Meego
Encyclopedia
Meego is an American science fiction
sitcom
that aired on CBS
in 1997. The series starred Bronson Pinchot
in the title role. It was canceled halfway through its first season.
from the planet Marmazon 4.0. After his spaceship crashes, he is discovered by three children; Trip (Erik von Detten
, later played by Will Estes
), Maggie (Michelle Trachtenberg
), and Alex Parker(Jonathan Lipnicki
). They live with their single dad, Dr. Edward Parker (Ed Begley, Jr.
) and pass Meego off as human (he does not want anyone to know that he is extraterrestrial, and tells people he is from Canada
instead). Although he plans to go home as soon as his ship is repaired, he becomes attached to the children and decides to remain on Earth to care for them.
Meego was specifically commissioned for the CBS Block Party
, an effort by CBS to compete with the long-established TGIF
block on ABC
. CBS had already picked up two of TGIF's shows, Family Matters and Step by Step, for the block. The series was produced by Miller-Boyett Productions
, a producer of several of TGIF's most well-known shows (including both Family Matters and Step by Step). Pinchot was chosen for the lead due in part that he had previously been the star of a previous TGIF and Miller-Boyett series, Perfect Strangers
, and the Meego character even had a similar accent to Balki Bartokomous
, the character he had played on it. (He had spent the 1996-97 season as a cast member of Step by Step, portraying beautician Jean-Luc Rieupeyroux.) The show's supporting cast also included some of the most recognizable child stars of the time period; Trachtenberg was the star of the film Harriet the Spy
and Lipnicki had been seen in Jerry Maguire
as well as several TV shows. (Von Detten would later go on to star in his own TGIF show, Odd Man Out
, and have a supporting role in another called Complete Savages
.) Despite this, the show was a complete failure: it ranked at #111 in the Nielsen ratings with 8 million viewers per episode. After six weeks, it was pulled from the schedule the following week in favor of a rerun of It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown
and was formally canceled shortly thereafter.
reprised his role as Steve Urkel
for two guest spots. Three cast members of Gilligan's Island
, Bob Denver
, Dawn Wells
, and Russell Johnson
, had a guest appearance on an unaired episode titled "Mommy 'n' Meego".
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
sitcom
Situation comedy
A situation comedy, often shortened to sitcom, is a genre of comedy that features characters sharing the same common environment, such as a home or workplace, accompanied with jokes as part of the dialogue...
that aired on CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
in 1997. The series starred Bronson Pinchot
Bronson Pinchot
Bronson Alcott Pinchot is an American actor. He has appeared in several feature films, including Risky Business, Beverly Hills Cop , The First Wives Club, True Romance, Courage Under Fire and It's My Party...
in the title role. It was canceled halfway through its first season.
Synopsis
Meego (Pinchot) is a 9,000-year-old shape-shifting alienExtraterrestrial life in popular culture
In popular cultures, "extraterrestrials" are life forms — especially intelligent life forms— that are of extraterrestrial origin .-Historical ideas:-Pre-modern:...
from the planet Marmazon 4.0. After his spaceship crashes, he is discovered by three children; Trip (Erik von Detten
Erik von Detten
Erik Thomas von Detten is an American actor. He is known for his roles in Escape to Witch Mountain, Toy Story, Brink!, The Princess Diaries, and So Weird.-Personal life:Von Detten was born in San Diego, California...
, later played by Will Estes
Will Estes
Will Estes is an American actor best known for his role as JJ Pryor, on the NBC drama American Dreams. In 2010, he joined the cast of Tom Selleck's new CBS police drama Blue Bloods...
), Maggie (Michelle Trachtenberg
Michelle Trachtenberg
Michelle Christine Trachtenberg is an American actress. She is best known for her roles as Dawn Summers in the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer and as Georgina Sparks in Gossip Girl...
), and Alex Parker(Jonathan Lipnicki
Jonathan Lipnicki
Jonathan William Lipnicki is an American actor. He is best known for his roles in the Hollywood films Jerry Maguire, Stuart Little, The Little Vampire, and Like Mike.- Personal life :...
). They live with their single dad, Dr. Edward Parker (Ed Begley, Jr.
Ed Begley, Jr.
Edward James "Ed" Begley, Jr. is an American actor and environmentalist. Begley has appeared in hundreds of films, television shows, and stage performances. He is best known for his role as Dr. Victor Ehrlich, on the television series St...
) and pass Meego off as human (he does not want anyone to know that he is extraterrestrial, and tells people he is from Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
instead). Although he plans to go home as soon as his ship is repaired, he becomes attached to the children and decides to remain on Earth to care for them.
Meego was specifically commissioned for the CBS Block Party
CBS Block Party
CBS Block Party was a programming block that aired on the CBS television network during the 1997-1998 television season. The block was similar to, and was intended as direct competition to, ABC's TGIF lineup and aired on Friday nights from 8pm-10pm ET...
, an effort by CBS to compete with the long-established TGIF
TGIF (ABC)
TGIF was the name of an American family-friendly prime time television programming block on the ABC network. The name comes from the initials of the popular phrase "Thank God It's Friday"...
block on ABC
American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
. CBS had already picked up two of TGIF's shows, Family Matters and Step by Step, for the block. The series was produced by Miller-Boyett Productions
Miller-Boyett Productions
Miller-Boyett Productions was an American television production company that mainly developed television sitcoms from the 1970s through the 1990s...
, a producer of several of TGIF's most well-known shows (including both Family Matters and Step by Step). Pinchot was chosen for the lead due in part that he had previously been the star of a previous TGIF and Miller-Boyett series, Perfect Strangers
Perfect Strangers (TV series)
Perfect Strangers is an American sitcom that ran for eight seasons from March 25, 1986, to August 6, 1993, on the ABC television network. Created by Dale McRaven, the series chronicles the rocky coexistence of midwestern American Larry Appleton and his distant cousin from eastern Mediterranean...
, and the Meego character even had a similar accent to Balki Bartokomous
Balki Bartokomous
Balki Bartokomous is a fictional character on the television sitcom Perfect Strangers, played by Bronson Pinchot. Balki is from the island of Mypos, a fictional country in the Mediterranean Sea.- Character history :...
, the character he had played on it. (He had spent the 1996-97 season as a cast member of Step by Step, portraying beautician Jean-Luc Rieupeyroux.) The show's supporting cast also included some of the most recognizable child stars of the time period; Trachtenberg was the star of the film Harriet the Spy
Harriet the Spy (film)
Harriet the Spy is a 1996 comedy-drama and mystery film adaptation of the 1964 novel of the same name by Louise Fitzhugh, and starring Michelle Trachtenberg as the title character....
and Lipnicki had been seen in Jerry Maguire
Jerry Maguire
Jerry Maguire is a 1996 American romantic comedy-drama film starring Tom Cruise and Cuba Gooding, Jr. It was written, co-produced, and directed by Cameron Crowe...
as well as several TV shows. (Von Detten would later go on to star in his own TGIF show, Odd Man Out
Odd Man Out (TV series)
Odd Man Out is an American sitcom that aired on the ABC television network as a part of the TGIF lineup. It aired from September 24, 1999 to January 7, 2000. Created by Ed Decter and John J...
, and have a supporting role in another called Complete Savages
Complete Savages
Complete Savages is an American sitcom that aired on ABC from September 2004 to June 2005. It was part of ABC's final TGIF comedy line-up. The show was created by Mike Scully and Julie Thacker and executive produced by Mel Gibson...
.) Despite this, the show was a complete failure: it ranked at #111 in the Nielsen ratings with 8 million viewers per episode. After six weeks, it was pulled from the schedule the following week in favor of a rerun of It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown
It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown
It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown is a 1966 American prime time animated television special based on the comic strip Peanuts by Charles M. Schulz....
and was formally canceled shortly thereafter.
Cast
- Bronson PinchotBronson PinchotBronson Alcott Pinchot is an American actor. He has appeared in several feature films, including Risky Business, Beverly Hills Cop , The First Wives Club, True Romance, Courage Under Fire and It's My Party...
as Meego - Ed Begley, Jr.Ed Begley, Jr.Edward James "Ed" Begley, Jr. is an American actor and environmentalist. Begley has appeared in hundreds of films, television shows, and stage performances. He is best known for his role as Dr. Victor Ehrlich, on the television series St...
as Dr. Edward Parker - Erik von DettenErik von DettenErik Thomas von Detten is an American actor. He is known for his roles in Escape to Witch Mountain, Toy Story, Brink!, The Princess Diaries, and So Weird.-Personal life:Von Detten was born in San Diego, California...
as Trip Parker #1 - Will EstesWill EstesWill Estes is an American actor best known for his role as JJ Pryor, on the NBC drama American Dreams. In 2010, he joined the cast of Tom Selleck's new CBS police drama Blue Bloods...
as Trip Parker #2 - Michelle TrachtenbergMichelle TrachtenbergMichelle Christine Trachtenberg is an American actress. She is best known for her roles as Dawn Summers in the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer and as Georgina Sparks in Gossip Girl...
as Maggie Parker - Jonathan LipnickiJonathan LipnickiJonathan William Lipnicki is an American actor. He is best known for his roles in the Hollywood films Jerry Maguire, Stuart Little, The Little Vampire, and Like Mike.- Personal life :...
as Alex Parker
Notable guest stars
Jaleel WhiteJaleel White
Jaleel Ahmad White is an American actor and screenwriter. He is best known for his role as Steve Urkel from Family Matters and voicing the character of Sonic the Hedgehog and other characters for Sonic the Hedgehog media....
reprised his role as Steve Urkel
Steve Urkel
Steven Quincy Urkel, generally known as Steve Urkel or simply Urkel, is a fictional character on the ABC/CBS sitcom Family Matters, portrayed by Jaleel White...
for two guest spots. Three cast members of Gilligan's Island
Gilligan's Island
Gilligan's Island is an American television series created and produced by Sherwood Schwartz and originally produced by United Artists Television. The situation comedy series featured Bob Denver; Alan Hale, Jr.; Jim Backus; Natalie Schafer; Tina Louise; Russell Johnson; and Dawn Wells. It aired for...
, Bob Denver
Bob Denver
Robert Osbourne "Bob" Denver was an American comedic actor known for his roles as Gilligan on the television series Gilligan's Island and the beatnik Maynard G. Krebs on the 1959–1963 TV series The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis.-Early life:Denver was born in New Rochelle, New York, and raised in...
, Dawn Wells
Dawn Wells
Dawn Elberta Wells is an American actress known for playing Mary Ann Summers on the sitcom Gilligan's Island during its run from 1964 until 1967.- Early life :...
, and Russell Johnson
Russell Johnson
Russell David Johnson is an American television and film actor best known as "The Professor" on the CBS television sitcom Gilligan's Island...
, had a guest appearance on an unaired episode titled "Mommy 'n' Meego".
Episodes
| Episode # | Title | Original air date |
|---|
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award | Result | Category | Recipient |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Young Artist Awards | Nominated | Best Performance by a Young Actor in a Comedy TV Series | Jonathan Lipnicki |
| Won | Best Performance in a TV Comedy Series - Supporting Young Actress | Michelle Trachtenberg | ||