ANNETTE FUNICELLO
On the variety kids show "The Mickey Mouse Club", out of all members of The Mousekeeters, Annette Funicello was the one that every young male (Including me) remembered the most. She was so recognizable that they gave her a short serial on the show called "Annette". In memory of her, I'm going to review the show.
THE NEWCOMER
In our first episode for this serial, Annette plays a country girl (with her name) who moves with her rich relatives played by Richard Deacon and Sylvia Fields. The episodes only run for ten minutes on this variety show, so expect these reviews to be short and simple. So far I like Annette's character and her performance and I also like their Maid Katie (Mary Wicks). However, the episode is kind of boring and her relatives are boring too. Hey, as long as you have Annette on screen, you're fine, other than that I'm bored.
RATING 2/5
ANNETTE MEETS JET
RATING 5/5
AN INVITATION
Annette and her Aunt go shopping for new clothes and Annette gets invited to a party. First off, I love how the episode opens with Annette singing then cutting to Katie humming "Whistle While You Work". Annette is great as she was in the previous episodes and I loved her talk about how things are different from her old town which really makes you love the character. As for the supporting characters such as her relatives and Katie they're still keeping the same enjoyment I had with them from the previous episode. We also meet new characters such as Helen (Doris Paker) who's a friend of her Aunt, her daughter Val (Doreen Tracey) and Val's friend Moselle (Shelley Fabares) who are ok, just ok. Oh and the reaction from Annette's uncle when he sees that they're having Burgers for Dinner gave me a laugh. Decent episode, but I felt like it fell kind of flat once they went shopping.
RATING 4/5
THE ESCORT
Annette is ready for the party but there's a mix-up on which boy is taking her to the party. The plot and characters is just as boring as the first episode. Nothing exciting is going on, no funny moments, acting (Aside from Annette's) that's boring and very little screen time for Annette. Even the new character Steve played by Tom Considine doesn't interest me. However, there is one person who saves the episode and that's the kid Steady played by Rudy Lee and he has such a fun personality that it stops all the boredom that's been going around. Thank you Steady for saving this episode.
RATING 2/5
THE PARTY
There's really nothing to say about this episode, it's just Annette and Steady hanging out at a soda bar while a parties going on. This episode is pretty much a filler. There's really nothing but dancing and a musical number and as you may have guessed, Annette gets very little screen time. The only purpose this episode has is introducing us to Mike (David Stollery) and Laura (Roberta Shore) that's it. While being pretty much a filler episode, I did like the new characters, I enjoy spending time with Steady and the music is really good.
RATING 2/5
PAYING THE PIPER
Another episode that seems more like filler then having a plot. It's just the teens playing "Spin The Bottle" and no it's not the kissing roulette game! All that the episode has is showing Laura being a full of herself brat (Which I already assumed that from the previous episode) and the events in this are just leading up to the next episode, that's it. Annette sings, but they cut her off. Another filler episode with really nothing going for it and the only reason why it's worth a watch is because of it's following episode.
RATING 2/5
THE MISSING NECKLACE
Finally, an interesting episode right, well the title is interesting but sadly not the episode itself. The episode literally starts out with the same footage of how the previous one ended, there's nothing but more partying, more of Laura being full of herself, Steve is hinted to be Anette's love interest and it ends with the necklace missing. Yup, it's not a major plot point, it's again setting up the events for the next one! Oh and when they discover that it's missing the acting is terrible. Again like the last few episodes see it for setting up the next episode.
RATING 2/5
WHAT HAPPENED AT SCHOOL
This episode is just Annette's first day in High School but instead of showing her trying to fit into High School, it's just nothing but hanging around with the characters and more complaining from Laura about her missing necklace. To be honest, I do enjoy spending time with the characters but at the same time, the episode really doesn't have anything happening unlike the last few where at least one thing was happening. If you like the characters then I guess you'll enjoy it ok. Nothing special just ok and again and to be perfectly honest, this episode is complete filler!
RATING 2/5
ALMOST A FIGHT
This is another episode where the title is more interesting than the plot itself. "Almost A Fight" was really what happened at the end of the previous episode. Much like the last episode it's all filler, alright they are planing of putting her as Program Chairman for the class...exciting anyone? I'm really beginning to suspect that this show was only made as a filler on "The Mickey Mouse Club" so fans can spend more time with Annette.
RATING 2/5
STEADY GETS AN IDEA
This episode doesn't actually feel like a filler. It's about Annette joining the entertainment committee, she gets shunned by Laura because of her missing necklace and Steady gets an idea on how to solve it. I know, it's sounds as boring as the previous episode and is another set up episode but to be honest I was really pulled into this one like the earlier ones. I like the conflict between Annette and Laura, I like how Mike is trying to help Annette, I like how the episode sets everything up for the next episode making you eager to see it. I'm also suspecting that Mike might have a thing for Annette like Annette has a thing for Steve and Jet might have a thing for Mike, maybe a love square is bound to happen. Overall great set up episode.
RATING 4/5
THE EXPLOSION
My hopes were to high from the previous episode. The attempt from Steady's idea is briefly done but then something happens before they put the plan into action. As for the explosion, it's nothing important just a gag (Which is funny) from a character who was left alone in a classroom mixing dangerous chemicals (Seriously, what's with teachers leaving students in the classroom with something dangerous?). Annette FINALLY gets to sing in a duet with Mike and Jet (Even though it sounds like the actress is lip syncing to a totally different voice). I also enjoy seeing Annette and Jet together. Not a very promising episode, it's full of filler and set up but it is entertaining and fun.
RATING 3/5
THE TURNED DOWN INVITATION
Annette is invited to go visit Jet's Ranch but she's also invited to a party with everyone else. The shows main theme seems to be about different classes and Annette must decide where she belongs. It was shown in the previous episodes but this episode particularly made me realize that. In fact Annette's Aunt is acting more like the Uncle in the first couple of episodes while the Uncle acts like the Aunt from the first couple of episodes, I like that. I also love the humor with Jet. Oh by the way forget the love square it's now a love uh...circle I guess, because now Steve has a thing for Annette. Great episode and it looks like things are moving up.
RATING 5/5
ANNETTE MAKES A DECISION
Annette is still trying to decide to go to the party or go see Jet with her excited Uncle. This is another good episode! I love how this episode shows how Annette is struggling on which class she should go with. I also love that they threw in the song "Zip-A-Dee-Do-Da" in the episode. On top of it, I love spending time with Uncle Archie and getting to know a side of him that I didn't expect to see. By the way, I should mention that there's a love subplot with Steady and some girl which I don't really care about. Steady also likes Annette too, defiantly a love circle. Overall another great episode.
RATING 5/5
THE HAYRIDE
We have another set up episode but now the set up episodes are actually becoming more fun and interesting. We see more compassion from the group Annette's trying to hang out with, we see more kindness from Uncle Archie and Annette finally gets to sing the song that she didn't finish at the party. Another great episode.
RATING 5/5
THE BARBECUE
We're back to another filler! It's nothing but the characters at the Barbecue, talking about the same stuff they already talked about before and are just dancing. There's really nothing happening, nor does it set up the next episode. However, the characters are enjoyable, it's just not a good episode. Personally I'd skip it.
RATING 1/5
THE FIGHT
Things are getting really real and sad in this episode. Jet gets into a fight with Laura and Annette is so sad that she's going to run away. This episode starts out fun, then things get bad, there's a bitter sweet moment and it all leads to a depressing cliffhanger. Annette's reaction is done in silence and just by watching her, I feel her pain. Great come back from a crappy episode.
RATING 5/5
THE FAREWELL LETTER
Annette writes a farewell letter, leaves and that's it. This episode is nothing but flashbacks being narrated by Annette. Flashback episodes are fine when a few seasons are done but doing it in a small series doesn't work. When they find out that she ran away we hear happy music and bad acting. Trust me when I say this is another episode I'd like to skip.
RATING 1/5
MIKE TO THE RESCUE
Well this is another set up episode that's setting up to the last episode of the serial. The only good moments this episode has is when Annette and Mike are together and when Annette is being brave at the end. The rest is kind of slow and we're more focused on the relation between Steady and his girl, which again is a subplot that I don't find amusing. Overall see it for the set up.
RATING 2/5
THE MYSTERY IS SOLVED
With an obvious title like that, you know the Mystery of the missing necklace is solved. However, I won't give away how they found it. The episode is a good conclusion to the serial. It's sweet, there's a good song at the end and my only criticism is they don't show the talent that the show was building up too. Aside from it's still an enjoyable ending.RATING 4/5
OVERALL ON THE SERIAL
Well first off Annette is fantastic and never stops being great in her role. The acting is decent for the most part and the characters are likable. I also enjoy it's themes and look on how a girl is trying to fit in.The songs are also pretty good too. My big problem however is most of the episodes are filler and half of the scenes in each episode serve no purpose and of course the subplot between Steady and his girl was bland. Like I said the acting is decent but for dramatic moments it sucks. I guess it's a good series but I still feel like it was only an excuse to see more of Annette. Overall it's watchable and Annette fans may love this but for me most of it is filler or something boring, with that said, I'd still watch it again because when it's good, it's really good.
RATING 3/5
R.I.P ANNETTE
