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7 out of 7 people found the following review useful:
I saw it too, 30 December 2002
Author: canonet from Raleigh NC

I remember seeing "The Duck Factory" on NBC as a teenager( makes two who saw it). I had an interest in voice-work and animation, plus curious to see what Don Messick looked like.

The show was OK, from what I remember, but felt NBC did not really give it a chance. Typical of shows that are actually good but the almighty dollar, and ratings, rules so it was cut.

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5 out of 5 people found the following review useful:
A treat for cartoon fans, and a shocker for some of Jim Carrey's..., 3 January 2003
Author: Victor Field from London, England

Thought up by veteran MTM writer-producer Allan Burns, "The Duck Factory" was set backstage at an animation studio specialising in "The Adventures of Dippy Duck." This delightful but short-lived comedy got a video release when Jim Carrey's career took off, and disappointed people expecting to see him clowning around the place; as the talented young animator newly arrived at the studio and who's charged with retooling the show (his first suggestion is to kill off a main character, but when the producer objects, Skip [Carrey's character] quickly bounces back with "Did I mention this takes place in outer space?" As anyone who's seen enough Hanna-Barbera shows will attest, this gambit is hardly unrealistic...), he mostly plays straight man to the more off-tilt people around him. He's never been as good since. (I'm serious.)

As a lifelong cartoon fan, this behind-the-scenes show was a treat - one episode taking potshots at well-meaning but often misguided PC consultants was particularly good (the show fell victim to whining about cartoon violence and agreed to tone it down, but the results were so dire that they went back to the old fashion - and this was several years before "The Simpsons" did the episode with Marge taking on Itchy and Scratchy!). Plus the cast included the great Don Messick as the star of their voice cast and Jay Tarses as the show's writer who wanted to be more; "The Duck Factory" may only be a footnote in the MTM story, but it deserved to be more. And note: Apart from the abortive pilot "Carlton, Your Doorman" (as in "This is..." - it revolved around the unseen character from "Rhoda"), this was MTM's only foray (so to speak... if you're not a cartoon fan, you won't get the joke) into animation.

"Where's the cat?" (QUACK!)

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5 out of 6 people found the following review useful:
Sweet Little Show with Good Performances, 12 January 2004
Author: Huck (huckfunn@windstream.net) from Charlotte, NC

My summary is a quote I stole from another reviewer (Shark), so he/she gets the credit, but it accurately describes this charming bit of TV history.

I don't know how the other reviewers can remember such details of a series airing 20 years ago. I can't recall any great plots or dialogue; however, I do remember that the show impressed the hell out of me through sharp writing and well-cast, engaging characters.

Hindsight is 20/20, of course, but I believe I saw Carrey's star potential -- or at least the charisma that propelled his career. I also remember the appeal and promise of Teresa Ganzel, an actor unfortunately better known for her sexy little-girl voice and well-proportioned bod than her performances.

Oh, well, I just want to be on record as saying that The Duck Factory is a series that deserved more time and respect than it got, and, if you can find it on video or in TV-land, it is definitely worth a look.

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3 out of 3 people found the following review useful:
Underrated comedy from MTM, 16 July 2001
Author: Gary Levine (glevine1@hotmail.com) from Seminole, FL

This little gem of a comedy (the title refers to a cartoon studio whose main character is a duck) didn't get its due. It stars Jim Carrey in his pre-crazy period as well as the wonderful Jack Gilford. The entire cast is a delight in this show that really deserved a stay of execution. I'm glad that imdb says its out on video, but I've never seen it anywhere. I'll guess I'll keep looking.

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4 out of 5 people found the following review useful:
Underrated Funny Show, 20 November 2001
Author: shark-43 from L.A. CA

I actually saw this sitcom when it first appeared on TV in 1984 (I must of been the only one). But since I myself was a cartoonist and fascinated by the whole process, I couldn't wait to see this show set in a cartoon studio. I remember enjoying the episodes and that Jim Carrey gave a believable, controlled performance and I was always a big fan of Jack Gilford. Needless to say, the show didn't last (wasn't really given much of a chance). The network didn't promote it at all - but it does show that Carrey can give naturalistic performances. I do admire Carrey's work, but he seems to have fallen into the Robin Williams trap - be manic and crazy at comedy - practically shouting out, "Love me, accept me" and then get all brooding and quiet when they try their dramatic turns. I'm all for actors trying to stretch their wings, but don't get angry when people don't exactly jump up, applauding and throw awards at you. (Truman Show, Man/Moon). As for Duck Factory, it is a sweet little show with good performances.

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2 out of 2 people found the following review useful:
Way underrated show, 30 May 2006
8/10
Author: alzuk from United States

I loved this show from the first episode -- I thought it was laugh-out-loud funny. I'm a big Teresa Ganzel fan, and also thought Jack Gilford was a treasure. Who knows what might have happened with even minimal support from the network? Perhaps in some people's view it suffered from too much inside humor, but as I remember it, the humor didn't require a great deal of industry knowledge to understand.

I had completely forgotten Jim Carrey starred on this show -- proof that back then, he could play comedy that wasn't over the top. Teresa Ganzel, though, provide my most enduring memories of "The Duck Factory" -- her "dumb blonde" shtick was the best this side of the late Carol Wayne.

In summary, there have been many inferior shows that lasted on air longer.

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1 out of 1 people found the following review useful:
Based on Jay Ward Productions, 1 September 2011
Author: Allen B. Ury from Costa Mesa, CA

I'm surprised no one mentioned that the fictitious "Duck Factory" studio was purportedly inspired by the true-life animation studios of Jay Ward, which brought us Rocky & Bullwinkle, Mr.Peabody & Sherman, Dudley Do-Right, etc. Ward was an infamous penny-pincher who worked his staff under almost sweat-shop conditions. Although he always pleaded poverty, Ward managed to squirrel away a sizable fortune for himself. (Which is the set up for this show's pilot.) To his defense, Ward surrounded himself with some of the best writers and voice artists in the business, most of whom were thrilled to work with him. Their enduring product speaks for itself.

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1 out of 1 people found the following review useful:
Remember it, 8 October 2008
6/10
Author: rkhendrix from United States

What I remember about The Duck Factory, is that The Today Show had Jim Carrey on to promo the show. He was shy, not like he is now. One of the things they showcased, was his ability to do impressions simply by changing his face. He did Henry Fonda from On Golden Pond, simply by putting on a fishing hat. He looked dead on, just using his rubber face.

I liked the show, but it just didn't stick around long enough to catch on. And I always wondered what happened to Jim Carrey, since Today touted him as a budding superstar. When he reemerged on In Living Color, I understood why he was a little prickly at being tagged "an overnight success." He clearly spent a lot of years trying to climb back up after Duck Factory.

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1 out of 1 people found the following review useful:
I liked it despite Jim Carrey, 26 March 2008
7/10
Author: Fernseher from United States

At the time, I didn't realize he was the star. I liked it a lot, but I thought it was an ensemble comedy with Jack Gilford and the girl as the main characters, with Carrey in the loudmouth sidekick part. I was always waiting for him to shut up and then the others could get back to the story. I've never been able to watch his other roles, he always seems so hammy and yet full of himself. Seems like they had a lot of familiar faces like Larry Gelman, the dentist on the Newhart show. I never realized it was on tape. Now that I know it's available I bought the two reels for $10. I'll be able to see if it really was as promising as I remembered it.

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1 out of 1 people found the following review useful:
Memory Lane, 14 July 2006
8/10
Author: aheleos from United States

My brother and I used to fiend for this show as kids. I remember seeing Ace Ventura and thinking... "Oh my God. It's the guy from that Duck Animation Show!" No one ever knew what I was talking about except my brother. It's just funny that a guy I grew up watching every day just disappeared only to pop up again 20 years later and be a Hollywood superstar. Sure the show was a little tame, but I think what I liked about it so much was that it didn't try too hard. I mean sure it had wacky and funny, but it also was easy to get drawn into because it wasn't too far out of real life. Like a Welcome Back Cotter or Night Court. You could sink into the characters as real people. Not cheesy fabricated icons of what a stereotype of a person should be.

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