Ferris Bueller (TV series)

Ferris Bueller
Opening title sequence
Genre Sitcom
Based on Ferris Bueller's Day Off by John Hughes
Developed by
Written by
Directed by
Starring
Composer(s) Glenn A. Jordan
Country of origin United States
Original language(s) English
No. of seasons 1
No. of episodes 13
Production
Executive producer(s) John Masius
Producer(s)
  • Michael J. Di Gaetano
  • Lawrence Gay
  • Pamela Grant
  • Frank Pace
Cinematography Stephen C. Confer
Editor(s)
  • Darryl Bates
  • Robert Bramwell
Camera setup Single-camera
Running time 30 minutes
Production company(s) Maysh, Ltd. Productions
Paramount Television
Release
Original network NBC
Audio format Stereo
Original release August 23, 1990 (1990-08-23) – August 11, 1991 (1991-08-11)
Chronology
Preceded by Ferris Bueller's Day Off

Ferris Bueller is an American sitcom based on the 1986 John Hughes film Ferris Bueller's Day Off. The show stars Charlie Schlatter in the title role. The series debuted on August 23, 1990, on NBC and was cancelled within its first season, a few months after its debut. The show was produced by Paramount Television.[1] Hughes was not involved in the show's production.[2]

Synopsis

Though based on the film, the series was not a canon continuation, rather it was set up to portray itself as being the "real life" situations upon which the film was loosely based. In the pilot episode, Ferris (Schlatter) refers to the film and expresses his displeasure at Matthew Broderick portraying him, even going as far as destroying a life-size cardboard cutout of Broderick with a chainsaw.[3][4] However no further references to the film within the series' continuity would be made after this. As in the film, the series focused on Ferris Bueller and his high school experiences at Ocean Park High, including dealing with his best friend Cameron (Brandon Douglas), love interest Sloan (Ami Dolenz), and sister Jeannie (Jennifer Aniston).

Although the film was set in Chicago, the series was set in Santa Monica. Like the film, Ferris is liked by everyone as the "cool guy on campus." He is extremely popular, suave, quick witted and a master of ceremonies who often breaks the fourth wall. Cameron is still a depressive neurotic who, through Ferris, is able to loosen up occasionally. Sloan is portrayed slightly different in that she is not completely wrapped around Ferris' finger and has to be won over at times. Ed Rooney is the primary antagonist and always out to get Ferris but usually ends up foiled or humiliated. His secretary, Grace, is not a wise-cracking sarcastic, but a passive pushover with an unreciprocated crush on Ed. Jeannie is constantly at odds with Ferris and his being favored by all. Though she can be antagonistic, she has proven not all bad, albeit begrudgingly. In the film, Mr. and Mrs. Bueller's names are Katie and Tom but in the series they are Barbara and Bob, as well as Ferris being a junior and Jeannie being a senior as opposed to the other way around in the movie.

Cast

The main cast

Starring

Recurring

  • Jeff Maynard as Arthur Petrelli (10 episodes)
  • Jerry Tullos as Mr. Rickets (3 episodes)
  • David Glasser as Dork (3 episodes)
  • Brandon Rane as Wimp (3 episodes)
  • Chris Claridge as Student #2/Surfer/Tim (3 episodes)
  • Bojesse Christopher as Greaser (3 episodes)
  • Jim DeMarse as Mr. Prescott/Mr. Tenser (2 episodes)
  • Tai Thai as Noi (2 episodes)

Guest Starring

Series overview

SeasonEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast aired
114August 23, 1990 (1990-08-23)August 11, 1991 (1991-08-11)

Episodes

Season 1 (1990-1991)

No. in

series

 No. in

season

 Title Directed by Written by Original air date
1 1 "Pilot" Jonathan Lynn John Maisus August 23, 1990
The first day of Ferris Bueller's junior year begins at Ocean Bay High School. He has some old issues to deal with such as his arch nemesis Principal Rooney. That will have to wait as he has the new issue of a beautiful transfer student named Sloan.
2 2 "Behind Every Dirtbag" Bill Bixby Michael J. Gaetano& Lawrence Gay September 17, 1990
Principal Rooney handpicks a candidate for student-body president and prohibits Ferris from running. Ferris does the next best thing and prepares his own candidate. His choice is a boy named Shred who dislikes Principal Rooney as much as he does.
3 3 "Custodian of the People" Bethany Rooney John Maisus & Rob Ulin September 24, 1990
Ferris and Sloan hit a bump in the road in their new relationship. Ferris makes the mistake of not supporting her ambition of becoming a dancer. Ferris is also at odds with Principal Rooney as he convinces Lou, the new janitor, to impersonate the new dean of students, a former marine drill sergeant.
4 4 "Without You I'm Nothing" Steve Duin John Masius & Steve Pepoon October 1, 1990
Cameron feels trapped in Ferris's shadow. Ferris attempts to help his friend at the suggestion he do something memorable. Cameron takes his advice, but intentions turn bad when Cameron pulls a dangerous stunt.
5 5 "Between a Rock and Rooney's Place" James Whitemore, Jr. John Masius & Paul B. Price October 8, 1990
Sloan wants to throw a small and peaceful surprise party for Cameron's birthday. However, Ferris has other plans that include lots of people, a rapper and Principal Rooney's house.
6 6 "A Dog and His Boy" Victor Lobl John Masius October 15, 1990
Ferris is still trying to win Sloan's love so when she asks him to watch the school mascot he agrees. Principal Rooney sees the dog with Ferris and takes it upon himself to get rid of it by calling the dogcatcher.
7 7 "Ferris Bueller's Can't Win" Steve Dubin Mary Conely & John Masius October 22, 1990
The San Diego Chicken makes an appearance at Ocean Bay High School, which kicks off with a run of bad luck for Ferris. He gets in a fight with Sloan and Cameron accidentally destroys his homework. Top top it all off an earthquake hits while Ferris is riding the elevator with his archenemy Principal Rooney, trapping them both.
8 8 "Sloan Again, Naturally" Andy Tennant John Masius & Kathy Slevin November 5, 1990
Ferris and Jeannie set their differences aside and work together to ruin a date between Sloan and the new exchange student from Italy. Ferris wants Sloan back and Jeannie wants the exchange student for herself.
9 9 "Scenes From a Grandma" Arlene Sanford Michael J. Di Gaetano & Lawrence Gay November 12, 1990
Ferris's nosy, know-it-all grandmother wants to turn her two-week visit into a permanent stay, and gets a job as a counselor at his school.
10 10 "Stand-In Deliver" Bethany Rooney John Masius & Andy Tennant November 26, 1990
The father of Cameron's new girlfriend Ann forbids him to see her. So Ferris poses as her boyfriend in order to get past her father. Complications arise when Cameron's girlfriend falls for Ferris.
11 11 "Baby You Can't Drive My Car" Bill Bixby John Masius & Steve Prepoon December 3, 1990
Ferris gets the car of his dreams for his birthday, a 1962 Chevy Corvette. His dreams turn into nightmares when he and Cameron become concerned that the car is haunted: Ferris returns to talk to the care salesman, Mar. McFarland, and discovers that Mr. McFarland has been dead for over 20-years.
12 12 "Grace Under Pressure" Victor Lobl John Masius & Rob Ulin December 16, 1990
Principal Rooney cancels "Beach Day" when he hears that Superintendent Weldon has planned an inspection. Ferris has been looking forward to the event all year and decides to secretly go ahead with the plans.
13 13 "A Night in the Life" Christopher T. Welch John Masius & Evan Smith August 11, 1991
Ferris and Cameron survive an eventful night while trying to churn out an important class paper.

Reception and cancellation

Compared to the film, the show received mostly negative reviews from critics. It also suffered from comparisons to not only the '80s film, but also another series, Parker Lewis Can't Lose; at the time that series initially proved to be more successful when it came to ratings, lasting for three seasons. Ratings for Ferris were strong at first, but ultimately declined in later episodes. The series was cancelled due to poor viewership and low ratings after one season airing a total of thirteen episodes.[5][6][7]

References

  1. ↑ Company credits for Ferris Bueller on IMDb . Retrieved 2017-07-29.
  2. ↑ Carter, Bill (December 17, 1990). "Hear About a Film That Became A Hit TV Series? You're Not Alone". The New York Times (online ed.). Retrieved 2017-07-29.
  3. ↑ Shales, Tom (1990-08-23). "'Ferris Bueller's' Off Day; On NBC, a Lame Take on a Movie". Washington Post. Retrieved 2008-12-01.
  4. ↑ Storm, Jonathan (1990-08-23). "High School Comedy Strictly Sophomoric In The NBC Version, 'Ferris Bueller' Has An Off Day". The Philadelphia Inquirer.
  5. ↑ "Jennifer Aniston: Life and Career: 1990's CAREER". Jennifer Aniston. Retrieved 2018-05-31.
  6. ↑ TV.com. "Ferris Bueller". TV.com. Retrieved 2018-05-31.
  7. ↑ "Ferris Bueller - Television Obscurities". Television Obscurities. Retrieved 2018-05-31.
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