Wednesday, March 20, 2019

A "Daredevil" Review for Super Dave Osborne

(Opening begins at the 0:36-end mark from the theme from the final season of American Gladiators original run play the camera pulls back to see James and everyone else on top of a slab with the words “The Last Of The Americans” on it before cutting to James in his office)

TLOTA:
I'm James Faraci The Last Of The Americans and the views that I'm about to express are that of my own and some of yours. Earlier this year, we lost a great with the passing of Bob Einstein otherwise known by his signature characters Martin Funkhouser on "Curb Your Enthusiasm" or the iconic "Super" Dave Osborne.

(Cut to clips of Super Dave Osborne's failed stunts as James does a voiceover)

TLOTA (Voiceover):

While he started out as a parody of Evel Knievel. Super Dave and his technical coordinator Fuji Hakayito played by Art Irizawa came out with crazy stunts left and right which would've left real daredevils into coffins if they went astray. He first debuted on the John Byner Comedy Hour and would appear on shows left and right including a series on Showtime and a movie (Cut to James physically)


TLOTA:
And my first exposure to Super Dave was of all things a cartoon. (Cut the opening title card of "Super Dave: Daredevil For Hire" before cutting to clips of "Super Dave: Daredevil For Hire" as James does a voiceover.)

TLOTA (Voiceover):
"Super Dave: Daredevil For Hire" was made by our friends at DiC entertainment and made for the Fox Kids. Will it be as big a disaster as a Super Dave stunt or will it actually succeed without someone heading to the hospital either mental or physical? (Cut to James physically)

TLOTA:
Let's get to it, this is "Super Dave: Daredevil for Hire"
(Cut to clips of "Super Dave: Daredevil For Hire" as James does a voiceover.)

TLOTA (Voiceover):
Now before I get into the plots of the episodes lets get through some of the usual rigmarole.  The animation is to many not their cup of tea. But the fact that Bob and Art return to reprise their roles in the cartoon and Bob appears at the end of the episode in live action as Super Dave to set up the stunt which is just a clip from their live action Showtime series with the foul language edited out because it is a kid's cartoon, but it's one in the plus column, nevertheless. The theme song is simple yet catchy. Have a listen. (Show clip of the show's opening theme before cutting back to the series as James continues his voiceover) The series debuted on Super Bowl weekend with Super Dave having to save the game from his arch nemesis Crash Hazard who would appear in a handful of the episodes he does so and... (Show clip of bomb going off before cutting to James physically reacting before returning to the series as James does a voiceover)

TLOTA (Voiceover):
 That is the basic gist of the series. 13 episodes of Dave going through adventures of all sorts. He saves the president, saves astronauts, goes into a small wild west town which breaks down as apparently Dave found a lot of the story far fetched and it wouldn't surprise me if Bob and the writing staff had some conversations like that but they decided to roll with it and sanitize the four letter words in the conversations for the recording sessions. While the finale has something that resembles every episode they would've made if the show continued, I think they'd have even more insane stunts but I think the tepid ratings and Bob knowing that an animated Super Dave would be the kiss of death on the sustainability and credibility to the character. (Cut to James physically)

TLOTA:
But all things considered... it wasn't that bad!
(Cut to clips of "Super Dave: Daredevil For Hire" as James does a voiceover.)

TLOTA (Voiceover):
It's by no means poorly done, the writing is good, the animation lends itself to the cartoonish style of "Super Dave's" character traits and I did find myself enjoying it more as the series went on and after a secondary watching I heard more jokes that lent itself to more adult sensibilities and if you want to enjoy it than YouTube is the best bet. Otherwise, get ready to pack a trip outside of the U.S. because it's actually available on DVD in South Korea! (Cut to James physically standing next to Steve Kidd who is dressed as "Super Dave Osborne")

TLOTA:
And to end this review, our own Steve Kidd has dressed up as "Super" Dave Osborne and is going to go ahead and do all of "Super" Dave's stunts and to which I say. (James slaps Steve on the back as he says to Steve "Good Luck" as Steve moves off screen and "Super Dave: Daredevil For Hire" theme song plays in the foreground as it cut to James' face as he reacts and Steve screams and hollers in fear and pain before a thud is heard and Steve says off screen "Supercalifragilisticexpila-Uber Pain!")

TLOTA:
Don't worry Steve, I've got insurance. I'm James Faraci The Last Of The Americans and that's my opinion!

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