"Best of the West" (1981)TV series 1981-1982

Directors:

James Burrows
Jeff Chambers

Writers:

Earl Pomerantz (writer) (13 episodes)
Chip Keyes (writer) (one episode)

Seasons:

1

Release Date:

10 September 1981 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Western

Plot:

The Wild West misadventures of a mild-mannered store owner turned town marshal.

Plot Keywords:

Sitcom | Marshal | Police | Shop Owner | Small Town

Cast

Joel Higgins	...	Marshall Sam Best (18 episodes, 1981-1982)
Carlene Watkins	...	Elvira Best (18 episodes, 1981-1982)
Tracey Walter	...	Frog Rothchild Jr. (8 episodes, 1981-1982)

Runtime:

30 min (22 episodes)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Filming Locations:

Paramount Studios - 5555 Melrose Ave., Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Paramount Television

Cowboy comedy

This was every bit as good as "Cheers" and "Taxi" from the same writers. Pity it wasn't as successful.

Every western show cliché you can think of was here. And they surrounded it with as many gags and puns as possible. Like Monty Python or the 'Airplane' movies, you had to be careful. Jokes came so fast sometimes, you might have missed a few.

Joel Higgins' deep bass and OTT 'white hat' acting was perfect. And the late Leonard Frey as the sleazy business man was just as great. And of course who could forget Frog.

Best line? Best: "Mayor if it was your wife you'd pay the ransom right?" Mayor: "They gonna kill her or just torture her a little." A DVD release is deserved.