Simply Perfect

Good story, Not enough for a whole film

Am i the only one who thinks........Average?

A clunky actioner with a handful of cool moments.

Its interesting how in one particular episode, we see Richard Dreyfuss paying a passing reference to one of the most intellectually stimulating yet emotionally vacant film in recent times, "Memento". Like that film, "Max Bickford" wears its intelligence on its sleeves, spouting liberal beliefs and media sanctioned ideologies. Like that film, it also falters terribly in handling the heartfelt half of human experiences. It astounds me how characters(all of them infact) in the series can handle a more than decent argument on socio-political issues and yet, have less than basic intuitive understanding of human nature and psychology. Its just not possible....It appalls me that the people littered in this "world" are cerebral beings but social failures. The disconnect between their obvious intelligence and their preposterous lack of common sense and social aptitude(sometimes on even the most rudimentary of human foibles)downgrade the intelligence of us all, the viewers. Very often, we look to television not just for entertainment or mental gratification, but for closure to issues of our hearts as well.Which is all the more a pity when we have such a great cast, who with a more deserving script, might have addressed the complex issues explored in this series with greater depth, with both sides of the brain engaged.Its sad when a television series celebrates its intelligence at the expense of humanity, of emotional maturity, of life. Its sad the show enjoyed talking down at humans for having "either-or" capacity(i.e. having intellectual resource will automatically deplete a human being's capacity to feel like a human being). That being clever elevates a genius from the rest of us so much so that we no longer can fathom basic emotional truth about humanity. At least, all is not lost. One series miraculously managed the balance between the heart and the mind. Its called "The West Wing". If only Max Bickford had referenced President Bartlett rather than Leonard Shelby? If only...

I like many people watched this show in preparation for the TV movie on "9/11". I must admit when I saw Richard Dreyfus was starring I thought that this show had a lot of promise. Unfortunatly I was wrong.This show is billed as a comedy, unfortunately the show was neither funny nor innovative. The show that I watched involved a script which gets loose and many of the fellow faculty gets mad at him, then after everyone has read the script, he gets locked in the basement of the school.If you think this sounds like something you have seen, don't think twice... they took two common sitcom ideas and combined them (the misunderstanding followed by getting locked in a room with someone you hate). Well it is common to reuse other shows ideas this show added nothing interesting, and was quite boring. I believe the show was trying to give shock value but it wasn't, I believe that the show was supposed to get us to watch more of the show, and it turned me directly away from this show.The writing is mediocre, the comedy is none existing, but the only good thing about this show is Richard Dreyfus' acting, which is not enough to keep your interest.

We have been watching Max Bickford since the beginning. As a university professor for the past 35 years, who has been a Chair of a Department, and dealt with Presidents and Deans, Academic Senates and Boards of Governors, I was unsure what to expect when the series started. From my experience, the series truly gives the flavour of academic life, certainly as seen from the perspective of someone who, like Max, has to deal with colleagues of all temperaments and genders. I am often left wondering if the writers were students at MY institution!Beyond the academic realism, the human side of this series is a real joy to watch and savour. To see a parent willing to sacrifice himself for his kids, to stand up for the "old-fashioned" liberal causes he believes in, and to challenge the rich and the powerful when necessary, is to enter again the world of principles and love that had seemed to have been overridden by the social Darwinism so necessary to the operation of the new economic order.This is a great show--we certainly hope that it continues in the CBS lineup--it should have real legs. Thanks.

The shows premise, although promising, leaves a bit to be desired. There is a certain "something" missing...it is witty, the story lines are well done, and the acting is (of course) incredible. The only thing that is slightly out of place is Max's consistent writing of his own life through someone elses life. The most tender and sometimes the most enjoyable moments are those that Richard Dreyfuss spends with his son Lester (Eric Ian Goldberg) the young actor seems to be the Opie of his time, with some great acting ability and a face no one could resist! Although Max has some extremely witty subplots and one liners...you have to wonder about its staying power. Although there is no doubt that all of the actors, young and old on this show have ability and have chemistry...one must wonder about the WRITERS ability to keep coming up with fresh story lines, without making it TOO soap opera-ish.