Nearly Departed (1989) User Reviews

Short-lived But has potential

[eastewart0201 · 8/10 · 2 November 2020]

I remember the previews to this show and I watched it a few times then, and thought it was ok. I recently found a few full episodes on YouTube and rewatched and definitely think it had some potential. I wish I would have lasted a bit longer and found a following.

Ah, how soon they forget.

[krasnegar · 7/10 · 29 August 2007]

magellan33 said: "You can only do so much when the two stars of the show can only be seen by one fellow cast member."

I assume, then, that you never heard of "Topper".

Which, in addition to the two stars who could only be seen by one member of the cast, had a dog, ditto.

This was the kind of program that had "Not Gonna Make It" written allover it from the first episode - it was like an arcade video game where you actually have to read the instructions to play; no-one (well, very few of us, apparently) wants to watch a comedy program that has a basic premise that actually requires *thought* to grasp.

Eric Idle Deserved Better

[shelbythuylinh · 8/10 · 26 November 2021]

As a Monty Python fan and that over in Eric Idle is my favorite. As grouchy snob British professor along with his sweet American wife played by the late Caroline McWilliams as they died in a rock accident on the top of their car.

They still live in the house but as ghosts. And an obnoxious family comes to live with them much to Grant's dismay. Grant and Claire his wife however are only seen by the grandfather there. Who becomes a regular and help them out to live in the world in exchange for helping his family out.

Eric deserved much better.

When I started loving Eric Idle & Monty Python

[ShelbyTMItchell · 16 February 2005]

This was when I started loving Monty Python & Eric Idle. On the second episode when Granpa became a regular, Idle was also in Around the World in 80 Days playing Passepartout to Pierce "Pre-James Bond" Brosnan on NBC. That role ironically lead NBC to give him his own show but sadly this was canned after four shows in the USA while the remaining six shows aired in Great Britian. Too bad this show wasn't given a chance to grow at all and would had been great in the long-run. But all shows aren't given the chance to grow at all in Hollywood or even in New York these days.

Eric portrayed snobbish and arrogant ghost, English Professor Grant Pritchard when his TV wife, the "only" normal one in the show and he are killed in a car wreck. The wife, Clare likes the new family moving in. But Grant disdains for them and wants their new victorian house back. But much to their surprise, the grandpa moved in and they noticed that he could see and talk with them. Eric & the grandpa were funny together. As the trio formed a reluctant but well liked alliance. Eric would had been a star had dumb NBC wouldn't cancel the show.

Good show

[Catherine_Grace_Zeh · 9/10 · 3 May 2006]

I used to watch this show when I was a little girl. Although I don't remember much about it, I must say that it was a pretty good show. Also, I don't think I've seen every episode. However, if you ask me, it was still a good show. I vaguely remember the theme song. Everyone was ideally cast, the costume design was great. The performances were top-grade, too. I just hope some network brings this series back one day so that I'll be able to see every episode. Before I wrap this up, I'd like to say that I'll always remember this show in my memory forever, even though I don't think I've seen every episode. Now, in conclusion, when and if this show is ever brought back on the air, I hope that you catch it one day before it goes off the air for good.

Dreadful.

[paulspittle22 · 2/10 · 19 February 2019]

God-awful attempt at humour. Cliched, corny, depressingly formulaic with canned laughter

Idea too Original for Television

[richard.fuller1 · 23 November 2001]

Eric Idle (Monty Python) and Caroline McWilliams (Benson) were a married couple I think were killed in a car wreck, much like in Topper. Hefty comic Stuart Patinkin was to be the obvious blue collar foil to Idle's British pomposity when Patinkin and his family moved into the house formerly occupied to Idle and his wife, McWilliams. This show came along when other Monty Pythoners John Cleese and Michael Palin were being 'rediscovered' in "Fish Called Wanda". Idle was the clear star of the show, even singing the opening theme, 'It's hard to agree when a family of three, . . .' he would say. The funny clincher was when soap vet Henderson Forsythe showed up as Grandpa, and since he had one foot in the grave already, he could see Idle and McWilliams. This then gave the show a strange twist, and Grandpa became a regular. Now the opening song became 'It's hard to ignore when a family of four, . . .' This was interesting. As others pointed out, this was a summer replacement series and was gone after at best six episodes. Idle and Forsythe were hysterical together. I felt the possibilities for this show could have been endless, but of course Hollywood would have no idea what to do with it.

Blast from the past.

[sodapop1008 · 30 July 2004]

When I was a kid, I used to LOVE this show. I was only about six or seven, though. I remember it came on at 9 o'clock and I'd beg my mom to let me stay awake to watch it. I can't remember why it was so funny, and I'm sure that if I saw it today, it wouldn't be any good, but there was something about it that I just loved to death. I can still remember sneaking into the living room to watch it and I can still sing part of the theme song. I remember the faces of the actors who were on the show, and my favorite was the British guy. In the only episode I can recall, they were standing in the bathroom. The man who was alive was brushing his teeth and the man who was a ghost was yelling obscenities at him. It reminded me of Beetlejuice. It's hard to believe that it was so long ago.

Eric Idle deserved better but he was great

[dphelan-1 · 11 April 2006]

I started watching "Nearly Departed" because of Eric Idle and I must admit he was good in it. My absolute favorite scene is when he is trying to help Granpa ( I believe) pass his drivers test by gymnastically spelling the letters on the eye examine with his body. It was superb physical comedy! Of course his verbal comedy was good as well. My biggest problem with the series was the family being haunted. They were very "sitcommy" and boring. I know the ghosts needed protagonists but it may have been better if they had been a bit more winning with flaws rather than very flawed with few ( if any) winning traits. I always wished this had lasted or that Eric were given another comedy but sadly it never happened.

Great Sitcom

[adadams_1999 · 16 June 2001]

I remember watching this summer replacement series and really loved it. When I saw the TV spots before it aired, I thought it would just be a Beetlejuice rip-off, but it turned out to be a really funny show. Eric Idle is the greatest and I thought this was a great role for him that should have had a long run.

Why Not?

[crackedmyself · 31 January 2004]

I was very young when this show came on--so young that many of the jokes probably went over my head--but I still adored it. My dad and I watched it together every week that it was on, and I was really upset that it was canceled. What is with American audiences that they let the same types of comedy get put out there over and over, but anything quirky and new gets killed before it has a chance to prove its worth?

I liked it.

[magellan333 · 2 February 2001]

I remember this show replaced "The Hogan Family" for a couple of weeks. At first I was really upset because I liked "The Hogan Family" but as soon as this show began to grow on me, they cancelled it and put "The Hogan Family" back on. I don't think it could have lasted too long anyway. You can only do so much when the two stars of the show can only be seen by one fellow cast member.