Scanialara You won't be disappointed!

BootDigest Such a frustrating disappointment

Humaira Grant It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.

Allison Davies The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

stevenehrman It is hard to imagine anyone hotter than Mel Brooks must have been in 1975. Blazing Saddles and Young Frankenstein had both been released to wild applause only the year before. (Incredibly he brought both films to the screen in the same calendar year.)With that power he was able to bring his vision of the Robin Hood legend to television as a series, returning to that medium for the first time since the beloved Get Smart. Unfortunately When Things Were Rotten only survived a scant 13 episodes. Why was that? First the good. The casting is top notch, including guest stars such as Carl Ballentine and John Byner to name only two. My only small complaint would be the role of Little John in which I would have preferred to see a comedic actor such as Pat McCormick, but that is quibbling. The behind the scenes people were also by and large top notch. I particularly liked the Pat Proft written episode.Now to the bad. Although Mel Brooks is listed as a co creator he does not have a single writing, directing, or story editing credit and I believe that the show suffers from that. While the series has many of the Brooks trademark bits (Sentences interpreted literally and the like) it feels a bit like Brooks lite. Half the calories, but half the laughs, though the ones there are hilarious. Having said all that, I believe the main problem with the show is that it tries to be not only a comedy, but it also incorporates elements of a straight action/adventure show in many, though not all, episodes. It makes for an uneasy mix.Bottom line is that When Things Were Rotten is a classic that all Mel Brooks fans, and indeed comedy fans in general, should see. I watched this show when it was on and also very recently and I wish there were 10 seasons instead of just one. Mel Brooks obviously felt he wasn't through with the Robin Hood legend as he returned to it in the film Robin Hood Men in Tights, even repeating many of the same jokes from the series. I love the "Hey, Abbott" joke so much I could hear it every day.This one is highly recommended despite its flaws.

Engineering-8 I recall the program and thought it was a blast to watch. The puns were never ending and I really got to where I was looking for them. Then.... one day it was off the air, and at the young age of 15 I didn't follow-up but I always kind of missed the good laughs it gave me. This is the first time that I have ever looked this program up and I am glad to know that I was not the only one who really enjoyed it. I used to ask my friends if they watched it but few ever seem to have. I guess that's why it slipped away! Oh well, worse things have happened but again, I am glad to know that there were a few other crazies out there just like me.... just kidding. I turned out OK despite watching those really funny shows.

Twins65 This show ran in the fall of '75 (When Things Were Funnier). I remember laughing a bunch at Mel Brooks' latest attempt at TV humor, sitting with my dear old dad (who was roaring on the couch). Alas, it didn't even last until Mel's beloved Hannakuh that fall before ABC gave it the yank. He revisited some of the material with his similarly themed movie which came out in '93, but it wasn't quite as biting at this show. The comic cast was way better here.I'd sure pony up if it ever showed again on DVD. Mel, if you're out there, give it some thought.

Frockgirl I too cannot understand why this series has not been re-run. I was only about six when I used to watch it on Saturday afternoons with my mum who absolutely loved the show. I would love to see it again, this time round at 31 I might get more out of it!