ABC's 'Geppetto' Is A Fairy Tale For Parents

It's no secret that fairy tales were written -- and are continually retold -- to guide children along the right path. Through the whimsical fables, youngsters learn the value of kindness, sharing, humility, courage, honesty, friendship, loyalty, blah, blah, blah.

The assumption is that if children heed these lessons when they're young, they will grow up to be morally upright adults and perfect parents who, in turn, raise perfect children.

Well, we all know that plan didn't work.

ABC's new TV musical "Geppetto" is not the familiar story of an imperfect wooden boy (Seth Adkins) who had to prove himself worthy before being transformed to flesh and bone.

It's the story of the puppet's father (Drew Carey), who had to go through a transformation of his own in order to let go of his misconceptions of parenthood and how children should behave before being truly worthy of raising his new son.

In this version, Pinocchio's misadventures quickly take a back seat to the untold story of Geppetto's lessons in patience, understanding and discipline.

When the lifeless puppet Pinocchio is first animated by the Blue Fairy (Julia Louis-Dreyfus), the camera focuses in on a shocked Geppetto. When Pinocchio escapes from the evil Stromboli (Brent Spiner), the wagon heading to Pleasure Island passes by in the background while Geppetto searches for his son.

And the boy's buggy conscious Jiminy Cricket is never seen in the movie. Instead, much screen time is given to Geppetto seeking advice from the singing-and-dancing Blue Fairy.

Aside from a few commercial endorsements, Louis-Dreyfus has been largely out of the public's eye since "Seinfeld" went off the air. She gives her Blue Fairy enjoyably sarcastic undertones to her whimsical facade.

Spiner, best known as "Star Trek's" android Data, was great as the villain puppet master. And Rene Auberjonois and Carey pal Wayne Grady were both well chosen for their high-energy walk-ons.

As for Carey in title role of this musical, well he was, um ? Let's just say he gave it all he's got.

Anyone who's a regular watcher of the "Drew Carey Show" knows the comedian's commitment and enthusiasm for big musical numbers. And he should be applauded for bringing the musical tradition back into the mainstream. Carrey also served as producer for this movie.

However, the level of talent that can pass in a sitcom sketch is very different than the level needed to carry a whole musical.

Carey's performance not withstanding, "Geppetto" is a refreshing turn to this familiar musical with simple lessons that could prove to be more useful to parents than to kids.

• "Geppetto" airs on ABC Sunday, May 7.
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