Mr. Bill's Real Life Adventures
Encyclopedia
Mr. Bill's Real Life Adventures is a 1986 comedy special written by Walter Williams
and directed by Jim Drake
. The special was based on the popular "Mr. Bill" skits from the television show Saturday Night Live
. Mr. Bill's Real Life Adventures premiered on the Showtime cable television
network in the United States
on September 11, 1986.
" in a sitcom format, this Showtime special featured Mr. Bill (Peter Scolari
), his wife (Valerie Mahaffey) and son (Christopher Burton), as well as his next-door neighbor, Sluggo (Michael McManus
), his wife (Lenore Kasdorf
) and daughter (Hope Tibbetts). Although starring actors, the "Bills" were shown to be a "miniature" family, with many of the jokes revolving around the characters' small size and the challenges they faced living in a "large" human world, as well as scenarios where Mr. Bill is subjected to the various abusive situations the original Saturday Night Live
character was best known for. Although the audience was invited to "look out for more shows" at the end of the 43-minute special, no follow-up "Mr. Bill" shows were ever produced.
Walter Williams (comedian filmmaker)
Walter Williams is a filmmaker and comedy writer, most famous for his "Mr. Bill" shorts that aired on the television series Saturday Night Live....
and directed by Jim Drake
Jim Drake (director)
James R. Drake is an American film and television director.Drake's career began in 1974, working as an associate director for the Norman Lear sitcoms All in the Family and Good Times, he made is solo directorial debut in the series Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman which was executive produced by Lear...
. The special was based on the popular "Mr. Bill" skits from the television show Saturday Night Live
Saturday Night Live
Saturday Night Live is a live American late-night television sketch comedy and variety show developed by Lorne Michaels and Dick Ebersol. The show premiered on NBC on October 11, 1975, under the original title of NBC's Saturday Night.The show's sketches often parody contemporary American culture...
. Mr. Bill's Real Life Adventures premiered on the Showtime cable television
Cable television
Cable television is a system of providing television programs to consumers via radio frequency signals transmitted to televisions through coaxial cables or digital light pulses through fixed optical fibers located on the subscriber's property, much like the over-the-air method used in traditional...
network in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
on September 11, 1986.
Synopsis
An attempt to bring the famed "Mr. Bill" clay characters to "lifeLive action
In filmmaking, video production, and other media, the term live action refers to cinematography, videography not produced using animation...
" in a sitcom format, this Showtime special featured Mr. Bill (Peter Scolari
Peter Scolari
Peter Scolari is an American television, film and stage actor best known for his roles in the television shows Newhart, Honey, I Shrunk the Kids: The TV Show, and Bosom Buddies.-Career:...
), his wife (Valerie Mahaffey) and son (Christopher Burton), as well as his next-door neighbor, Sluggo (Michael McManus
Michael McManus (actor)
Michael McManus is a Canadian actor, known for his portrayal of characters such as the ex-assassin Kai, in the sci-fi series Lexx.-Early life:Michael McManus was born in London, Ontario, Canada...
), his wife (Lenore Kasdorf
Lenore Kasdorf
Lenore Kasdorf is an American actress.-Biography:Kasdorf was born in New York City to an army colonel father. She is best known for her role as the alluring and promiscuous nurse Rita Stapleton Bauer, whom she played from 1975 to 1981 in the soap opera Guiding Light, and for her performance as Mrs...
) and daughter (Hope Tibbetts). Although starring actors, the "Bills" were shown to be a "miniature" family, with many of the jokes revolving around the characters' small size and the challenges they faced living in a "large" human world, as well as scenarios where Mr. Bill is subjected to the various abusive situations the original Saturday Night Live
Saturday Night Live
Saturday Night Live is a live American late-night television sketch comedy and variety show developed by Lorne Michaels and Dick Ebersol. The show premiered on NBC on October 11, 1975, under the original title of NBC's Saturday Night.The show's sketches often parody contemporary American culture...
character was best known for. Although the audience was invited to "look out for more shows" at the end of the 43-minute special, no follow-up "Mr. Bill" shows were ever produced.
Cast
- Peter ScolariPeter ScolariPeter Scolari is an American television, film and stage actor best known for his roles in the television shows Newhart, Honey, I Shrunk the Kids: The TV Show, and Bosom Buddies.-Career:...
- Mr. Bill - Valerie Mahaffey - Mrs. Bill
- Christopher Burton - Billy
- Michael McManusMichael McManus (actor)Michael McManus is a Canadian actor, known for his portrayal of characters such as the ex-assassin Kai, in the sci-fi series Lexx.-Early life:Michael McManus was born in London, Ontario, Canada...
- Sluggo - Lenore KasdorfLenore KasdorfLenore Kasdorf is an American actress.-Biography:Kasdorf was born in New York City to an army colonel father. She is best known for her role as the alluring and promiscuous nurse Rita Stapleton Bauer, whom she played from 1975 to 1981 in the soap opera Guiding Light, and for her performance as Mrs...
- Mrs. Sluggo - Hope Tibbetts - Junior
- Shelley DuvallShelley DuvallShelley Alexis Duvall is an American film and television actress best known for her roles in The Shining, Popeye, Thieves Like Us and 3 Women....
- Herself