The Eddie Files (1995– ) User Reviews

Dust Off Them Old Files!

[kensirhan-86198 · 8/10 · 3 June 2018]

It's been Many Long Years since I saw any of this cute little program, tripped over on PBS after midnight once, & VHS recorded at least a 6-episode (no more than 8) marathon because, that city being nowhere near no favorite of mine otherwise - and in spite of kiddy education being wayfar back in my rearview mirror - I found many of these Files to be informative and entertaining. But for whatever their reasons, there's a tough crowd on here to impress with not even an overall 7 rating. My favorites - about what else but food - are the 2 pizza-based episodes & the funny little "Hot Dog Heaven," which featured Eddie's auntie's dog in a . . . prominent role (as well as, horribly in hindsight. a wonderful view while racing around chasing him of the World Trade Center as Eddie & Johnny are on the Staten Island Ferry). Nuff Respect to the several brand names of sports & cinema who kindly appeared here in such a humble low-key affair compared to the usual bombastic productions of Dollyweird; these didn't have a nah-could-never-happen flavor but, as when Eddie goes to the ballgame & meets a player, instead a charming believability (since that city is populated with well-known stars of all kinds whom Ordinary People sometimes come across). I liked the POV aspect - out of Eddie's eyes (camera) but only just now, after being reminded of these Files led me to this database for more info, had I chewed over a "why" it was so done. Eddie never talks directly to the (mostly) adults he interacts with; instead he provides an ongoing commentary on the situation(s) at hand. It's like a reverse take on "Peanuts," which employed a "Waah/waah waah WAAH waah waah" stand-in for adult voice, to clearly delineate all takes place from the kids' point of view; here that's easy to recognize, but on just Eddie's kid's part there's no speaking. Did they try that angle but somehow it came out awkwardly, & instead figure that (which I would agree) that Eddie's silent treatment looks & "feels" smoother - and even that it could stimulate a kid's creativity to put themselves more easily in Eddie's place, looking out at the world through their own eyes? It's food for thought on that. I zoned out in the classroom segments - love to have have a Ms. Tolliver-type teacher back in the day, but math problems don't tickle my older fancy; but the scenes of Eddie at home/with family & friends and/or having adventures outside I found so engaging. Plus, even for those not much interested in such, the outdoors shots are a delight to both tourist & native, the latter of whom I expect would be scouring each frame for landmarks they know. Even the Background Score (though I prefer the 2nd version of Eddie's endtheme) had some "hooks" to it. Whatever the reason for its peculiar distribution/16-episode longevity - a 4/8/4 setup of "seasons" that leaves only wonderment as to why it was such a measly affair when so many plenty of stories were waiting to be told - "some beats none" for getting to see what there is, & with no media-format purchase availability, I can only wonder if the handful of episodes I recorded So Long Ago (and still have; it's hardly my oldest videotape) represent a rare stash of a program not aired, that I know of, for 18 years. Don't remember if I saw but didn't get to record anymore, but I sure I wish I did have the whole thing! Now, to paraphrase Dr. Smith, "where's that videotape?"