Sliders

As for Sliders: If you're game, it will transport you. [22 March 1995, p.1D]

Series Has Laughs, Thrills. [22 March 1995, p.49]

After a few explanatory bumps, Sliders is a thoroughly unconfusing ride on the action side, and its two young characters are extremely cute. Score a pair of positive points for audience appeal with the same people who like Beverly Hills, 90210. [22 March 1995, p.F01]

It's a bit of throwback, which makes it sort of a time trip in itself. A fun ride. [21 March 1995, p.7F]

This one isn't bad either. Immediately more accessible and understandable than Fox's new VR.5, the network's Sliders is a meld of Back to the Future, Time Tunnel and Quantum Leap. [20 March 1995, p.1C]

The style and humor in these romps is generally broad. When the corrupt sheriff of monarchical America goes on television to hoodwink the citizens yet again, he assures them: "I feel your pain. Let us create a kinder and gentler nation." No contemporary cliche goes unscathed in this often inventive but sometimes tiresome concoction.

The drama is sci-fi lite, rendered with gee-whiz energy and a sense of levity. And it's frivolous and under-imagined.

Unlike "X-Files" and "VR.5," however, Sliders wants to be humorous while offering an exciting weekly quest. It tries to be cute while the heroes struggle to find a way "home." The cuteness quickly becomes a liability. At times, the comic element turns weak and the characters risk seeming cartoon-like. In the end, "Sliders" may appeal to a younger audience, an audience less concerned with science and fantasy than with comedic adventure. And that will be just fine with Fox. [21 March 1995]

Though O’Connell’s Mallory is fun to watch, he too often mirrors a college-age Marty McFly. And with the addition of his physics professor (John Rhys-Davies) to the team of sliders, the show takes on strains of a “Back to the Future” rehash.

In all cases, imagination is sorely lacking. It's like visiting a world just like ours, except that everyone is named Charles! Wow! How cool is that? Not very.[21 March 1995]

Maybe if you're 15, living in mom's basement and obsessed with wormholes, you'll find a laugh or two in the scenario. As for me, I was checking the press release to see if tonight's pilot was really two hours long. It is.

A banal bore of a mishmash adventure series.