Meet Wally Sparks MPAA Rating: R Entertainment: +1 1/2 Content: -2 1/2

Comedian Rodney Dangerfield has played crude characters before, but he's especially foul as trashy TV talk show host Wally Sparks in this stale comedy. Some fans like his outrageous style and sleazy topics, but Wally's disgusted sponsors are deserting him. His boss (Burt Reynolds) gives Wally one more week to turn things around. Opportunity knocks when Wally receives a surprise invitation to a fund-raiser for his most vocal critic, Georgia governor Floyd Preston (David Ogden Stiers). After being rude to the guests, Wally gets Preston's prized thoroughbred horse drunk. The intoxicated steed stampedes the party with Wally in the saddle, and he gets credit for saving the day. Wally pretends he's crippled by the incident so he can broadcast from the governor's mansion and get an interview with Preston, who's running for the U.S. Senate. The film limps along with many failed attempts at humor, including a destructive fight between Wally's guests and a sex scandal involving the governor. Even Dangerfield's fans will be disappointed by the lack of inspiration in Meet Wally Sparks.

Wally is consistently crude, as almost every conversation includes sexually suggestive comments and double entendres. Many crude words and several obscenities further pollute the dialogue. During the party Wally accidentally breaks the male sex organ off an anatomically correct statue and stuffs it in his pocket, so it looks like he's sexually aroused. He mixes drinks for the governor's wife (Cindy Williams) and her bridge club, and these ladies get drunk and parade around in their underwear. A network assistant spies on Wally and has several slapstick incidents. The governor receives several compromising photos that include female breast nudity. Sex is suggested when a prostitute visits Wally. A scene from a pornographic movie is shown twice; only a male actor is seen, but his actions and sounds clearly imply sexual activity. With its frequent reliance on crude humor, you won't want to Meet Wally Sparks.

Preview Reviewer: Mark Perry
Distributor: Trimark Pictures, 2644 30th St., Santa Monica, CA 90405