"Parker Lewis Can't Lose" had a similar premise, but was arguably funnier and snappier. They even poked fun at "Ferris's" inevitable cancellation in one episode.

Parker Lewis was definitely a much better show. It was actually respectful to the movie that influenced it plus it lasted three seasons and 75 episodes.

Life moves pretty fast. If you spend your time watching inevitably mediocre TV series adaptations of movies, you could miss it.

It’s absolutely insane how many sitcoms have been made. The amount of canned laughter used could fill a warehouse.

Parker Lewis is a better Ferris Bueller sitcom than the actually Ferris Bueller sitcom lol

I found it funny that within the first minutes of the pilot, there was a major continuity flaw. Ferris in the show references there being a movie made based on him, and then proceeds to bring up Sloan as a new transfer student that he plans to meet for the first time and charm. But if the movie in this show is based on his life and friends, how does it make sense that Sloan was in the movie and now in the show he's just about to meet her? Timeline wise, it makes no sense!

That "Baby Talk" theme is still, after 35 years, stuck in my head, and there's only $83 in the lobotomy fund to get it out.

He looks less like Ferris Bueller and more like a young Patrick Bateman from American Psycho.

The only notable thing about this show is that it gave Jennifer Aniston her big break, and that she and the original Jeannie, Jennifer Grey, appeared in one episode of "Friends" together.

This show is "Ferris Bueller" in name only. Ferris acts more like a Zack Morris knock off, Cameron lacks his tragic back story from the movie, and Sloane isn't a brunette anymore, but a blonde.

Honey wake up, a new Forgotten Failures just dropped

The only tv series based on a John Hughes movie i liked was Weird Science. Really underrated. Vanessa Angel is fantastic in it as Lisa.

I remember watching the premiere of this show when I was in high school. It wasn't even half over when I was thinking, "Wow...this is bad." A few weeks later, I saw the first episode of "Parker Lewis Can't Lose" and thought, "This is the show 'Ferris Bueller' SHOULD have been!"

The John Lennon joke got me to lol. Well done

This show has always stood out to me because Ferris Bueller seems like an IP that'd be really easy to turn into a teen sitcom. Get a charming lead and focus the show around his schemes at school while alluding Rooney. A lot of other shows inspired by the movie pulled it off so it's kind of funny the one with the actual IP couldn't.

That creepy kid playing Ferris gives off serial killer vibes.

Wow, what an insult to an 80s classic. Can't say I'm surprised about this series being short-lived. Thank God that Charlie Schlatter, Richard Rielhe, Jennifer Anniston and Judith Kahan worked on better projects. Good video, man. Always a pleasure.

It inhales deeply. The best revenge was when Parker Lewis had this version of Ferris and Cameron in the auditorium watching his performance near the end of Parker’s first season.

The Ferris actor is putting on such a strange voice affect and cadence

Parker Lewis will always be the better show. Not only was it witty and creative with its stories, but Parker had a great dynamic with Principal Grace Musso. She was mostly on equal footing, with both sides appreciating and blackmailing each other at every turn. Ferris by default never had that. He always succeeded while Rooney was never able to prove his faults. Parker had a balance to both the charm and the outlandish schemes.

The real plot twist is that the only real spin-off that matters for Ferris Bueller is the movie Election (1999) with a young Reese Weatherspoon. In fact I'd like to believe that it IS the real sequel to Farris Bueller in that we see him after he grows up and all of his coolness factor is now burned off and he's become the next high school teacher bully despite his victories as being the most popular kid in high school in the past. Doomed to repeat the cycle.

The irony is that Jennifer Grey (who played Jeanie in the movie) would go on to do an episode of Friends alongside Jennifer Aniston as one of Rachel’s bridesmaids.

Thoughts on doing a lost version of Ferris? I saw a TV documentary once that said the movie that we know and love was essentially created in the editing room, and that the character of Ferris was a bit harsher and much less lovable. I only heard this once, but it has stuck with me. Id love to see your exploration of the original cut, which was much longer.

It was pretty much law for late 80s to early 90s sitcoms to have failed sitcoms .

I wish the characters and the actors for Ed Rooney and Grace were in a better show because they're both funny and I'm actually surprised that I got some laughs from their clips

Using the phrase 'getting away with murder' and Broderick's name in a script is a tricky thing, you know what with Matthew Broderick killing two women in 1987 and getting away with just a $175 fine. RIP Anna and Margaret.

I remember this show, it came on after The Fresh Prince of Bel Air. There are Beatles and Monkees connections with this Ferris Bueller show. John Lennon mentioned on this show, Nuns on the Run was produced by George Harrison's HandMade films company, and the daughter of Micky Dolenz played Sloane.

This Ferris Bueller took the Geneva convention as a to-do list.

People act like Hollywood only started spewing unoriginal ideas only recently, but we had stuff like this 30 years ago (and it definitely wasn't the only thing).

The guy who played Ferris in the show would make a fantastic Patrick Bateman

Omg I would love to hate/love watch these very early 90s sitcoms. It’s like the 80s still but with crappy 90s technology. 😂❤

I was in my early 20’s in the early 90’s, between school, work and playing in bands I had zero time for television. I worried I missed something, turns out it was a blessing.

Another great video. The crazy thing is that NBC already had their Parker Lewis in the form of Zach Morris. The should have moved Saved By the Bell to prime time.

I think we need to acknowledge that Charlie Schlatter has gone on to have a great career as a voice actor. He's been the Flash in a bunch of different cartoons and video games.

What's funny is i just got back from watching Ferris Bueller's Day Off. Happy to see one of my favorite KZfaqrs finally got to make a video on Ferris

I don't know exactly if this is mostly on Charlie Schlatter, but he from the clips that I've seen, just comes across as a smarmy, preppy douchebag. The thing about Matthew Broderick in the film, is that he had this kind of smooth, easy going charm and charisma, that made you still want to like him. Broderick still came across as the affable boy next door and a kid that you could realistically know or come across in high school. With Schlatter, you just want to punch him in the face.

I remember watching the pilot episode for this when it aired. As soon as "new Ferris" cut Broderick's standee in half with a chainsaw, I turned it off and never went back.

Parker Lewis was smart to not do a direct adaptation and just do inspired by, it enables you to play around with the formula, and Parker had a sort of overall mission to keep “coolness” at Santo Domingo High against the authority figures. The characters of Jerry and Frank were inspired as well.

I love that you covered this show. It seemed like a weird fever dream.

"Parker Lewis Can't Lose" was must see tv for middle school me. I was genuinely sad when it ended.

I might add two inane bits of trivia: Cameron, as played by Alan Ruck, appeared in the Jamie Kennedy vehicle "Kickin' It Old School". He was a doctor dealing with Kennedy's character after he wakes up from a coma and mentions he is still paying off his father's classic Ferrari. Also, I distinctly remember that TV Guide called out the similarities of Parker Lewis and this, saying that Parker Lewis would be the failure since the "real" Ferris would be in competition.

One benefit the TV show Ferris has over his movie counterpart is he didn’t kill two people in real life and get away with it without punishment.

This shows perfectly fine as far as sitcoms go if you don’t compare it to the film.

The music that plays everytime Ferris talks to the audience is straight out of a Sega Genesis game in pause mode😅. I missed this show when it was airing but I'd definitely watch it now. I love tacky 80's and early 90's TV shows before cell phones and the internet .

I didn't forget this one. I remember it debuted right after the Fresh Prince. I don't even know if all of the episodes aired. Then out of nowhere Blossom was in this time slot. I can only imagine how annoying little me would have been singing the fresh prince theme then the blossom theme.

I loved Parker Lewis can't lose. I wonder if you plan to do an episode on that show soon?

I remember this show back in the late 80s. Ami Dolenz from the movie "She's out of control." The first time I saw Jennifer Aniston years before "Friends."

Parker Lewis Can't Lose was much closer in spirit.

Best band. I love all of them.

The biggest thing I remember from this show, the one time I watched it, was the Ferris character was played by the same actor from 18 Again. It was one of those freaky Friday rip offs which had George Burns character swapping places with his grandson, who was played by the kid who played Ferris.

I watched this show when it was airing. The only thing I remember from it was a bit where kids at school would see Jeannie and touch their noses. Jeannie thought they were making fun of her nose job, but it was actually a secret signal.

Thanks Joe, fantastic video as always.

6:20 This is what I love about your channel man! Like you're still optimistic and trying to find ways to salvage concepts and creativity wherever it may lie. We REALLY need that kinda perspective from the "critique" channels these days. Not a bad idea!

I might have to rewatch this show just for the hair and fashion

I'm always happy to see a new video from you bro. Great as always!

I remember both FB’s day off and Parker Lewis when they were first on. That said, Richard Riehle is a national treasure.

Parker Lewis Can't Lose is the REAL Ferris Bueller show.

Every video is a banger with you. Thanks!

Great video as always.

We already had a Ferris Buller sitcom. It was "Parker Lewis Can't Lose."

the actor who played the principal was great in the sitcom Grounded for Life too, maybe he's just a really good actor

Excellent review. Thanks.

More like Ferris Bueller's Way Off *canned laughter breaks the sound barrier*

I love these forgotten series... Good stuff

I remember this being on at the time, but it was shown at the same time as The Simpsons. As much as I loved the Ferris Bueller movie even back then, watching anything other than The Simpsons was inconceivable. To this day I haven't watched a single episode, and if I did I think I'd still prefer Parker Lewis Can't Lose. Now that was a great show.

When it comes to television series based on John Hughes movies, give me "Weird Science" any day.

I've been waiting for your video on this one.

But the real question is: does Ferris exist in this show, or is he a figment of Cameron's imagination?

Finally!! I was hoping you would do a video on this show.

I actually really enjoyed this show.

Yeah kind of ironic that tv Ferris chainsaws a cutout of his own counterpart yet he is the one that’s worse

I love this channel

The Ferris Bueller house is actually located in Long Beach California, so his move to LA wasn't too far off. Actually seen it in 2019.

Exceptional use of film clips for reactions here.

That was the video I didn’t know I needed

Ferris Bueller's Day Off is my 3rd favorite movie of all time. One of the first thing "Ferris" does is chainsaw a cardboard of the original, and the show lost me there.

My god, is there any awesome 80s movie that doesn't have a failed sitcom?!

Getting some strong Patrick Bateman vibes from TV Ferris.

Maybe they should’ve just made a sequel instead like around 1989, with Ferris going to college

How ironic that Parker Lewis ended up being more like Ferris Bueller than the TV Ferris Bueller was. 😮

Idk if you done the "Revenge of the Nerds" pilot but you should one day!

Been waiting for this one, I’ve had hauntingly bad memories of this show for decades 😆

Sloan was played by, Ami Dolenz daughter of Monkee, Micky Dolenz.

The creators of Cobra Kai doing a Ferris Bueller spin-off series definitely isn't something to be upset about. If anyone could pull off something enjoyable, it's them.

I saw the movie a blue million times as a kid, one of my all time favorites... but either I never knew about the TV show until I saw it mentioned in a video from Minty's Comedic Arts.... or I had known as a kid, but had since forgotten all about it. Either way, it was news to me at the time. From what I've seen here, it definitely seems they missed the mark on what made the movie so great. It could be why Movie Ferris' good buddy Cameron was able to go on and become captain of a starship Enterprise one day... and TV Show Ferris' friend Cameron... somehow missed his Tuesday installation.

I love the 80s , I miss the 90s.

Would you be interested in covering Parker Lewis Can't Lose in a video one day? Looks interesting and I'm curious on your thoughts

It sounds like the music makes as much effort as the writing does in this series.

Great video.

I remember being so excited to watch this as a kid. It only took 1 episode to lose that excitement…

I love your videos sir ❤

Dude this show was so good

The God awful music you talk about at 4:45 may be a holdover from Saved by the Bell whenever Zach would talk to us in an episode. At least, it felt like something you would see there.

Bueller: 0 Kubiaks. Lewis...? 1 Kubiak. Truly, he CANNOT lose.

Parker Lewis Can't Lose was so good for the time.

Great editing! 😂

I watched the first episode of this show in the last few years and I struggled to get through it. The chainsaw scene at the beginning was a massive slap in the face to the fanbase. Hoping you do a video running through the Ferris Bueller’s Day Off Director’s Cut. John Hughes had a 2.5 hour version with an hour of deleted scenes. There were a lot of scenes cut that I would love to see! Some scenes also change the story and the way that you look at the character of Ferris Bueller (including stealing his father’s bond money to fund the day off).

Okay but “You’re beautiful, too! It’s all the ugliness on the inside!” is legitimately a hilarious line

Genuinely mean this. This is one of the most bizarrely entertaining shows ever made. Objectively speaking it’s horrible but Richard Riel as Rooney is legitimately hilarious and the insane sound effects that come out of nowhere are phenomenal. It’s a legit fun watch

I remember this show! I saw the film in theaters back in the day and was a bit surprised it was decided to bring it to the small screen. Seeing Charlie Schlatter slice Broderick's cardboard cutout on camera was definitely a gutsy move IMO. I tuned in out of curiosity and also for Ami Dolenz (daughter of Monkee Micky Dolenz and granddaughter of movie actor George Dolenz) who seemed to have a promising career in the biz at the time (she was in a lot of roles as the BFF of the lead actress in various films and then turned up in B pictures like Witchboard 3). You're right in that the actors are doing the best with what they had to work with, but that just wasn't enough. I definitely like the idea of having Rooney and his assistant relocating to CA and having a show of their own rather than piggyback onto the Ferris film. As for the reboot with the producers behind Cobra Kai? I have high hopes! Those guys have shown that they do justice to IPs they know and like! Ferris will be shown respect!!