"Anything But Love" (1989) TV series 1989-1992

User Rating:

7.5/10   

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4

Release Date:

7 March 1989 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy

Plot:

Marty and Hannah are two co-workers who are attracted to each other, but don't want to spoil their friendship by starting a romantic relationship.

Plot Keywords:

Sitcom | Title Based On Song

Awards:

Won Golden Globe. Another 1 win & 3 nominations

Cast

Jamie Lee Curtis	...	Hannah Miller (23 episodes, 1989-1992)
Richard Lewis	...	Marty Gold (23 episodes, 1989-1992)
Richard Frank	...	Jules 'Julie' Bennett / ... (23 episodes, 1989-1992)
Ann Magnuson	...	Catherine Hughes (17 episodes, 1989-1992)
Holly Fulger	...	Robin 'Mrs. Schmenkman' Dulitski (16 episodes, 1989-1992)
Joseph Maher	...	Brian Allquist (13 episodes, 1989-1990)
Billy Van Zandt	...	Harold (11 episodes, 1989)
Jane Milmore	...	Kelly (11 episodes, 1989)

Runtime:

30 min (56 episodes)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Filming Locations:

20th Century Fox Studios - 10201 Pico Blvd., Century City, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

20th Century Fox Television

Movie Connections:

Featured in When Stand-Up Comics Ruled the World (2004) (TV)

Warm and Fuzzy

I agree with the other commentators, this was a really good series. It hearkened back to old Hollywood in so many ways - the repartee, the light touches of comedy, the modern sense of romance. It also seemed to tip its hat to the gentler, more genteel Britcoms of the late 70's. Jamie Lee Curtis was utterly charming, and Richard Lewis - with his neurosis and inability to let anything drop -was her perfect match. And the show really caught that feel of the turn of the decade, post-garish-80's, but pre-slacker-90's.

It says something when a TV show is so well constructed but all one initially remembers is a warm and fuzzy feeling. It means that the show has wormed its way into your heart. This is the case with Anything But Love.

I only have two complaints about the series. First, ABC treated it badly, first in not keeping it in a good time slot, permanently (this was the late 80's, early 90's, when the big three ruled, and a large contributor to a shows success was keeping it in the public's mind by delivering it regularly at a set time), and - having worn down its viewer-ship - canceling the show way too soon. Second, after the first or second season there was a reworking of the show. As with These Friends of Mine/Ellen, this destroyed much of the initial simple charm.

This is one American sitcom I would definitely get on DVD, for I know that I would watch the series over and over again.