Summerland (TV Series) Pilot (2004) User Reviews

Summerland sure to be a hot with teens and tweens, Jesse McCartney will be breakout star

[redhot1824 · 8/10 · 2 June 2004]

Summerland is sure to be a big hit among teens and tweens who are fans of shows such as the OC or the movie Raising Helen. Though Summerland's plot may not be the most original (what plot line really is since most new shows are remakes of old ones), it is still sure to be an addiction for the teen generation. Some older viewers may not find it as appealing as their children due to the focus mainly on the children's plot lines.

Actor and Singer Jesse McCartney will surely be a breakout star from this show. Though other users have commented that his acting skills are nothing special, he is still a young man who has time to mature and develop his skills. He has already been nominated for 2 Day Time Emmy's for his role as JR on All My Children, where he was given a major plot line and was a favorite character of many viewers. He is sure to be a favorite character for the teenage girls (a main target of the WB).

Humerous, heart-warming, a little repetitive, but classic style

[ATLsportzchick24 · 7/10 · 2 June 2004]

This is a pretty good show. I have seen better, but this one does fill the slot of "One Tree Hill."

The story, although have seen it before, has a little twist to it now and then. Parents die in a car crash, and instead of the parenting siblings of the deceased parents, the three kids go to the cool aunt from Cali.

It is like Raising Helen. Yes, most of the sub-plots are the main plots of other shows, but this show has something different.

The oldest child is a teenage guy, now the man of the family. The middle female child tries to be her mother. And the youngest child doesn't understand what's "dead" really means, so he wants to go to heaven with his parents.

Ava, the aunt, lives in with three roommates. One, work-a-holic. Two, a player with a different girl every night. And three, the once-boyfriend.

The kids don't adjust as well as Ava would've liked, but after a while it gets better and they adjust.

So, yeah, it sounds cheesy. But its good. The acting is alright, could be better, but each part is portrayed the way is should be.

Overall, it works for me, and it should work for you.

Beach, beautiful women, surfing - what more could you ask!

[karvan_g · 8/10 · 8 June 2004]

In the couple of episodes i have seen this series, i have come to love it. Lori Loughlin (of "Full House" fame) has not aged a bit since "Full House". She looks real beautiful. The actors are convincing esp the Kay Panabaker who plays the role of the middle child of the parentless trio now in the care of Lori. Taylor Cole who plays the surfing instructor of the eldest son of the trio. She is HOT HOT HOT! Oh man! I am sure a lot of people agree with me on this one. U know what! She actually is the step daughter of Shawn Christian who plays the male roommate of Lori in this series. Let us see if the cast can keep us glued to the "idiot" box much longer or if the series just goes bust.

Quite Possibly the Best Show on the Wb

[mountaineer188 · 10/10 · 17 June 2004]

This show is phenomenal, it is taking over the spot that 7eventh Heaven had once filled. Its fresh, its new, its surprising, Its Unconventional. It's been compared to Raising Helen but the comparisons stop after the death and the three children live with their aunt. In Summerland, its 4 friends who are thrown into parenting. They are dealing with the ups and downs, the crush's, the drug's, sex, whatever comes up, and what makes the show unique is that between the four of them, they have no clue how to handle it. The show also has some fantastic underlying stories. The Ava and Johnny romance is sort of mysterious, there's tons of history behind it that the audience can't wait to explore it.

The cast is wonderful (they fit so perfectly).....

Lori Loughlin (Ava) is such a beautiful actress and it wouldn't be the same without her, loved her from full house and its great to see her back in prime time.

Shawn Christian (Johnny) I didn't realize he was such a good actor and its so hard to not imagine him in playing that part. He has such great interaction with the cast especially with Derrick, and he is such a great looking guy.

Merrin Dungey (Susannah), loved her in Alias, love her now. She's still in the role of the roommate. but we can be reassured she isn't gonna turn into some killer character. I love her and she's getting more face time here than in Alias, but I doubt those kick boxing skills from Alias will kick in, but you never know.

Ryan Kwanten (Jay), I love him, he's so cool and I wouldn't mind having him for a brother. I've never watched anything with him before, but he's a great actor and he pulls the part off perfectly.

Jesse McCartney (Bradin), formally of soap opera fame and teeny bopper fame.

He's a good actor and he sort of reminds me of David Gallagher, his character seems to be the smarter of the teenage sons on television.

Kay Panabaker (Nikki), she is such a smart actress. I didn't like her character at first, but she's growing on me, i really like the way her story's going, and girls always make for more interesting storyline's anyways.

Nick Benson (Derrick), he is so adorable, to me he is the breakout star, i love watching him and in that first episode where he tries to give himself to his mom, it broke my heart, if he continues to act, I wouldn't be surprised if he got his own show (when he's older) and became some phenomenal movie star.

Taylor Cole (Erika), when I fist saw the pilot i though she was just a one time character, but clearly I was wrong, I don't know what the writers plan to do with her , but so far so good, she's growing on me.

This is such an awesome show, watch it, don't listen to the others who say that it sucks, give it a chance and decide for yourself because its worth it to sit down and watch especially with all the other crap on TV, its a great family drama to watch that touches serous issues. It's the new 7eventh Heaven, but has its own complete identity.

Not half Bad Really! ~!

[Roxburyfunny1 · 19 June 2004]

I missed the very first airing of this show and when the WB does reprises on Sundays i was really iffy about seeing it. I'm so glad i caught this show its great. Aside from the stupid comparison to the o.c. this show has a lot of promise. People are to busy comparing the show instead of just watching and enjoying that really irritates me. This show is well scripted, well acted and i couldn't be more happier to see Lori Laughlin back on t.v. especially in a different kind of role. I recommend this show to anyone and everyone. My favorite episode so far has to be episodes one and two. I couldn't decide between those two and haven't watched the third one yet. I taped it.! ~!

Touching,Sentimental Drama

[leasley · 10/10 · 2 June 2004]

I LOVE this show.How many TV shows today can touch your heart?Summerland does just that with this makeshift family made up of an adorable 8 year old,a troubled 16 year old,and the middle sister ,played by the excellent Kay Panabaker who expresses her pain so real.I reached for the Kleenex several times during the pilot.When Bradin called his aunt to let her know his parents had died,when the 8 year old wanted to join his parents in heaven,and when Nikki expressed her sadness by lashing out.And the adult friends were easy to attach to in an emotional way.Congrats,WB.You just found yourself a winner of a new series.I will be watching faithfully

i think this was the best show on the WB i was so sad when it go canceled

[eapinky_707 · 10/10 · 16 March 2006]

i thought this show was the best. i mean it relates to real life situations. even though people think it's a fake, rich snob show, but these are real life situations that people can relate to. Jesse McCartney, Lori Loughlin, Kay Panabaker, & so many others are very good actors. BUT everyone is entitled to their own opinion but i think this was an amazing show and i wish it would come back. -- it might come back during the summer - reruns. a petition is being passed around the internet and in the Summerland forums to send to the WB to help Summerland come back with reruns on a different station or something, but if you really liked and loved Summerland, please find the petition, sign it and pray it comes back.

pretty good

[brooky821 · 10/10 · 2 June 2004]

I just watched the first episode the other day.I thought it was pretty good for the first show.I think that the other episodes will get better and I can't wait to see what happens. It's basically about an Aunt whose sister and her husband die in a car accident.Instead of being put with the husbands brother who is the family type the will says the kids were left with the Aunt.So she takes them to California where she lives and plans on raising them there.The Aunt is trying to be successful in fashion and has a busy schedule so it's obviously hard for her to raise 3 kids.The oldest boy is a teenager who has girls on the brain and hasn't really discussed the death.The middle child girl is trying to take the place of her mother but later in the episode she chills out.The youngest boy tries to find ways to go to heaven to be with his parents because he doesn't understand where they went.From the previews of the upcoming episodes I think the show will be really interesting and entertaining.It's funny and serious at times and I think people will like it.

"Summerland" Is No Day At The Beach

[stargirl42792 · 5/10 · 16 December 2004]

Just like a smoothie, this movie is sweet, smooth fun with no way to improve that bittersweet sugar taste at the end. The plot begins when aspiring fashion designer Ava Gregory (Lori Loughlin) receives an over-dramatic phone call from her 16-year-old nephew, Bradin (Jesse McCartney), and learns that her sister and brother-in-law have died during a flood in their small Kansas hometown. This leaves Ava to forget her carefree lifestyle in California to care for Bradin, along with his 12-year-old sister, Nikki (Kay Panabanker), and little brother, Derrick (Nick Benson). Helping her are some incredibly irresponsible best friends (played decently enough by Ryan Kwanten, but dragged down with Merrin Dugney), but they all have such a strange view of parenthood that they don't help much. Through the rest of the season, normal problems occur, all while the old sparks begin to light up between Ava and her ex-boyfriend (Shawn Christian). The beginning of the series seems too rushed and too dragged on at the same time, and creative, interesting characters that are brought up seem to disappear as quickly as they arrived. And the cast isn't exactly the best pick for an Emmy, either. (It would do the writers a lot of good to get rid of Bradin, whose character seems self-absorbed, obsessed with sleeping with his girlfriend, and drowning in self- pity. Jesse can't act worth a dime, and he seems like he's desperately trying to establish a teen heartthrob image in between lines, like cutie Orlando Bloom did without trying in the Lord of the Rings.) Anyway, there are some parts of the show that are more than bearable, though, like the postcard-worthy beach scenes. There are also some small sparks of talent that the writers show when they create their interesting, nonconformist characters that mean a colorful cast, and the reactions to the sudden changes that always happen seem pretty realistic. This smoothie could use a few less bananas, more strawberries and ice, and a lot less sweetener to unsweeten that very last sip.

Great Show!!!!!! I can't wait to see how Bradin embarrasses Erika on the next episode!

[cheerleader1434 · 10/10 · 16 June 2005]

I love Summerland! It is an awesome show! I wish they weren't canceling it! I gotta be honest if it weren't for the hot guys I would've never started watching it but now that I've been watching it ever since half way through the first season I love the show for the show! I think it's put together good! My favorite character would have to be Bradin(Jesse McCartney)! I love how he is always facing so many issues in his life and he's always getting in trouble! I look forward to the last 4 episodes! I bet they'll be great! Summerland is one of my 4 favorite shows! I hope it comes out on DVD so when they stop showing it I can still watch it!!!! I LOVE Summeland!!!! Can't wait until Monday for the next episode!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lame, contrived, cliché, and surely soon to be cancelled.

[TerminalMadness · 1/10 · 1 June 2004]

If you listen closely, you can catch subliminal advertising for another WB show "Smallville".

The oldest of the three children is referred to as "Kansas" at one point, and is even called "Man of Steel" while surfing. Where the relation there is, I have no clue.

A mix of "Raising Helen", "The OC", and "Everwood" and blended together in a really terrible mix, this has all the makings of another forgettable soon to be cancelled series like "Run of the House", "Glory Days", and "Hyperion Bay".

Don't remember "Hyperion Bay"? I just proved my point.

This mess stars the beautiful Lori Loughlin who plays a driven self-involved business woman whose sister dies. For what reasons? Not sure.

So naturally, the kids are given to the sister ala "Raising Helen". There's three kids. Three. Why not one or two? Who knows, but there's three and their one-dimensional characters with one-dimensional personalities played by terrible actors.

The supporting cast is just as bad. Loughlin's character is one-dimensional too, though she looks like she tries hard.

There's the obligatory Aussie stud, there's Loughlin's boyfriend character, and the token minority character. All clichés for a show that has no future.

The kids are spoiled, obnoxious, and predictable. The oldest son is brooding, blonde, and is learning to surf, stating in the pilot "I prefer surfing" though he lived in Kansas. Oh, and he has a love interest already who's given no introduction or set-up.

The middle child is a mother figure trying to fill in for her mother which would be tolerable considering she can't act or deliver her line to save her life. She's tepid, obnoxious, and spoiled.

The youngest child is worst of all. His lines are terrible, his delivery awful, and the pilot consists of he and another kid talking about death in a cornfield. A creepy and odd subplot considering the kid comes seemingly from nowhere.

The emotional scenes are intended to pull at our heart strings but they're just awful. At one point the youngest child has a nightmare calling out for his mother, the middle daughter reaches for him and he runs to Loughlin's character, she gets upset and runs off.

This made me laugh aloud, because it was such a badly done scene. She then proceeds to run to her room, turn up her music and cover her ears. Once again, comedic and ridiculous.

Then there's a hilarious scene in which the oldest son confronts the middle child who tries to control everyone and they begin fighting. It's so funny, and its sad because it probably wasn't meant to be funny.

This is a very contrived, pretty awful and annoying show without an original bone in its body. It's ashame because Lori Loughlin is a good actress and this will surely fall into the cliché pit falls with this terrible vehicle.

I'm sure we'll see a mean boyfriend of the love interest, some obligatory fighting, and even more bad acting from the children.

This is awful and unintentionally funny.

-1 out of 10.

Express what i have to say about this TV show.

[mc_krewjesse17 · 10/10 · 30 March 2005]

HEy people, i want to say, this TV show is one of the best ever. i love watching it every Monday at 9:00. I'm a fan of Jesse's music and work, i love him so much. i have this crush on him when i was what 13yrs old, when he appeared with the Dream Street band along time ago. WEll i just wanted to say Summerland and Jesse McCartney combine is amazing! Love it! Also i rate this television show a 10 because, the director, Aaron Speling captured the true meaning of teenagers and the conflicts that we have to suffer. it showed viewers that the more adults try to force on teenagers the more the teenagers resist the help of their parents. I just love watching this show, it's a comparison ( pardon my spelling) to the O.C. because, facing changes in your life can be really hard, such as moving, seeing a death and losing someone so close to you. to end this i want to say that rating this television a 10 is worth it, from the great plot and the exact experiences that teens face in their lives.

Awesome!

[yourbeautifulsoul · 10/10 · 14 June 2004]

I love Summerland. I've been waiting for it to come out ever since I knew Jesse McCartney would be in it. It was worth the wait and if you don't like it than don't watch it. Don't rant about how bad and original it is because everyone has different opinions. If you don't like it than don't watch it, it's that simple. I really don't see what's so bad about it but I don't think people should post comments saying that it sucks and that you can't wait for it to be canceled because some people actually enjoy watching it. Like I said before, if you don't like it, than don't watch it, your the one who chooses to watch it. You all should obviously know what Summerland is about and Bradin is a HOT surfer who gets into trouble and how him his brother and sister have to live with their aunt and they don't like it there very much, I mean come on, what else would you rather watch? I think the show's great!

Great show for all ages

[ricks_katin · 10/10 · 12 July 2005]

I have to say, I was hooked from the moment I heard they were making a TV Series with Lori Loughlin. And after I watched the Pilot, I loved it. There's just a bit of everything in it so that the range of viewers can go from teenagers to adults. They have romantic plots in it for the viewers that want to watch something mooshy and sweet. And they add some family story lines for the viewers that way to watch a family show. Along with hot guys and hot chicks that vary from 13 to 30 something. I think this show was a great idea and it would be a shame to cancel it. We need at least one of these kinds of shows on TV. And when one is done then another one should be put on. Full House, Party of Five, those were a few of those shows. And now that they're gone, we need some replacements. And I think Summerland is that. The only thing that I don't like about the show is its schedule and how it plays for a few episodes and then stops playing for a few months and then plays again for 4 episodes.... you get into watching the show as it unravels and then you've got to wait for another little while

Awesome!

[Kaze214 · 10/10 · 25 July 2004]

Summerland is an awesome show! It shows true love of a family. If you love the OC than you'll love Summerland! It has hot actors and actresses, and all of these actors/actresses are great. They are all very good at acting and they get along in real life! I personally think Jesse McCartney does a great job and is very good looking! I'm sure anyone that watches at least one episode will be hooked! Plus, I just got word that it's a big hit and is up for a next season! So whoever said that this show would get cancelled and that it was lame...looks like you don't know what you're talking about!!!!!!!! IT'S A GREAT SHOW!!! SO EVERYONE SHOULD WATCH IT!!!!!

Great Effort at series that will probably fail

[empty17 · 15 June 2004]

I am 26 and like Summerland. Chose to watch the pilot as their was nothing else on network TV and have been hooked as it reminds me of my teenage years. I will drop a quick note to the WB to continue with this show and recommend others who enjoy it do the same. Too bad Jesse McCartneys only 17, very cute. Also it is rare to see teenagers played by teens. Quite often these roles are played by people that are in their twenties. Dialog is somewhat cheesy and predictable but better than watching summertime reruns. I am sure though the WB will cancel as it was probably just summer filler. Who would watch a show called Summerland in the Winter? Won't the kids return to school at some point and all the excitement will be diminished. This show though interesting for now, has no where to go after twelve initial episodes. So when the summer in reality is over, I'm sure this show will be over as well.

A totally awesome show with some fantastic actors

[bearzz · 22 June 2004]

I think this show is so awesome. They really know how teenagers feel. Finally something that rises above all the other lousy shows that have started this season like the quints with andy richter and that retarded show with the lady that hosts with regis philbin. Jesse is so awesome and I really identify with him. And the guy that plays Cameron is so completely yum. I think its so funny how hes supposed to be their sisters boyfriend yet he totally blows her off and is always hanging out with Derrek. I hope this show lasts for at least a season. They always seem to cancel the cool shows and keep running the completely dorkified ones. Thanks WB!

I like it

[mvlvr512 · 2 June 2004]

The show isn't great but it isn't horrible. I hope it doesn't get canceled a lot of kids like the show. It is one of the better drama shows. I think that for the kids ages they are pretty good. I like the show a lot. some of the emotional parts are funny but thats OK. I hope that Jonny and Ava get together(which according to next episode they do) I can't wait until next episode! I hope that they all stay together and continue living together because its interesting. I'm mad that the little kid tried to kill himself TWICE! I hope Nikki becomes nicer and makes some friends. I do think that brightin needs to get some friends too and stay away from his surfing instructor thats kinda weird. The part where the surfing instructor says "don't become one of those guys" was too sappy and annoying but other wise I really liked the show!

Summerland was better than I expected.

[jmcfan · 2 June 2004]

Okay first off with the comparisons to rasing helen. Summerland was in the works before that movie so there is no copying involved. I thought Jesse Mccartney did a wonderful Job as bradin. I also think Kay panabaker did a wonderful job as his sister. I wasn't actually that impressed with Lori When "Bradin he called Ava I thought that Jesse did some scenes that were really well acted. The show is not without its faults I think it tried to do too much in the first episode Of course everyone has there own opinions, but i enjoyed the show and hope it continues to air.

Its a lot better than all the stinky reality TV shows on now.

Fun in the Sun

[ozellin · 16 June 2004]

I really think that the previous poster's comments were funny, but too harsh.

I rarely watch primetime t.v. but caught the two hour pilot and got into it rather quickly.

What I like about this show is that it's not afraid to deal with alcohol or pot for teens or afraid to have a geeky, sensitive little boy as a character who serves as a contrast to the "cool jock" older brother. The oldest son is really cool and gets into the surf scene which is just a fact of life and I'm really glad they showed this on TV. It brought back so many memories when I was a kid. Also the female surf instructor is cool and has problems which I thought was realistic and a grown up way of dealing with characters.

It definitely kept my attention and I liked the fun in the sun theme. On a side note: Lori Laughlin's male friend or boyfriend is RIDICULOUSLY good looking, distractingly good looking, unrealistically good looking (I guess this isn't bad if you look like him), but everyone else seems normal, cool, and realistic.

The best show ever, Touching, Very good actors and actresses

[brittanylb16 · 2 August 2004]

Summerland is the best.They have the best actors and actresses that make the show feel like their filming a real life family.It makes you see all the pressure of life and all the decisions that people have to make in life.This show helps teens,pre-teen,and probably young children from ages 7-10 see the reality of life.It also help make right decisions and to notice right from wrong.The show has very good teen actors and actresses two of the star teens are Jesse McCartney as Bradin Westerly a 16 year old and Kay Panabaker as Nikki Westerly a 13 year old.They also have good young actors and actresses one of the star actors is 8 year old actor Nick Benson as Derrick Westerly.They have good adult actors and actresses the main adult actors and actresses are Shawn Christian as Johnny Durant Taylor Cole as Erika Spalding, Merrin Dungey as Susanna Rexford,Ryan Kwanten as Jay Robertson,and Lori Loughlin as Ava Gregory.The show gets better and better as you watch.Summerland should put each season the do out on DVD so all the people can buy it.The DVD would probably be sold out in 4 days cause it is so good.I know i would buy it and my best friend would buy it.So i think everyone should watch it.Who ever dosent like it is crazy.So who ever said it is not gonna last don't know what their talking about.Summerland should be on TV for ever.