newyorkinspace Reviews

The Tom and Jerry Comedy Show (1980–1982)

The latest old school Tom and Jerry show.

[6/10 · 10 November 2022]

Unlike the previous show in 1975, where Tom and Jerry mostly cooperated and teamed up against the third character, sometimes doing dirty tricks on each other, here again there is a confrontation between them in the classic scheme. In general, the standard buffoonery of Tom and Jerry in their house and other locations. The second story of three about Droopy with Slick. They are not of particular interest, since Droopy as a character is rather boring and his plots lined up according to the same formula don't work as well as with Tom and Jerry. Between the plots there are sometimes funny mini sketches with Slick, Spike, Tyke and Tuffy and others. They are added mainly for variety and will not be superfluous. The animation is quite budgetary, quite typical for those years, although worse than in the previous show. You can notice the repetitive animation and not the best quality drawing. The music is very atmospheric and dynamic, but not enough of it. There are about 5 tracks in total, which are repeated in each series and the sound effects are approximately the same.

Despite not the best quality, the 1980 animated series is still addictive, like most Tom and Jerry episodes. You still want to be nostalgic, even though this series is not from the golden era of MGM. So, if you like Tom and Jerry, then in any case you will be satisfied, as they are good in most of their manifestations.

6,5/10.

And by the way, this can be considered the last old school Tom and Jerry show. Tom and Jerry Kids, which came out 10 years later, had a slightly different concept, and then there was a gigantic break until the 2000s.

Ostorozhno, Zadov (2004–2006)

Weak compared to its predecessor.

[5/10 · 21 June 2021]

"Ostorozhno, Zadov!" turned out to be a rather mediocre project. After Sergei Rost left as an actor and screenwriter, the updated series has dropped noticeably in quality. In addition, this probably coincided with a creative crisis among the creators, so the humor in the series is extremely primitive and outdated (and, compared to "Ostorozhno, Modern! 2" , not very topical).

Ensign Zadov performed by Nagiyev turned from a comedy soldier into a soft, grimacing fool, repeating the same banal phrases. Instead of Rost, numerous stars of Russian television of the 90s and 00s play with Nagiyev. Some of them definitely have talent, but this is not particularly noticeable in the series - they either grimace or speak in a ostensibly funny voice. Clownery, in a bad sense of the word. The timing of the episodes has increased from 20 minutes to 50. And this is another mistake of the creators, since it is frankly boring to watch, there is a lot of chatter. The first season starts off quite interesting and promising. But this feeling quickly disappears with boredom and the understanding that there will be almost no old characters. In addition to Zadov, only the bespectacled Pasha and the policeman Edik Rylov remained (they were given little timekeeping). The rest of the characters got rid of pretty stupidly. Tanya Zadova appears only in the first episode with the news that she is leaving with her new husband to the North Pole. Zina Traktorenko appears in the fourth episode in an attempt to look after ensign Zadov, who kicks her out. In the same episode, General Siska appears only once. The rest of the characters, played by other actors, are new, but they lack charisma. The character of ensign Prikhodko turned out to be more or less good. Yes, he also grimaces, but fits harmoniously. There is no point in talking about the plots, since they have retained their absurdity, they are simply worked much worse. In general, the first season, although it gets worse with every episode, is quite watchable, especially if you look at it by inertia right after the previous projects. Still, the authors' attempt to show something new is visible. It can also be noted the pilot episode on March 8, filmed, albeit with new actors, but still retaining the style of "Ostorozhno, Modern".

Since the ratings for the series were not impressive, the second season was marked by the attempts of the creators at least somewhat bring back the old atmosphere. Here, unlike the first season, the action again very often began to take place in the Zadov's apartment. The old soundtrack is partially returned. Nagiyev again began to sometimes play secondary male and female characters, and returned the alcoholic Stepan for one episode. This didn't have a positive effect. The series has lost its former fuse and became much more despondent. Even the presence of several eminent actors and the reduction of the timing to 40 minutes didn't help. The director and screenwriter of "Modern" Anna Parmas, who also worked on the scenarios of the first season "Ostorozhno, Zadov", left the project. The plots have become completely meaningless and secondary, they are strongly focused on Zadov's problems with his personal life and infidelity. And how the writers brought the main character together with a new wife is generally a mockery and failure. The viewer didn't like this and the series was closed after 29 episodes.

Generally, if you like Dmmitriy Nagiyev and his character of Vasily Zadov in any form or you haven't seen "Ostorozhno, Modern!", you can watch, you might like it. If you are a fan of "Modern", don't watch. Or limit yourself to the pilot episode.

I, on the basis of the above, will put 5 out of 10. Still, not the worst Russian comedy series, albeit a rather weak one.