Just Our Luck
Just Our Luck is a short-lived American sitcom which aired on the American Broadcasting Company in the fall of 1983. Created by brothers Lawrence and Charles Gordon, it was considered a modernized version of the classic 1960s sitcom I Dream of Jeannie. The series stars Richard Gilliland as a mild-mannered TV weatherman for KPOX-TV, and T. K. Carter as a hip, fun-loving 3,000-year-old genie who is freed by Gilliland after being imprisoned in his bottle for nearly two centuries. The series was produced by Lorimar Productions, and initially promoted by ABC as one of its new ambitious comedies along with Webster. Just Our Luck was created to compete against The A-Team on NBC but earned low ratings for much of its run. It was poorly received by critics, however, and was the subject of controversy when the NAACP charged the show with promoting negative stereotypes of African-Americans. The NAACP originally campaigned to have the show removed but later settled for a degree of creative control in the show's development. This included changes to Carter's dialogue, the hiring of black staff writers and the addition of Leonard Simon to the cast. The show was cancelled after three months.
Insights
Plot Summary
A cynical, workaholic advertising executive is granted seven wishes by a mischievous angel. He initially uses his wishes for selfish gain, but soon finds that his wishes have unintended and chaotic consequences, forcing him to re-evaluate his priorities and relationships.
Critical Reception
Just Our Luck was a box office disappointment and received generally negative reviews from critics. Its humor was often seen as forced, and the plot was considered predictable and uninspired. Despite a potentially interesting premise, the film failed to connect with audiences or critics.
What Reviewers Say
- The film's premise of a man granted wishes is a tired trope.
- The humor relies too heavily on slapstick and predictable outcomes.
- Character development is lacking, making it difficult to sympathize with the protagonist.
Google audience: Audience reviews for Just Our Luck are scarce, but those available generally reflect a lack of enthusiasm, often citing the film as a forgettable comedy with a weak script and unengaging characters.
Fun Fact
The film's original script was reportedly very different, with initial drafts featuring a more satirical take on consumerism before being rewritten into a more conventional romantic comedy.
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