"ABC's" new hit comedy series "Samantha Who?" is certainly funny and the plot theme is centered around a neat concept of amnesia of a young lady named Samantha. It's something that we as viewers hope never happens to us, that being memory loss, and then all of a sudden we awake and slowly have to learn about our friends and family. This series begins just that way with Christina Applegate("Married with Children")as a female named Samantha who awakes one day from a coma with her parents by her bedside yet she doesn't know them! All memory is gone she doesn't even remember her life or friends or career, she must then rekindle her romance with boyfriend Todd(Barry Watson) and rework her friendship and partying ways with best friend Andrea(Jennifer Esposito). The big questions as the show goes on how will the new Samantha be a fun loving angel and nice girl trying to regain place of memory, or will she return to her devilish and partying ways of being promiscuous and wild. It's just great to see Christina Applegate working again she's actually more beautiful than she was on her "Married with Children" days. Also Jean Smart and Jennifer Esposito give good supporting performances. This series is one of the better new ones that's funny and charming, and it's interesting to follow along the characters new rediscovery of life, love, and most of all to find out who she really is.
22 Reviews
charming and funny
earlytalkie17 October 2007
Here is an original idea. What if we all had the chance to forget the transgressions we committed in our life up to this time? What would happen if you woke up from a coma not knowing the first thing about your past? Such is the premise of "Samamtha Who?", a charming fantasy-comedy starring Christina Applegate, formerly of "Married...With Children". I suspect that most of us, given the chance, would probably not like a few things about our past lives, but Samantha, pre-amnesia, was a bit more unlikeable than most. Miss Applegate has progressed quite a bit as a comedic actress over the years, and her character here gets a chance to show her considerable comedic talents. Her reactions and expressions remind one of the early Marlo Thomas in the "That Girl" series. This series deserves a chance to succeed, if only the writers can keep up the writing end, not running out of ideas based soley on the amnesia gag. There is promise here.
A good sitcom!
navate-120 November 2007
Did you enjoy 13 Going on 30? If so, you will certainly enjoy this sitcom. As it is impossible to watch Ugly Betty without remember The Devil Wears Prada, Samantha Who has an essence of 13 Going on 30. The best friend character have the same soul on both, and even the job of the guy is the same (photographer). But it is not a negative point. The central plot is great: if you wake up and discover how disgusting you were, could you change it? Besides, if you use to see TV series, here you can find actors from a lot of populars one, like Brian from What About Brian, Sookie from Gilmore Girls, Tuvok from Star Trek Voyager and of course, Kelly Bundy from Married with Children. I think this TV Series has potential to last for some seasons, and I hope they develop well this!
Impressively unusual
Nozz20 March 2012
The series was unusual in tackling the issue of original sin, or of free will. Is Samantha born to sin as the sparks fly upward? And the issue was handled with a good comic touch; quite a few good and original lines of dialog. Not surprisingly considering his track record of first-class work, Kevin Dunn managed to satisfactorily fill out an underwritten part-- the series is presented from a woman's point of view and there is little character behind the men's predictability or unpredictability. Maybe the biggest mistake was allowing time to pass at real average rate of a year per year, because the possibilities are greatest when Samantha's awakening is recent. After a while, the series begins to cast her in the same gags as the visitor from space-- Mork, or Alf (who is name-checked in one episode), or Dick Solomon-- who is surprised to be experiencing human life. Also, with time, the rules of behavior keeping the good friend good and the evil friend evil begin to crack a little. But the dynamic with the parents looked like the life raft that might-- who knows?-- have rescued the series for another season.
Christina Applegate showcase
SnoopyStyle9 September 2013
After a car accident gives Samantha (Christina Applegate) amnesia, she has to start her life all over, while gradually discovering her past. In truth, she was a partying mean girl. Now she has to deal with the consequences. This one stars Jennifer Esposito and Melissa McCarthy as her friends. Kevin Dunn and Jean Smart play her parents.
It makes for an interesting premise that would allow her to redeem herself in every episode. Christina Applegate is a lovely and compelling actor. This show definitely showcases her skills and personality. Sadly it lasted only 2 seasons. I think it had some more steam left in it.
It makes for an interesting premise that would allow her to redeem herself in every episode. Christina Applegate is a lovely and compelling actor. This show definitely showcases her skills and personality. Sadly it lasted only 2 seasons. I think it had some more steam left in it.
Deserving of all those nominations...
mathmaniac6 May 2017
I was not familiar with this comedy series. I had never even heard of it until I found it on Hulu. From reading the IMDb entry, I see that there were quite a few nominations for this series and its actors. Well deserved, I'd say!
It does take two or three episodes for the series to feel like all the pieces come together - but then they really do, wonderfully.
It's distracting while you are learning the premises of the story that the actors are so accomplished and talented. I did not know that Melissa McCarthy had this regular gig on TV, for example. Jennifer Esposito has always been one of my favorite comedic actresses, as well as Christina Applegate. Jean Smart surprised me in her role here. She plays characters who are usually a little more flamboyant and playing Sam's mother, she has dialed it back a notch. To great effect.
I laughed a lot watching this series, once I was hooked. When every episode has at least one quotable humorous line, I count that as a successful TV comedy. This series has that.
The series has held up very well over time. I recommend binge- watching with a martini (you'll feel right at home drinking along with the characters).
It does take two or three episodes for the series to feel like all the pieces come together - but then they really do, wonderfully.
It's distracting while you are learning the premises of the story that the actors are so accomplished and talented. I did not know that Melissa McCarthy had this regular gig on TV, for example. Jennifer Esposito has always been one of my favorite comedic actresses, as well as Christina Applegate. Jean Smart surprised me in her role here. She plays characters who are usually a little more flamboyant and playing Sam's mother, she has dialed it back a notch. To great effect.
I laughed a lot watching this series, once I was hooked. When every episode has at least one quotable humorous line, I count that as a successful TV comedy. This series has that.
The series has held up very well over time. I recommend binge- watching with a martini (you'll feel right at home drinking along with the characters).
Wonderful show, shame it was cancelled!
BlueIrisDaisy2 November 2021
I wish there was more seasons of this! Watched a couple of episodes when it was first on, but bought the dvds recently and binged them - such a lovely show. It's light, funny, sassy, great actors and script. Love Christina Applegate and Jennifer Esposito, they are hilarious. We need more light-hearted shows like this!
A Watchable Show but not particularly Funny or particularly Memorable
fexil28 January 2010
Saw a few episodes on UK Comedy Central & as missed more decided to buy the DVD of both series on the basis of those early episodes. Have watched the lot now as I bought the thing & it's certainly not a 'keeper' like Scrubs or 30 Rock is. It appears Comedy Central don't show it anymore now.
OK, it's a watchable series that looks good in cast & set, but the overall point to it is just a little vague? The earlier ones as Sam discovers herself are the best, but after that where does it go? The trouble is there is not much comedy, more a weak romantic drama with San doing comedy bits that doesn't have any real direction. Sam's guy/flatmate is so bland I can't even remember his name (Todd on checking!).
The "Bad Sam" flashbacks are the easily highlight of the show. How much better 2 seasons of "Bad Sam" would be, the change in CA playing her is a great contrast to "Good Sam".
The other 2 females we don't really get to know much about and just fill in time with shallowness & a very superficial life as with Andrea. The Doorman guy is a wasted character only given very few lines.
Did I laugh? Erm, the only funny was the Doorman in the Restaurant scene & laughing at the surprise of it rather than what was said.
Memorable Episodes? Erm, not really any. No clever quotes or lines you'd remember forever. You'll compare the Doorman a bit to Rhoda, the vehicle the Dad buys to Frasier & the Mum to the woman Frasier dated in the later series! And naturally 'Married With Children' for Kelly Bundy.
Why was it cancelled? Well CA had her problems in real life & the before/after episodes you can't really tell, showing her high qualities of acting throughout the last episodes. You do feel a little awkward knowing the truth & that as a 'maybe' is a reason why, but don't think it. Another reason why is more likely the show had "No Direction" and it tried desperately to bring in some male characters later on in knowledge of it's weakness there.
The ending episode seemed a bit messy, it did offer an 'ending' to the main characters in a way so as not to leave it in mid air, in a way that '3rd Rock From the Sun' did a few times not knowing it'd be renewed. But it left ways to continue, if anyone was bothered watching more. It'll do for me as it is.
The last DVD of the 2nd season should be watched in this order: 1st title, the 3 "More Sam" ones then the last 3, to keep the continuity.
Is it a Chick Show? Male me tends to think it is. It's lack of Substance makes some of it tedious watching & you are left a bit empty after you surrendered to it, but it's only 21-22 minutes so not much time to watch just before going to bed!
All in All: it's one of those average frothy nothing shows that gets made far too often today, exactly like Blockbuster Films. Instead of concentrating on good writing like Frasier or Scrubs, it's just very expensive looking with little substance.
Next...
OK, it's a watchable series that looks good in cast & set, but the overall point to it is just a little vague? The earlier ones as Sam discovers herself are the best, but after that where does it go? The trouble is there is not much comedy, more a weak romantic drama with San doing comedy bits that doesn't have any real direction. Sam's guy/flatmate is so bland I can't even remember his name (Todd on checking!).
The "Bad Sam" flashbacks are the easily highlight of the show. How much better 2 seasons of "Bad Sam" would be, the change in CA playing her is a great contrast to "Good Sam".
The other 2 females we don't really get to know much about and just fill in time with shallowness & a very superficial life as with Andrea. The Doorman guy is a wasted character only given very few lines.
Did I laugh? Erm, the only funny was the Doorman in the Restaurant scene & laughing at the surprise of it rather than what was said.
Memorable Episodes? Erm, not really any. No clever quotes or lines you'd remember forever. You'll compare the Doorman a bit to Rhoda, the vehicle the Dad buys to Frasier & the Mum to the woman Frasier dated in the later series! And naturally 'Married With Children' for Kelly Bundy.
Why was it cancelled? Well CA had her problems in real life & the before/after episodes you can't really tell, showing her high qualities of acting throughout the last episodes. You do feel a little awkward knowing the truth & that as a 'maybe' is a reason why, but don't think it. Another reason why is more likely the show had "No Direction" and it tried desperately to bring in some male characters later on in knowledge of it's weakness there.
The ending episode seemed a bit messy, it did offer an 'ending' to the main characters in a way so as not to leave it in mid air, in a way that '3rd Rock From the Sun' did a few times not knowing it'd be renewed. But it left ways to continue, if anyone was bothered watching more. It'll do for me as it is.
The last DVD of the 2nd season should be watched in this order: 1st title, the 3 "More Sam" ones then the last 3, to keep the continuity.
Is it a Chick Show? Male me tends to think it is. It's lack of Substance makes some of it tedious watching & you are left a bit empty after you surrendered to it, but it's only 21-22 minutes so not much time to watch just before going to bed!
All in All: it's one of those average frothy nothing shows that gets made far too often today, exactly like Blockbuster Films. Instead of concentrating on good writing like Frasier or Scrubs, it's just very expensive looking with little substance.
Next...
Christina Applegate at her best
lcastilla28 February 2012
I strongly recommend this delightfully funny show. The storyline is excellent, imaginative and original, and I was simply amazed that US television could produce such superb quality series. I have avidly watched all episodes (seasons 1 and 2), and amazed at the splendid acting by Christina Applegate). Over the past 20 years Christina has definitely matured into a delightful comedy actress, as well as flowered into a beautiful woman(she was always pretty but now she has turned fabulously gorgeous). I think ABC made a tragic mistake by not renewing these series (2009). In my opinion, ABC haven't produced a good show since. Watch this show you won't regret it!!
Started good and then faded
hcasale-683033 June 2022
I enjoyed the first 10 episodes or so. After that it just became lame situation comedy antics. I like Christina Applegate a lot. A very good comedic actress, she's terrific. And very attractive. The rest of the cast are just silly.
Simple, easy to watch bit of fun
sarahkaye-3002428 July 2021
Recently rewatched this as I remembered quite liking it the first time around. The whole cast compliments each other well, but in my opinion Jennifer Esposito steals the show in every scene she's in. Her portrayal of Andrea is hilarious. Why this show didn't last beyond two seasons is beyond me.
I'm Stunned
joeshoe8917 October 2007
Warning: Spoilers
I waited hoping this would be a great show. Rarely in my life have less than thirty minutes been so lost to me as they have been tonight. I'm giving this two stars out of respect to Christina Applegate. She was great on Broadway. She made me laugh on Married With Children. She made me laugh on Jesse. I'm hoping it's not her. This show is NOT funny. Not for a second. Not a single laugh giggle chuckle titter. Nothing. I sat amazed. The writers didn't have one funny line. It's not really boring. The cast is attractive but most play basically people I would never know or like under any circumstances. I'm guessing that I'll be the very small minority on my next statement since everyone but me loves this show but the only show I can compare it to is How I Met Your Mother. Again I can sit through that one without even a mild ha ha. I know it's me but while I can't stop laughing at Two and a Half Men or Big Bang Theory these shows just left me not wanting to watch again. I know I will in hopes I'll find a laugh but after tonight I have my doubts. Sitting through six How I Mets was rough going for me but I'll sit through five more Samanthas in hopes I get to actually hear a funny line. I will check back on the reviewers for this show to see what lines they post that they found funny here. Give me a line quote. Please.
Love it...
lis_luna89 December 2011
My sister made me watch in netflix with her, and I fell in love. Sam is hilarious. When she realizes all the amends she has to make and how she makes the decision to be different I think it's was a very original story line. I never ever remember seeing this show advertised, because I would tuned in. I am so sad that they canceled it I wish we could have seen more of it. Her friends and family are so dysfunctional and yet she loves them and understands them. I think the more and more we learned about Sam's upbringing you could not judge her for how she turned out. The cast was so well put together it was a perfectly well oiled machine. ABC you really killed something great.
Really Funny!
xox_rachy_xo20 May 2008
Initially I was drawn to this programme purely for Christina Applegate because she has been hilarious in EVERYTHING! but after watching this I have realised it's not just her but in fact the whole cast that attribute to the comedy of the programme- Andrea's harsh bluntness, her parents extreme inappropriateness and Dena's general personality. As a combination, the cast creates a sweet programme filled with both laughs and a essentially poignant question- If we could, would we go back and change the people we are? The only possible problem I could have with the programme is actually how short it is, because sometimes i felt as though they could increase the comedy in situations. However, Fantastic stuff, please keep it up!
Absolutely charming!
xoxo4431 July 2009
After watching all 35 episodes I can honestly say that this show is one of my all-time favourites. The ensemble of cast that was put together works extremely well, allowing for plenty of interaction between the characters and an inexhaustible creative freedom to explore the individual personas of each of them. The female cast seems to be especially in touch with their roles, allowing the viewer to genuinely care about the characters while at the same time be able to identify with the variety of personal traits that are satired in each of them. The viewer also gets a chance to rediscover the world with amnesiac Samantha, who is forced to reexamine her friendships and her relationships and try to do the right thing, which is never as easy as it seems. To me, Samantha's best friends Andrea and Dena are the best thing about the show and watching the two of them interact has guaranteed hilarity ever since the Pilot. The writing is clever, packed with fresh and intelligent comedy that puts any show with a 'laugh track' to shame. As the show progresses, the timeline becomes more important to the story, the acting never disappoints and the cast ensemble proves to be an irreplaceable formula. Cancelling this show has got to be the stupidest thing ABC has ever done, and I will never lose hope that it will come back someday in some way.
Decent little show
Maniac-91 February 2012
The show only lasted 2 seasons and probably could've only really eeked out another season or 2 on the premise it had. But for what it was it was very entertaining when it did last. Christina Applegate is in her best role since being Kelly Bundy on Married with Children. Christina is far better and more charming in this role then she is in her current role on Up All Night. Melissa McCarthy and Jennifer Esposito are also really good in their roles as her best friends with Kevin Dunn and Jean Smart both really solid in the roles of Samantha's parents. The show was good since you could see Samantha really making an effort to change her life but you also got to see flashbacks of when she used to be a total b*tch.
"My NAme is SAmantha"? Well,not quite...
KUAlum2623 January 2008
Still,this clever,well-cast and quirky ABC sitcom could be considered at least a marginal,feminine take on the "BAd-person-has-extraordinary-even-show-them-error-of-their-ways" construct,a la "My NAme is Earl".
The Samantha of the title(Christina Applegate,who just seems to get better with more experience)recovers from a blunt-force trauma but suffers from amnesia,which has her retracing her life through her parents(Jean Smart and Kevin Dunn),her friends(Jennifer Esposito and Melissa McCArthy)and her former boyfriend(BArry WAtson),all of whom seem to be somewhat in disbelief that such girl could have this pang of regret and need for redemption. I've only seen a couple of episodes,but what I saw has been so encouraging that I WANT to see more.
Hopefully,ABC will give this more chance to flourish. From the ad campaigns that I've seen,it appears they will. A good compliment to another sitcom with plenty of upside potential,"Notes from the Underbelly",which I hope ABC also gives opportunity to thrive. Got the hint,networks?
The Samantha of the title(Christina Applegate,who just seems to get better with more experience)recovers from a blunt-force trauma but suffers from amnesia,which has her retracing her life through her parents(Jean Smart and Kevin Dunn),her friends(Jennifer Esposito and Melissa McCArthy)and her former boyfriend(BArry WAtson),all of whom seem to be somewhat in disbelief that such girl could have this pang of regret and need for redemption. I've only seen a couple of episodes,but what I saw has been so encouraging that I WANT to see more.
Hopefully,ABC will give this more chance to flourish. From the ad campaigns that I've seen,it appears they will. A good compliment to another sitcom with plenty of upside potential,"Notes from the Underbelly",which I hope ABC also gives opportunity to thrive. Got the hint,networks?
A below average sitcom with an above average cast
studioAT8 March 2017
For a show that has Christina Applegate as its lead and award winning writer Cecelia Ahern on the writing staff this show should have been a winner. It even had Mellissa McCarthy in it for goodness sake!
And yet it remains one of those fairly likable comedies, that without a laughter track relies on you to find your own laugh out loud moments. Of which sadly there aren't that many.
The show ran its course across two seasons, but I don't think there could be much public outcry that it didn't go for longer. It's a shame, but the premise itself didn't lend itself to much longer.
And yet it remains one of those fairly likable comedies, that without a laughter track relies on you to find your own laugh out loud moments. Of which sadly there aren't that many.
The show ran its course across two seasons, but I don't think there could be much public outcry that it didn't go for longer. It's a shame, but the premise itself didn't lend itself to much longer.
So sad it was cancelled
shainarhae-427522 August 2023
I just recently stumbled upon this show on Hulu and I'm so sad it was cancelled in its second season! Christina Applegate is perfect, per usual, and the rest of the cast really shine in their elements. A sweet comedy ahead of its time when the early 2000s was full of shows that aged like unpasteurized milk. I would have loved to see the characters and their stories continue to unfold, but ABC really missed the mark by ending it early. This show isn't life changing, but I highly recommend it for anyone who enjoys a witty and lighthearted comedy. I can't believe with Melissa McCarthy, Jean Smart, and Christina Applegate they didn't see what they had.
Funny delivery of what one would/could do if they lost their memory
Craigger10 February 2023
Such a fan of Christina Applegate and her approach to comedy. I recently finished Dead to Me and remembered what i enjoyed about her, so decided to rewatch Samantha Who.
First, love the premise of this show. Person with Amnesia realizing they didn't like the person they can't remember as they learn more and more about their past. The writing is very clever as they approach different areas of ones life and delivers the want to make the 'better' decisions, Seeing the wrong choices... and then meeting somewhere in the middle.
Loved the dynamics between the Sam and Todd (Barry Watson) characters. The actors play well off of each other and provide that wanting for them to end up together even though there are many reasons why they shouldn't be.
Too bad the show didn't last too long. I'm sure there were many other directions they could go with this the memory loss storyline. Some of the sub plots were less entertaining, but all in all the show is worth a watch at least once.. or in my case twice.
First, love the premise of this show. Person with Amnesia realizing they didn't like the person they can't remember as they learn more and more about their past. The writing is very clever as they approach different areas of ones life and delivers the want to make the 'better' decisions, Seeing the wrong choices... and then meeting somewhere in the middle.
Loved the dynamics between the Sam and Todd (Barry Watson) characters. The actors play well off of each other and provide that wanting for them to end up together even though there are many reasons why they shouldn't be.
Too bad the show didn't last too long. I'm sure there were many other directions they could go with this the memory loss storyline. Some of the sub plots were less entertaining, but all in all the show is worth a watch at least once.. or in my case twice.
Great rewatch value
nihihine16 January 2024
It's a rare for a comedy series to have good rewatch value but Samantha Who always makes me laugh out loud. It's easy to watch and you can tell there's a bit of adlibbing here and there, or at least there was a lot of fun going on around the writers' table and on set.
The premise is a great one - a woman wakes up with amnesia- and they play with it to the max. It's intelligent, fun, always classy. There's a few subplots I am not into, in particular the various boyfriend ones, but to skip them because of that is a mistake because they're packed full of laughs despite that. The mother and father and the ex-boss (Chase Chapman) are hilarious in their support roles, as well as the best friends.
It's difficult to pick favourites but the Pilot, The Dog, The Hockey date, Out of Africa, The Pill, The Car, The Restraining Order, So I think I can dance ...anyway you get the picture.
I've been watching them for years on and off (have them in my apple library). I was very sick a few years ago and bed bound, not knowing if I would survive and this show never failed to raise a smile from me and take my mind off the fight long enough to recoup some spirit. I pray Christina Applegate will always find something to make her smile in turn.
The premise is a great one - a woman wakes up with amnesia- and they play with it to the max. It's intelligent, fun, always classy. There's a few subplots I am not into, in particular the various boyfriend ones, but to skip them because of that is a mistake because they're packed full of laughs despite that. The mother and father and the ex-boss (Chase Chapman) are hilarious in their support roles, as well as the best friends.
It's difficult to pick favourites but the Pilot, The Dog, The Hockey date, Out of Africa, The Pill, The Car, The Restraining Order, So I think I can dance ...anyway you get the picture.
I've been watching them for years on and off (have them in my apple library). I was very sick a few years ago and bed bound, not knowing if I would survive and this show never failed to raise a smile from me and take my mind off the fight long enough to recoup some spirit. I pray Christina Applegate will always find something to make her smile in turn.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
