Barry Garron

It is Mr. Willis who elevates the show from good viewing to outstanding entertainment. [03 Mar 1985, p.3K]

Ignore several adolescent sexual references and you have a sitcom willing to poke fun at the trauma of growing old in a culture that reveres youth. And while Shepherd is not God's gift to TV sitcoms, she holds her own as an island of near-sanity in a sea of hedonism. [30 Dec 1994]

Angela Lansbury's Jessica Fletcher may not captivate like Peter Falk's Columbo, but she'll do quite nicely until something better comes along. [28 Sep 1984, p.2B]

In less capable hands, the show might have turned into a far-fetched teen fantasy about life without parental restrictions...Here, it is a touching and finely crafted exploration of what it means to grow up without either the rules or the loving guidance of parents. [10 Sept 1994]

A treat while it lasts. [31 May 2000]

The net result is a buddy show that is long on youth appeal and chemistry but short on character depth and texture.

To sum up, we have an improbable comedy filled with hard-to-like characters mouthing lines that didn't get funnier after rewrites. Daddio, heck. Oh, brother! [23 March 2000]

It boasts an appealing star, a colorful ensemble cast, clever writing and no shortage of laughs. It is, in short, what good character comedy should be. [23 March 2000]

An above-average series with a largely minority cast as well as a significant minority presence behind the cameras. [12 Jan 2000]

For the most part, a well-chosen cast has been imprisoned in two-dimensional roles. [2 Oct 2000]