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

User Rating:

7.9/10   

Directors:

James Burrows
Jeff Chambers
(more)

Writers:

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

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:

Marshal | Small Town | Sitcom | Shop Owner | Police

Cast

Joel Higgins	...	Marshall Sam Best (22 episodes, 1981-1982)
Carlene Watkins	...	Elvira Best (22 episodes, 1981-1982)
Meeno Peluce	...	Daniel Best (22 episodes, 1981-1982)
Valri Bromfield	...	Laney Gibbs (22 episodes, 1981-1982)
Tracey Walter	...	Frog Rothchild Jr. (22 episodes, 1981-1982)
Tom Ewell	...	Doc Kullens (22 episodes, 1981-1982)
Leonard Frey	...	Parker Tillman (22 episodes, 1981-1982)

(more)

Series Directed by
Howard Storm		(6 episodes, 1981-1982)
Stan Daniels		(3 episodes, 1981-1982)
James Burrows		(3 episodes, 1981)
Jeff Chambers		(3 episodes, 1981)
Ed. Weinberger		(2 episodes, 1981-1982)
Michael Lessac		(2 episodes, 1982)
Will Mackenzie		(1 episode, 1981)

Series Writing credits
Earl Pomerantz		(13 episodes, 1981-1982)
David Lloyd		(3 episodes, 1982)
Michael Leeson		(2 episodes, 1981)
Mitch Markowitz		(2 episodes, 1981)
Chip Keyes		(1 episode, 1981)
Doug Keyes		(1 episode, 1981)
Sy Rosen		(1 episode, 1981)
Sam Simon		(1 episode, 1981)

Series Produced by
David Lloyd	....	producer (2 episodes, 1981-1982)
Greg Nierman	....	assistant producer (unknown episodes)
Earl Pomerantz	....	executive producer (unknown episodes)

Series Original Music by
Roger Steinman		(unknown episodes)

Series Film Editing by
Douglas Hines		(unknown episodes)
Ronald Sinclair		(unknown episodes)

Series Art Direction by
Tommy Goetz		(unknown episodes)

Series Set Decoration by
Fred S. Winston		(unknown episodes)

Series Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Brian James Ellis	....	second assistant director (22 episodes, 1981-1982)
Randy Carter	....	first assistant director (unknown episodes)

Series Art Department
Frank Bellina	....	property master (22 episodes, 1981-1982)

Series Special Effects by
Ken Speed	....	special effects assistant (unknown episodes)

Series Other crew
Mitch Markowitz	....	executive story editor (unknown episodes)

Production Companies

• Paramount Television

Distributors

• American Broadcasting Company (ABC) (1981-1982) (USA) (TV) (original airing)

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 Avenue, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Paramount Television

Soundtrack:

Best of the West

A Surprisingly Cute Show for the Time

This show was surprisingly good for the time period that it was on. The cast was more than acceptable and the premise was cute (essentially, it was a PC Blazing Saddles for the prime-time set). Tracey Walters was great as Frog (I'm Frooag... my mother still says that sometimes).

My only disappointment is that shows like this (and maybe Quark) do not seem to have caught the eye of either Nick at Nite or TV Land. Now I know for a fact that they were playing My Mother the Car at some point on those channels (I saw it), but they seem to ignore some of the truly fine quality shows of the '70s. Oh well, it is worth seeing if you get a chance.