September 16, 1996 (1996-09-16) – June 25, 1997 (1997-06-25)
Pearl is an American sitcom television series which aired on CBS from September 16, 1996 until June 25, 1997. The series starred Rhea Perlman, in what was her return to television after the conclusion of her long-running series Cheers three years earlier on NBC. Don Reo created the series, and Perlman served as an executive producer alongside Reo, Paul Junger Witt, Tony Thomas and Gary S. Levine. Pearl was produced by Impact Zone Productions and Witt/Thomas Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television.
Plot
Pearl Caraldo (Rhea Perlman), a middle-aged widow, is the loading dock manager for University Electronics but who wants to achieve a higher level of education. She is accepted as a night student at the prestigious Swindon University. By contrast, her 20-year-old son Joey (Dash Mihok), a single father with no apparent ambition, is disappointed that his mother is no longer readily available as a live-in babysitter for his infant daughter. Also less than thrilled is Pearl's sister-in-law Annie (Carol Kane), who is concerned that with her greater educational attainment, Pearl will become another "one of them intellectuals." A professor of a required course, Stephen Pynchon (Malcolm McDowell), further complicates matters by his belief that higher education is for a cultured elite, not working-class people like Pearl, and sets out to embarrass and belittle her whenever possible in hopes that she will withdraw from the university.
When Malcolm McDowell's name was put forward as a candidate to play Prof. Pynchon, creator Don Reo was initially skeptical, feeling that McDowell was more associated with villainous parts, but when McDowell read for the part, it was clear that he was very suitable. McDowell modeled the character on Lindsay Anderson, as well as British comics Eric Morecambe, Benny Hill, and John Cleese.[1][2]
Prof. Pynchon's former mentor (Aubrey Morris) comes to town to promote his new book, but Pynchon is shocked when he discovers it's his own Oxford graduate thesis.
Prof. Pynchon asks Pearl for a ride to New York City to see a play, she mistakenly thinks he's asked her out, but he is planning to go to the theater with a friend.
Pearl's new classmate, Carlo (Jonathan Del Arco), falls hard for her and asks her to a dance, Pearl lies, saying she is already going with Professor Pynchon.
Prof. Pynchon chains himself to the library doors when the University threatens to ban certain books. Pearl decides that she must join him in the fight against censorship.
Pearl asks for the advice of a University "senior advisor", 9-year-old genius, Samantha (Mara Wilson). In return Pearl advises Samantha on how to be a kid.
An attack dog that Pynchon's brother sent him for Christmas proves to be a bit overzealous and prevents Pynchon and Pearl from leaving the classroom on Christmas Eve.
Prof. Pynchon's students have written papers on the abuse of power, and Pynchon assigns them to grade one another's work which results in a great deal of friction.
When Uncle Bobo's widow Tina arrives to collect a $5,000 debt incurred by Pearl's deceased husband, Pearl fears she will have to drop out of school to repay the debt.
Pearl, Amy and Frankie work on a project with "Weird Guy Bob" (Seth Green) who sabotages their paper, so the group have to break into Pynchon's house to replace it.
Pearl continues working on her writing assignment and she incorporates elements from her own life into the paper, creating a fantasy version of her late husband (Ted Danson).
Frankie's mother, Miriam Spivak (Carlene Watkins), arrives in town and announces that she's left Frankie's father, and Pearl discovers she is having a fling with Prof. Pynchon.
Pynchon's brother (Billy Connolly) returns to town and asks Pearl on a date. Pearl isn't sure if he really likes her or if he is just trying to annoy his brother.
Release
"Pearl" was broadcast on Wednesday evenings at 8:30 p.m. on CBS, opposite The John Larroquette Show on NBC, a show that was also created by Don Reo. Reo said "It's a really difficult, bizarre phenomenon, ... the Larroquette show is in its fourth year and the last thing in the world I want to do is contribute to its demise."[25]
Reception
Critical reception
Pearl received very positive reviews, David Bianculli reviewed it in the New York Daily News comparing it to the 1973 movie The Paper Chase, and calling it "a gem." He also said James Burrows "directs the pilot masterfully."[26] For the Buffalo News, Alan Pergament said that "McDowell really is the star of the show, delivering his sarcastic lines with relish," and that "with some minor polishing" the show "could really give Perlman something more to cheer about."[27] Tom Jicha in the Sun-Sentinel also called it "a gem" and says that Perlman and McDowell's "exchanges crackle with venomous vitality." He also calls McDowell "a revelation in his episodic TV debut" stating that "he has the comedic timing of someone who has been doing it all his life."[28]
