MovieChat Forums > Mr. Belvedere (1985) Discussion > Refreshing to see a teen like Kevin!

Refreshing to see a teen like Kevin!

posted 10 years ago by jname96
6 replies | jump to latest

I watched this show as a kid in the late 80s and early '90s in syndication, so I don't remember much. But it's back in syndication now, and I'm currently obsessed with the (yes, cheesy) tone of the show.

But one of the highlights is the character of Kevin. Why? 'Cause he's not a typical "Teenager" that you see on sitcoms, particularly during the era the show was on: the '80s.

Instead of a "dreamboat"/wannabe lothario/jock/great student/etc... Kevin's just a regular teen, trying to do his best. He's not the brightest, the dullest, or the funnest. He's not even conventionally good-looking, (by TV standards, and you know they could have hired a totally typical dreamy actor instead). But he's just a sweet guy.

Isn't that refreshing?

[–] jarrodmcdonald-1 10 years ago

Great observation. I would agree with that view. In fact, when I watched an episode yesterday (the first season episode Sweet Charity) I realized how wholesome and refreshing the daughter was, too. Heather is not a cloying teenaged girl. She is a lot more genuine and realistic than girls on other sitcoms of the era.

I think this show's writers wisely avoided stereotypes. Even the Bob Uecker character, which could easily have become the most stereotypical blow-hard loudmouth, was given a heart and a sense of general compassion. He could still be arrogant, but he had a soft side too. And Christopher Hewitt's Belvedere could have been a cliche of effeminate mannerisms, but they avoided that pitfall, too.

This is a smart show.

[–] jname96 10 years ago

Thanks for widening my eyes to the other characters as well!

I didn't think they were stereotypes either, but I was struck at how they handled Kevin more, 'cause the oldest son is typically portrayed as some flawless young hunk, ha, or a total jock/typical "guy's guy" type.

[–] jarrodmcdonald-1 10 years ago

Yes, and since the father is a sportscaster, it could very easily have been written that the oldest son was a dumb jock type. They didn't go that route, fortunately.

While the program does use a lot of standard sitcom-type plots, it is much more sincere in its portrayals of the characters than other shows.

[–] jname96 10 years ago

Good points!

And yeah--this show isn't perfect. It's actually pretty cheesy and preachy sometimes, which is indicative of many shows during the mid-80s!

But it just holds some distinction for its unique strives for originality.

Incidentally, I just finished watching the early Season 3 episode where Kevin (tries) to rid himself of his virginity in all the wrong ways for all the wrong reasons, and it was done very sensitively without being preachy. This show can be good :)

[–] caligirlbr323 10 years ago

I love Kevin! I think he is cute! But not over the top, drop dead, hot cute. He is a very average, modest guy. I think that is why he appeals to me!

[–] jname96 10 years ago

^ ditto. I like "attainable" hotties, more than the boring perfecto's.