Duckman - Seasons 3 and 4 (part V of VII)

Told you so.

Ajax and Ajaxer (w: Bill Canterbury; d: Peter Avanzino): While doing surveillance work for a shady scientist, Cornfed accidentally ingests a formula that lowers his intelligence. This leads to a friendship with his intellectual equal - Ajax. Though the setup is an afterthought, the scenes with Cornfed and Ajax are a delight, especially Cornfed's impression of Duckman and the reveal of Merv Griffin's office.

With Friends Like These... (w: Gene Laufenberg; d: Steve Loter): No one shows up at Duckman's birthday party because (except for Cornfed) he has no friends, so he sets out to find some. He happens upon a group with their own theme song and audience track. Peculiar, but entertaining. I love the name of the gang's coffee house hangout.

A Trophied Duck (w: Bill Canterbury; d: Jeff McGrath): Duckman thinks he is to be feted at a convention of private detectives, but it's all a ruse perpetrated by Lauren Simone, an old rival at detective school. It starts out promisingly, with the convention and Duckman having to step up when Cornfed is abducted...then it falls apart with the last few minutes.

A Star is Abhorred (w: Gene Laufenberg; d: Jaime Diaz): Bernice's hatred of Duckman fuels a surprising passion for song, propelling her to stardom. Not too bad, with some amusing songs, but no masterpiece. The final scene is a surprise, though.

Bev Takes a Holiday (w: Gene Laufenberg and Michael Markowitz and David Misch; d: Stig Bergquist and Toni Vian): Duckman believes that he sees Beatrice's apparition...but it's really a long-lost sister of hers. Whether a network mandate or a way to 'give Nancy Travis a break from all the screaming she [has] to do as Bernice' (as someone at Jump the Shark cannily theorized), Beverly is a nice addition, and Duckman's memories of Beatrice are very good.

Love! Anger! Kvetching! (w: Michael Markowitz; d: Anthony Bell): Duckman's dying (and very obnoxious) Uncle Mo comes to stay, but a curse dictates that Mo can't be thrown out. Mo's insults (delivered with relish by Robert Klein) are a riot and I enjoyed the horror movie/film school editing flourishes.

Duckman and Cornfed in 'Haunted Society Plumbers' (w: Gene Laufenberg and Michael Markowitz and David Misch; d: Peter Avanzino): The very rare Sharon Stone disappears from a fancy gathering and it's up to plumbers/detectives/comedy duo impersonators Duckman and Cornfed to save the day. Any chance to see these two riff on old routines is a good one, and the surprise at the end is very worthwhile.