Then there’s Dave’s World…and that’s another story altogether.

Literally.

Dave’s World is “inspired” by the writings of Dave Barry -- and that’s about where the similarity between the sitcom and the source material ends (think Bert I. Gordon’s H.G. Wells’ Empire Of The Ants and you’ll about have it).

I never watched Dave’s World when it was originally on television. It’s not that I didn’t want to. I would have, probably, had I of known it was on the air (I didn’t watch much television back then), but I didn’t…so I didn’t. I should have, though…since by doing so, Icould have saved myself the burden of watching his antiquated, mullet-laced sitcom.

Dave’s World isn’t funny. I’m sorry, kids -- but it just isn’t! The writing was nowhere near as creative or masterful as the real Dave Barry’s works and, instead, this just became another shitcom. The actors didn’t help any, either. It seemed that they were just doing the show for a paycheck. It’s too bad, too, as I always liked Harry Anderson. I figured his presence could have supported the show. It didn’t, needless to say, which could account for the fact that he hasn’t starred in a television series since.

Actually, most of the cast of Dave’s World really didn’t impress me any: the ladies--DeLane Matthews and J.C. Wendel--seem like they’re trying too hard and look a little too, well, mid-90s (the Mid-90s was, incidentally, the Late-80s: Part II for those of you who don’t remember or weren’t there). Thankfully, both women have since blossomed into a couple of hot MILFs, so there’s little else I can complain about there.

Then there are the child actors, Zane Carney and Andrew Ducote. Well, as far as child actors go, these two did quite well. And the fact that they’re now big enough and old enough to kick my hairy Hispanic ass leads me to just kind of skip them and move on to Meshach Taylor.

Oh, sweet merciful God in heaven, not Meshach Taylor! NO!!! To be honest, I always thought the guy was either gay or retarded when he was on Designing Women (yes, I watched that show -- look, I had a thing for Annie Potts, OK?). However, having had a second chance to evaluate Mr. Taylor with Dave’s World: The Second Season, I have come to the conclusion that is gay and retarded. I don’t know if it’s the way he squirms around like a creepy guy in the bus seat beside you, or if it’s the way he purses his lips and sticks his ass out when he starts to whine, but the man just screams “We needed a black actor for our show so that the NAACP wouldn’t bitch and moan: one that our white viewers wouldn’t find particularly menacing or intimidating when left alone in a scene with our white women.”

But maybe it’s just me (although it isn’t).

Well, that just about covers the cast of Dave’s Wo--ooooohhhh, waaaaaaitt just a second here…who is this that I spy with my bespectacled eye? Is it the one and only Shadoe Stevens? Why…YES IT IS!

It’s payback time.

Shadoe Stevens, ladies and gentlemen: the man, the voice, the big-ass hair. Anyone in my age group no doubt has memories of watching The New Hollywood Squares (1986-1989) with him sitting smack dab in the middle all of the time. Sure, we all thought he was cool -- then. And then came that Traxx movie…an embarrassing motion picture epc that nobody has ever forgiven the poor bastard for signing onto.

You just thought you were sooooo fucking cool, didn’t you Shadoe Stevens? With your Playgirl centerfold looks, February Spray-On Tan, impeccably situated large head of mullet hair (which received its own individual Social Security number if I’m not mistaken), and your flawless voice…well, where are you now, huh? You’re nowhere! Nowhere! You’re dead to me, Mr. Shadoe “I’m too perfect to write back to little Luigi Bastardo” Stevens! [sobs] Do you have any idea how I would run to the mailbox every day, hoping that that day would be the day when your autographed 8x10 glossy would arrive? How I prayed that you would come to visit me, sweep me away from all of the moo cows that surrounded my existence, and take me to the great voice acting studio of the gods? Do you? [/sobs]

I hate you, Shadoe Stevens...and, as your punishment for being you, I’m not mentioning you by name any more in this review. (tear)

OK, so anyway, back to Dave’s World: The Second Season. The show revolved around the character of Dave Barry (Anderson) who’s a columnist for a Miami newspaper. His world revolves around his kids (the aforementioned Carney and Ducote); his wife (Matthews); and his crazy, zany, madcap, wacky, screwball, silly, nutty, and otherwise idiotic friends, Shel (Taylor); Ken (He Shall Who Remain Nameless); and Ken’s secretary, Mia (Wendel). Each week, the anti-Dave Barry relates the topic of the episode’s storyline, and then does its best to keep you entertained for one half of an hour with a barrage of less than witty jokes, most of which are exchanged around a big table in the kitchen where the four leads (minus Wendel) play poker (whoa, whoa, wait -- this guy plays poker with his buddies and his wife? Is he nuts?).

Honestly, unless you just finished up watching Sister, Sister on DVD, I’d skip this one, kiddies.

Presentation
For it’s debut on DVD, CBS/Paramount has crammed all 25 episodes of Dave’s World: The Second Season onto three discs. The video quality present here is not at all comely when compared to many other TV on DVD releases, but, considering the timeframe in which this show was shot (I reiterate: the Late 80’s, Part II), it’s not surprising. The English Stereo Surround track accompanying the episodes fares much better than the video. Closed Captioning is available.

Long story short: it looks like shit, but it sounds OK.

Extras
As is usually the case here, there are no Special Features included on this ,release save for a few Promos for other TV on DVD releases from CBS/Paramount.

The Bottom Line
Dave’s World thought it could ride on the coattails of the real Dave Barry and not have to deliver the humor of the real Dave Barry. Bad move, guys.

And yet, it lasted for four seasons. Go figure.