Mr. Belvedere ran for a total of six seasons, and is certainly overdue to resurface on cable. The series marked the non-commercial acting debut of former baseball player Bob Uecker (George), who was, and still is, the radio voice of the Milwaukee Brewers. However, you'd have to believe Uecker landed the gig after years of shilling Miller Lite as much as his work with the Brewers. Uecker also found time to land a supporting role in the "Major League" movies with Charlie Sheen, Tom Berenger, and friends.
Edit, 5/18/22: Had to change the video. Following is a sample intro:
Rating: B.
I had seen the original film the series was based on, "Sitting Pretty" long after the show had ended its run. To say I was stunned was the least adjective I could use!
ReplyDeleteThe Belvedere of the movies was nothing like his TV counterpart - he seemed like a joyless and loveless man who had no business being a nanny to kids! In fact, his habits and routines reminded me of some deranged serial killers and dictators! IRL, no sane person would have wanted that Belvedere in the home.
Th TV series was okay, I think the cast elevated it to a level higher than it would have otherwise been.
The series made Christopher Hewitt's career. It also reinvented Bob Uecker as an actor, rather than a buffoonish ex-ballplayer. I'd love it if one of the cablers picked it up.
ReplyDeleteBelatedly Dept.:
ReplyDeleteChristopher Hewett made a number of talk-and-game show appearances during Mr. Belvedere's run, and he was always at pains to explain that he was Irish, a native of Dublin.
I remember one time when the subject of Princess Diana's travails came up: Christopher Hewett expressed sympathy for the Princess, adding: "That's something you don't often see, an Irish monarchist!"