Polite Dissent

The Adventures of Pete & Pete was a great half-hour comedy that used to be shown on Nickelodeon (and now sometimes appears on Noggin). It follows the adventures of two brothers both named Pete. The older Pete is in high school and a reluctant conformist, while the younger Pete is in junior high and a serious rebel. Their parents were pretty much the typical clueless sit-com parents, but each brother also had their own group of friends – and enemies. The older Pete’s best friend was Ellen, and his enemy “Endless” Mike. The younger Pete has best friend Nona (played by Michelle Trachtenberg…better known as Buffy’s sister, Dawn), and a group of adversaries including Pit-Stain and Hair-Net.

The show had a definite surreal quality about it, and never took anything seriously. Show subjects included turtles, curfew, dating, adult jobs (ugh!), bowling, fishing, lawn care, ice cream, and tricycle racing.

Guest stars were common. Adam West had a recurring role as the junior high principle and Steve Buscemi played Ellen’s father. Other guest shots included Michael Stipe, Debbie Harry, Iggy Pop, Janeane Garofalo, Bebe Neuwirth, Syd Straw, LL Cool J, Frank Gifford and even Hunter S. Thompson.

Some of the best episodes include “Time Tunnel” (using Daylight Savings Time as a means for time travel), “35 Hours” (Dad and Mom go on vacation; Pete and Pete sell the house), and “Last Laugh” (Pete is determined to pull an April Fool’s Day prank on the Principal).

Ostensibly a children’s show, there was a great deal of mature humor and clever cameo roles. If any show is deserving of the DVD treatment, this is it!