Shark Bytes

This show did not JTS and truly deserved a 2nd season. They should have explained the disappearance of Max's friend, but overall, this show seemed really classy. (Something often not found on CBS) I'm disappointed the other networks did not try to pick it up.

I want to preface this by saying that I am a male-to-female transsexual and thought that Helen Shaver's character was one of the best, if not the best, and most legitimate portrayal of a transsexual on a network television show. Not surprisingly, I feel that the show began approaching the ramp over the shark when it became apparent that Erica Bettis was about to be jettisoned. Even at that, had there been some memorable, creative, meaningful exit for the character (like, perhaps, having her killed off in an anti-transgender hate crime, something that should have been able to fuel an emotional episode with a liberal star such as Dreyfus), it could have served as a catalyst for what was then a good series with some minor faults - but really bad ratings. However, what happened? All of a sudden, Erica isn't there. She was supposed to be Max's best friend. But, suddenly she's gone. No explanation, no nothing. Actually, I take that back; there was a lot more of something: Bickford's daughter trying to sing. It was bad enough to see a potentially-iconic character disappear from a series I could have liked even if she hadn't been there to begin with, but to see the series devolve into a cheap vehicle for manufacturing a singing star? Where's Simon Cowell when you need him?

Never jumped; not once. Two Academy award winning actors (three, if you count the appearance of Peter O'Toole), intelligent, well-written scripts, great insight into University politics, and a wonderfully subtle sense of humor. What the heck ever made me think that a show with all that could succeed on the same network that brought us drivel like "Touched By An Angel", "Survivor", and thinks Dan Rather is a good replacement for Walter Cronkite?

I can't believe that CBS cancelled this funny, sophisticated, well-written show. I guess My Big Fat Greek Life (which is in Max Bickford's old timeslot) is much better. CBS Execs: what the hell's the matter with you?

When they had to plug this piece of crap show 20 times during NFL telecasts. Lets see...advertise lame show geared toward the wine and cheese, quiche-eating crowd during NFL games watched mainly by beer-drinking, chip-eating, bean-farting football junkies. Result: Wawoosh...show goes down the crapper.

Let's see... Two Oscar winners as regulars (too much mojo for a CBS show, period), annoying voice overs from the lead character (speaking as the main protagonist of a book he was writing), a daughter in an alternative band who sung on the show every now and then, a transsexual character whose removal from the show is never explained, even though he/she was supposedly Max Bickford's closest friend... Even the talents of Richard Dreyfuss and Marcia Gay Harden couldn't save this one. The show jumped in Episode One - there was just way too much garbage taking place in the life of an Ivy League professor who teaches at a small women's college to be believable. Bon Voyage, Max.

This show has never jumped. I only began watching this recently but this is one of the most intelligent and fascinating shows out there. The shark has never been more distant.