An Official HAII Review
The Replacements is a kid fantasy that has massive potential for “genie’s remorse.” It is the story of Todd and Riley Daring, two kids with an unlimited number of very specific wishes. They can call the CEO of the massively powerful Fleemco Corporation, who will “replace” anyone in their lives that they don’t like. How does he do it? Probably by sending his own highly illegal commando teams to kidnap the irritating character in question, and blackmailing someone else into taking the role. I don’t know. But it happens every episode: Todd hates his gym coach, so he calls Fleemco, and they take away the coach and replace him with someone who doesn’t yell. Riley hates her lame donkey pet, so she calls Fleemco, and they replace the pet with a super cool movie star horse.

How did Todd & Riley get so lucky? They once found an ad in a magazine and sent $1.98 to Fleemco. That’s it. This, to me, was far too generous a deal on Fleemco’s part, and they should never have offered it. Still, I confess that since my kids started watching the show, I always check in the back of my issues of Golf Digest and Teen People, just in case…

Anyway, here’s the hitch in the plot: every time Todd & Riley replace someone with someone “better,” the situation turns on its head. The new character is even worse in the opposite extreme. So the two kids switch them back, and order is restored to their world. It happens every episode. So I guess we’re learning about contentment? I think that’s supposed to be the message…

The Replacements is one of those really fast moving shows that is funny sometimes but loud all the time. The secret agent mom is harmless, but the dad, “Dick Daring,” is especially headachy. He is an Evil Kenevil gone worse character, and he’s the show’s official dork. I won’t dive into my tirade about TV dads always being morons, and how the last good dad on TV was Heathcliff Huxtable, or maybe Hank Hill. Instead, I will just say that Dick Daring is dumber than a bag of Jar Jar Binxes, although only half as annoying.

If I had the Fleemco CEO on speed dial, I would definitely take advantage. The first thing I would do is replace “Dick Daring” on “The Replacements” with Archie Bunker. Because these kids need some discipline. And then I’d replace the whole show with classic Looney Tunes. Because Saturday morning as lost its compas, and only Pepe La Pew can help it find its soul. Then I would replace “How Annoying Is It” with a real website, like Hannah Montana Rocks. And then all would be right with the world.

The Kids

My daughters, 7 and 9, watch it every Saturday morning. But it is a stepping stone kind of show. It is not as funny as “The Emperor’s New School” before it, nor as, uh, relaxing (?) as Babar. They laugh sometimes, but they could certainly live without it if Horseland came on at the same time. Emily, my nine year old told me flatly, “I’d give it a seven.”

The Verdict: Mostly Harmless

The show is not without merit. There are some funny sight gags, and amusing phrasing–just enough to keep it out of Headachy territory, even though the tone of the show is fairly loud. Overall, the show is decent but forgettable, for kids and grown ups. I doubt there are many who despise it, and I would be surprised if there are any Replacements Fan Clubs out there that don’t have Keanu Reeves on the flyers.