Out of Control
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Out of Control | |
|---|---|
 Out of Control title screen |
|
| Format | Sketch Comedy Children's |
| Created by | Bruce Littlejohn |
| Developed by | Bruce Littlejohn |
| Starring | Dave Coulier Jill Wakewood Diz McNally Marty Schiff David Stenstrom |
| Narrated by | Bruce Littlejohn |
| Opening theme | Bruce Littlejohn |
| Ending theme | Bruce Littlejohn |
| Country of origin |  United States |
| Language(s) | English |
| Production | |
| Executive producer(s) |
Bruce Littlejohn |
| Producer(s) | Bruce Littlejohn |
| Running time | 30 min (including commercials) |
| Broadcast | |
| Original channel | Nickelodeon |
| First shown in | 1984 |
| Original run | October 7, 1985 – May 1, 1988 |
| External links | |
| IMDb profile | |
| TV.com summary | |
Out of Control is an American comedy television series that ran on Nickelodeon from 1984 until 1988, and was the first series produced specifically for that channel.
[edit] Synopsis
Comedian Dave Coulier starred as the even-keeled host Dave, whose signature catchphrase was "Cut--it--out!"; which was a catchphrase Coulier would later bring to the series Full House. The show also featured a cast of kooky archetypal characters, such as the shrill, plastic-fantastic party-girl Diz Aster (Diz McNally), the clueless reporter Angela "Scoop" Quickly (Jill Wakewood), the caustic newshawk Hern Burford (Marty Schiff), and Waldo, the bespectacled mad inventor (David Stenstrom). Also on the set was a box-like computer called the HA-HA 3200 that's supposedly the sketch and joke writer for the show.
The show featured a simplistic sketch-comedy style appealing to viewers from the 5-12 age bracket. Interspersed with Terry Gilliam-style animations by Cliff Johnson, the show was visually appealing, holding the attention of channel surfing kids.
[edit] Regular Sketches
- LET'S EAT a food segment where Dave goes out to restaurants across the country for what he hears to be "The World's Best". If it matches the claim, Dave presents the "Let's Eat Trophy" (a gold cup with novelty chattering teeth) to the owner or chef of the restaurant.
- IT'S PROBABLY TRUE! - A news-like segment with real or fictional facts outlined.
- HOW NOT TO DO THINGS - A do-it-yourself segment with regarding or consequential results.
- IT'S ALIVE! - A segment that deals with animals and nature.
- ARE WE THERE YET? - A segment that displays real or fictional locations.
- ADULT EDUCATION - A segment "where kids are the teachers and adults are there to learn". A young girl teaches a group of adults various topics that kids know.
- FAST-TOLD FAIRY TALES - A story segment where Diz gives her spin on classic fairy tales while being timed.
- HURRY-UP! - A segment where Dave answers a letter and uses a device called the "Hurry-Up Machine" to fast forward through a boring activity.
Guest stars included Bill Bixby (from The Incredible Hulk), Mouth Sounds author Fred Newman (who had a sound effects contest with Dave), and comedian Bruce Baum (playing a fraud who collected clothing of celebrities).
