Open All Night

This was one of those 'summer filler' shows that networks used to use when it really wanted to dump a series by eliminating reruns.

It was stupid. It was stupid in a funny way. It was not slapstick, it was not sight gags, it was not skit/ensemble comedy.

The Feesters lived in the flat above their "364 Store", which is essentially a 7-11. The son, Terry, was from his wife Susan's first marriage, and the father, Gordon, was stuck with him. Terry was every 'failed to launch' post-college hanger-on you've ever known, who refused to leave the nest, with a mother who would kill to keep him tied to her apron strings.

Gordon just wanted to make a living. He and his sole employee, Robin, were the only sane people in the store, and Gordon wasn't too sure about him...

Scenes to remember: The son being released from the freezer unit, describing how he survived the imprisonment by digesting a frozen 10-pound roast...whole.

The orange chutney episode...and the consequences.

The lawsuit, one with a closing argument consisting of a saxophone solo.

The snakes...and just where _were_ they?

The show would never change the world, cure cancer or cause the planets to align into the Answer Of The Secrets of the Universe...

But it is simply entertainment, and probably would have lasted a full two seasons were it not for network executive stupidity.

I doubt it will ever make it to DVD, and my VHS tape of all episodes was lost in a nasty break-up...but as much as my memories playing in my head may seem a lot more funny than if you watched it, I think you will find out that this is not a "funny" that fits the mainstream definition.

It was a good summer, and one with fond and funny memories from a show that didn't fit into some studio exec's idea of "sitcom".

If you know anyone with a set or copies, catch at least two episodes, and if you can catch what I mean about it not being a 'normal' comedy program.

This show was based on an English show of the same title, I believe. It was written well and not short on laughs. A line that sticks out happened when the son, Terry Feester played by Sam Whipple, was eating frozen french fries and the father told him he was supposed to cook them first and, in a very Jeff Spiccoli manor, he replied, "Not if you like them crunchy." Much like Kramer on Seinfeld, the son would come in at inopportune times with lines like, "Have you seen my Hulk head?" George Dzundza as Gordon Feester was excellent. There were only twelve shows and I think it only lasted four months. I'm pretty sure it ran on Friday nights. Maybe if they had tried another time slot. Too bad they didn't give it a chance.

The writers of this show were 5 years ahead of the pack, the timing between Feester and his step son was great. The acting in general was great. I wish it would have gone on to bigger and better things but unfortunately it did not. It was pulled off the year after a season.It was the kind of show that made you realize that a comedic situation can occur anywhere. It all took place in Gordon Feester's 24 hour convenience store. For some reason I can recall that it was in Connecticut or somewhere "close" to New York City.(similar to a 7-11) slight tensions between step-father and step-son added to comedy as Gordon had to play the cards he was dealt, with a servant-like step-son. I can't remember the Mom that much, but I am sure she was good as well. I also remember the theme song being stuck in my head for a couple of years; it was memorable and incorporated the characters names in it.

I, too, was randomly inspired to look this show up just now. I was 12 when it aired, so I don't know how I'd react to it now, but most of the shows I liked back then have held up reasonably well -- and I'm a pretty harsh critic.

I recall the show as being absolutely hilarious in an oddball way that -- whatever the actual quality of the execution -- was ahead of its time. My best friend and I (who have long thought we were the only people in America who actually watched it) were quite disappointed, if not surprised, when the show was canceled, and have been lamenting its passing -- and quoting it -- ever since.

I'm also interested to note that it starred George Dzundza, an obscure but brilliant actor best known for his powerful work in The Deer Hunter and as the first-season lead on Law and Order. I hadn't made that connection.

I must check YouTube to see if anyone has been kind enough to preserve some remnant of the series.

This one just goes to prove that the TV moguls know nothing about what is good. They had a great cast here, and the writers consistently churned out good, laugh-filled scripts. I loved the one where the store was robbed and the Son was locked in the freezer. Dad asked what he did while the store was being robbed and he replied "Well, uh, I ate a roast of beef!"...well maybe you had to be there. This was one of the best, too bad no one watched it, but it ran opposite that great series "The Dukes of Hazzard" and who could pass up that kind of drama?