Marblehead Manor (1987–1988) User Reviews

Truly a clever, funny show

[Pogo-5 · 9/10 · 9 January 1999]

My children and I really enjoyed this show. I was sorry to see it go off the air. It was only on for a short time; maybe a summer replacement.

A short but well-done farce

[q_leo_rahman · 8/10 · 20 March 2014]

This show is pretty much a farce set in an upper-class New England estate, where the owners and servants go about their daily lives and deal with various predicaments. It's nothing too serious or heavy- handed; the theme song itself spells out that "it's a grand, fairytale land life" at Marblehead Manor, where most of the occurrences that happen are fairly comical and fluffy for the most part quickly resolved, though not without comical developments.

This show is more or less a light-hearted comedy, but one that combines the best of UK and US humour. British and American comedies have a fundamental difference: with the British it's about subtlety and farce and more or less fumbling through embarrassing situations; meanwhile American comedies are in-your-face slapstick gags and vulgarity. Fusing the two would be a difficult and delicately balanced task, but this series pulls it off with flair and style.

What really counts are the performances: Paxton Whitehead and Bob Fraser do a masterful job as the butler and socialite who try to keep on top of situations even as they fall apart. Whitehead slides immaculately from competent servant to comically cracking up as he tries to keep stock of situations, while Fraser simply rides each situation with wonderful disregard and egotism (he wrote and produced the show, but his acting is also quite wonderful). The rest of the cast do quite well in their roles (keep an eye out for Phil Morris and Michael Richards), but the show belongs to Whitehead and Fraser. As I said, a great mix of British and American talent and comedy.

This show sadly didn't last too long, as around the time it came out America was switching away from shows like BENSON and towards blue- collar working-class comedies. If given another chance, this very entertaining sitcom could be enjoyed quite a lot.

This is one of the truly good farcical comedies I have seen.

[ext80tonow · 7 January 2005]

We (our family) managed to record 13 of the 24 episodes and have watched them many times. We have enjoyed them each time. We would like to obtain the other eleven episodes if they are available. It is difficult to choose any particular character or actor (actress) as favorite since they all seem to be perfectly suited to their parts. Bob Fraser as Randolf Stonehill seems to be a perfect balance of balance of domineering millionaire and immature cry baby although one episode (in which his Aunt and a llama arrive at the same time and in which Mr. Stonehill is hardly present) is our personal favorite. This is a truly enjoyable series and, as mentioned above, we would be pleased if we could obtain more episodes.

Hilarious show!! I still miss it.

[davedavidl · 18 December 2005]

I knew Michael Richards long before Seinfeld was ever thought of, because of Marblehead Manor. Paxton Whitehead was the ever comical butler who's catchphrase "yes...Madam" always stole the scenes he was in. Many of Richards' mannerisms came to light in this series that later made him so famous on Seinfeld, his underlying silliness ever ready to pour out at a moment's notice that would leave you laughing for hours afterward... One scene involved a woman in a skirt who accidentally got into a mishap, revealing her underwear. Richards' character went through the episode chanting "....blue underpants" in sheer amazement. Priceless comedy. Linda Thorson played the ever proper lady of the house that employed everyone, sometimes unaware of the crazy antics that Whitehead and Richards had gotten the Manor into. In short, terrific comedy that deserved a MUCH longer lifespan than the one season it was given. A must-see when it is available on DVD.

I loved this show!

[Jonathan-18 · 22 December 1998]

I used to watch it a long time ago, before I even knew Seinfeld or Michael Richards (he's great here too) and it's one of the funniest shows I ever saw (and I don't just say that). Watch some shows somehow somewhere and you're hooked. Truly original. Funny Funny Funny.

One of the best kept secrets of sit-com...

[mltaylor · 13 November 2001]

Marblehead Manor was truly an outstanding comedy series, and I only wish that more episodes were made. Paxton Whitehead easily steals the spotlight in his role of Albert the Butler, a witty yet manic servant to the Stonehills (Bob Fraser and Linda Thorson). Whitehead & Fraser's onstage chemistry is absolutely genius, while a young Michael Richards adds a hilarious facet to the show as the nieve yet lovable gardener - a much more settling role than his signature character on Seinfeld. This series is a "must-see" for anyone who can get their hands on it.