Paul Walker's Early Sitcom Struggles to Find an Audience Today
Paul Walker, best known for his iconic role in the Fast & Furious franchise, started his acting career with a short-lived sitcom called 'Throb' in the 1980s. Despite its charming premise and talented cast, 'Throb' is now nearly impossible to watch, leaving fans of Walker's early work frustrated.
Many short-lived sitcoms from the past have faded into obscurity, and 'Throb' is no exception. The show, which ran for two seasons in syndication, featured Walker as the son of a divorcee, alongside a talented ensemble cast. However, due to its limited distribution and the passage of time, finding high-quality episodes of 'Throb' has become a challenging task.
The only place where you can currently find episodes of 'Throb' is on YouTube, where the quality is understandably poor. The show's unavailability on streaming platforms or physical media is a shame, as it showcases Walker's early talent and the potential of the cast and crew. 'Throb' was a charming and quirky sitcom that ran for 48 episodes, but its short lifespan and lack of widespread distribution have contributed to its near-total disappearance from popular culture.
The show's premise centered around Sandy Beatty, a divorcee in her mid-30s played by Diana Canova, who starts a new job at an independent record label in Manhattan. The cast also included Zachary Armstrong (played by Jonathan Prince), who had a crush on Sandy, and Maryedith Burrell as Sandy's best friend, Meredith. One of the show's most notable features was the early appearance of Jane Leeves, who played Sandy's co-worker and talent coordinator, Prudence Anne Bartlett, before becoming famous as Dr. Crane's housekeeper, Daphne Moon, in Frasier.
Paul Walker's involvement in 'Throb' was brief, as he only appeared in 12 out of the 48 episodes. He played Sandy's son, Jeremy, in the first season, credited as Paul W. Walker. After the first season, he was replaced by Sean de Veritch for the second season, which saw Sandy move to a penthouse with Leeves' character, Blue. The show's focus shifted to the dynamic between Sandy and Blue, and Walker had already moved on to other projects, paving the way for his rise to fame in the 1990s and early 2000s.
The inability to easily access 'Throb' serves as a reminder of the fleeting nature of media and the potential for content to be lost over time, much like the recent removal of shows and movies from HBO Max. Despite its short lifespan, 'Throb' remains a fascinating glimpse into Walker's early career and the talented individuals who worked on the show.
