The Addams Family charisma, was first dreamed up under the pin of Charles Addams and had been a part of American art culture long before the original Addams Family television show was first aired in the 60's. In his cartoons, seen for over 60 years in the "New Yorker" and many other fine magazines, Americans saw a different side of life. His themes showed the unnatural in its natural setting, being taken for granted and in some strange way always making perfect sense.
In September 1964 we gathered around our TV's and watched this weird new show called "the Addams Family". No one thought it would work, how could they take live actors and recreate that special Addams charm? We decided to watch it. Suddenly it turned out to be good, and each show it got better. Age didn't seem to matter everyone in the family loved it. As we watched week after week, we saw the cast expand their characters, gain confedence and present a trully magical show about a loving family....
Time passed...
It is Oct 1998. The family gathers together again to see this, so called, "New Addams Family" show. As we wait for it to start everybody has an opinion. "Never heard of these actors, why not just bring back some of the movies actors?"...."Why not just create new Addams characters and leave the original names alone"..."there was only one Gomez"...."name the father Repelli, the wife Prunella, the son Pubert, the..."..."can't be done again"..."Mama, are they going to do it like the movies or like the original show?". Most of the people who watched that first show expected to be disappointed. Now 65 shows later, families all over the world still crowd infront of their TV's to watch Gomez, Morticia, Fester, Mama, Wednesday, Pugsley, Lurch, the ever faithful Thing, Cousin Itt, a whole cemetery full of cousins and special guests recreate the wonderful world of Addams for us. Yes, there are weak moments, yes there are strong moments, but when it comes right down to it each one is a pure Addams moment. The cast, crew and writers of the New Addams Family show, have worked hard to bring the Addams Family into the 90's. They accomplished that with out losing the special magic and family love that was a trade mark of the first show. They also managed to do honor to the Addams Family Movies without losing the original show's certian something.
The humor and insight of Charles Addams has been an important part of American culture for over 80 years. The New Addams Family television show has survived it's trial by fire and can take it's place in Addams Family history. Who know 25 years from now we may gather around the WebTV to watch the all new Addams Family of 2025. I bet you it will be a blast too. Especially if Uncle Fester has anything to say about it.
Happy viewing! :)
