Good , But It Is Overrated By Some

An action-packed slog

Entertaining from beginning to end, it maintains the spirit of the franchise while establishing it's own seal with a fun cast

The film was still a fun one that will make you laugh and have you leaving the theater feeling like you just stole something valuable and got away with it.

I think one of the reasons this show didn't get picked up for more episodes and seasons was that it was too smart for it's time. It relied on witty dialog and clever turns of phrase, which likely sailed over the heads of many people. Sorry, but it is true. When you look at the "dumbed-down" fair offered by the plethora of other shows offered in this year - this jewel was obviously cast among the swine. There seems to be more room these days for smart shows - I think of "The Big Bang Theory" as a fine example. Some of the quick dialog on that show will go missed if you aren't a bit of a technical geek, or someone who loves to watch Nova or the Science Channel. But if you do "get it", it is incredibly smart and funny.

Ellen Burstyn (Ellen) and Elaine Stritch (Sydney) made for a terrific show. I still remember one of the best lines I ever heard on TV. Sydney came rushing in and Ellen said to her, "I can't talk now, I'm teaching class." To which Sydney replied in her gravelly voice, "That's silly. You can't teach class. You've either got it or you don't!" That simple exchange between two wonderful actors has kept me giggling for all these years. Elaine Stritch is such a wonderful character, even as herself. And Ellen Burstyn gets better with age. If people would give her the credit she deserves for great comedic timing and theatrical professionalism, and someone would develop a series for her, there is a growing element of the country calling out for quality. Actors like Burstyn, Stritch, et al. would be a marvelous addition to what is becoming what Marshal McLuhan once called the "vast wasteland" of television. The "Ellen Burstyn Show" was creative, well-acted, and uproariously funny in a very subtle sense. I'm surprised studios don't have people begging for shows which make the viewer think. Or would that bee too much to ask? One can't say enough about marvelous actors like Mss. Burstyn and Stritch. There are others too who, unfortunately, are equally ans wonderful, but no one is writing for them. Is there an automatic cut-off of, say, 40? I think Geena Davis proved she could carry a show. Let's get some of that generation on television!

The only reason I noticed this show at all was my long term obsession with Lucille Ball and her anxiously awaited return to a new sitcom, however I was disappointed since they had her doing the same old things in her 70's that she did in her 30's...not pretty. So I was more than entertained by the show that followed!! The Ellen Burstyn show was witty, funny and above all showcased the comedic talents of Elaine Stritch! If they had given it a few more episodes or changed the time slot it may have worked, and even though I love Ellen Burstyn and Megan Mulally ,(hello who doesn't), they really were just straight men for Elain...hmm maybe it should have been called "Elaine!". If you can find any of the episodes, watch it with an open mind, I think you will love it!

This was a terrific little show, well-made and gently funny, which was doomed from the start. Ellen Burstyn agreed to do a series, but the show was stuck with a terrible lead-in ("Life With Lucy") and a terrible timeslot (on Saturday night), and Burstyn, while a fantastic actress and movie star, wasn't the kind of star likely to draw a large audience from name-ID alone. With Megan Mullally as her daughter (about as far from her "Will & Grace" character as you can get) and Elaine Stritch as her mother, plus one of the cutest child actors ever as her grandson, Burstyn was ably supported in this family sitcom. Unfortunately, no miracle occurred, and the show was cancelled in a matter of weeks.