Was this show always this bad or am I unlucky to be catching only episodes that suck? I looked forward to this show every week as a child. It hasn't stood the test of time, so far. Were there ever any "great" episodes? Most fantasies suck. The writing is atrocious, the actors do the best they can, most are uncharismatic and most are filmed without the care that is put into the intros and the 2 hosts.
I think that, as a kid, my imagination too over and was probably dreaming overtime while the show aired, what I'd be doing if I had my own fantasies to live. Because you can hardly believe there's fools who paid for "that", them those fantasies of theirs!
I'll end with what the very best of this show was: the intros. The same openings week after week: the gorgeous images of Kauai island; the falls; the green moutains, the waters. The Polynesian people in the canoe with side balance bar, and on the beach. The Roarke mansion. Tatoo's iconic "de plane, de plane" or "boss! Boss!" (no: he never uttered them together!); the costumes, the flowers, the scenery, the rushing around, the dancers (barely 2.5 seconds of screen time, the poor performers!); the dyed doves on trees and the white ones flying around; the parrots, the cocktail drinks served inside fruit with little umbrellas. And, of course, Mr. Roarke, the magical and mysterious host.
Did Ricardo Montalban always have this little to do? Did he always have a black tie and kerchief poking out of his chest pocket? (I remember it all white.) But my gosh! Are the stories ever boring or what?! I guess this is best viewed before you turn 13, the younger the better.
Some guest stars were better than others, and so were their storylines/fantasies. I read that Mr. Roarke had a dark side to him in the beginning but where is it?! Well, he had this charming accent going for him and this posture. And yes, Tattoo was more than a bit annoying, but I really don't like Mr. Roarke's condescending attitude towards him. Was this in the script or is it because Spanish-Mexican Montalban couldn't stand Filipino-French Villechaize? (I always thought he was part Indonesian!) At any rate, when they brought Julie...what was that?? That woman had 0 personality. I recently watched her final episode, and that's when she FINALLY let some emotion out, or did something more than stand there wooden as usual. Too late, you're FIRED! I have yet to see an episode with Mr. Belvedere replacing her.
All in all, if you got children under 11, this should be ok. Other than that, I'm sorry to say it hasn't stood the test of time, except here and there, an episode will be alright, right? I'm still hoping to find that one. Worth 1 rewatch but not worth buying the DVDs as it's not worth the time wasted watching it twice.
I think that, as a kid, my imagination too over and was probably dreaming overtime while the show aired, what I'd be doing if I had my own fantasies to live. Because you can hardly believe there's fools who paid for "that", them those fantasies of theirs!
I'll end with what the very best of this show was: the intros. The same openings week after week: the gorgeous images of Kauai island; the falls; the green moutains, the waters. The Polynesian people in the canoe with side balance bar, and on the beach. The Roarke mansion. Tatoo's iconic "de plane, de plane" or "boss! Boss!" (no: he never uttered them together!); the costumes, the flowers, the scenery, the rushing around, the dancers (barely 2.5 seconds of screen time, the poor performers!); the dyed doves on trees and the white ones flying around; the parrots, the cocktail drinks served inside fruit with little umbrellas. And, of course, Mr. Roarke, the magical and mysterious host.
Did Ricardo Montalban always have this little to do? Did he always have a black tie and kerchief poking out of his chest pocket? (I remember it all white.) But my gosh! Are the stories ever boring or what?! I guess this is best viewed before you turn 13, the younger the better.
Some guest stars were better than others, and so were their storylines/fantasies. I read that Mr. Roarke had a dark side to him in the beginning but where is it?! Well, he had this charming accent going for him and this posture. And yes, Tattoo was more than a bit annoying, but I really don't like Mr. Roarke's condescending attitude towards him. Was this in the script or is it because Spanish-Mexican Montalban couldn't stand Filipino-French Villechaize? (I always thought he was part Indonesian!) At any rate, when they brought Julie...what was that?? That woman had 0 personality. I recently watched her final episode, and that's when she FINALLY let some emotion out, or did something more than stand there wooden as usual. Too late, you're FIRED! I have yet to see an episode with Mr. Belvedere replacing her.
All in all, if you got children under 11, this should be ok. Other than that, I'm sorry to say it hasn't stood the test of time, except here and there, an episode will be alright, right? I'm still hoping to find that one. Worth 1 rewatch but not worth buying the DVDs as it's not worth the time wasted watching it twice.