The original cast of "Stacked." Before the producers told Tom Everett Scott, "We don't like that thing you do!"
FOX, as of late, has had some serious trouble developing sitcoms. In fact, their last successful comedy was four years ago with “The Bernie Mac Show.” And how did they reward Bernie? By schedule-shuffling the show more times than a Las Vegas black jack dealer. Whatever the hell that means.
Anyway, it seems that in the last few years, FOX has taken the “throw anything against the wall and see what sticks” approach to sitcoms. And guess what – none of them stuck. Most of them sucked. We could list them all here for you, but why would we want to put you through that?
On April 13, 2005, FOX premiered a new sitcom called “Stacked” starring Playboy Playmate Pamela Anderson. Word is that FOX gave the show a 6 episode order sight unseen. Just based on a pitch. The script by “Just Shoot Me” creator Steve Levitan wasn’t even complete yet. That’s right, FOX didn’t even ask to see a produced pilot, let alone a finished script. They just said, “Sure, go ahead and make six episodes of a sitcom with Pamela Anderson. That oughta be good enough.” Guess they were blinded by the headlights.
Quite possibly the most books Pamela has ever seen.
My favorite part of the history of “Stacked” is that with the premiere just two weeks away, they recast the male lead. Tom Everett Scott, he of That Thing You Do! fame, was replaced by Elon Gold of “In-Laws” fame. Well, I dunno about “fame,” but take my word for it, he was in NBC’s “In-Laws.”
So, needless to say, I went into the first episode with a rather large helping of skepticism. And a large goblet of Franzia, too. And as I watched the episode, I was shocked. The show actually made me laugh! The odds were “stacked” against it, but I found myself going from a grin, to a smile, to a chuckle, and finally to a legitimate laugh.
The show, however, is far from perfect. In fact the main problem I have with it is Pamela Anderson. She can’t act. She couldn’t act in “Baywatch,” she couldn’t act in “Barb Wire,” and she can’t act in “Stacked.” Plus, she aint exactly the hot ticket she once was. Even after years of plastic surgery, she still clearly looks like she’s on the wrong side of 30.
The show also features Christopher Lloyd who plays a character that is equal parts Reverend Jim Ignatowski from “Taxi” and Dr. Emmett Brown from Back to the Future. He had some funny moments, but I think he needs to tone it down or risk becoming too irritating.
Christopher Lloyd channels his "Taxi" days.
The rest of the cast are likeable, and all had some funny moments. I liked Elon Gold in particular. But the highlight is the writing by Steve Levitan and Jeffrey Richman.
It’s not exactly breaking new ground, but “Stacked” has something that most every FOX sitcom has been missing lately: Laughs. Oh, and big boobs.
 
Elon Gold with his deer in a "headlights" look.
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