User Reviews

Really a disappointing episode of one of my favorite shows.

Loved all the call backs to the movie, but the ep just didn't make sense.

They have one week until school/college starts for all of them, yet they embark on a 2-day car trip (4 days out and back) to California.

Then they decide to extend the trip to see the sights.

I'm pretty sure first day of college is pretty important...like moving in, etc.

Then they get there, 15 minutes from opening and there are no lines.

Yes, I know it isn't real. No dummy here. But no effort went into this episode

This is the most disappointing episode of one of my favorite shows. It's clear that Disney felt the need to promote their theme parks and Star Wars because both have attendance problems. That is fine, but the way this episode was constructed about that one single element was forced, painful obvious, out of character and was a huge product misplacement. It harmed the story and resulted in grinch worthy lines like "I will pay my last cent for the happiness of my family" by Mer and other cast-members, I'm sure Disney would love that but it's not what Merman would have said. If anything this episode was painful to watch.

I'm an old person, so I remember what would happen when radio and tv programs used too much of a famous film, or other show, to satirize. Can you say: lawsuits? That's what went through my head as I watch The Goldberg's episode Vacation, "How similar this show was to a certain movie" ... 1.) Family takes a vacation out west to a famous theme park, 2.) The family car is a station wagon filled with a mother, father, children and an old person., 3.) Short pieces of two songs from that film were used., 4.) A cute blonde, from the original movie, driving a sporty red convertible., 5.) Family car gets totaled in the desert., and 6.) Family stopped at park entrance by a security guard ...oddly enough played by a member of the original movie.

I don't remember seeing any end credits, so I do not know if the original author was credited, or thanked, for the original idea. I didn't see any credit for the two songs lifted from the original film. I also missed the first minute or so of the show, so I do not know if any credits were given there.

This is also the first time I've watched this show during its run. I only watched because of a promotional announcement at the end of ABC's World News Tonight. Therefore, I do not know if this is their usual way of telling a story. (Lifting ideas from other places.)

In conclusion, I am in shock that this episode used so much material from a motion picture without so much as a proper screen credit/thank you anywhere in that time slot. In today's world where using somebody else's ideas, songs, and written words in another work need to be properly credited and paid for.

The preceding was my humble opinion. If I stepped on any toes ... don't put your feet out where I might step on them.