Ferris Bueller is an American sitcom television series 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 canceled within its first season, a few months after its debut with only 13 episodes aired, due to its poor reception. The show was produced by Maysh, Ltd. Productions in association with Paramount Television.Company credits for . Retrieved 2017-07-29. Hughes was not involved in the show's production.
Synopsis Though based on the film, the series was not a canon continuation but is claimed in the first episode to portray the "real life" situations that inspired the film. Ferris (Schlatter) expresses his displeasure at being portrayed by Matthew Broderick, a cardboard cutout of whom he destroys with a chainsaw, although the series makes no later references to the film. The series focuses on Ferris Bueller and his high school experiences at Ocean Park High, including dealing with his best friend Cameron (Brandon Douglas), love interest Sloane (Ami Dolenz), and sister Jeannie (Jennifer Aniston). The series is set in Santa Monica, as opposed to the film's setting of Chicago.
Ferris is liked by everyone as the "cool guy on campus". He is extremely popular, suave, and quick-witted and is 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. Compared to the film, Sloane is not completely wrapped around Ferris's 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 proves to be begrudgingly copacetic. Ferris is a junior and Jeannie is a senior, switching their grades from the movie, while Mr. and Mrs. Bueller's names are Barbara and Bill, as opposed to Katie and Tom.
Cast
Starring Charlie Schlatter as Ferris Bueller Richard Riehle as Principal Ed Rooney Sam Freed as Bill Bueller Jennifer Aniston as Jeannie Bueller Ami Dolenz as Sloane Peterson Brandon Douglas as Cameron Frye Judith Kahan as Grace Cristine Rose as Barbara Bueller
Recurring Jeff Maynard as Arthur Petrelli Jerry Tullos as Mr. Rickets David Glasser as Dork Brandon Rane as Wimp Chris Claridge as Student #2/Surfer/Tim Bojesse Christopher as Greaser Jim DeMarse as Mr. Prescott/Mr. Tenser
Guest Jane Lynch as Mrs. Tenser Cloris Leachman as Ferris and Jean's grandmother Carla Gugino as Ann Peyson, Cameron's girlfriend
Episodes
Reception and cancellation Compared to the film, the show received mostly negative reviews from critics. It also suffered from comparisons to another series, Parker Lewis Can't Lose, which proved to be more successful when it came to ratings, lasting for three seasons. Ratings for a Ferris "sneak preview" were strong, but ratings for the actual series were much lower. In an October 5, 1990 interview, NBC executive Warren Littlefield said the show was already in danger of cancellation, and could be pulled from the schedule as soon as the ratings for episode 4 came in. The series was canceled due to poor viewership and low ratings after one season, airing a total of thirteen episodes.
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