Another Family Ties Season 5 DVD Review.

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This coming Tuesday, March 10, Family Ties Season 5 will hit the store shelves. I was fortunate enough to receive a review copy.

STORIES AND CHARACTERS

First of all I have to assure you that season 5 is an improvement over season 4. Season 4 was the first season after Michael J. Fox’s double-triumph with Back to the Future and Teen Wolf and the omnipresence of Alex was overbearing. I was watching the show when it originally aired and at the time it didn’t bother me – but I was a 13-year-old MJF fanatic and the more Alex the better.

Now that I’m older and have an appreciation for the other performers on the show, I find season 4 a little painful to watch. Alex wasn’t just prominent in every episode, he often felt shoehorned into plots in which he just didn’t belong. This ultimately made Alex appear even more obnoxious than he already was and by the end of season 4, I was Alex-weary.

It may not have been intentional, but season 5 returned to a more balanced show. Yes, Alex is still in more scenes than he was prior to season 4, but the plots in which he was involved worked to knock him down a few pegs and make him more human. Also, the other characters got to have a moment or two to themselves.

Ey!

Season 5 is probably most remembered for the introduction of ‘talking’ Andrew, played by Brian Bonsall. For all you Andrew-haters, do not despair. This is his first season and doesn’t talk very much. It was later, when he started grasping language better, that he became a bit too precocious. In this season, Bonsall is still parroting lines given to him and the few times he goes off script actually work. The picture I include here was my favorite Andrew moment, in which he perfectly mimicks Nick’s (Mallory’s boyfriend) ‘Hey!.’

The only character who really got a short shrift in season 5 was Jennifer (Tina Yothers). While not a bad actress, her style just doesn’t seem to fit in with the others. She was best when delivering dry, witty lines and Family Ties just did not utilize dry humor very often. This may be why she was not given much to do, but I honestly don’t know what the actual reason was.

Ex-girlfriend, huh?

Jennifer did have one stand out episode, which was rather prophetic. She put together an all-girl rock band, over which Alex immediately took management. After Family Ties, Yothers formed a group with her brother and was later in musical theater. There is also a Jennifer-centric two-part episode that ended the season that was actually shot during the previous season. No doubt this confused viewers because after a year of Alex being sans girlfriend, Ellen (Tracy Pollan) shows back up and appears in both parts.

This two parter wasn’t the only out of order, shot in previous seasons offering in the 5th. There is also an episode that aired in the middle of the season in which Alex uses a computer to find Mallory (Justine Bateman) a boyfriend. This might not have been quite as confusing since the opening credits were still from the previous season, but it’s still jarring. Especially since at the beginning of the season, she was trying to convince Nick (Scott Valentine) to marry her.

You got Lola?

Reflections

Other than Andrew, season 5 is remembered for the Emmy award-winning two part episode A, My Name is Alex. In this episode, Alex is saved from a fatal car wreck in which his best friend (that we have never seen before) dies. Alex is saved from death solely due to his own selfishness and has a mental breakdown from the guilt he feels as a result. More than half the hour-long episode takes place in a psychiatrist’s office and is shot like a play. The doctor is never seen, Alex is sitting in a chair with a window hanging behind him to indicate a wall and behind that are mini-sets in which he walks around and interacts with his loved-ones. When these sets are not being utilized, everything is black and hidden.

Light my fire

This episode was very innovative for the time and even more so for Family Ties, which was an extremely formulaic situation comedy. Most of the actors got to do something a bit different with their characters, especially Justine Bateman, and Michael J. Fox probably earned his second Emmy award with this one episode alone.

GUEST STARS

Family Ties rarely did stunt casting. I honestly can’t remember them ever doing it, actually. However, they have had a few actors on the show that later became stars and season 5 included a few.

Wil Wheaton of Star Trek: The Next Generation fame appears as Jennifer’s boyfriend in one episode. Wheaton is more famous today as a blogger, but at one time he was a promising child actor. Unfortunately for him, he has many detractors due to the annoying writing of his character on Star Trek. He also starred in Stand By Me with River Phoenix, who appeared on Family Ties in season 4 – as a Jennifer love interest. Wheaton also shared the screen with Brian Bonsall when Bonsall was cast as Worf’s son, Alexander.

Hey, he is kinda cute

Another Star Trek favorite, this one from Deep Space Nine, made an appearance: Terry Farrell. She plays Liz Obeck, one of the oft-mentioned Obeck neighbors – in fact, she’s the only Obeck we ever see in the entire run of the series (that I can remember). Alex’s reaction to Liz is pretty much the same that my husband has towards Ms. Farrell.

Humanah

And, finally, Christina Applegate makes an appearance as the keyboard player in Jennifer’s all-girl band. She’s the only one that seems to have any appreciation for Alex’s management skills.

Mr. Sandman

DVD PRESENTATION

Like season sets 2-4, the picture quality is good, considering the show was originally shot on video tape. The sound seems even better than previous seasons.

Calm down, Biff

Bonus features, as usual, are lacking. I was quite disappointed that the episode promos were not included in this set. They had been part of three previous season packages. However, there is a gag reel from the season and unlike the previous set gag reels, these include bloopers from rehearsals and not just tapings. It was interesting seeing the actors out of their ‘costumes’ and MJF even rehearsed in a ‘Barbusters’ t-shirt, which is the name of the rock group his character was part of in the film Light of Day.

What I most liked about this set was the lack of music cuts. I didn’t notice any scenes cut at all and I couldn’t find any music replacements. Several episodes used popular songs such as ‘I Got You Babe’ by Sonny and Cher and ‘Light My Fire’ by The Doors. There were even scenes left in, music intact, that would have been very easy to cut, such as Steven (Michael Gross) singing a popular 60′s pop tune at Jennifer’s birthday party in the next-to-last episode.

Now, if only they would release the butchered episodes from previous seasons on later discs to replace the very bad music-cut choices they made in the past.

SUMMARY

I recommend the set for several reasons. One is the A, My Name is Alex two parter. I do wish they had put it on the disc as it originally aired, which was a one-hour special episode. Instead, they chose to put in on the set as two seperate episodes. The placement of the cut for syndication is very abrupt and inorganic and ruins the flow of the ‘one-act’ portion of the episode, but it is still a powerful episode.

Second is the return to a ‘Family’ program as opposed to an ‘Alex and Friends’ program. Maybe this isn’t a plus for some, but I’ve always enjoyed the camaraderie of the cast and the good chemistry between the actors.

Third is the fact that CBS is finally starting to take some care with their decisions regarding music cuts.

And finally, I think this season has some of the best writing and not just the A, My Name is Alex episode. The first few episodes are weak (and Alex heavy) but once past that, the writing, acting and ‘feel’ of the show get much better.

So, when Tuesday comes, go out and get your own copy (or order it online so you can get it delivered to your mailbox) and enjoy all the 80′s family fun from the Keaton clan.

And now, in parting, some more visual previews of the season 5 dvd set:

Alex helps Nick get his high school diploma and a little bit of Nick rubs off on Alex:

Born to be wild...

Michael J. Fox spills orange juice all over himself in one of the gag reel takes. This leads to a question I have: just how much orange juice did the Keatons drink during the 1980s?

Just how much orange juice did those Keatons drink over the years?

Alex meets his match in his new boss Rebecca Ryan. Melinda Culea appears in three episodes as Ms. Ryan and proves herself to be quite funny as well as a talented actress. I always hoped she would make more appearances, but alas, no one but Skippy and Nick ever stick around long on Family Ties.

Alex has met his match

And speaking of Skippy, young Irwin actually gets a girlfriend this season. Way to go, Skippy!

Miracles do happen

Fox says future is bright, life is amazing

Michael J. Fox’s Brave Parkinson’s Battle

Celebrity Dirt with Jackson Blue

PD Plus Me: Michael J. Fox: A Decade has Passed

Baltimore Real Estate Investing Blog (Hey, if anyone needs hope in our present economy, it’s real estate investors, right?)

I’ve also come across a few reviews for the first season of Spin City on DVD – which I have yet been able to afford. Here’s what one of the reviewers thinks:

Cinegeek.com

Here’s some MJF news to round out your weekend.

Tracy Pollan to appear on Medium – Tracy Pollan will appear in a three-episode story arc on the television series Medium.

Taking Science Personally – an interesting article about the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research

Back to the Future Trilogy to be re-released in seperate, 2-disc special editions in February of 2009 – click the link for all the details from BTTF.com

DVD Review of Spin City: Season 1

Michael J. Fox is on the cover of People – ten years after his announcement that he has Parkinson’s Disease

Season Three of Family Ties begins where we left off with the Keaton Clan – almost literally. An episode filmed and scheduled for Season Two, but which had been preempted, starts off the season with one of the weaker scripts from the second season. Fortunately, it’s all uphill from Atlantic City. Steven and Elyse (Michael Gross and Meredith Baxter-Birney) are still trying to coerce and manipulate their children into bonding with them and appreciating their set of values. Alex, Mallory and sometimes even Jennifer (Michael J. Fox, Justine Bateman and Tina Yothers) balk at this and go their own conservative, consumerist ways.

The family is finally complete

The family dynamic is shifted early in the season when Elyse announces that she is pregnant. Meredith Baxter-Birney’s real-life pregnancy brought about the need to introduce another family member but unlike most television programs, this wasn’t a problem for Family Ties. It’s all about the family, right? And there’s always room for one more.

The new addition brings about unplanned conflict and character development that would not have been there otherwise. Steven and Elyse have to come to terms with being new parents in their forties – something that they are reminded of continuously – and having to start all over again, just when they thought the ‘end’ was near. Alex finally has a brother to nurture instead of sisters to torture. Jennifer has to deal with the fact that she’s no longer the baby of the family. And Mallory…well, she gets to shop more. You know, for baby stuff.

They're gonna get stuck like that

As was the case with season two, season three shows a marked improvement in scripts. The jokes are becoming more character-based as opposed to situation-based. In two particular episodes, Hotline Fever and Don’t Know Much About History, Alex and his high-school rival James Jarret (Jeffrey Joseph) team up first by accident and then purposely for a joint business venture. The constant competition and resulting tension between the two characters and the chemistry between the two actors make both of these episodes very fun to watch. It is a shame that programs of the time weren’t held to any kind of continuity. It would have been great if Joseph could have become a semi-regular. The chemistry between Fox and Joseph almost jumps off the screen and both of them seem to really enjoy bouncing lines off each other.

That is my plan...

Because Michael J. Fox was the main focus of attention for viewers in the ’80′s the often hilarious and sometimes touching performances of the other actors usually gets overlooked. This is especially true for Michael Gross and Justine Bateman. Gross could sometimes go over-broad with his humor but this was the norm for Family Ties. However, he could sometimes do something so subtle and yet so funny one can’t help but laugh out loud. The episode 4 Rms Ocn Vu is a perfect example of this. Even though Gross is only in the the episode for a total of about five minutes, he completely steals the show.

“That is my plan….”

Perfect chemistry

Justine Bateman continues to give a noteworthy performance as bubbly, air-headed (but not stupid) Mallory. Her silly asides are always funny and come off as natural and unforced, which is not something that can be said of any of the other actors on the show. Bateman’s chemistry with Fox gets even better with this season and there are several great bits with Alex and Mallory. One in particular is a scene in Hotline Fever which is much funnier than it’s written simply because of Bateman’s delivery.

Her name was Aunt Trudy

Bateman also gets a chance to show off her dramatic skills late in the season in the episode Auntie Up. In this episode her favorite great aunt passes away and Mallory’s heartbreak is nearly palpable. I have yet to watch this episode without tears welling up.

Now, onto the DVD Presentation

Like season two, the picture quality is very good. Each episode includes the original NBC promo which can be viewed separately as well. These promos are not any better than season two and are therefore just as fun to watch. I’m glad that Paramount continued to include these with the DVD set.

I'll always be better than you

Unlike season two there are no documentaries on this set. However, there is a lengthy gag reel which is just as good. All bloopers are from season three so I’m hoping they plan to include gag reels for the remaining season sets as they come out.

This set is highly recommended and at the retail price of $39.98, well worth the cost.

Release Date: February 12, 2008
Retail Price: $39.98
Amazon.com Price: $29.99
Number of DVDs: 4
Number of Episodes: 24

Remember: Purchasing your Michael J. Fox DVDs through the MJFDB helps support the site and keep it online.

More highlights of Season Three

Gena Davis:

Not really all that helpful

Actual Exterior Shots

Talking to dad

And, of course…Sleeping Chipmunks

Yes, but can they sing?

Corkboard

Paramount continues to release season sets of one of the seminal 1980’s family sitcoms and this time, they get it right.

While the stories in the first season of Family Ties were typical sitcom fare, and often hokey, it introduced us to the now iconic Keaton clan comprised of the liberal ‘flower children’ parents, Steven and Elyse Keaton (Michael Gross and Meredith Baxter-Birney) and their Reagan-era children, uber-conservative Alex P. Keaton (Michael J. Fox), uber-consumer Mallory Keaton (Justine Bateman) and uber-precocious Jennifer Keaton (Tina Yothers).

Snarky perfection

Season two was still sometimes hokey, but the writing was noticeably better. The characters were fleshed out enough for the writers to really start to work with, manipulate and milk for all the laughs they were worth.

Several of my all-time favorite Family Ties episodes come from season two: The Harder they Fall with the nasty Mr. Tedesco, played brilliantly by Edward Edwards; Say Uncle featuring the return of Uncle Nick Donnelly played by Tom Hanks back when he was doing comedy and making us laugh our asses off; and Speed Trap, one of the first ‘very special episodes’ in which Alex becomes addicted to amphetamines and begins to literally bounce off the floors, walls and staircase of the Keaton abode.

Vanilla...mm, mm good

The season one DVD set was rather disappointing. Some scenes were cut because of music rights – and one was completely unnecessary, the music could have been replaced – and there were absolutely no extra features. The menus looked like they were designed during the early days of DVD production and the print quality of the episodes was adequate, but not great.

Paramount has done a much better job with season two. The print quality is pristine and I have yet to see any cuts because of music, even though some songs have been changed. And – wait for it – there are actual extras!

Each episode (yes, every one of them) includes the NBC promo for that particular episode. And, oh my, were 80’s promo pieces terrible. Very fun to watch.

I am a genius

The thirty minute documentary The Making of Family Ties started out with all those stories we’ve heard since the mid-80’s. You know the ones – how Gary David Goldberg, the creator of the show, didn’t want Michael J. Fox at first, but was convinced by the casting director; how Justine Bateman had never acted before this show, blah blah blah. However, once they get past the old, known stories, there is some new, interesting information told by Gary David Goldberg, Michael J. Fox, Michael Gross and Tina Yothers in footage shot specifically for this DVD set. Intercut with the interviews are clips from the show and bloopers from the shooting of several episodes. The only thing missing that would have made it even better were interviews with Meredith Baxter and Justine Bateman.

Michael J. Fox: The Best Gig in the World, a short documentary about Michael J. Fox’s impact on the show, did not hold any new information, but was still interesting. The viewer gets to hear from the creator and fellow actors’ in their own words about how they and Fox dealt with his immense fame due to the release of Back to the Future in July of 1985.

The final documentary is titled The Year of the Beard. This is a short explores the appearance of Steven Keaton’s beard in season two – why Michael Gross grew it and how it impacted his character and, therefore, the show.

This set is a must-buy for any Michael J. Fox and/or 1980’s television sitcom fan.

The second full season of the hit 1980’s sitcom ‘Family Ties,’ hits the streets on October 9, 2007.