L'usine de canard

My summary is a quote I stole from another reviewer (Shark), so he/she gets the credit, but it accurately describes this charming bit of TV history.

I don't know how the other reviewers can remember such details of a series airing 20 years ago. I can't recall any great plots or dialogue; however, I do remember that the show impressed the hell out of me through sharp writing and well-cast, engaging characters.

Hindsight is 20/20, of course, but I believe I saw Carrey's star potential -- or at least the charisma that propelled his career. I also remember the appeal and promise of Teresa Ganzel, an actor unfortunately better known for her sexy little-girl voice and well-proportioned bod than her performances.

Oh, well, I just want to be on record as saying that The Duck Factory is a series that deserved more time and respect than it got, and, if you can find it on video or in TV-land, it is definitely worth a look.

I'm surprised no one mentioned that the fictitious "Duck Factory" studio was purportedly inspired by the true-life animation studios of Jay Ward, which brought us Rocky & Bullwinkle, Mr.Peabody & Sherman, Dudley Do-Right, etc. Ward was an infamous penny-pincher who worked his staff under almost sweat-shop conditions. Although he always pleaded poverty, Ward managed to squirrel away a sizable fortune for himself. (Which is the set up for this show's pilot.) To his defense, Ward surrounded himself with some of the best writers and voice artists in the business, most of whom were thrilled to work with him. Their enduring product speaks for itself.

My grade is projecting on a curve. Almost every sitcom starts slowly (in the first few episodes), because it has to set up the premise and introduce the characters. It spends the next few episodes trying to decide which characters deserve the most airtime. After 8-10 shows run, the show gets feedback from viewers, critics and the industry and fine-tunes. If it's going to be any good, it builds.

THE DUCK FACTORY got only 13 episodes-- and was screwed from day one. NBC originally intended to air it in the fall, but the network decided to give BUFFALO BILL (a low-rated well-reviewed sitcom) another chance. So the show got pushed back as a mid-season replacement.

That meant the creative team-- Creator Alan Burns (who co-created the Mary Tyler Moors Show), Director Gene Reynolds (M*A*S*H and Lou Grant), Producers Rod Daniel (WKRP In Cincinnati) , Thad Mumford (M*A*S*H, Maude) and Dan Wilcox (M*A*S*H, America 2-Night)-- had to work in a vacuum

Given their resumes, they probably would have figured it out. But NBC also ran the episodes out of order.-- even though the show used a continuing storyline. How bad was it? The pilot episode featured a cliffhanger-- the second episode (which resolved it) was the 13th episode aired. The tenth episode produced aired third

(If you want to go to YouTube and watch the show in sequence, the correct order is episode 1-13-10-3-4-6-8-2-5-9-11-7).

After airing seven episodes NBC pre-empted it for one week-- then switched the timeslot from Thursday at 9:30 to Wednesday. Audiences-- already disconcerted by watching episodes out of order-- probably assumed it had been cancelled. Which NBC soon did.

Was it good? Not eight stars- maybe six. It was so busy setting up its premise (which was involved) that it had to shortchange on jokes a bit.

All-American Boy grew up in Duluth Minnesota watching Dippy Duck cartoons. Once he graduates, he sends Dippy's creator his portfolio-- and gets hired. He moves out to Hollywood-- and arrives the day of the creator's funeral.

It turns out the boss was a control freak who ordered everyone around, so his staff is now rudderless. The network head is new and doesn't like the show anymore. Oh, and the boss married an airhead topless dancer three weeks before he died.

So young Skip Tarkenton (who idolizes all the employees because he's such a geek that he watches credits) has to save the day.

Burns got his start working for Jay Ward, on the Rocky and Bullwinkle show. Ward was allegedly a lot like this show's dead boss. So there are a string of jabs at cheapskate owners who hump the help, clueless network and the cut-throat industry. The heroes of the show are the underpaid, overworked shoestring staff.

If you know how cartoons are made, the show is VERY funny. If you come in cold, your mileage might vary. One episode has the voice of Dippy (played by Don Messick, the voice of Scooby-Doo, Bamm-Bamm Rubble, Muttley, Boo-Boo and Ranger Smith) temporarily forgetting how to do his voice-- and running the risk (they can't wait for him to work it out) of being replaced.

Something like that nearly happened to a legendary voice actor. You might not buy the premise if you don't know it. A lot of the jokes (the production is outsourced to Panama, where the peons make 50 cents a day) seem over the top. ("Could it really be that bad?" you wonder. Actually, yeah (or pretty close).

One thing that disappoints everyone who digs episodes up. Yes, the star of the show is Jim Carrey. But he's 22, playing his first major role-- and he's playing "Naive midwestern kid in the Big City." Of course he is bland. Carrey starts to get more whacked out as the show progresses-- one can imagine him becoming hilarious in season two.

But the show never got that far.

Jack Gilford (as a legendary animator), Messick, Theresa Ganzel (the wife) and Julie Payne (the hard-nosed business manager) are all funny. Everyone else seems to have potential to be at least pretty good.

But NBC killed it before the show got rolling-- thereby proving the cracks about the network were on-target.

I actually saw this sitcom when it first appeared on TV in 1984 (I must of been the only one). But since I myself was a cartoonist and fascinated by the whole process, I couldn't wait to see this show set in a cartoon studio. I remember enjoying the episodes and that Jim Carrey gave a believable, controlled performance and I was always a big fan of Jack Gilford. Needless to say, the show didn't last (wasn't really given much of a chance). The network didn't promote it at all - but it does show that Carrey can give naturalistic performances. I do admire Carrey's work, but he seems to have fallen into the Robin Williams trap - be manic and crazy at comedy - practically shouting out, "Love me, accept me" and then get all brooding and quiet when they try their dramatic turns. I'm all for actors trying to stretch their wings, but don't get angry when people don't exactly jump up, applauding and throw awards at you. (Truman Show, Man/Moon). As for Duck Factory, it is a sweet little show with good performances.

This little gem of a comedy (the title refers to a cartoon studio whose main character is a duck) didn't get its due. It stars Jim Carrey in his pre-crazy period as well as the wonderful Jack Gilford. The entire cast is a delight in this show that really deserved a stay of execution. I'm glad that imdb says its out on video, but I've never seen it anywhere. I'll guess I'll keep looking.