"1775" was a TV pilot of a possible comedy sitcom revolving around an American family in the year before the revolution. Apparently, this American version of a popular Brit show failed to took off, CBS turned down based on what they saw and that's it. However, this was actually an interesting and funny show, a little awkward but nice to follow. The specialized people didn't get it and didn't laugh, but it's their problem. I was laughing...a lot.
It tells the daily life of the Proctor family, runners of a Pensylvannia inn, led by couple Jeremy and Annabelle (played by Ryan O'Neal and Lesley-Anne Down), living there with their three daughters (Sarah Koskoff, Danielle Harris and Judith Jones). Not much of a successful place, with the few clients running away whenever they hear rumors about a possible revolution going on their way. Jeremy's mission is to secure money so their daughters can attend a famous ball and find some future husband, and each of the girls already have their minds in something or someone else - one of them dates a scruffy kid, played by the then unknown Jeremy Davies (one scene but it's priceless). As solution, Jeremy goes to meet his brother-in-law, a certain George Washington (Adam West) to ask him for some money. Crazy situations happening on the inn with new costumers and unexpected visitors like Governor Massengill (Jeffrey Tambor).
Clever jokes and gags of sexual nature and historical facts are all part of the show, and the classic laughing track (a little weird to get used to) and there you have it; "1775" seemed a nice way to spend the time and with more development it could survive a few more seasons. Maybe with a different cast, it could take off to become one of the best shows of the 1990's. Problem is that while the presentation is good, valuable art-direction and costumes, the actors in it...are not so memorable. O'Neal, who I've never seen as a comedy lead except for "What's Up Doc?", was surprisingly good, charming chemistry with Lesley - the moment with the gun was lovely; Tambor steals the show with his one scene just like Davies; but the rest of the cast either deliver their lines with much emphasis (which is not funny) or they don't appeal to make like you care about their characters.
Too bad it failed because I was truly curious in seeing what more could be added to this sitcom until the war takes place. But better this way because there's nothing worse than a good show that reaches several episodes, drowns with the ratings and then gets canceled just when you're having a great time. 7/10
