okedjtj
With Justine Bateman's success on "Family Ties", NBC decided that two Batemans were better than one and came up with this vehicle for her younger brother, Jason. Young Bateman plays a teen con-artist who helps support his single mother through money making schemes such as selling cheat sheets at school, etc. His little racket is threatened when he gets a new neighbor - an adult version of himself. Things go from worse to worser when the neighbor begins dating his mother & also becomes a teacher at his school. It becomes a chess match as the two constantly try to outsmart/outwit each other. The neighbor was played by David Garrison, a few years before he would take on the role of another neighbor from hell - Steve Rhodes on "Married... With Children". The show was buried on Wednesday nights, a bad night for the Peacock Network, where even "Family Ties" struggled before drawing the Golden Ticket of Cosby as it's lead-in on Thursdays. NBC wasted little time finding another vehicle for Bateman, as "The Hogan Family" would premiere a year or so later
chem_prof2000
Jason Bateman was great, but David Garrison also excelled in his role on this under-appreciated show. The two of them had great chemistry and comedic timing off each other. I couldn't believe it when the show was canceled. David Garrison was also good on "Married with Children". Of course Jason Bateman's career has gone on and on, notably the movie "Juno" and the cable series "Arrested Development".Too bad his sister wasn't as talented. She reached her high point on "Family Ties" convincingly playing a dim bulb. She was recently on "Desperate Housewives" and her looks have declined drastically. She has lost too much weight and appeared to be having a bad hair lifetime.
mshollywod
I was only nine but I totally remember being fascinated by this show. I thought Jason Bateman was so cute and funny. Lol, I used to think he would make the perfect boyfriend. But I agree the show was way before it's time. I too would pay to see all of the episodes again. It was definitely my favorite show of the 80's. It's great to know there are people out there who share the same sentiment as I do on the show. I heard there is a video store in Burbank, CA that sells/rents every single TV show and pilot there every was in existences at this store. I wonder how true that is. Well, maybe it's not in Burbank but I know it's in the Los Angeles area. Unfortunately I haven't seen his new show Arrested Development because I missed all of last season.
hunterdu
This was an unbelieveably funny show. Unfortunately, as with most cutting edge shows, it ran into some criticism and was not allowed to reach its full potential. When they were forced to tone it down in the second season, it lost its edge. But it could very well be in the top five for premier seasons for any sitcom.