Starman

It's warm and funny, has a pleasant dose of the fantastic, and even manages to throw in a few life lessons along the way, in a manner not nearly as ham- fisted or homily-heavy as shows like Highway to Heaven and Wizard. [19 Sept 1986, p.B1]

As TV shows go, it may have the most convoluted, tortured premise on record. A new title could resolve its identity crisis: "The Fugitive From Outer Space." It is not so much based on the 1984 film which starred Jeff Bridges as a sequel to it...Even if you saw the movie, you may find the TV show confusing...If you didn't, you may be utterly bewildered.[19 Sept 1986, p.E-1]

In the opener, the title character learned new terms ("hair-of-the- dog," "bimbo"), but before too many weeks, this particular Starman may comprehend still another phrase: "Midseason replacement." [26 Sept 1986, p.C5]

Hays, who sometimes shows qualities that suggest a young James Stewart, but not enough of them, seems lost in the alien role, and the character has been made so passive that all sense of urgency is lost, too. He stands around wondering what to do, which is never very exciting to watch. [19 Sept 1986, p.D2]

Brother, is this a drag.