NORM!! The crowd yells as a heavy set man dressed in a dresshirt and tie walks into a bar located somewhere tucked within the depths of Boston. It's the place where everyone knows your name. Unless you've avoided TV for the last ten years, you too probably know the name of this famous bar. Cheers, is more than a mere television show, it is an institution into our culture.
It all begins with former pitcher and recovering alcoholic Sam Malone. The irony right there is evident, a Bartender/Owner who no longer can drink what he peddles. Then we have the charming but sometimes misguided prima donna waitress Diane Chambers. The first season is only the minute beginning to their journey through romance and heartbreak.
Built around these two main figures are others who became part of the whole family. Norm as mentioned above, the sad lonely beer drinking accountant who rather than spend time with his wife Vera ends up with his surrogate wife Cheers. His best friend and knowitall fool Cliff Claven. This bumbling mailman provides comic relief and plays the role of jester. The bitter and short fiery waitress Carla who has more kids than she can remember. Then there's Coach, so loveable and yet so not quite there. Together this ensemble provides years of fun and it all begins here.
The first season is now on DVD and makes one of TV's most enduring comedies of all time just a flick of the remote away. Like most series, this first year is a bit rough with characters not quite to the point of what they became and what we remember. As far as comedies go, though, this is one that is easy to recommend. Further seasons may provide to be more worthwhile of your time and money, but how can one deny the wonder of the beginning?
The complete first season includes all 22 season episodes over four discs:
A complete synopsis of every episode can be found at http://www.tvtome.com/tvtome/servlet/EpisodeGuideSummary/showid-66/season-1
The Disc:
Being that this is from a Television show it's not too surprising that the video and sounds aren't quite awesome. However the video transfer is quite nice, especially for episodes that are more than twenty years old.
Offered up in Dolby Digital 2.0 surround, the clarity in the audio is surprisingly clear, especially voices without the aid of a center channel. Mark my words; when the theme song kicks in it's impossible not to sing along.
Appearing to follow the molding of the Star Trek discs, season features a look at a particular cast member, this time around Sam Malone (Ted Danson). "Setting the Bar: A Conversation With Ted Dansen" is somewhat interesting with some old interview footage.
Three more featurettes are also included givins us a further peek into the Cheers mythology. "Love at First Sight: Opposites Detract", "Coach Ernie Pantusso's Rules of the Game" and "I'll Drink to That: Stormin' Normisms" are a collage of popular scenes from the season that fit under each title. Just being able to see Norm walk in over and over again in a row is worth the laughs.
Finally we have a twelve question trivia game "It's a Little Known Fact". Cliff Claven wannabes can hone their skills here.
bottom line:
A solid comedy that really gets better and better with each season. The Cranes and Woody have yet to appear and are truly more of my memory than this first year. Still a worthy investment for someone wanting the entire collection. I look forward to the rest of the series.
3 out of 5
By - Brian Gray
