"My Mother The Car" does NOT deserve its reputation among TV critics (and some viewers) as the worst sitcom of all time. The premise of someone being reinCARnated as a car is fanciful and far-fetched, while the show itself is very silly and over-the top. Those same descriptions could also apply to other TV series from the sixties, including "Mister Ed," "I Dream Of Jeannie," and "Bewitched," to name a few. While those shows lasted several seasons and are fondly remembered, "My Mother The Car" only lasted one season and, not having enough episodes to make it into syndication, is barely remembered. After viewing all thirty episodes, I can honestly say that I found them to be amusing and enjoyable. Jerry Van Dyke, who stars as attorney Dave Crabtree, proves that he can carry a TV series as the main character very well. Avery Schreiber, who plays his nemesis Captain Manzini, is also a talented comedian, and makes for a comical villain. The video quality of the show is outstanding; the colors are pristine and vivid. In addition, I was pleasantly surprised that most of the laugh tracks were removed. Last but not least, the theme song by Paul Hampton is very catchy and memorable. All in all, I can heartily recommend "My Mother The Car" as a family-friendly show that does NOT insult the viewer's intelligence.

I remember watching episodes of My Mother, the Car many years ago on Trio and I did not have high hopes for it after that. That having been said, two of the episodes actually did impress me. When I saw it was online, then, I started watching episodes of the show. While I won't say it was a great show, it definitely was not a bad show! The cast is very appealing. Jerry Van Dyke and Avery Schreiber are very funny. And many of the episodes were quite inventive. I'm not sure I would say it was a classic, but I would say it is better than about half the sitcoms on the air now and far better than any of the reality shows aired in the past ten years! I now have to wonder if Trio did not select the worst episodes of the show's run to air, for whatever reason.If the show was not that bad, then, why did it get its reputation as the worst show of all time? I have read many of the reviews from 1965 and it seems to me that the critics just could not get past the idea of someone's mother reincarnated as a car. True, by that point there had been shows about ghosts (Topper), a talking horse (Mister Ed), a Martian (My Favourite Martian), a robot (My Living Doll), and a witch (Bewitched), but in most of the reviews I have read from 1965 it seems the critics just seized upon the show's premise as a sure sign it was a bad show, even if from today's standpoint it doesn't seem that bizarre for the era. After all, it was only a few days after the debut of My Mother, the Car that a show about a genie debuted (I Dream of Jeannie)! I think My Mother, the Car just fell victim to bad press. The critics hated it and called it the worst show of all time. The show only lasted one season so it was not rerun for literally decades. As a result the label of "worst show of all time" stuck. I think this is a bit unfair. Okay, as I said, it is not a great show. It is not on the same level as, say, Bewitched or even I Dream of Jeannie, but it is an entertaining show that is generally well done and funny. It really needs to be reassessed!

Many authors of the previous comments have eloquently pointed out that My Mother the car wasn't the "wackiest" show of its era, nor was it the shortest running, or even the worst. They held up qualified examples to bolster their opinions, and I for one heartily agree! I also loved this show as a kid, and for years afterward I tried to understand why it was held in such malicious contempt. I think it wasn't only unfair to the show, but to all who participated in it, ESPECIALLY Jerry Van Dyke. I am sure it affected his career, but I am very happy for him that it didn't destroy it for him. It would have been a dirty shame. I recently downloaded all 30 shows, and I watch them on my Blackberry every day. So far I have not seen one episode that I would consider a true clunker. I am happy I rediscovered the show, and I hope TV Land will offer it up more than once a year.

I was about 10 when this show was on, and I watched as many episodes as I could.That said, I ROTFL in a "Get Smart" rerun I saw a while back. The bad guy is dying and:Max (reassuringly): "Help is on the way." Bad guy (in great pain): "I'll never make it, but do one thing for me." Max (compassionately): "What?"Bad guy: "Tell me 'My Mother the Car' is coming back on TV." Max (with a puzzled look): "Why?" Bad guy: "Then I won't mind going so much."That pretty much summed up the opinions from the rest of my family when I tried to watch this show.