Plot: What’s it about?
Tony Micelli (Tony Danza) loves New York, but his neighborhood has went downhill and isn’t as safe as it used to be. His daughter Samantha (Alyssa Milano) is having trouble in school and he wants to give her a better life, no matter what that takes. So he applies for a position in an upper class suburb in Connecticut, as a housekeeper. Not the kind of job or location he would like, but its a chance for Samantha to grow up in a better place. His potential employer Angela (Judith Light) has her doubts at first, especially about her new housekeeper being a man, but her family pushes her and she agrees to hire Tony. Her mother Mona (Katherine Helmond) really insists, since Tony is a hunk and would be good to have around the house. He can also serve as a male role model for Jonathan (Danny Pintauro), who doesn’t have one at the current time, since his father left and is no longer in the picture. So Tony and Samantha move in, but hardly no time passes before a conflict make Angela question her decision. She is dating her boss, which leads to a romantic encounter in the kitchen, as well as a broken dish. Tony hears the noise and runs to the kitchen with a baseball bat in hand, ready to take out the intruder. Can this household manage to overcome their differences, or will Tony be back in New York in no time?
This is by no means a great show, or even a good one, but Who’s The Boss? was popular and has a nostalgic appeal. This kind of basic, harmless sitcom is a rare breed these days, when all we are sarcastic comics or over the top dramas. This is a simpler, more wholesome type of sitcom, one that is satisfied just to be passable. So you won’t bust your sides with laughter, but you’ll find some good laughs in most episodes. Of course, I’ve seen the entire series before, some episodes several times, so perhaps I am numb to the show’s humor. I still had fun with this first season however, as it allows us to see where it all started. Tony Danza (Going Ape, Tv’s Taxi) was an established sitcom star by this point, but his performance in this series took him up a few notches, though he never moved beyond that level. The role had to be written with him in mind, as he is a perfect, natural choice in all respects. The chemistry between Danza and costar Judith Light (Save Me, Men Don’t Tell) is a little lacking in this debut season, but with time, the two develop a more natural banter, which is when the series takes off. The two have some moments in this first season however, so the groundwork laid here is most important. Who’s The Boss? is not for everyone, but for fans of 80s television, this collection is recommended.
Video: How does it look?
The episodes are presented in full frame, as intended. These look as good as you want, as the prints look terrific and minimal defects surface. In other words, the episodes are as clean and clear as when they were first shown, though of course, DVD adds a little to the overall sharpness and refinement. The colors are bright and don’t miss a beat, while contrast is accurate and well balanced also. There is some softness, but the show has always looked this way and by turn, that’s how it should be presented in this edition. So not much else we could want, as these episodes look better than ever.
Audio: How does it sound?
The audio here is basic, thanks to the included stereo soundtracks, but all the bases seem to be covered. The nature of the series is one of a natural, subtle audio presence too, so its not like the material screams for dynamic presence. A few scenes could have been boosted a shade, but even then, the experience wouldn’t have been enhanced that much. The sound effects come across in fine form, with the same kind of audio presence you’d expect from a television show, though these days, some do provide a more immersive texture. No troubles with dialogue either, as vocals are clear and crisp throughout the episodes. Not the kind of audio to show off your system with, but I have no complaints about the results.
Supplements: What are the extras?
The case lists featurettes, but in truth, these are just clip compilations, focused on certain characters or situations. I don’t see why these were included, though perhaps Columbia hoped to interest folks in the later seasons.
