Jeers-An Un-Welcome Return for Tambor - Cheers & Jeers

Jeffrey Tambor by Cliff Lipson/CBS

Jeers to Welcome to the Captain for wasting the talents of Jeffrey Tambor. The guy costarred in two of the greatest sitcoms of all time, Arrested Development (as felonious patriarch George Bluth and his hippie-dippie twin Oscar) and The Larry Sanders Show (as unctuous sidekick Hank Kingsley), but he's stranded in CBS' laugh-free new dud as washed-up ex-Three's Company writer "Uncle Saul." (Captain can't even figure out how to make an in-joke out of the fact that Tambor was on the jiggle-com's spin-off, The Ropers.) But don't lose hope, Tambor fans: Possibly due to the success of the Jason Bateman/Michael Cera vehicle Juno, there's talk of an Arrested Development movie. As Hank Kingsley used to say, "Hey now!"

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Posted by

Bruce Fretts

Feb 11, 2008 9:58 PM

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Too bad that Tambor's last effort, Twenty Good Years, with John Lithgow and Judith Light wasn't given more of a chance to develop and to catch on. It was a far better showcase for his considerable talent.
Posted by DaMess Feb 12, 2008 2:59 AM Report Abuse

I didn't like 20 Good Years, mostly because John Lithgow is the comedy equivalent of fingernails on a chalkboard to me. But Tambor did another good short-lived sitcom, Everything's Relative, back in '99 (with Arrested creator Mitchell Hurwitz) that deserved more of a chance.
Posted by Bruce Fretts Feb 12, 2008 10:57 AM Report Abuse

What, no comment from Mr. Furley on an item that references Three's Company? I'm shocked!
Posted by Bruce Fretts Feb 12, 2008 5:54 PM Report Abuse

God I miss Arrested Development. That was quite possibly the funniest show ever.
Posted by cl11 Feb 12, 2008 6:50 PM Report Abuse

To paraphrase Bette Davis: What a bore! Jeffrey Tambor is a unique talent with a unique persona and needs a show that showcases those qualities--as The Larry Sanders Show and Arrested Development did. The Captain is most definitely not it. This turkey couldn't showcase anyone's talents.
Posted by Marci Feb 12, 2008 8:19 PM Report Abuse

If you look over Tambor's list of credits, AD and Sanders seem to be flukes (Everything's Relative notwithstanding). He seems to have the discriminating taste of a Hank Kingsley! lol!

Here in Canada, Welcome To The Captain airs on both CTV and--get this--The Comedy Network!!! Who was the programming genius who chose it for The Comedy Network? (I guess The Mundane Network and The Tedious Network had no room on their schedules!)

I like to give new shows a decent shot (especially when it has people in it whom I like), but I have yet to see a moment on either of the episodes I've seen that came close to being funny.

Perhaps it's telling that I keep clicking on the laughing face, but all that keeps coming up is :8}

Posted by TV Gord

Feb 13, 2008 12:19 AM

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What, no comment from Mr. Furley on an item that references Three's Company? I'm shocked!

I have a running feud with Jeffery Tambor-
I blame His failed spin-off, The Ropers, for ruining any chance for mine, Furley's Funhouse, seeing the light of day!!!!
And when he was on my show? What's the deal with him playing completely different characters on separate episodes?
Does he take our audience for fools?!!!! (Don't answer that!!)

I'll only consider reconciling if he signs off on that reunion deal.
(Jack's off to where ever they sent Crissy)

PS-No offense to John Ritter-He was one of my favorites!

Posted by Mr. Furley

Feb 13, 2008 12:46 AM

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I feel much better now that Mr. Furley (and the always-entertaining TV Gord) have weighed in on this debate.
Posted by Bruce Fretts Feb 13, 2008 1:15 AM Report Abuse

I didn't like 20 Good Years, mostly because John Lithgow is the comedy equivalent of fingernails on a chalkboard to me. Bruce,I'm shocked! How could you say such a thing while Bronson Pinchot is still alive?!! Not to mention you've obviously never seen Carson Daly's monologue!
Posted by DaMess Feb 13, 2008 2:59 AM Report Abuse

Don't be reedeeculous--of course I've never seen Carson Daly's opening monologue! Okay, maybe once, but I've blocked out the memory.
Posted by Bruce Fretts Feb 13, 2008 5:56 AM Report Abuse

I feel much better now that Mr. Furley (and the always-entertaining TV Gord) have weighed in on this debate.We're glad we could help you sleep at night! How about giving an inch to poor John Lithgow? I find his soup commercials Hysterical!!!!
Posted by Mr. Furley Feb 13, 2008 12:22 PM Report Abuse

"Don't be reedeeculous" Oh the Balki quote...I am undone. You fiend. May the director's cut of the According To Jim: The Pilot Episode become eternally stuck in your DVD player.
Posted by DaMess Feb 14, 2008 2:34 AM Report Abuse

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