Connect with us


TV

Best of the West (ABC 1981-1982, Joel Higgins, Carlene Watkins)

Published

on


A year before Joel Higgins found himself the very wealthy dad of the wealthiest kid in America on Silver Spoons, he must have thought his ship had already come in during the fall of 1981. More accurately, he must have thought his horse had come home, because Higgins was the star of NBC’s 1981 period situation comedy, Best of the West.

Like the short-lived series Quark, Best of the West functioned primarily as a parody of a genre. Only instead of parodying science-fiction, Best of the West lampooned the Westerns that had been so popular in the 1950s and 1960s.

Higgins played Sam Best, a Civil War veteran who moved his wife Elvira and son Daniel out west to Copper Creek intending to cash in on the fruits of the frontier. Although Best wasn’t much of a gunslinger he accidentally became the town sheriff much to the displeasure of evil saloon owner and dictatorial town boss, Parker Tillman and his dimwitted sidekick Frog (uhh, that’s pronounced “frogue”) played by character actor, Tracey Walter.

Still fresh from his standout role in the series Taxi, Christopher Lloyd made a regular appearance on Best of the West as The Calico Kid, a crazy gun slinging outlaw.

Advertisement

The series had a very accomplished cast and made perfect fun of the western genre- but still had comedy broad enough to appeal to children that never really experienced the boom in westerns on television. Some of the plots, particularly those revolving around Lloyd’s Calico Kid character, were simply hilarious- including one in which the Kid decideed to give up the life of an outlaw to become a cook.

Sam Best’s family was also funny as bitter fish-out-of-water types who have no interest in roughing it out west after living a decidedly more comfortable life in Philadelphia. In the first episode, Best’s son Daniel stated to his father “I want you to understand Dad, I’m never going outside.” Or Best’s wife who complained that she couldn’t seem to get the dirt off the floor of their new home, to which Best replied flatly “It’s a dirt floor.”

In spite of its clever writing and colorful characters, Best of the West never really caught on and fell victim to generally poor ratings throughout the first season. And one season was enough for NBC, which cancelled the show in 1982.

Perhaps Best of the West suffered from bad timing as much as low ratings. It would have made more sense to parody westerns in their heyday instead of at a time when the genre was almost non-existent in popular culture. Higgins probably didn’t fight too hard either as he was set to star in Silver Spoons the following season, which quickly became a hit.

Advertisement

production details
USA / ABC – Paramount – Weinberger – Daniels / 22×25 minute episodes / Broadcast 10 September 1981 – 23 August 1982

Creator: Earl Pomerantz / Theme Vocal: Best of the West by Rex Allen

cast
Joel Higgins as Marshal Sam Best
Carlene Watkins as Elvira Best
Meeno Peluce as Daniel Best
Leonard Frey as Parker Tillman
Tom Ewell as Jerome “Doc” Kullens
Valri Bromfield as Laney Gibbs
Tracey Walter as Frog Rothchild, Jr.
Pat Ast as Rudy
Dave Rogers as Harlee
Christopher Lloyd as The Calico Kid
Andy Griffith as Lamont Devereaux, Elvira’s father
Eve Brent Ashe as Lily Devereaux, Elvira’s mother
Malcolm McClaman as Town Mayor

Advertisement

Alastair James is the editor in chief for Memorable TV. He has been involved in media since his university days. Alastair is passionate about television, and some of his favourite shows include Line of Duty, Luther and Traitors. He is always on the lookout for hot new shows, and is always keen to share his knowledge with others.

General Hospital Today General Hospital Today
News5 hours ago

General Hospital, March 29, 2024, ABC,

Friday’s episode of General Hospital airing March 29, 2024 at 2.00pm on ABC, explores the fallout from Jason Morgan’s recent...

Good Morning America Good Morning America
News5 hours ago

Sheryl Crow, Good Morning America, March 29, 2024, ABC,

On Friday, March 29, Good Morning America presents a special celebration of the 10th year of the hit Broadway musical...

Days of Our Lives Days of Our Lives
News5 hours ago

Days of Our Lives, March 29, 2024, Peacock

On Friday, March 29, in the world of Days of Our Lives, Leo Stark (Greg Rikaart) has a change of...

The Drew Barrymore Show The Drew Barrymore Show
News5 hours ago

Eugene Levy, The Drew Barrymore Show, March 29, 2024, CBS,

In the latest episode of The Drew Barrymore Show, airing on CBS on Friday, March 29, 2024 at 9:00 AM,...

CBS Mornings CBS Mornings
News5 hours ago

Diarra Kilpatrick, CBS Mornings, March 29, 2024

On Friday, March 29th, CBS Mornings will feature a special guest: Diarra Kilpatrick. Kilpatrick is not only the executive producer...

The Jennifer Hudson Show The Jennifer Hudson Show
News5 hours ago

Jenna Dewan, The Jennifer Hudson Show, March 29, 2024,

On Friday, March 29, The Jennifer Hudson Show brings viewers a delightful Spring Celebration. One of the highlights of the...

The Kelly Clarkson Show The Kelly Clarkson Show
News5 hours ago

Brittany Howard, Mayan Lopez, The Kelly Clarkson Show, March 29, 2024, NBC Syndicated

On Friday, March 29, The Kelly Clarkson Show presents an episode filled with incredible segments One of the highlights is...

LIVE with Kelly and Mark LIVE with Kelly and Mark
News5 hours ago

Andrea Riseborough, Jessica Capshaw, Live with Kelly and Mark, 29 March 2024, ABC

Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos—the hosts of Live with Kelly and Mark—welcome actress Jessica Capshaw and Alice & Jack star...

James Martin's Saturday Morning James Martin's Saturday Morning
News4 hours ago

Michaela Strachan, James Martin’s Saturday Morning, 30 March 2024, ITV1

ITV’s James Martin’s Saturday Morning is the perfect relaxed culinary companion to your weekend, airing every Saturday morning from the...

Antiques Roadshow Antiques Roadshow
News4 hours ago

Alexandra Gardens, Cardiff 3, Antiques Roadshow, 31 March 2024, BBC One

The BBC’s Antiques Roadshow visits Alexandra Gardens in Cathays Park, Cardiff, for an episode full of exciting discoveries and fascinating...

RuPaul's Drag Race UK vs The World RuPaul's Drag Race UK vs The World
News4 hours ago

Grand Finale, RuPaul’s Drag Race UK vs the World, 29 March 2024, BBC Three

BBC Three’s RuPaul’s Drag Race UK vs the World sees queens from the Drag Race franchise across the globe compete...

Bargain Hunt Bargain Hunt
News4 hours ago

Natasha Raskin Sharp, Bargain Hunt, 29 March 2024, BBC One

BBC One’s Bargain Hunt sees two teams compete against each other to make the most profit from buying and selling...

Channel 5 Channel 5
News4 hours ago

Chernobyl: The Full Story, 29 March 2024, Channel 5,

Powerful documentary, Chernobyl: The Full Story, narrated by Ben Fogle, airs on Friday 29 March 2024 at 10.00pm on Channel...

Channel 4 Channel 4
News4 hours ago

Travel Man: 48 Hours in Rovaniemi, 29 March 2024, Channel 4,

Join Joe Lycett and a suited-up Desiree Burch for a new episode of Travel Man as they pack their bags...

Channel 5 Channel 5
News4 hours ago

The Sewer Map of Britain, 29 March 2024, Channel 5, Friday

Prepare for an enlightening journey into the underworld on Friday 29 March 2024 at 8.00pm on Channel 5 with The...

Bargain Loving Brits Bargain Loving Brits
News4 hours ago

Bargain Loving Brits in the Sun, 29 March 2024, Channel 5, “Series 11, Episode 8”

This episode of Bargain Loving Brits in the Sun airing on Friday 29 March 2024 at 4.00pm on Channel 5,...

Popular