Every HBO Comedy Ranked From Worst To Best

HBO’s other major attempt at kids’ TV finishes a couple of spots above The Baby-Sitters Club because it succeeds much more as a supplier of laughs. Based on the beloved series of books, Encyclopaedia Brown lasted only seven full length episodes and left little of an impact on the culture, but it’s an interesting and often amusing curio in HBO’s esteemable catalogue.

These are warm and family friendly mysteries that keep to the spirit of the books in their encouraging of the viewer to get involved and crack the case themselves. The titular detective is played by Scott Bremner but, deliberately or otherwise, he’s somewhat of a non-entity here, allowing the viewer to immerse themselves into the case as the lead detective by merit of either smart direction or Bremner’s less than vibrant performance.

It’s pretty routine stuff, with the formula all but exhausted even after its brief run of seven entries, but there’s a decent amount to enjoy here, even if it’s not going to be winning any awards.