"It's Garry Shandling's Show." (1986) TV series 1986-1990

Creators:

Garry Shandling
Alan Zweibel

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4

Release Date:

10 September 1986 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy

Plot Keywords:

Sitcom | Breaking The Fourth Wall | Spoof | Character Name In Title

Awards:

Nominated for 4 Primetime Emmys. Another 5 wins & 9 nominations

Cast

Garry Shandling	...	Garry Shandling (72 episodes, 1986-1990)
Molly Cheek	...	Nancy Bancroft (66 episodes, 1986-1990)
Michael Tucci	...	Pete Schumacher (64 episodes, 1986-1990)
Scott Nemes	...	Grant Schumacher (62 episodes, 1986-1990)
Paul Willson	...	Leonard Smith (47 episodes, 1986-1990)
Bernadette Birkett	...	Jackie Schumacher (44 episodes, 1986-1990)
Barbara Cason	...	Ruth Shandling (31 episodes, 1986-1990)

Runtime:

30 min (72 episodes)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Filming Locations:

Columbia/Sunset Gower Studios - 1438 N. Gower Street, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Our Production Company

Trivia:

Paul Feig's TV debut.

Movie Connections:

Featured in Influences: From Yesterday to Today (1999) (TV)

Breaking the third wall

This very original comedy,which originated on Showtime,then relocated to Fox,was a joy to watch. Garry Shandling may not be everybody's cup of tea(then again,who is?),but to those who enjoyed his neurotic,self-effacing yet vain and confused humor will find this show a joy to watch.

It simply was a show that surrounded the "life" of Mr.Shandling,his inability to keep a relationship with a woman(perfect for episode TV),his duplex neighbors,the platonic friend who was once his girlfriend. And while it seemed to conduct this business in the ordinary type of TV studio,a la every other sitcom that has taped live in front of a studio audience,this show had one distinguishing trait:the third wall or the viewer was frequently referenced and addresses,to the point that the audience,both in the studio and at home,were a part of the show! Even the show's theme song was inspired--simple and direct("This is the theme to GArry's show/the theme to Garry's show/Garry called me up and asked if I'd write this theme for him/...)!

I realize that it was Mr.Shandling's later project,"The LArry Sanders Show" is more the critically darling of the two shows Garry has so far done,and while I was overall quite pleased with "LArry Sanders",this show I watched more loyally and still remember fondly. Can anyone tell me if this show has made it to DVD yet?