DiResta – Nostalgia Central

1 9 9 8 – 1 9 9 9 (USA)
15 x 30 minute episodes

Ex-real-life New York City transit cop turned stand-up comedian John DiResta appeared in this UPN sitcom as . . . a New York City transit cop named John DiResta.

Sadly, rather than than relying on the amusing anecdotes from DiResta’s old workdays, the network began tacking on the customary TV accessories – oddball colleagues, the humanity-challenged boss, the sassy sister-in-law, the short-order cook who is wiser than Socrates, kids who exist only in the warped minds of TV writers and dirty-diaper jokes . . .

Instead of a showcase for a fresh face with unique experiences, UPN ended up with a show that looked and felt like so many other instantly forgettable shows and the sitcom rated poorly (it was the second-lowest-rated of all prime-time shows airing on ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, The WB, and UPN).

Leila Kenzle of Mad About You was the most familiar face in the cast as John’s wife, Kate. Joe Guzaldo was Sgt. Kazmarek, who lived to ride DiResta, Sandra Purpuro was John’s sister-in-law, Liz (a fellow cop), and David Batiste was Cal, a diner cook with an attitude who ran the cop hangout restaurant.

John DiResta
John DiResta
Kate DiResta
Leila Kenzle
Anna DiResta
Karle Warren
Dakota DiResta
Ruairi Kenna (1)
Sean Kenna (2)
Sergeant Kazmarek
Joe Guzaldo
Cal
David Batiste
Liz Labella
Sandra Purpuro
Tully
Erik Palladino