Parker Lewis Can't Lose (TV Series) (DVD)

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I only watched a handful of episodes during the series´ original run and have the vaguest recollections of "Parker Lewis Can´t Lose." The show debuted in 1990 on the Fox Network which was still trying to find footing against the trinity of ABC, NBC, and CBS. It only lasted three seasons, never coming close to the staying power of Fox´s flagship shows, "The Simpsons" and "Married with Children." I´m surprised to say how much I enjoyed "Parker Lewis" as I watched episode after episode. I was even more surprised to see how much the show still stands up nearly two decades later, dated references aside. "Parker Lewis" is a colorful bubble of frozen time that encapsulates the end of the 80´s and the beginning of the 90´s.

"Parker Lewis" may have been a series that was ahead of its time. The show´s production design made liberal use of bright, pastel colors in the sets and wardrobe. The directors were young and included Andy Tennant ("Sweet Home Alabama," "Hitch") and Rob Bowman ("Elektra," "Reign of Fire"). They took to using canted angles and odd camera placement to give each episode a unique look compared to the standard 3-camera set-ups on most sitcoms. One episode featured the camera mounted on a guitar that was ziplined from the school´s roof. The opening credits usually featured the main characters peering into a fridge, garbage can or laundry machine. Placed throughout each episode were outlandish fantasy sequences and, along with Parker´s constant narration, definitely evokes "Scrubs." Was Bill Lawrence a closet "Parker Lewis" fan?

The series stars Corin Nemec as the titular Parker Lewis, a junior at Santo Domingo High School. He´s hip, cool, and has a plan for nearly every situation. There are definitely shades of Ferris Beuller in him. Parker is joined by his best "buds," the leather jacket wearing, wannabe musician Mikey Randall (Billy Jayne) and the nerdy Jerry Steiner (Troy Slaten) who is somehow able to pull out almost any object from his velcro-laden trenchcoat. Our trio of protagonists has two arch-enemies they have to contend with. The first is the shrewish Principal Grace Musso (Melanie Chartoff) who always winds up as the victim of a wacky prank from Parker and company. The second is Parker´s very own kid sister, Shelly, played by Maia Brewton who some might remember as the Thor-obsessed girl in "Adventures in Babysitting." Shelly is the proverbial monkey wrench in the works, throwing many of Parker´s plans awry. Rounding out the cast of supporting characters are: Frank Lemmer (Taj Johnson), Musso´s sycophantic toady with a ponytail; Parker´s parents, Marty (Timothy Stack) and Judy (Mary Ellen Trainor) who run a video store, and a star-making role for Abraham Benrubi as Francis "Larry" Kubiac, a monster man-child with a hidden gentle side.

Two changes were made to the cast during its sophomore run. Mary Ellen Trainor, who played Judy Lewis in the pilot, was replaced during the rest of the first season by Anne Bloom. Trainor returns to the role and would portray Parker´s mom for the remainder of the show. A new recurring character thrown into the mix is Nick Comstock (Paul Johansson), the owner of local hang-out, the Atlas Diner. Nick has an almost mystical ability to say the right thing and offer advice.

Shout! Factory has released the second season of "Parker Lewis Can´t Lose" on a four disc DVD boxset. The discs are packed in two slim cases and the episodes break down like this:

-Disc 1-
"Father Knows Less" – A contest for students and their parents stirs melancholy feelings in Mikey for his absentee father.

"A Walk on the Dark Side" – Fed up with living in the shadow of Parker Lewis, Shelley joins a ruthless clique of delinquents called the Dark Siders.

"Full Mental Jacket" – Parker and Mikey try to boost Jerry´s self-confidence by weaning him off his trusty coat.

"Future Shock" – Parker is forced to think seriously about his future after Musso chides him for his selection of easy classes.

"Under Graduate" – Rumors fly around Santo Domingo High when Parker gets some one-on-one time with the school´s beautiful English teacher.