Simply The Best
a reader | Kansas City | 08/10/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The television series BREWSTER PLACE (recently released on DVD) is such a fine example of Black television at its best that when I look back at the eleven 22 minute episodes which originally aired in 1990 I am both amazed, dismayed, and proud. This half-hour TV show was so outstanding that it had to be killed-off, and quickly, before it gathered steam and a loyal Black audience (as did the much later Showtime series, SOUL FOOD.) This show was not killed due to poor ratings, despite this or any other specious reasons given--rather it was killed because it showed in just 22 minutes (as did Tim Reid's FRANK'S PLACE) Black people in their total humanity--as everyday people struggling to overcome problems in their lives--some related to race, some not--as Black men, Black women, and Black children--not as deviants, crack-heads, and criminals, but as people with warmth, compassion, and humor.
This excellent 11 episode series, which was too hot and heavy for network and back-room politicos in 1990, is still as fresh and outstanding in 2007 as it was then.
This is a must as a DVD--one I'm not ashamed to admit I waited on for 16 years. Kudos to Oprah Winfrey for releasing it.
"
Too Bad ABC did not carry this for an entire season
Richard C. Jones | 12/01/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)
"The stories are predictable, there is a jump-the-shark moment when Oprah's brother in the series becomes her cousin; Olivia Cole's Sophie was much better in the movie than here in the series; Brenda Pressley is exceptional in the role once played by Jackee.
This ran for 11 episodes, and the first episode was written by The Waltons and Falcon Crest and Palmerstown creator/writer Earl Hamner and some episodes were directed by Ivan Dixon of Car Wash.
I watched the entire 11-episode series in one sitting as they were only 30 minutes long each. I was left wanting for more."
Good and Wholesome
Rhonda H. Simmons | Texas | 11/24/2008
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I watched this on a cold winter season when I was off from teaching. It made me feel really warm and fuzzy. Buy it and keep it for your grandkids to view how we used to live!"