The weirdest happened to me today. Out of nowhere, I had this image pop into my mind about some show I used to watch in college, where there was a tennis girl played by the crazy daughter of the CTU boss in Season 4 of 24, and her coach was played by the Secretary of Defense in that same season of 24... and that's all I could remember, and it was driving me nuts! Finally, I realized it was Phenom that I had watched many years ago. I'm so glad I had this freaky random flashback, otherwise I would have forgot all about this show. The first thing I did was go to TVshowsonDVD.com, and I was so disappointed it's not out there on DVD. It was an awesome show! The ABC Family channel has many back-to-back reruns they do for the same show everyday for other 90's sitcoms, like Family Matters, Full House, and Sabrina the Teenage Witch... they have more than enough room to squeeze Phenom in there.
17 Reviews
phenom... loved this show!
drep68131 December 2006
HA! Thats funny because the only episode of this show that I remember was the one where she was learning how to kiss. If I recall she paid some boy to help her learn and then her boyfriend walked in on them. Funny. I was only 11 when this show aired, and I loved it! Weird though that I don't even remember Judith Light being in it, and you think I would, being I was such a big fan of Whos the Boss. All these years later I can still remember EXACTLY what the main character of this show looked like. I think it was probably very cheesy, considering I like it when I was 11, but thats how most shows were back then. I miss shows like this these days!
OK, average sitcom.
OllieSuave-0077 April 2017
This is an OK show about a tennis pro who must go through life's challenges with her single mother, little sister, insecure brother and loud coach (William Devane).
From what I remember, it's a light-hearted show, but not much to laugh about. The humor was just so-so and the acting was OK at best. Average writing and lesser entertainment from this sit-com. But, at least it's tolerable than much of the forced-humor and tasteless sitcoms dished out nowadays.
Grade C
From what I remember, it's a light-hearted show, but not much to laugh about. The humor was just so-so and the acting was OK at best. Average writing and lesser entertainment from this sit-com. But, at least it's tolerable than much of the forced-humor and tasteless sitcoms dished out nowadays.
Grade C
Remember this one?
travelnut518 March 1999
Great show! I'm sad that it was cancelled. While most people don't even remember this show, it seems that the casting director of Jerry Maguire had a faint recollection. Watch the movie closely, and you will notice that Angela Goethals was cast in a tiny role as a tennis player, and Todd Louiso played Chad, the nanny.
Making of a Phenom
hellraiser76 December 2019
Like any sports legends and stars, they all start out small before they become somebody or something. This show flew under the radar or should I say tennis net. I remember seeing this show when I was about eleven, at the time I was really into the sitcoms as they were one of the only things I could and was allowed to watch.
I did enjoy this show and it did earn points with most viewers, but unfortunately it was not enough as it got canceled as fast as a quick tennis match ends. It's kind of too bad because this show I felt has some potential to be a sitcom classic.
Really like the theme song by Carly Simon which is one of my honorable mentions in favorite TV themes, it's catchy and sort of goes with the theme of the show on the journey of a possible future sports star and anyone else aspiring to be great.
The cast and characters are pretty good some are familiar faces and surprising some of them after this show have gone on to do more.
Ashley Johnson I really like, this show was sort of this actresses debut, and I'll admit discovering this actress was in this show was a surprise to me and kind of cool as she's best known for her voice acting most notably the voice of Gwen Tennyson in "Ben 10 Alien Force/Ultimate Alien". I really like the energy of her character and the amount of spunk she has; she's got a lot of good scenes and lines.
Brian is my favorite character in the show, he's funny and loveable and he's played by underrated comedic actor Todd Louiso. This guy is one that is sort of down on his luck in some sense or another. His character in sort of on the shy introverted side but also childlike in a way as it seems like there are some things about the adulthood world he doesn't totally understand. This to me give his character a sort of innocence as you could almost at time emphasize with his difficulties as most to possibly all of us have been there. But one thing I really like about the guy is he's never boring he's a person that beats to a different drummer, he's always trying different things out, one favorite scene in an episode is when he tries on VR tech and he then run screaming in fright because it was all seemed too real. Yeah, that was a time when VR was a new concept.
Though my second favorite character is Lou Del La Rosa played well by William Devane. This is an actor I always see in a lot of serious roles, but this surprised me he for once is in a comedic role and he's capable of comedy. He's an overbearing tennis coach that despite the masculine front he is always trying to display, deep down the guy is insecure to the umph degree. But he's also a real softy as he really does care about Phenom and her family, he pretty much is the father figure Phenom and the family never had but very much need.
Though maybe the only one that hasn't really had much afterward is Phenom herself. Angela Goethals whom was one of the McCallister's in "Home Alone" the one that delivered the insult in French to Kevin; though I also remember her in a horror mockumentary film I really like "Behind the Mask". This show was suppose to be a launch point for the actress which sadly never took off or went very far, it's sort of the same case for Victoria Justice in the show "Victorious" if you don't know who that is my point exactly, though she has been here and there which is better than nothing.
She's a decent lead, as she does have a little charisma and plays the typical teen that is an aspiring Tennis player but also simply a person that is just trying to win at life just as she wins her games.
One of the things that make the show a bit unique is the fact that it's a bit of a Christian show, as the girls go to school in a private catholic school. But in some episodes and some places in the show is does pertain to certain Christian themes. But part of Christianity is about the journey, the struggle to go on and constantly become better morally and spiritually; which of course reflects Phenom's journey in making her Tennis dreams come true.
Though that to me is probably the show's only foul ball, is there isn't much development in the Tennis career aspect. We also never really see the character play tennis much, which almost makes the into you see a little misleading. It might have helped if we got to see Phenom engaged in some Tennis Tournaments, thought maybe that what the season was building up to where in the season finale we would see Phenom in a tournament that would change her life forever. I don't know but the lack of this, sort of makes the show seem like all build up but no pay off.
Another thing about the show is once again, this is a show with no DVD or Blu-Ray release, making this show another lost TV show gem. It would be cool if the Mill Creek Entertainment company thinks of releasing this show since they specialize in the release of some shows and movies that got lost in the cracks of time; it's a thought to consider anyway.
I doubt this show will ever be revived as the fan base and run was a little slim. I'd say if this was remade it would have to be a dramady, it would be one that would flip back and forth in the timeline. Where in the present Phenom is already a sports star but somewhere along the line fell from grace and now, she goes on her journey of redemption to bring herself back up again professionally but also mend her relationship with her family whom she has drifted away from. But we would then also flip back to the past where we would see how she built her carrier and ascended as well as her relationship and misadventures with her family when they were still a family. Yeah, this is a nice thought, but it won't happen.
Overall, this is a solid show, it's not phenomenal let alone a classic, but like any good tennis player to try out it's worth a match.
Rating: 3 stars
I did enjoy this show and it did earn points with most viewers, but unfortunately it was not enough as it got canceled as fast as a quick tennis match ends. It's kind of too bad because this show I felt has some potential to be a sitcom classic.
Really like the theme song by Carly Simon which is one of my honorable mentions in favorite TV themes, it's catchy and sort of goes with the theme of the show on the journey of a possible future sports star and anyone else aspiring to be great.
The cast and characters are pretty good some are familiar faces and surprising some of them after this show have gone on to do more.
Ashley Johnson I really like, this show was sort of this actresses debut, and I'll admit discovering this actress was in this show was a surprise to me and kind of cool as she's best known for her voice acting most notably the voice of Gwen Tennyson in "Ben 10 Alien Force/Ultimate Alien". I really like the energy of her character and the amount of spunk she has; she's got a lot of good scenes and lines.
Brian is my favorite character in the show, he's funny and loveable and he's played by underrated comedic actor Todd Louiso. This guy is one that is sort of down on his luck in some sense or another. His character in sort of on the shy introverted side but also childlike in a way as it seems like there are some things about the adulthood world he doesn't totally understand. This to me give his character a sort of innocence as you could almost at time emphasize with his difficulties as most to possibly all of us have been there. But one thing I really like about the guy is he's never boring he's a person that beats to a different drummer, he's always trying different things out, one favorite scene in an episode is when he tries on VR tech and he then run screaming in fright because it was all seemed too real. Yeah, that was a time when VR was a new concept.
Though my second favorite character is Lou Del La Rosa played well by William Devane. This is an actor I always see in a lot of serious roles, but this surprised me he for once is in a comedic role and he's capable of comedy. He's an overbearing tennis coach that despite the masculine front he is always trying to display, deep down the guy is insecure to the umph degree. But he's also a real softy as he really does care about Phenom and her family, he pretty much is the father figure Phenom and the family never had but very much need.
Though maybe the only one that hasn't really had much afterward is Phenom herself. Angela Goethals whom was one of the McCallister's in "Home Alone" the one that delivered the insult in French to Kevin; though I also remember her in a horror mockumentary film I really like "Behind the Mask". This show was suppose to be a launch point for the actress which sadly never took off or went very far, it's sort of the same case for Victoria Justice in the show "Victorious" if you don't know who that is my point exactly, though she has been here and there which is better than nothing.
She's a decent lead, as she does have a little charisma and plays the typical teen that is an aspiring Tennis player but also simply a person that is just trying to win at life just as she wins her games.
One of the things that make the show a bit unique is the fact that it's a bit of a Christian show, as the girls go to school in a private catholic school. But in some episodes and some places in the show is does pertain to certain Christian themes. But part of Christianity is about the journey, the struggle to go on and constantly become better morally and spiritually; which of course reflects Phenom's journey in making her Tennis dreams come true.
Though that to me is probably the show's only foul ball, is there isn't much development in the Tennis career aspect. We also never really see the character play tennis much, which almost makes the into you see a little misleading. It might have helped if we got to see Phenom engaged in some Tennis Tournaments, thought maybe that what the season was building up to where in the season finale we would see Phenom in a tournament that would change her life forever. I don't know but the lack of this, sort of makes the show seem like all build up but no pay off.
Another thing about the show is once again, this is a show with no DVD or Blu-Ray release, making this show another lost TV show gem. It would be cool if the Mill Creek Entertainment company thinks of releasing this show since they specialize in the release of some shows and movies that got lost in the cracks of time; it's a thought to consider anyway.
I doubt this show will ever be revived as the fan base and run was a little slim. I'd say if this was remade it would have to be a dramady, it would be one that would flip back and forth in the timeline. Where in the present Phenom is already a sports star but somewhere along the line fell from grace and now, she goes on her journey of redemption to bring herself back up again professionally but also mend her relationship with her family whom she has drifted away from. But we would then also flip back to the past where we would see how she built her carrier and ascended as well as her relationship and misadventures with her family when they were still a family. Yeah, this is a nice thought, but it won't happen.
Overall, this is a solid show, it's not phenomenal let alone a classic, but like any good tennis player to try out it's worth a match.
Rating: 3 stars
sign me up, I'm on the Phenom waiting list as well!
RavenGlamDVDCollector26 June 2016
Years ago, back in 1994, I didn't set out to watch this. Waiting for other stuff, with my VCR poised and ready, I encountered this. And watched some of it. Cut to the present, I am RavenGlamDVDCollector, and I am trying to recollect the pretty-girl TV shows I have seen during my life. Oh, yeah, there was a show I didn't actually watch, there was a Mom in it, she had a tennis-playing daughter and a crazy goofy boy. But what the hell was the show's name? I have to admit, I had forgotten.
It took perusing through a stack of 22 year old TV guides to bring to light the name, and when found, it's kinda self- explanatory, the title is kinda unusual. Gee, Judith Light, I had forgotten about her. But even if I had seen her credited for something named PHENOM on Wikipedia, it wouldn't even have rung a bell. Fortunately the old TV Guide mentioned 'tennis-playing daughter' and my quest for anything I might have forgotten was instantly rewarded.
Sadly, it's a 1.22 case, a single season, 22 episodes, =failed TV show, the execs wouldn't green-light an apparently failed TV show for DVD release, even if some people remember it fondly. There are like fourteen reviews here, 23 years later? You do the math. Life just ain't fair, this show had a lot of promise. It was head and shoulders above a slew of junk being telecast in prime-time on South African M-Net, Mondays at 18h30, but it is gone and forgotten, and that's very sad. And all my nagging is stuck here in this Lonely Outpost where few, if any, would ever visit.
Not even a downloadable segment of it. It's just a vague memory now. Sigh.
It took perusing through a stack of 22 year old TV guides to bring to light the name, and when found, it's kinda self- explanatory, the title is kinda unusual. Gee, Judith Light, I had forgotten about her. But even if I had seen her credited for something named PHENOM on Wikipedia, it wouldn't even have rung a bell. Fortunately the old TV Guide mentioned 'tennis-playing daughter' and my quest for anything I might have forgotten was instantly rewarded.
Sadly, it's a 1.22 case, a single season, 22 episodes, =failed TV show, the execs wouldn't green-light an apparently failed TV show for DVD release, even if some people remember it fondly. There are like fourteen reviews here, 23 years later? You do the math. Life just ain't fair, this show had a lot of promise. It was head and shoulders above a slew of junk being telecast in prime-time on South African M-Net, Mondays at 18h30, but it is gone and forgotten, and that's very sad. And all my nagging is stuck here in this Lonely Outpost where few, if any, would ever visit.
Not even a downloadable segment of it. It's just a vague memory now. Sigh.
Speaking of Todd Louiso....
eclark20018-577-4825085 May 2014
Remember the episode where Mary Margaret (Ashley Johnson) was sitting on her bed in her room telling Brian (Todd Louiso)how much she her Cabbage Patch Doll reminded her of him? He asked why because it's warm and cuddly? NO. Because he makes you feel safe? NO. And Mary Margaret looks him straight in the eye while she is stroking her Cabbage Patch Doll's bald head and didn't say a word. It's been 10 years and every time I think of that scene it just cracks me up! When I saw Todd in Jerry McGuire as the nanny, that whole Cabbage Patch Doll scene popped in my head! Phenom was a great show that got canceled way too soon. I'd like to see it on TVLand!
Brian Doolan rules!
philzrule27 October 2006
It still drives me nuts that they canceled this show after a year, just b/c it didn't keep all of Who's the Boss's audience. If I'm not mistaken, it was somewhere in the early 30s in the ratings. Earl and Office didn't get that high last year and they're both considered hits. Unreal. Brian Doolan remains one of my favorite television characters of all time, right up there with Alex P. Keaton and Detective Frank Pemblemton. Weird company, I know. But I'm glad to see that he's still getting work, he was the best part of SoaP. The most memorable episode I can think of is when Brian became the security guard at Angela's tennis camp. It was one of the few episodes that focused on him, and I found it hysterical. I still laugh just thinking of it. Please, oh please, put it out on DVD!
It deserved better
bitbucket-misc014 December 2006
I really liked this comedy -- it managed to be poignant without being cloying or overdone. Todd Luiso did a very good job and so did William Devane; both their characters were funny. But the rest of the cast was good also. Their characters were more the straights to offset the other two, but that doesn't mean they didn't do a good job.
The failing of this sitcom -- like so many others -- was that it was based on a story and characters with a Catholic background. The USA is a predominantly Protestant society. You just don't have the numbers to be a big success with a Catholic story line on network TV. However, this series captured the essence of the whole Catholic experience more truly than any other I've seen.
I was upset when it was quietly canceled and still -- like Cato repeating "Carthago delenda est" -- remark about it.
The failing of this sitcom -- like so many others -- was that it was based on a story and characters with a Catholic background. The USA is a predominantly Protestant society. You just don't have the numbers to be a big success with a Catholic story line on network TV. However, this series captured the essence of the whole Catholic experience more truly than any other I've seen.
I was upset when it was quietly canceled and still -- like Cato repeating "Carthago delenda est" -- remark about it.
I wish I had them all on tape...
Jenepel3 October 1999
This was an awesome sitcom. If I had realized how short lived it would be at the time that it was on I would have gone to great pains to tape them all. As it is I only have two or three. It was just really well done: creative premise, very funny script, good actors, etc. > And if you ever get a chance to watch any of this great show, take it because you won't regret it! I am really surprised that some of the actors didn't go on to bigger things. I looked over their credits and they really have not done much since...except the aforementioned spots on Jerry McGuire, which I was pretty excited about when I saw :-). The little girl (Mary Margaret) especially was very good...so maybe she will pop up again somewhere. Anyway, I guess that is all. This was just a GREAT show.
I miss this show
rricci8 December 2001
I thought me and a friend were the only one who liked this show. I thought all girls were cute, but the thing that drew me the most was how over the top Brian Doolan was. I remember one episode where he was say how his mom walked in on him when he was REALLY enjoying a magazine's pictorial. I'm laughing right now thinking about that scene. I wish this series would be release on DVD or tape. I would buy it. Or re-broadcast
This was a great show!
emgosselin3 April 2005
I really loved this show! I thought it was one of the best in the 90's! The sad thing is that it was canceled and has not been rebroadcast! What I don't understand we have reruns of several different TV shows but this one hasn't been thought of!How any times can we watch the Cosby Show, Full House, and many others. Don't get me wrong I love these shows too but they have had so much air time. They really need to put this on DVD and have some reruns on too. This is a show that can be watched by young children. I was a young kid when this show was on and my parents approved this wholesome and funny show for there children to watch without supervision. I just hope that they will give this show a chance to be put back on the air!
One of the Best Shows Ever
ZachDVD24 September 1999
It was a shame ABC axed this show after one season, I bet if it was on longer a bigger audience would have been built. Either way, Phenom is a gem. It's a sitcom with some good morals, and is funny without being too corny. The acting is also top notch. I am thankful I do have about every episode on tape, and I occasionally do hold mini marathons where I watch them. The series focused on Angela Doolan, a 16 year old tennis ace. She came across problems all teenagers face: family, friends, pressure and her overbearing coach. I even went to a taping of this show (if you see the episode where Coach Lou's friend dies, listen closely to hear a stupid fake laugh, that's me). I swear, if I had enough money I'd buy the episodes/rights from Columbia themselves (okay I am going nuts). Maybe the Fox Family Channel or Disney or some cable channel will somehow notice this show and buy them and broadcast the episodes. If you ever get a chance to see this show, see it and enjoy. Oh yeah, whatever happened to Angela Goethals?
Sorely missed
jaiebey25 July 2005
I thought Phenom was great. It had snappy one liners, good scenes and characters and wasn't limited to 30 second clips of jokes to pad it out. I was at college at the time and around 25 and I still found it funny and fresh, and watchable on several levels. I've not seen it since either in repeats in the UK or on DVD or on satellite shows - which is a great sadness. We have Knight Rider and even Autocar (groan) which are played regularly and available on DVD. I've no idea ow many series were shown on TV but I'm sure they could fit on a single 2-disc release. Bring it back and bring it out on DVD. Todd Louiso is a hunk in it, too.
Quirky and not too bad
heatsand23 September 2002
The premise for the t.v. show "Phenom" was actually pretty original but the show was not particularly amazing. It was just ok. What I found myself tuning in to see was the older brother character played by Todd Louiso. He was neurotic and funny, not to mention much less gifted than the main character (played by Angela Goethals). He was a very original character for a sitcom. I was pleasantly surprised to see Louiso pop up recently in "High Fidelity" as one of John Cusack's record store employees. Louiso and Jack Black were great together! Check out "Phenom" if it's ever on t.v. for Todd Louiso.
The best show ever!
Star Trek Fan9 May 2002
This was one of my alltime favorite television shows, yet I had to use iMDB because I forgot the title! Anyway, I absolutely loved this show! I remember many things from it.
1. The time the borther waned to revolutionize travel by suspending people in mid-air and letting the Earth's rotation bring their destination to them.
2. The time the brother was watching "Your Voice is Changing Charlie Brown" and Charlie Brown could be heard switching over to the womp-womp sounds that the Peanuts cartoons used for adults talking in mid-sentence.
3. The time the little sister ate to much chocolate and went crazy running around the house.
4. In the first episode, the little sister 'adopted' (sponsored) a large number of children with her mom's credit card so she wouldn't be lonely while her sister was away.
This was and still is the greatest show ever made!
1. The time the borther waned to revolutionize travel by suspending people in mid-air and letting the Earth's rotation bring their destination to them.
2. The time the brother was watching "Your Voice is Changing Charlie Brown" and Charlie Brown could be heard switching over to the womp-womp sounds that the Peanuts cartoons used for adults talking in mid-sentence.
3. The time the little sister ate to much chocolate and went crazy running around the house.
4. In the first episode, the little sister 'adopted' (sponsored) a large number of children with her mom's credit card so she wouldn't be lonely while her sister was away.
This was and still is the greatest show ever made!
"Phenom"? I think not.
Rio-79 October 2000
The only good thing about this show was Judith Light. And all I remember from the series is this cute, innocent tennis player torn between a normal life and her coach's never-ending push for "professionalism".
Angela was an unusually beautiful teenager living with her mom Dianne and younger sister Mary. She was a phenom at tennis (hence the name) and her coach always pushed her to perfection. The only episode I remember pertained to Angela learning how to kiss. She was developing a healthy relationship and her coach tried to stand in the way.
The who show was a string of cliches, and I am not surprised it was cancelled. It had potential but fell flat.
Angela was an unusually beautiful teenager living with her mom Dianne and younger sister Mary. She was a phenom at tennis (hence the name) and her coach always pushed her to perfection. The only episode I remember pertained to Angela learning how to kiss. She was developing a healthy relationship and her coach tried to stand in the way.
The who show was a string of cliches, and I am not surprised it was cancelled. It had potential but fell flat.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
