The original Munsters were a family that looked like monsters, but acted very normal. Fred Gwynne's Herman was childlike, dim witted, and had poor impulse control. Gwynne had actually raised his voice to a higher octave, mimicking a kooky Aunt he had. He normally had a deep voice. He was not unlike Fred Flintstone or Homer Simpson. Yvonne De Carlo, an actress that had played glamorous roles, in fact, played Lily as a very normal, grounded housewife, who spent much of the time getting Herman and Grandpa out of the trouble they got themselves into with their foolishness. Her shaking her head in frustration and scolding Herman could have been from anyone's own family experience. Eddie acted like a normal kid, but had problems because he looked different. Al Lewis was hilarious as a fast talking, scheming "New York Ashkenazi" (In the same way as Jerry Stiller, or Mel Brooks) Vampire/mad scientist. I have known members of my father's family very similar to him, all most to a "T". It was just SO FUNNY.
I realize this show has been relaunched a number of times, with no success. With Edward Hermann, and John Shuck, trying to fill Gwynne's shoes. Any effort to emulate Gwynne just didn't go over.
I can see why the producers of this show wanted to take a different direction. Grandpa is evil, not kooky this time. Lily is too glamorous and magical ever to touch an oven mitt. Eddie looks normal, but transform into a very dangerous creature on full moons. Herman, this time, seems the only normal one, even Marilyn is a bit strange, and trapped in 1960.
It is as though these writers had heard about the Munsters, couldn't get hold of a copy of an episode, and watched the "Addams Family" instead. That was a marginally more normal appearing family that were a bit on the sociopathic side. It was John Astin's "Gomez Addams" that seemed the normal one getting the rest out of trouble. WRITERS, THEY ARE NOT THE SAME SHOWS. It's like watching "I Dream of Jeanie" to study "Bewitched".
I am embarrassed for Eddie Izzard in this. I have come to find him a very talented comedic and serious actor. It was a crime that FX canceled his show "The Riches" after two seasons. I am sure he must have had problems with the material they handed to him. Jerry O'Connell, it just seemed like he didn't care. His character was no different than the other times we've seen him, save "Stand By Me", it was as though his character from "Sliders" slid into another alternate universe were he was Herman Munster.
I realize this show has been relaunched a number of times, with no success. With Edward Hermann, and John Shuck, trying to fill Gwynne's shoes. Any effort to emulate Gwynne just didn't go over.
I can see why the producers of this show wanted to take a different direction. Grandpa is evil, not kooky this time. Lily is too glamorous and magical ever to touch an oven mitt. Eddie looks normal, but transform into a very dangerous creature on full moons. Herman, this time, seems the only normal one, even Marilyn is a bit strange, and trapped in 1960.
It is as though these writers had heard about the Munsters, couldn't get hold of a copy of an episode, and watched the "Addams Family" instead. That was a marginally more normal appearing family that were a bit on the sociopathic side. It was John Astin's "Gomez Addams" that seemed the normal one getting the rest out of trouble. WRITERS, THEY ARE NOT THE SAME SHOWS. It's like watching "I Dream of Jeanie" to study "Bewitched".
I am embarrassed for Eddie Izzard in this. I have come to find him a very talented comedic and serious actor. It was a crime that FX canceled his show "The Riches" after two seasons. I am sure he must have had problems with the material they handed to him. Jerry O'Connell, it just seemed like he didn't care. His character was no different than the other times we've seen him, save "Stand By Me", it was as though his character from "Sliders" slid into another alternate universe were he was Herman Munster.