Parker Lewis Can't Lose (1990–1993)

For a cool high school kid and his friends, thwarting authority figures and other enemies is not a problem.

Creators:

Lon Diamond, Clyde Phillips

Stars:

Corin Nemec, Billy Jayne, Troy W. Slaten

8 nominations.

Cast

Complete series cast summary:
Corin Nemec	...	Parker Lloyd Lewis (73 episodes, 1990-1993)
Billy Jayne	...	Mikey Randall (73 episodes, 1990-1993)
Troy W. Slaten	...	Jerry Steiner (73 episodes, 1990-1993)
Melanie Chartoff	...	Principal Grace Musso (71 episodes, 1990-1993)
Maia Brewton	...	Shelly Lewis (67 episodes, 1990-1993)
Abraham Benrubi	...	Larry Kubiac (63 episodes, 1990-1993)
Taj Johnson	...	Frank Lemmer (45 episodes, 1990-1992)
Timothy Stack	...	Mr. Martin Lewis (32 episodes, 1990-1993)

Storyline

Trendy high school student Parker Lewis (a character similar to Ferris Bueller), for whom, as suggested by his motto, "Not a problem," nothing is impossible. Like his best buds Mikey Randall and Jerry Steiner, and his girlfriend Annie Sloane, his prime concern is achieving and maintaining coolness during the turbulent years of puberty. However, their efforts keep being thwarted by Parker's little sister, Shelly, and principal Grace Musso. Apart from various aspects of teenage life, embedded in a wealth of cartoon-like special effects and camera trickery, an episode regularly contains more or less subtle references to movies, politics, and celebrities.

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Plot Keywords:

high school | principal | bully | sycophant | male friendship | 

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Genres:

Comedy

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

2 September 1990 (USA)

Also Known As:

Parker Lewis

Filming Locations:

Alexander Hamilton High School - 2955 S. Robertson Blvd., Palms District, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures Television, Clyde Phillips Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

30 min 30 min (73 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

4:3

Did You Know?

Trivia

Between "Parker Lewis'" first and second seasons, Taj Johnson and Abraham Benrubi worked as roadies for No Doubt's first American tour.

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Quotes

[the Buds have been called into Musso's office for no apparent reason]
Parker Lewis: Have we done anything in the last 48 hours?
[Jerry lifts up a stack of prinouts, at least three-feet thick, and slams it on the table]
Jerry Steiner: Nothing tracable.

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Crazy Credits

During the credits, we hear Jerry Steiner say while he's still trapped in a locker, "Mr. Lewis? Mr. Randall? Mr. Phillips? Hello?"

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Connections

Featured in America's Teenagers Growing Up on Television (1998)

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Soundtracks

"Stand"
by R.E.M.

User Reviews

Release this now please!

I have only fond memories of this show and for me it set the standard for teen comedies when it was running. The later competing Ferris Beuller show didn't hold a candle to it. The site-gags were well done, the cheeziness of the show was an asset, not a liability, and it was consistently witty and clever; the likes of which hadn't really been equalled until the Buffy series arrived on the scene many years later.

Still, I have yet to find this in any video or DVD form. I'd really like to watch the series again (as would my then-college roommate when the series came out). It was a sleeper and still has a semi-cult following. It's a shame that it is yet another common example of good series' that keep falling victim to TV execs who only care about dumbed down franchise material and instant gratification.

What's the hold up folks? Put out the DVD boxed set now!!!!