids and accidently ran across this amazing show in a "50 Worst TV Show Review" site. As others have said - everything still looks bright and clean and fresh! From the California Solid Middle class beautiful suburban settings to the charators, the cars crisp clean color and detailing.

After pondering over the "2nd worst TV show" review - I can accross and scrolled through it all ... I actually belive this show - could have been redeemed and when way further then 30 episodes... The "Mother" should have been speaking to the full immediate family ( at the very least ) The wife and especially the 2 children, even to the family dog!

Imagine how much more creative humor, life and zany zep could have appeared - creating far more "curb appeal", and zeppy laughter!

Imagine if the writers would have stepped up the depth of the core story line: Say after about 5 or 10 episodes "Mother" (and Jerry too LoL) come out of the shyness and "Mothers" blossoms out of reserved shyness to speak wife wife and the 2 children! Granted - "Mother" only speaks as time goes by - to them and Jerry - not any others - imagine the secrets the children would share with only "Mother" as imaginative children can be - and they and Mother share secrets only between each other -- etc - example - how much more they could have spun this to be - instead of only between Jerry and Mother!

Nothing bad said about this show is true. One of the shortest running TV shows? Nope. Many, many have been canceled after 13 weeks (a usual trial run), and many fine shows after six. There have even been a few after just one or two episodes! "My Mother The Car" ran for a full season...30 episodes to be exact, which is more than most shows give us in a year now days. One of the strangest concepts for a TV show? Nope. Do you remember these scenarios? A flying nun befriends a casino playboy, a sexy female genie lives with her astronaut "master," a sexy female witch lives with her ad executive husband, a family of vampires, werewolves, and their Frankenstein's monster of a father live in a middle class neighborhood, three gorgeous supermodels are detectives working for a playboy millionaire named Charlie...these are strange concepts! Not to mention talking horses, talking chimps, talking dogs, robotic cops, and comedies about dead people (from "Topper" to "The Ghost and Mrs. Muir," and my personal favorite, "Jennifer Slept Here" with Ann Jillian). Those are strange concepts! Do you remember "Pink Lady and Jeff?" "The Howard Cosell Variety Hour?" Now THOSE were strange concepts! One of the worst TV shows ever? Nope. Turn on your TV now and turn the channels. Point made. Jerry Van Dyke is funny, always has been, always will be. He hasn't changed his style of comedy at all. Ann Sothern was perfect as the voice of "mother" and I don't think her talent needs defending. What guy didn't have a relationship with his car in the sixties? It's called satire! It's just that not a lot of people watched. That's all. So goes programming, advertising, and the whim of the people. Now if Nick at Nite or TV Land will only have a "My Mother the Car/Jennifer Slept Here" hour I will die a happy person...and come back to life in a TV sitcom as a supermodel's bicycle seat...now that's a concept!

I have not seen this show since it was first aired on T.V. back in the mid sixties. I was around seven years old at the time and I don't recall it being all that bad. Then again I was only seven, but most people I have spoken to who remember it and who are older than me don't recall it being that bad either. I can still can hum the shows theme song and I remember vividly Jerry Van Dyke talking to the car and his "mother" talking back through the radio. I remember the show didn't last long and afterwards hearing all kinds of bad things about. The shows name became a buzz word for bad T.V. Jokes about this show sometimes popped up in some sixties sitcoms including "The Munsters".

I think it would be interesting to see this show again after all these years. Perhaps seen through todays eyes it might not look as bad as it did to critics back in the sixties. While I don't think it would turn out to an unsung TV classic, perhaps todays viewers might find things to like about this TV show that viewers and critics back in the sixties did not appreciate. However, its unlikely this show will ever turn up on T.V. again, if only because there were not enough episodes shot to make it worthwhile for syndication. As far as I know, it is not available on video, legally or illegally. Maybe this show is not as bad as it looked to people when it was first on. On the other hand maybe "My Mother The Car" is as bad as critics said it was. Until this show turns up again somewhere, only then can an objective reevaluation be made.

I was 12, and know I liked the show, but don't really remember much of the detail... however, it's one of the few television theme songs that I still remember the lyrics too (go figure)...

"Everybody knows, in the the second life we all come back sooner or later.."

This hilarious, slapsticky show was probably expected to be a hit by the TV execs, based on the recent success of such movies as "The Great Race", "Those Magnificent Men And Their Flying Machines", and others. Somehow, viewers never caught on, and the show died quietly, becoming an instant industry joke. I'll never understand why, though. Everyone in it was funny, esp. Avery Schreiber as a Mack Sennett-like, mustache-twiddling, posing, crazy villain, always trying to steal the car, but never even getting close. This is one show I'd like to see in reruns.

I admittedly was VERY young when My Mother the Car was on (about 5), but I remember EVERY episode I watched. It's the only show from that era aside from Star Trek that I can remember watching with my dad. I think this show may be the reason I turned out to be a real 'gearhead' in later life! It took me YEARS to realize that there was no such car company as PORTER, and I actually spent years trying to find one! (I only found out it was a Barris Custom when I was 16.) I think if given the chance today, the concept would work (look how long Knight Rider lasted!) Jerry Van Dyke always gets a bad rap when this show is brought up...if I were shown a script for This show and Gilligan's Island, I would have chosen My Mother the Car also--it was more believable!

I have always remembered the song words appearing under the picture on the TV in white and a small white ball bouncing across the words in time to the music so that you could sing along. As my mother was born in 1928 she used to say 'that's me' so I can always remember her age as I thought she meant she was a 1928 porter. I don't remember the program title at all or the fact that the car was really meant to be a mother, just that as a kid I liked the show but couldn't often watch it all for some reason, maybe a paper round or something. I must have been 12 then though I thought I was younger, oh well. I remember Mr.Ed and shows like that being on around then. Of course the car looked black to me as our 'telly' was black and white, no colour. If anyone has a copy of a show I would love to watch just one for old times sake!