Josh Holland | Through the Shattered Lens

Welcome to Retro Television Reviews, a feature where we review some of our favorite and least favorite shows of the past! On Thursdays, I will be reviewing Malibu CA, which aired in Syndication in 1998 and 1999. Almost the entire show is currently streaming on YouTube!

Yes, this is from the first season. I don’t care. I refuse to waste my time looking for a second season advertisement.

Yes, it’s that time once again. Sorry, everyone.

Episode 2.9 “Starstruck”

(Dir by Gary Shimokawa, originally aired on December 4th, 1999)

Here’s what the imdb says about this week’s episode:

Jason has been having a great time with Alex and he admits to Murray that he’d like to date her. However, his film star friend Josh Denmark tells him that he too would like to date Alex. The two have competed for the same girls in the past and both agree not to date Alex. Murray, though, encourages Jason to ask Alex out, and he takes his advice. But it seems that Josh has already asked Alex out and she accepted.

Now, as you probably guessed, this is yet another season 2 episode that was not uploaded to YouTube. If I had known so much of season 2 was not available, I never would have started reviewing this stupid show to begin with and I’d be a lot happier right now. That said, in another few weeks, we will reach some episodes that actually have been uploaded. This post is a placeholder, in case I ever do find this episode. Plus, for whoever may be interested, you now know that Josh Denmark is a semi-regular character and so is Alex, the lifeguard who replaced Stads. I guess Jason is over Stads now. As for Scott, I guess he’s still training for the Olympics. *snicker* God, what a stupid show.

According to the imdb, this was the final episode to feature the character of “film star” Josh Denmark so I’m going to guess he turned out to be a jerk and left to film another movie. (That’s what usually happened whenever this plot played out on a Peter Engel-produced sitcom. Remember Johnny Dakota from Saved By The Bell?) The fact that this episode is called “Starstruck” leads me to suspect that Alex learned that there’s more to life than fame.

(It’s almost as if I don’t actually have to actually watch this show to know what happened.)

Anyway, hopefully I’ll get to do an actual review in the future.

Yes, this is from the first season. I don’t care. I refuse to waste my time looking for a second season advertisement.

Reviewing Malibu CA feels a bit pointless now that I’ve discovered that half of the season two episodes weren’t ever uploaded to YouTube but I made a commitment and my own OCD tendencies are holding me to it. Let’s try to take a look at the latest episode.

Episode 2.8 “Guess Who’s Coming To Malibu”

(Dir by Gary Shimokawa, originally aired on November 27th, 1999)

Here’s what the imdb has to tell us about this episode:

Peter is thrilled to be named businessman of the year by the Malibu Business Association. Murray is excited that his favorite actor Josh Denmark is in Malibu shooting a film. Jason recalls that he knew Josh a few years back in music camp. Together they sneak onto the set to see Josh and disrupt the shoot. Josh remembers Jason, the two reminisce and plan to meet again. Later Josh comes by the Lighthouse with female fans following him. Jason offers to let Josh stay at the Collins house to escape the crush of fans. Jason asks his dad after the fact if Josh can stay and Peter says no way, it will be too disruptive with his awards banquet coming up and Scott’s Olympic training. Josh’s flattery helps Peter soften his position a little.

Wow, Jason just knows everyone! Didn’t they already do an episode during the first season about a movie star who needed a place to hide so she ended up staying at the Collins house? We’re only two seasons in and the show is already repeating itself. It’s also interesting to note that Scott’s Olympic training is still going on. When last we checked, he had only recently started swimming again. And yet, he’s already a potential Olympian. I learned how to play golf two years ago. Maybe I should try out for the Olympic team.

This is another second season episode that has not been uploaded to YouTube. I know, it breaks my heart, too. Consider this to be a placeholder. If the episode ever does show up on YouTube, I will review it here.