Buddy Faro (1998) User Reviews

looking forward to the DVD release....maybe?

[Starrman21 · 7/10 · 21 November 2007]

For some reason, some shows just fail...some deservedly, some not... Buddy Faro was a clever show with interesting characters and dark humor that was enjoyable to watch...Maybe it was never intended to be a big hit, but it had a "quirkiness" about it that made it enjoyable... that being said it appears I may have been the only one watching....Dennis Farina and Frank Whaley were casted perfectly in their respective roles...production quality and writing were great and Vegas was the perfect backdrop... hopefully the first and only season will be released on DVD as I believe it deserves some notoriety... maybe at least make it on TV Land.... cheers

great loss

[pswanson00 · 9/10 · 12 February 2004]

I attribute the failure of Buddy Faro to the theory that there were too few viewers old enough to remember the shows which it was parodying. This wonderfully written and acted show deserved a much longer run. Rarely have I heard (maybe on Frasier) an exchange of dialogue as clever as:

(detective) "Are you ignorant or apathetic?" (suspect) "I don't know and I don't care!"

Buddy Faro was a bright spot in my TV week, for its entire 8-week run (I've read that they filmed 13 episodes, but 5 were never broadcast). I would buy copies of the extant episodes if I could find them. ...of course, the first time I saw The Beverly Hillbillies I said "This thing can't possibly last half a season," so -- obviously -- my taste is not that for which most shows are created. If your local cable channel ever shows "Buddy" at some odd hour, be sure to see it. It was a very funny show.

Thought I was the only one...

[stretchrunner · 8 February 2004]

Well, I thought I was the only one who lamented this show's demise. Was just surfing around this site and looked to see if Buddy was listed and lo and behold! "Buddy Faro" was one of the most interestingly-premised new show in quite a while with a great cast and fun to watch. Felt like I was sucker-punched when it was cancelled. Then a few years later, I find another very interesting show, "Push, Nevada" and THAT gets cancelled. That's the last new show I watched. It seems when you get a good off-the-wall new show, people get uncomfortable and go back to watching the formulaic old standbys and the networks go along with that thinking. Didn't mean to rant here...just still upset that this show never was given a real chance to catch on.

Release this series on DVD!

[rhaas33 · 9/10 · 29 July 2007]

I agree with all aforementioned comments. This show was a delight to watch. Funny, witty, terrific acting and zany sets. It's always a thrill to find a show that is smartly written, assumes the audience has brains and displays subtle humor. I would spend good, hard-earned cash money to see it again on DVD. And as long as we're requesting Smart Series That Never Got a Chance...How about DVD releases of Maximum Bob (another well written, odd duck show with a delightful cast of characters.) And add to the list...Middle Ages or Frank's Place. There has to a way to release these shows out of the vaults and into the hands of devoted fans and new audiences.

Whatta Shame!

[CCB-2 · 9/10 · 16 February 2002]

Some TV programs continue into embarrassment (my beloved 'X-Files' comes to mind.) I've been a fan of Dennis Farina since 'Crime Story,' another late, lamented show. 'Buddy Faro' never had a chance. The series had a good premise and great actors. It's really, really a shame.

Bring it back

[stoccado · 10/10 · 12 January 2011]

Well, if the previous reviewer felt that he had been "sucker punched" when this series was canceled, I felt like someone jerked the carpet out from under me. Besides being a fan of Dennis Farina the show itself was my idea of a good detective show. I promoted this show at the office so you can see how I felt when it hit the can. So now I see a new series beginning on January 17, 2011, called Harry's Law starring Kathy Bates. This looks like a winner to me so, like Buddy Faro, it will probably last for a few episodes before being summarily dumped. Dennis would have made a good "Harry." In fact, I'm reading that the lead was supposed to have been a male but they didn't find what they wanted and selected Kathy, also an excellent actor/actress.

A Clever Caper that was Crushed

[tils4 · 14 July 2005]

BUDDY FARO should be on DVD! At least as fun as "Get Shorty", "Midnight Run" or "Analyze This!", this "crime" show deserved to be on for many, many seasons. I saw all the broadcast episodes and they never ran out of good stories, jokes or ideas. Dennis Farina made Buddy a believable character: from the dregs to dude-dom. Frank Whaley could have been the re-incarnation of W.C. Fields' "Bank Dick." Another part of the overall fun were the sets and decor and the lush, even lurid color photography. All in all a terrific show. Calling Dennis Farina: get the rights/permissions and issue this on DVD. It worked for that other delicious oddment, "Wonderfalls."

Ended WAY Too Soon And WAY Ahead Of Its Time

[statuskuo · 9/10 · 18 January 2021]

Man, I miss this type of show. And, I was probably as cynical as the rest of America back in 1998, as this was on network television and thought that network t.v. was for old people Specifically CBS. I bet it would've found its audience on the fledgling FOX. So here I am in 2020 lamenting why this isn't still on air. A LOT of sitcom people gather here, Allison Smith and Charles Robinson to name a few and great character actor leads from Dennis Farina and (a very underrated Frank Whaley) gives this a buoyant traipse through late 90's Hollywood (the time I first arrived in Los Angeles). Hard boiled detective nods, and also a reference to "L.A. Confidential" this is a spoof much like "Sledge Hammer!" Sometimes oddball (which seems not so odd for Los Angeles) and great cases you watch to get to the end. The production value is something to mention as it travels around some REALLY iconic areas, that, in today's climate, they probably would charge and arm and leg to film. Places like The Magic Castle and Forum make appearances. Stunts, explosions, and so much went into this series. I'm sicken that this didn't have a longer run. Any way, for those wondering why it hasn't been released into DVD land, I can only assume the music clearance would be astronomical. But look, I think pre-Millenium Hollywood was the last of this look into real Hollywood. When you still hung out at divey bars that weren't overrun by hipsters. And that the internet and cellphones were in their infancy. I LOVE this show. And thank you Mark Frost for adding the "Twin Peaks" oddness to it.

I agree with Kick in the head.

[Crowbot-2 · 10 April 2000]

I agree that the best show always get cancelled, while some of the worse ones that I've seen in quite a while from that season, such as: Donny and Marie, Family Law, Greedy grubs want to be a Millionaire and so many more, are still alive and kicking. I loved this show from the begining, and watched everyone of the eight episode aired (12 made). Hey there's always summer rerun haul-ins, so we might briefly see this beauty again. Very unlikely though.