Plot so thin, it passes unnoticed.

It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

Each character in this movie — down to the smallest one — is an individual rather than a type, prone to spontaneous changes of mood and sometimes amusing outbursts of pettiness or ill humor.

Blistering performances.

Now this is a rare time to describe a sitcom as great. Every other show got something to do with what I call it the American comedy. But Becker is for all I think. That's related to what kind of characters, cases, situations, ironies it presents. So its cleverness here to make it humanly profound whereupon internationally effective.Here, we have a very stingy caustic peevish M.D. yet with a heart of gold (he still insists on treating the poor people in Queens). And most of his nervousness comes from some idealism exists under the scalding surface, and causes it. Add to that a crazy bunch that represented the strangest family that doctor might have had : cynical nurse (a mom), lazy childish employee (a young sister), diner's kind disappointed owner (a girlfriend-wannabe !), a black blind man (a friend or a brother), annoying handyman (the opposite friend or brother).Actually the writing for this man's world was all perfect. The genius concept is that it centered on how to make you think and feel with laughing. Others prefer to make you laugh, smile, then forget about the whole thing after ! Yes, more than 1 plot per episode but there must be something touching in the way. Just imagine wise lines through comic sitcom ! Truly this show provided me with a lot of deep meanings with unstoppable comedy. Wow, a sitcom with meaning ! Now that's something I forgot that it even exists ! Becker was my first time ever to witness such a miracle where everyone and everything are laughable. Every episode is assured riot. The comedy (from situations to gags) is plenty and absolutely not mannered nor dirty nor tacky. Its sense of humor was bitter, cynical, and jocose all at once. It floated serenely and naturally. The characteristic about this show is that it had stereotyped characters yet their talking wasn't stereotyped ! And with talented harmonizing cast the hot lines were delivered cutely and truthfully. So through humane situations they became real people.. Real and damn funny ones too.(Ted Danson) made some glory out of being the dusty irate John Becker, who is always grinning, deriding, and in one cheap coat ! (Hattie Winston) is the nurse every one needs, her performance made the character so vivid and honest like it's not acting. (Alex Désert) was enjoyable even by saying nothing and consummate as the mate; he confirmed that Becker can really get a friend (and be, metaphorically, blind to overlook his harsh behaviors). (Saverio Guerra) was Bob himself, the desperate lover and the little worm in the same time. (Terry Farrell) was good but the less powerful among the rest. (Shawnee Smith) was great as (Linda) but poor Linda, the writers wanted nothing for her but being the stupid (Linda) all along ! The memorable moments are endless : Becker is about making a moral mistake and then all his world's characters appear as ghosts to judge him. Becker meets his total opposite (Nancy Travis). (Bob) wants to be in a photo with (Reggie). (Becker) can't sleep because electric lights attack his bedroom. (Jake)'s grandmother slaps (Becker) in the face for treating her right. (Becker) is on a plane that has serious problems. (Becker) is a jury. (Becker) is making a speech in his high school. And (Becker) is trying to quit smoking. For anyone doesn't watch the show that means nothing, but for the one who did.. This is thorough Classic.So, smart comedy, clever lessons about life, perfect cast.. I don't need more. This is one of the best of its kind. And that's coming from a guy who doesn't use the term "The best" in his talking much or ever ! and let alone that in every other sitcom the laughing (track or studio audience) is terribly provocative, but here it's believable to an extent won't push you to press "Mute" ! When you compare Becker to shows like -God forbid- Friends, it wouldn't be like comparing good sitcom to bad one, it's more like comparing good one to NO one !

this is a good programme to watch; it's not one of the best but it's definitely above average in sitcomland.John Becker (great Ted Danson) is a surly Doctor who lives in the bronx, thinks he knows everything and hates just about everything about the world, especially the rudeness of everyday people (Amen brother) With John as the central character, the other cast members work well with him. Reggie in the diner was better than Chris, her way of putting herself down for owning a shabby diner and not realizing her life's dreams earlier is very realistic. Linda is great as John's receptionist, not that she does a lot of work! Margaret, John's nurse and receptionist knows just how to handle John even though she has her own problems with her husband, the never seen Lewis. Bob is funny at times, also a little annoying but way better than Hector. Jake is my least favourite, mainly because he never has anything to do except be blind.The story lines are good, i especially like when John has a glimmer of hope about the goodness of people and then by the end of the episode, he is proved right by the decline of civilization.Certain episodes are a bit boring and a bit repetitive but most are worth watching and have quite a few laughs. i'm a big fan of ted danson and think John Becker is a great character. He's a tight fisted old miser but you know he has a heart in there somewhere and that's why he's so easy to watch.

I liked Becker very much, that is, until they eliminated Reggie's character and replaced her with Chris. They also kinda changed Becker's character a bit. The result: the show lost its ratings and got canceled.With Reggie, Becker was the 'star' and the others were complimenting him --in a good way. With Chris, Becker --the smart, succinct, and sometimes politically incorrect character-- lost his uniqueness and became an ordinary character.Sometimes, in drama or comedy series, you don't need to have 'balance'. If the main character is strong and unique, it's enough to carry the whole series. By messing up with the main character, Becker lost it touch.

To be perfectly honest, I never watched Becker when it was aired between 1998 and 2004. However, thanks to the good people at Turner Broadcasting, Becker is on 5 days a week and it is easily one of my favorite shows of all time. Initially, I was a tad apprehensive to watch it given the time slot it occupied - 12:00 to 1:00 pm and the reviews certain friends had given it. However, I was more than pleasantly surprised. Becker was different from any sit-com I had watched before - the humor was dry and by no means hit you in the face like other shows. Beyond being a strong comedy, the show tackled some serious issues and their impact (i.e. 9/11). With regards to the characters in the show, they are to a certain extent - stock characters. You have Becker, the older, bitter middle aged man, convinced that anything and everything is somehow out to get him. Jake, an African-American who carries on a mostly pleasant manor, despite coping with the trials and tribulations of being blind. Bob, the seemingly reprehensible sex-driven pipsqueak, who does nothing but aggravate the rest of the characters. The list of characters goes on, but what strikes me about them, is that despite their blatant flaws, I find myself sympathizing with them consistently. Although none of them are nearly as rounded as perhaps they should be, they all have good intentions at heart. Overall, an excellent show, Becker combines a dry, wit along with a sense of seriousness which produces an incredibly strong show.