Mister Wacky's World

Synopsis

To try and get noticed Danny looks into getting his own show on a Cable access station. While he is there he ends up on the set of "Mr. Whacky's World". when he accidently gets involved in a comedy routine Mr Wacky offers him a job of his side kick "Noodles", which gives Danny some Celebrity locally but is the role worthwhile?

Meanwhile Dusty develops feelings for Jesse and misinterprets a friendly gesture for a romantic interest.

My Review

This is not an episode that I’ve watched very much. For me this is not only one of the worst episodes of the season but of the whole series. The Danny story just doesn’t do it for me. Maybe if his part hadn’t been set in the World of Mister Wacky it may have been better. I just don’t find this slapstick, custard pie in the face kind of humour very funny and way too much of the episode takes place in that environment. It just feels never ending.

At times it felt like the episode was running short so let’s just add more of the so called comedy, rather than ad more story lines for the cast or add more drama. Maybe Danny’s school work could have been suffering with all the time he’s spending doing the show, which appears to be on every week day . It’s a shame because potentially the story line could be interesting although we have been here before where Danny takes a career detour, like in Broadway Danny Amatullo which was a far superior episode.

The only real saving grace in this episode is the Dusty story line, with her developing feelings for Jesse. I always feel that Dusty is a little neglected at times so it’s nice to see her having a love story, even if it is unrequited love. I’m glad that they did this story line with one of the regular cast rather than with a guest star of the week. Although it might have been nice had they hinted at Dusty’s feelings for Jesse in earlier episodes and possibly add some conflict with Nicole, who might not be quite over Jesse yet.

It’s interesting that the writers give both Jesse and Dusty a shared love of science fiction. I know it is certainly true of Loretta in real life.

Music wise, “I’m Hip” a cover of the Romantics song is pleasant enough but it is Loretta’s version of “Don’t Turn Around” which is a cover of a Tina Turner B-Side and a future hit for both Aswad and Ace of Base, that is more interesting. Love of the Game just isn’t memorable to me and again feels like something to fill the episode with.

Episode Pictures

CREDITS

Production number 2950

Written by Ira Steven Behr and Michael McGreevey

Directed by Win Phelps

Original U.S. air date 24th November 1986

Original U.K. air date 1993

Guest Stars

Gerrit Graham as Mister Wacky

Dick Miller as Lou Mackie

Carolyn J Silas as Laura Mackie

Randy Bertish as The Boy Student

Oliver Givens as Oliver The Prop Man

Songs

"Don't Turn Around" - performed by Loretta Chandler

Written by Albert Hammond and Diane Warren.

"I'm Hip" performed by Carlo Imperato

Written by The Romantics.

"Love of the Game" - Performed by Billy Hufsey

Written by Dick Eastman and Chris Farren.

MP3s Available:

"Don't Turn Around"

"I'm Hip"

"Love of the Game"

Download the episode in 5 parts

LINKS

Videos from "Mister Wacky's World"

Screenshots from "Mister Wacky's World"

"Mister Wacky's World" Script

Song Lyrics

Quotes

"I'm Hip" Original Artist Version

"Don't Turn Around" Original Artist Version