Slapstick Studio (1984– ) User Reviews

Painfully horrid, but great if you like that sort of thing, and I do.

[monstermonkeyhead · 5/10 · 19 November 2008]

Wow, no one has commented on this. I wonder why? I picked a DVD of a couple of episodes up off Amazon when I did a search for Dick Shawn. Ah, the wonders of the internet. And the wonders of DVDs that some bozo actually put this out. I guess that's why it was only a penny on Amazon. I'm not kidding: One penny. And a well spent penny too! This is a tough one to review because it is so amazingly awful. I wasn't sure whether to give it a 1 or a 10, so I gave it a 5 in the middle. Here's the show's wacky premise: It takes place in the 1920's I'm guessing. It's about a silent film studio. All the characters talk, but act, or I should say way overact, like they are in a silent movie. Ha ha, ain't dat funny! This means lots of wretched mugging at the camera, garish make-up, including most of the men (!), and exaggerated body movements. The sets are made of cardboard, or something very close to it, and sometimes the entire wall moves when somebody knocks on a door. Interjected at some point during the course of the show, we get to see a fake black and white short silent movie that the characters made. The movie, if you can believe it, is even worse than the show. The words that the characters say in the "silent film" are read aloud to us the audience, because obviously, we are too stupid to read them. Back in the "real world" as if all this weren't painful enough, there are ridiculous singing and dancing musical numbers for no reason. There is also a laugh track for the most insipid unfunny non-jokes. Did this show actually air on network TV? It's hard for me to believe it did. It is akin to watching a car crash. It is sheer morbid curiosity at this dismal failure of a show. And that, my good invisible friend, is its charm! The only other comparison that comes to mind is the musical version of Superman called It's A Bird, It's a Plane, It's Superman- except that was actually funny. Dick Shawn's talent is gone to waste here, as he just appears to be going through the motions rather mechanically like he doesn't care- which is, I suppose, a kind of grace. I do enjoy watching him not care. However, knowing the genius he's capable of, his performance is beyond subdued. To sum this TV show up in a word: Wow.

A total curiosity piece from a failed television show, not great but interesting

[inkblot11 · 6/10 · 24 April 2015]

Sheldon (Dick Shawn) makes modest silent films with slapstick and a cast of nobodies. In between actually shooting films, all are on the lookout for feasible story lines and financing. Also, the actors hang around the office studio, filing their nails and such. One of the films they shoot in the course of this film concerns a young man's invention of a cuff link fastener. This long box, into which folks reluctantly put their arms, goes horribly out of whack. In fact, it turn out to be a great criminal catching device! Yes, the main film is in color and the silent film is in black and white. Also, although the dialogue cards are shown, someone voices the subtitles anyway, in case the audience watching this MODERN film needs it. All in all, it was a great concept that didn't come together and was cancelled as a television show. Shawn, who bears an uncanny resemblance to Steve Martin, is actually a joy while the other cast members are entertaining. The period costumes and sets are great fun, too. What a shame that those at the helm didn't have the instincts to make this work. It coulda been a contender in comedy!