Get a Life

What can I say "Get a Life was so Strange that it was funny. Half the episodes didn't make any kind of point, but it was funny just the same. The show was basically about a middle aged boy named Chris Peterson who had a paper route and lived with his parents, at least in the 1st season and above all else, HAD NO LIFE! The show only lasted two seasons. During the 2nd season Chris moves out of his parents house and into the basement of retired police officer, Gus who was his landlord-friend. Why FOX didn't keep the series on longer I don't understand because the show had many amusing episodes, corny but funny. I do miss this show I look back and remembered laughing my self silly watching this show every week. But, as usual FOX always cancels the good TV Shows.

A lot of television humor is recycled from past shows, or just the same theme over and over again. I won't go into examples, but I think you understand what I'm saying. This show, however, was original and showed the world that Chris Elliot is a brilliant comedian. Does anyone remember that Elliot got his start on "David Letterman" on NBC as the "Conspiracy guy", who would stand up in the audience, interrupt the show, and accuse Letterman of some "cover-up" involving missing files and Connie Chung? Then he would run through a door and get run over (usually by a floor buffer). "Get a Life" was very funny and quite original. I guess my favorite episode was the one where the alien Chris found would ooze out some vile, and disgusting stuff out of his body, and Chris ate it. He got Brian Doyle-Murray to eat some, too. They said it tasted like pudding. The alien seemed disgusted that they were eating the stuff, too. I really liked this show and I wish Fox had kept it on longer.

This is, without a doubt, the funniest show I have ever seen on TV. The episodes are like a cartoon; anything can happen and it is not bound by normal rules. The results are definitely laugh-out-loud funny. Get the DVD!! It only has four episodes but they are great no matter how many times I watch them. I wish that all the episodes were available for purchase. About two years ago USA reran the entire series. I TiVo'd a bunch but then my TiVo broke...it was a very sad day indeed. My favorite episode is when Chris finds a dead rat in his milk carton and decides to become a food inspector. He gets sucked into the corrupt world of bribes and $5 perks. Eventually he is caught and has to testify before a senate sub-committee. "Sub-committee? Whats that? One of those things where a bunch of guys sit around eating those long sandwiches?" Then he laughs like an idiot. Classic!

It's been over a decade, and many of us still double-over with laughter just thinking about episodes of this insane sitcom, a Hellzapopin revue for the goofy, mannered talents of Chris Elliot. However, an equal number of folks see this show as nothing but stupid. Elliot, Resnick, and company probably see it that way too. There aren't many absolutes in life, but this is one of them: You'll either love or hate this show (and your feelings will be inextricably tied to how much you like Chris Elliot). There is NO middle ground. No one ever says that "Get a Life" is "just OK," "fair," or "I could take it or leave it." It inspires fervent reactions both pro and con. And in a plain vanilla world of network television, that's a good thing!

For me, my life is always a whole lot better when I think about "Spewey the Alien," "Zoo Animals on Wheels," and the "Toolbelt Wars." Those episodes are as fresh today as they were in the day. The trouble with Chris Elliot, I think, is that he has such a bizarre, almost off-putting sense of humor that a little of him goes a long way. (If you don't believe me, see "Cabin Boy.") Here's the perfect vehicle to enjoy his talents--in 22 minute chunks! Eat up!

I loved this program, one that always left me howling with laughter. There is nothing subltle about the gags, props or the humor in this program, it's all in your face, all the way.