This was one of my favourite cartoons growing up. I loved this show so much I wanted to be like an Addams when I grew up; a few years of isolation showed me that Addams are only feasible and popular on the TV.
The show was one in a long line of features centering on Charles Addams's famous family of eccentrics. It was a mix of cartoonish unconventional fun and unusually adult humor, which contributes greatly to the creepy charisma surrounding the Addams. This cartoon series was created in the aftermath of the 1991 Addams Family film, so it incorporates some of its elements: family dances, an snarky Wednesday, and most significantly an antagonist to the family and especially Uncle Fester – in this case the underwear manufacturer Norman Meyer, who does his darndest to bring the family down but inevitably fails due to their twisted lifestyle and personalities.
John Astin is the life and soul of the show as the wonderfully upbeat Gomez; he had earlier played Gomez in the 1960s show, and his enthusiasm and zest for the role spreads through the show and makes it a joyful experience. The rest of the cast are good in their roles, with Rip Taylor being a standout as the gleefully explosion- happy Uncle Fester.
I can't call the show perfect though, even within its field of black/absurdist comedy. The show doesn't do well unless the focus is on Gomez or Fester; when it's on the rest of the cast it's a fairly basic premise on family togetherness and tolerance to resolve a crisis befitting the specific family member. Also, the show can be seen to run out of creative ideas around the half-way mark, which I guess was why it only lasted 21 episodes. Still, when the show is good it's a wonderfully eccentric show and an eternal treat to watch.
All in all, I can never get tired of enjoying this show. Long live the Addams!
The show was one in a long line of features centering on Charles Addams's famous family of eccentrics. It was a mix of cartoonish unconventional fun and unusually adult humor, which contributes greatly to the creepy charisma surrounding the Addams. This cartoon series was created in the aftermath of the 1991 Addams Family film, so it incorporates some of its elements: family dances, an snarky Wednesday, and most significantly an antagonist to the family and especially Uncle Fester – in this case the underwear manufacturer Norman Meyer, who does his darndest to bring the family down but inevitably fails due to their twisted lifestyle and personalities.
John Astin is the life and soul of the show as the wonderfully upbeat Gomez; he had earlier played Gomez in the 1960s show, and his enthusiasm and zest for the role spreads through the show and makes it a joyful experience. The rest of the cast are good in their roles, with Rip Taylor being a standout as the gleefully explosion- happy Uncle Fester.
I can't call the show perfect though, even within its field of black/absurdist comedy. The show doesn't do well unless the focus is on Gomez or Fester; when it's on the rest of the cast it's a fairly basic premise on family togetherness and tolerance to resolve a crisis befitting the specific family member. Also, the show can be seen to run out of creative ideas around the half-way mark, which I guess was why it only lasted 21 episodes. Still, when the show is good it's a wonderfully eccentric show and an eternal treat to watch.
All in all, I can never get tired of enjoying this show. Long live the Addams!