One-gag show becomes the proto-Friends
Peter A. Greene | Franklin, PA United States | 11/24/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"What Bosom Buddies always wanted to be was somewhere between Dick van Dyke and Friends-- a show about people of a certain age and station in life, their friendships, their loves, and not really too much else.
For one season, the network didn't have the nerve to let it happen and the show stayed hung on the peg of its high concept. And then, to kick off the second season, TPTB tossed the whole concept out the window. The cross-dressing some-like-it-hot gag went out the window and the two leads went into the ad business.
If I had never seen the dresses again, I wouldn't have cared. I was entertained to see people my age, going through the business of getting their young lives started, and there really wasn't much of that happening at the time on tv.
Yes, some episodes are kind of, well, dumb. And some were inspired fantasy-- if you were that age at that time, you got it. But what held the show together was a group of characters who really liked each other, anchored by the comedy team of Hanks and Scolari who, particularly when it came to physical gags, were a well-oiled machine.
Had the show stuck around, I think it could have morphed into something as fun and special and of its age and time as Friends would later become, but it was too late. It had changed so radically from its initial conception that only a handful of people ever uncovered this little gem. But in this second season you can see some great moments and the promise of what might have been. Not the greatest sitcom ever, but far better than its reputation and far more than a simple training ground for Tom Hanks."
Very funny show, but the DVD is a major disappointment
Michael | California | 07/25/2010
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Been a fan of the show since its debut on television: It's witty and silly at times, but quite funny.
Unfortunately, this DVD release is a major disappointment: the opening theme has been changed for some inexplicable reason and some of the episodes have been edited... Why???
Didn't realize this until after my purchase... The Amazon description makes no mention of this, but the back of the DVD packaging does in fine print:
"Some music has been changed for this home entertainment version. Some episodes may be edited from their original network versions."
Again, Why????
Needless to say, I'm going to email Paramount Home Entertainment and try to find out why they did this hatchet job on the show."