TV's Greatest Sidekicks (2004) (TV)

User Rating:

2.4/10   

Director:

Dennis Rosenblatt

Writer:

Bruce Bailey (writer)

Release Date:

26 November 2004 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy

Plot:

Television's biggest stars gather to honor TV's greatest sidekicks. |

Plot Keywords:

TV Special | Television History

Cast

Christina Applegate	...	(archive footage)
Bea Arthur	...	Herself
Hermione Baddeley	...	(archive footage)
Lucille Ball	...	(archive footage)
Christine Baranski	...	(archive footage)
Drew Carey	...	Himself (archive footage)
Dixie Carter	...	(archive footage)
Rachel Chagall	...	(archive footage)
Anthony Clark	...	(archive footage)
Tony Danza	...	(archive footage)
Ellen DeGeneres	...	(archive footage)
Fran Drescher	...	Herself
Julia Duffy	...	(archive footage)
Georgia Engel	...	Herself
Joely Fisher	...	(archive footage)
Bonnie Franklin	...	(archive footage)
Mary Frann	...	(archive footage)
Estelle Getty	...	(archive footage)
Alice Ghostley	...	(archive footage)
Marla Gibbs	...	Herself
Peri Gilpin	...	(archive footage)
Kelsey Grammer	...	(archive footage)
Ann Morgan Guilbert	...	(archive footage)
Valerie Harper	...	Herself
Jackée Harry	...	Herself
Katherine Helmond	...	(archive footage)
Helen Hunt	...	(archive footage)
Leila Kenzle	...	(archive footage)
Kathy Kinney	...	(archive footage)
Lauren Lane	...	(archive footage)
Cloris Leachman	...	(archive footage)
Clea Lewis	...	(archive footage)
Judith Light	...	Herself
Shelley Long	...	(archive footage)
Penny Marshall	...	Host
Rue McClanahan	...	Herself
Laurie Metcalf	...	(archive footage)
Mo'Nique	...	(archive footage)
Mary Tyler Moore	...	(archive footage)
Rhea Perlman	...	(archive footage)
Mackenzie Phillips	...	(archive footage)
Danny Pintauro	...	(archive footage)
Annie Potts	...	(archive footage)
Esther Rolle	...	(archive footage)
Roseanne	...	(archive footage)
Katey Sagal	...	(archive footage)
Isabel Sanford	...	(archive footage)
Jennifer Saunders	...	(archive footage)
Julia Sawalha	...	(archive footage)
Cybill Shepherd	...	(archive footage)
Renée Taylor	...	Herself
Vivian Vance	...	(archive footage)
Countess Vaughn	...	(archive footage)
Betty White	...	Herself
Cindy Williams	...	Host

Runtime:

USA:60 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Company:

George Paige Associates Inc.

A warm and loving tribute to the great sidekicks of TV!

This special celebrating the great female sidekicks was indeed special. It was chock full of memorable and funny moments from some of the best (and under-appreciated) shows that have graced the airwaves and starring the grand dames of comedy.

For starters, the hosts, Penny Marshall and Cindy Williams (aka "Laverne & Shirley") were very funny and still have the chemistry that made them stars of L&S. They connected well with their guests and made sure their guests had the spotlight - always.

The reunions were fun and exciting too. Mary's "sidekicks" from "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" opened the special and were delightful. It's hard to see the line between them and the beloved characters they immortalized on one of TV's best shows. Betty is still amazing and funny, Valerie is lovable and Georgia is overdue an Emmy (Everybody Loves Raymond spin- off?). The ladies talked about their jobs with a fun clip package include Carla from "Cheers," Jackie from "Roseanne" and the hysterical Clea Lewis from "Ellen." Yes, stars and supporting stars were honored throughout.

Bea Arthur and Rue McClanahan, as best friends from "Maude," were gracious, real and spoke lovingly of the other sidekicks who left us - the feisty Esther Rolle and the hilarious Hermione Baddeley. The feuding clips were beautifully edited.

The tribute to Vivian Vance was loving, but too short. She is the queen of sidekicks and paved the way for some many in a brilliant, understated manner. Brava Vivian!

It was great to see the mothers and daughters as sidekicks. Peg and Kelly Bundy, Ann and Julie Romano ("One Day at a Time") and Mo'Nique and Countess Vaughn (hysterical) were memorable. We loved Mona and Angela ("Who's the Boss?") - Katherine Helmond is a treasure and Judith Light pays her co-star her due. And who could forget Fran and Syliva - Fran Drescher and Renee' Taylor - two brilliantly comic actors.

Jackee' Harry and Marla Gibbs also joined the line-up. Jackee was also a big talent in "227" and she and Marla still play well together. The clips on "sex" were classic too.

The BEST part was the first reunion of "The Golden Girls" (minus the retired Estelle Getty). Lifetime couldn't even get them together on-camera for the reunion special. All three stars (and Getty) won Emmys and all deserving. The tribute to Estelle was warm, funny and reminded me to keep watching the show and buy the DVDs.

I want to see more!!!

It was very touching to see all the ladies for the curtain call finale. BRAVA LIFETIME and to all the great sidekicks - Alice Ghostley, Lauren Lane, Cloris Leachman, Christine Baranski in the show - and Agnes Moorehead, Marion Lorne, Polly Holiday and many others.