Producer Pans for Comedy Gold
The Daily Probe - March 8, 2000
The context for this and other Daily Probe articles is provided here.
HOLLYWOOD, CA (DPI) - Critics are supercharging their superlatives
after attending a sneak peek at Larry Gelbart's new series,
W*A*C*K*O, based on the FBI/BATF dust-up at the Branch Davidian
compound near Waco, Texas. NBC has ordered up a full season of the
siege-themed comedy on the strength of the pilot episode. "Legendary"
Larry was understandably high on the positive buzz following the
screening. He had this to say about his new chuckle factory:
"With M*A*S*H, we not only put a human face on war, but we also made
the show last nearly six times as long as the actual Korean War.
I did the math, and I think we can get at least four seasons out
of Waco."
The pilot episode introduced the main characters and set up
the personality conflicts that viewers can expect to guffaw
at for years to come. The main "good guy" is BATF squadron leader
Ambrose "Buckeye" Bierce, an irreverent drunkard in a bathrobe who
still manages to be the best damned rifleman in the Bureau. He is
acted by slouching funnyman Bob Saget. His grinning sidekick will
be C.K. Bunnicut, an achingly decent fellow who over time will
probably start trying to graft a weary peacenik sensibility onto
his every scene. Ron Howard played the role in the pilot, on the
condition that his brother Clint gets to take over for the rest of
the run. Charismatic David Koresh has been softened into a sleepy
bumbler who is forever stepping into buckets of sand while spouting
scriptural spoonerisms. Genial Night Court alum Harry Anderson
is on hand for that role. Finally, Christopher Walken has signed
on to play Clarinet "What Lips?" Renolihan, a fictional gender-
neutral person in charge of the Justice Department. Look for
W*A*C*K*O to join the strong Thursday night lineup this fall.
- Reported by Chris Jones
-30-