Remember WENN (1996–1998) User Reviews (14)

A true gem

[dreamer_boy · 10/10 · 2 February 2003]

I imagine that I am of a minority within my age group (early 20s) to say that I find this show to be one of the best ever broadcast. I was truly sorry to see it taken off the air, and the television scene is all the more desolate for WENN's absence. The characters created on the show were timeless and loveable; the writing, while not always stellar, was more often than not witty and enjoyable, without having to resort to the lowest common denominator that the vast majority of today's television does. The episode in which Molly Ringwold guest-starred as blind, love-struck "Angela from Avalon" will always remain one of my favorite television moments.

I have been a huge fan of Rupert Holmes' work since "Hi Honey I'm Home!" and am happy to see that a person who shares my interests in 20th-century entertainment and culture is working to share those interests with audiences. I only wish that there were more of an audience for his great work, because it deserves to be celebrated.

Just a wonderful show!

[lovewenn · 10/10 · 9 November 2003]

I miss this show terribly! It is still my favorite show of all time. No matter how many other shows I start watching they never beat it. I started watching it in high school at about the age 15 and joined the list online and made wonderful friends through my interest. Most of them I still talk to today.

I liked how it was not just a drama or a comedy but it was a dramedy. Being a historian and WWII buff especially this show intrigued me from the beginning. Plus we got to see some great stars of the past before they passed away. The great acting done by all the cast brought it to life and made it more real then a television show.

This show was never about dirty comedy or about who's all sleeping with who like many of the comedies on today. It is clean good fun that anyone of any age can enjoy. We never did learn that answer to the one supposedly dirty joke about the queen of hearts and the elephant or something like that.

You aren't alone, Dreamer Boy!!!

[MichaelMovieLoft · 10/10 · 23 September 2003]

I am also in the youth minority when it came to enjoying this series. As a matter of fact, I WROTE THE PLOT SUMMARY!!! It was one of those shows that I would come home to after a long night of evening classes at the local college. The costumes that the characters wore looked very authentic (They won an Emmy for this) and the cinematography was beautiful.

I would only watch off and on as the years went on since they took some of my favorite characters off, but it was still a favorite of mine. It also proved AMC could make an original program on a limited budget without looking limited. They were always able to get notable named guest stars. My favorites included Henry Rollins, Molly Ringwald, Eddie Bracken, and Betty Buckley (who appeared in the marvelous x-mas episode).

Now, American Movie Classics is a mere image of themselves. Sure rating may be higher, but that had to sacrifice quality to do that. What a shame, because on a a rainy day, I could always could on AMC to comfort me. Remember Ween did that for me as well. Sadly, those days are long gone as the network has tried to modernize itself for the times. And when this show was replaced by The Lot, things began to go downhill. A terrible flaw on AMC's part.

A Nostalgic Look Back at a Bygone Time

[talaxina · 6/10 · 30 January 2004]

The golden age of radio, captured on the small screen, and masterfully done.

Conceived and written by 70s pop-balladeer Rupert Holmes, Remember WENN is a stylish and funny tribute to a lost era. One I was not privileged to actually experience, but that I have become very fond of, via old films on cable television.

The 1930s- and, in WENN's case, specifically the radio industry of the day. With wonderfully crafted, and beautifully acted characters set against the backdrop of a small radio station in Pittsburgh, Remember WENN is poised to bring back memories for those who were there, and serve as a doorway to the past for those who were not.

Remember WENN is a blend of comedy and drama that can't be beat for a savory taste of the long-gone days of radio.

Canceled, by AMC after five seasons, and with several unresolved cliffhangers left hanging, WENN is one show ripe for a reunion movie; maybe even a theatrical venture.

And a video, or DVD release would not be a bad idea. Then all of this wonderful show's adoring fans could fondly Remember WENN...

Turner Classic Movies replaced AMC in my house

[Ripshin · 13 February 2001]

Excellent series, wonderfully acted. It contains some of the wittiest dialogue I have ever heard in a product made directly for television. I was thrilled when AMC created such a surprising gem, and was equally appalled when they cancelled it prematurely. Turner Classic Movies replaced AMC in my house after that fiasco.

badly acted and directed

[o_oraculo · 3/10 · 7 March 2022]

Badly acted and directed. I usually pay more attention to the writing, but the acting and directing are so painfully bad, it's hard to pay attention to the writing. It's also way too slow for what it is. And barely a comedy.

I loved this show

[luvact7987 · 17 February 2006]

This was one of the most entertaining shows on TV, not to mention AMC. After it went off the air, I lost interesting in the station. They completely changed their lineups and started having commercials. I wish that they would release the entire collection of this show on DVD. I would buy it and show it to all of my friends that have not seen it. I was disappointed in how they left the show in a cliffhanger. Shame on you AMC for taking away one of the most original and unique shows that ever came on. There will never be another Remember WENN, nor will there ever be characters like those on this show. Each were so different and well acted.

wonderful nostalgia

[stretchrunner · 11 December 2002]

For people who like to slow life down and visit the relaxing innocence of times long gone, "Remember WENN" was a wonderful means to accomplishing this. I always looked eagerly ahead to the weekly visits with my radio friends in Pittsburgh. But, like those days of yore, the visits have ceased and all I have are memories. The best memory I have is one which I relive on tape every year at this time - the episode known as "Christmas in the Airwaves". The cast is at their charming best here and the music is fantastic. Peter Noone does a wonderful rendition of "Winter Wonderland" and Betty Buckley is superb with the two original Christmas songs written by Rupert Holmes. This was a great Christmas present from AMC to the fans of this show but watching it every year makes me miss "Remember WENN" all the more.

A wonderful trip through "what might have been" in Pittsburgh radio before WWII

[ROCKY-19 · 31 October 1998]

One of the most unique comedies on TV, Remember WENN is a sentimental journey through pre-WWII Pittsburgh radio. With writing and original music from Rupert Holmes and a cast of stage veterans, the show has class, style and a heart. One-liners zing past faster than flaming arrows, but the show is always character-specific and actually gives the audience a plot. Because the show does not follow the guidelines of typical network sitcoms, it may take awhile for the viewer to adjust. The entire cast has almost too much talent for the cold medium of television (most notable: Christopher Murney and Melinda Mullins). Episodes not to miss: On the Air (premier), World of Tomorrow, Close Quarters, Who's Scott Sherwood, From the Pen of Gertrude Reece (a Casablanca send-up), If I Die Before I Sleep, and All's Quiet on the Pittsburgh Front. (finale).

Adorable

[Voni · 24 December 2000]

I miss this show. Sadly, I also missed a large portion of the series' final run due to awkward scheduling. But what I remember about it can still bring a smile to my face. I won't even try to name all the things I liked about the show. I loved the way Mr. Foley's every attempt to speak was invariably thwarted by someone who had something ever-so-important to say right at that moment. Then there was the teddy bear-like Mackie Bloom, always a welcome sight. And it never hurt to see the pretty face of Betty Roberts, either. Her sweetness, among other delights in this show, makes me long for a more innocent time and place. Wow, how profound! So sue me (in the modern tradition).

A Halloween episode, for me, stands out as an absolutely hilarious example of what made me look forward to dropping in on these quirky old-time radio players on a regular basis. Mr. Foley, by the way, was the station's sound-effects provider. Ever heard of Foley artists in film and television? Coincidence? I think not!

So, did Mr. Foley ever get his chance to actually verbalise a thought or opinion? I hope to find out someday.

An unsung classic!

[Devotchka · 4 April 2005]

Remember WENN was an unusual show and a very good one. I became a fan of it while still in the midst of high school. By the time I graduated from university, it was not only long gone but had left a considerably more pathetic AMC in its wake. (Not to say that AMC never shows anything worthwhile anymore--it's just become a situation of "few and far between"!) If only they'd release Remember WENN on DVD or VHS--I'd be an instant buyer.

I'd recommend Remember WENN to any fan of old time radio and/or witty television, but I'm not sure where it's even available for viewing anymore.

If AMC ever decides to show reruns, I suggest you take advantage of the opportunity and watch them!

Overlooked Gem

[billk51 · 7 March 2006]

WENN was a series of paramount humor, nostalgia and sentiment. Melinda Mullins as Hilary Booth by herself turned in a performance worthy of an Emmy. The Christmas show with Betty Buckley was a classic and Rupert Holmes contributed excellent original music. This series reminded us that great entertainment could be generated without requiring an 'R' rating.

The creative forces behind this series could do us all a great favor if they could see to its release on DVD. It far outshines many other series so released. Our generation deserves a chance to share in the short-lived but memorable era of pre-television radio.

A tongue-in-cheek look at a bygone era.

[relivingradio · 13 August 2005]

Remember WENN looks back at a time (tongue in cheek) when radio was family entertainment. Rupert Holmes created the 1930s radio station as a backdrop for many faces which were not very well known in movies. Their voices and his humor made the show a success much like voices were the backbone of radio 70 years ago. Chris Murney excelled as the man with a thousand voices and referred to himself in the introductory episode as the "hairless Hamlet." Of all of the people we love to hate Melinda Mullins did a great job as Hillary Booth. Holmes' love for the past and the impact it has on the present is seen much like it is in his later work, "Good Night Gracie." Like any television show, certain weeks were better than other. Plays on words and word humor make it most memorable. Though Remember WENN was only on the air for a few seasons, it had clearly a divided audience: either you loved it for the memories you would have liked to have had of a time in which you didn't live, or you hated it for being "slapstick humor" with little know talent on AMC where most people were looking for classic movies. Personally, I liked it and still enjoy the recordings I made of it.

Remember WENN AMC had that lousy series?

[yenlo · 23 May 2001]

While AMC is a fine cable channel they should stay out of the sitcom or weekly series business and just stick to showing films. I would always groan when an episode of this unbearable series of theirs came on (generally between feature films). Nothing was humorous about it and the characters and stories were like something out of a high school play. AMC is clearly obsessed with the past and some of their other various features are interesting but this one was as exciting as dead air on the radio.