The Andy Griffith Show - The Complete Fourth Season (1960) Review

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(More customer reviews)Paramount is really putting out these TAGS seasons quickly. Keep them coming UNCUT (INCLUDING THE COLORED SEASONS PLEEEASE). After reviewing the episodes, I don't consider season four as one of their best. There are not many stand-out episodes, but there are not many poor ones either. This season marks the last we'll see of Gomer, the first we'll see of Goober, plus returns of the Fun Girls, the Darlings, Malcolm Merriweather, and Ernest T. Bass. Five of the episodes are often listed among TAGS top 20 fan favorites, although they are not favorites of mine. Here's what you get:
Opie the Birdman: All TAGS seasons opened with a story about Opie, and this one may be the most famous one (and usually a top 10 fan fave). Opie tries to raise three baby birds (Winkin, Blinkin, and Nod) after inadvertently killing their mother with a sling-shot.
The Haunted House: This episode inspired Don Knotts' film The Ghost and Mr. Chicken. Is it just the moonshine or is there a haunted house in Mayberry?
Ernest T. Bass Joins The Army: I'm not a fan of Ernest T. but for those who are, this set offers two of his episodes. This one has him trying to join the Army so he can get a uniform.
The Sermon For Today: A visiting preacher comes to Mayberry and preaches a sermon of taking it easy (probably the last thing that needed to be preached in Mayberry). The folks take this sermon in an entirely different direction. Usually a top 5 episode.
Briscoe Declares For Aunt Bee: The Darlings are back and Briscoe decides to court Aunt Bee. Bee is not so keen on the idea.
Gomer the House Guest: Gomer loses his job at the filling station and moves in with the Taylors.
A Black Day For Mayberry: This is one of the funniest TAGS episodes ever (in my personal top 20 list). An armored truck filled with gold is expected to arrive in Mayberry. It's supposed to be a guarded secret but, when it arrives, a crowd of people with a banner "Welcome Gold Truck" is there to greet it.
Opie's Ill-Gotten Gain: I could never understand how Helen could make such an error but, she gives mediocre student Opie straight A's by mistake. Andy is so proud of Opie's report card that, when Opie finds out his real grades, he's afraid to let his pa down.
A Date For Gomer: Thelma Lou wants to find a date for her plain cousin. Andy and Barney decide on Gomer and they each explain to the other how "nice" their blind dates will be.
Up In Barney's Room: Barney is caught cooking in his room and his landlady, Mrs. Mendelbright, evicts him. Barney becomes further agitated when he learns "Mrs. Bendelmright" is about to marry an old codger who just arrived in town.
Citizen's Arrest: This ep. is usually listed among TAGS best. I don't really like it that much. Gomer makes a "citizen's arrest" on Barney for making an illegal u-turn. For PR reasons, Andy insists Barney write himself a ticket. Barney becomes so angry he resigns. Barney acts like a real jerk in this one.
Opie And His Merry Men: Opie and his friends get some bad ideas about law enforcement from a hobo.
Barney And The Cave Rescue: Thinking Andy and Helen are trapped in a cave, Barney organizes a rescue mission. A good example of Andy doing whatever he can to help his deputy save face.
Andy & Opie's Pal: Opie is jealous when Andy pays special attention to Opie's new friend.
Aunt Bee The Crusader: A local farmer is about to be evicted and Aunt Bee organizes a protest: "Just like the tree that's standing by the water, we shall not be moved." This one is one of my favorites.
Barney's Sidecar: Barney gets a motorcycle and sidecar and endangers the lives and sanity of the Mayberry residents. A top 5 episode on most TAGS fan favorite lists.
My Fair Ernest T. Bass: Andy tries to pass off Ernest T. as a sophisticated fellow at a high society party. Includes the famous line "How do you do Mrs. Wiiiiley" and Barney's observation of the women at the party: "Fly a quail through here and every one of `em would point." A top 10 episode on most fan favorite lists.
Prisoner Of Love: A female jewel thief pulls at Andy and Barney's heart strings while she's incarcerated in the Mayberry jail.
Hot Rod Otis: Otis and wheels do not mix.
The Song Festers: The revelation that Gomer has a beautiful singing voice jeopardizes Barney's solo.
The Shoplifters: Weaver's department store is being robbed blind and Barney spends the night there and works under cover as a mannequin to crack the case.
Andy's Vacation: Andy is supposed to be relaxing reading the National Geographic but, with Barney and Gomer in charge, there is no rest for the weary, even when Andy camps out in the woods.
Andy Saves Gomer: Andy saves Gomer from a little fire in the filling station and Gomer is so appreciative, Andy can't get rid of him.
Bargain Day: Clara convinces Aunt Bee to buy tons of beef from a meat wholesaler, bypassing her friendly butcher. When her freezer breaks down, she panics over the cost of repairing it causing Andy's famous advice: "Call the man!"
Divorce, Mountain Style: Charlene Darling Wash divorces husband Dud and comes into town hoping to snag Andy as her new hubby.
A Deal Is A Deal: Opie and his friends get stuck selling worthless salve, but Barney and Gomer have a plan.
Fun Girls: The Fun Girls are back and Helen and Thelma Lou are jealous. Goober makes his debut and this marks the only episode where Gomer and his cousin Goober appear together. Goober also shows off his impersonation of Cary Grant: "Judy, Judy, Judy"
The Return Of Malcolm Merriweather: The Brit on the bike is back and tries to make Aunt Bee's life easier...maybe too easy.
The Rumor: Another episode where Barney starts the Andy getting married rumors; this time to Helen.
Barney and Thelma Lou, Phfftt: Barney makes a remark that he has Thelma Lou in his hip pocket. When she hears about his, Thel dates Gomer to make Barney jealous. The kiss a girl you have to get married thing is really silly. Not one of my favorites.
Back to Nature: Barney brags to Opie's camping buddies about what an expert man of nature he is and then gets lost in the woods with Gomer.
Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. Where Gomer leaves Masyberry and Jim Nabors' new sitcom begins.

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The Andy Griffith Show - The Complete Fifth Season (1960) Review

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(More customer reviews)Season five of The Andy Griffith Show goes to both extremes for me. On the one hand, it includes two of my least favorite episodes ("Aunt Bee's Romance" and "Family Visit"); but, on the other hand, it has my all-time favorite TAGS episode "The Case of the Punch in the Nose" and one of my top ten "Man in the Middle." Season 5 was the final black & white episode and last season with Barney Fife as a regular character. Many fans probably stop watching TAGS after this season which is unfortunate because the color seasons are very underrated. Luckily, Season Six is going to be released on DVD May 9, so definitely check it out! Now, on to season five:
"Opie Loves Helen": Every season opened with an episode featuring Opie. In this one, Opie develops a crush on Miss Crump.
"Barney's Physical": It's Barney's fifth anniversary on Andy's force and it may be his last year as he is an inch and a few pounds away from passing the new physical requirements for lawmen. Trivia: When producer Aaron Ruben left the show this season, he was given a plaque with a 5 on it just like the folks had engraved on Barney's watch.
"Family Visit": Barney doesn't appear in this episode. Unfortunately, Aunt Bee's sister, brother-in-law, and nephews do, and they are annoying as all git-out.
"The Education of Ernest T Bass": Ernest T. Bass wants to impress his sweet Romeena by getting an education so he ends up in Helen Crump's class and begins to regard her as a mother figure.
"Aunt Bee's Romance": An old boyfriend of Aunt Bee's arrive and he is even more annoying than her relatives in "Family Visit." He's a person who is always cracking bad jokes and is never serious. Fortunately, Andy recognizes his bad intentions. This episode includes the famous Calvin Coolidge/Mark Twain/the weather scene between Andy and Floyd.
"Barney's Bloodhound": Barney tries to train a dog named Blue in tracking down an escaped criminal. Trivia: Howard Morris (Ernest T Bass) is the voice of the radio announcer and Leonard Blush.
"Man in the Middle": One of my all-time faves! Barney is about to break up with Thelma Lou, Andy tries to help Barney by agreeing with him when he says maybe he and Thelma Lou weren't meant for each other, Barney blabs this to Thelma Lou when they patch things up, Thelma Lou gets mad at Andy and then gets mad at Helen when she says she's acting childish, Barney gets mad at Andy for taking Helen's side, Andy refers to Helen as a "third party," Barney blabs this to Helen who gets mad at Andy for not referring to her by name ("My name is Helen Crump, C-R-U-M-P")...Trust me, it's just funny!
"Barney's Uniform": Bully Fred Plummer tells Barney he's going to pop him one if he catches him out of uniform, so Barney is afraid to be seen in civvies. Luckily, Barney is taking karate lessons in Mt. Pilot with Mr. Izamoto.
"Opie's Forune": Opie discovers a wallet with fifty dollars in it. After waiting a week, he believes the money is his. Then Barney reads an announcement in Lost and Found about a missing wallet. I don't care for this one because Andy automatically thinks the worst of Opie.
"Goodbye, Sheriff Taylor": Andy considers taking a job in Raleigh and leaves Barney in charge...bad move. Trivia: First time Goober wears that goofy beanie.
"The Pageant": Aunt Bee wants the part of Lady Mayberry in the Centennial Pageant but Clara, like she is in most things, is the superior actress. I like that part when Aunt Bee calls Chief Noogatuck, Nungatook.
"The Darling Baby": The Darlings return to town with Charlene's baby daughter Andelina hoping to get her hooked up to a future mate...Opie.
"Andy and Helen Have Their Day": Barney wants to give Andy and Helen the gift of Saturday where they can relax at Myer's Lake and he will run all their errands. Of course, he keeps interrupting them with trivial matters and then believes they are engaged. Howard Morris appears as the TV repairman.
"Three Wishes for Opie": Barney buys a fortune-telling kit at an auction and thinks Count Istvan Teleky is granting them wishes. Like in the previous episode, this ultimately results in Barney believing Andy and Helen are engaged.
"Otis Sues the County": Otis falls at the jail and a slick lawyer tries to make him believe that, by suing the county, he will be helping his friends Barney and Andy.
"Barney Fife, Realtor": Barney gets into a sideline realty business and tries to get everybody to sell their houses and move into other houses.
"Goober Takes a Car Apart": Goober is suppose to be in charge of the courthouse but speedster Gilly keeps hounding him to fix his car. Caught between two responsibilities, Goober takes apart and rebuilds Gilly's car in the courthouse.
"The Rehabilitation of Otis": Barney tries to use psychology to help Otis get over his drinking problem. He ends up arresting him out of "tough love" and Otis gets so mad he decides to give his business to another jail. I like the scene where they take the Rorschach test and argue over whether the card is a bat or butterfly.
"Lucky Letter": Barney thinks he's doomed at the firing range because Andy convinced him not to send a chain letter. Now Barney's not superstitious, he's just cautious.
"Goober and the Art of Love": Andy and Barney convince Goober to date Lydia Crosswaith who turns out to be a bore and sticks her head out of the car window like a dog.
"Barney Runs for Sheriff": When Andy's job in South America falls through, he runs for sheriff as a write-in. Barney is supposed to run just a token campaign, but goes overboard.
"If I Had a Quarter Million": Barney stumbles upon a suitcase with $250,000 and tries to play it off as a newly rich to entice the crook out of hiding.
"TV or Not TV": Bogus television producers come to town pretending to be interested in creating a series based on the life of the sheriff without a gun. Their main intentions have to do with the Mayberry bank. Gavin McLeod appears.
"Guest in the House": A beautiful, young, female friend of the family stays with the Taylors and, of course, Helen goes off.
"The Case of the Punch in the Nose": Best TAGS episode ever! Barney runs across a 19-year old assault case that was never properly closed and brings back all the hard feelings leading to a schism in the town and numerous nose punches. The Bobby Gribble, Emma Larch scene is classic.
"Opie's Newspaper": Opie and Howie try to widen their scope by creating a column like "Mayberry After Midnight."
"Aunt Bee's Invisible Beau": Clara gets Aunt Bee thinking she's getting in the way of Andy and Helen's romance so she makes up that she's dating the butter-and-egg-man. Barney puts a big crack in her plans when he finds out Aunt Bee's pretend beau is married.
"The Arrest of the Fun Girls": Andy and Barney arrest the fun girls and try to hide their presence from Thelma Lou and Helen.
"The Luck of Newton Monroe": Don Rickles plays a traveling salesman who can't seem to get a break, well, save for the things that he breaks himself.
"Opie Flunks Arithmetic": Opie is having problems in arithmetic and, thanks to know-it-all Barney, Andy overreacts and makes things worse.
"Opie and the Carnival": Opie hopes to win his pa an electric razor at ashooting gallery but is cheated by crooked carnies.
"Banjo-Playing Deputy": Jerry Van Dyke is an unemployed carnival musician who happens to be related to a friend of Aunt Bee, so Bee convinces Andy to make the klutzy, stammering loser his deputy. Luckily, that didn't last and we would get Warren Ferguson (sigh) in season 6.

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Hailed as "one of the greatest television shows of all time" by TV Guide, The Andy Griffith Show delighted audiences with its simple values and down-home humor. Now all 32 episodes with its landmark 5th season are available on DVD! Catch up with Sheriff Andy Taylor (Andy Griffith), his son Opie (Ron Howard), his bumbling deputy Barney (Don Knotts), Aunt Bee (Frances Bavier) and the rest of the gang in this classic collection that includes many fan-favorite episodes. This season also features memorable guest appearances by Don Rickles (Toy Story, Casino), Gavin MacLeod (The Mary Tyler Moore Show, The Love Boat) and Jerry Van Dyke (Coach) and some of the funniest moments in the show's time-honored history.

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The Flying Nun - The Complete First Season (1967) Review

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(More customer reviews)"The Flying Nun", which premiered in late 1967 has always been a great favourite of mine and really was one of the last of the fantasy comedies which had their heyday in the 1960's. Following on from such legendary shows as the classic "Bewitched", "I Dream of Jeannie", and "The Munsters", this situation comedy about a young novice nun who could fly benefited from not only a totally charming premise but boasted a cast lineup that was second to none. Despite having a popular success with the short lived "Gidget" television series the previous year it was "The Flying Nun", beginning in 1967 that really brought stardom to a very young Sally Field in the role of the perky and often trouble plagued Sister Bertrille. Despite her own misgivings about her involvement in the series Sally Field was perfect casting in the lead role of the air borne nun and with her spunky energetic playing she charmed an entire generation of television watchers, myself included. Ably supported by Madeleine Sherwood as the stern but caring Mother Superior, the delightful Marge Redmond as Sister Jacqueline; Sister Bertrille's accomplice in many crazy schemes, and Shelley Morrison as the English mangling Sister Sixto; these women managed to present comical yet dignified interpretations of women working in the service of God that where above all else extremely likeable. "The Flying Nun", also managed to combine with its broad sitcom humour many moments of great warmth and emotion and really succeeded in humanizing much of the great work carried out by nuns.
The "Complete First Season" of "The Flying Nun", contains all 29 episodes of the 1967-1968 season plus the original pilot which introduces all the characters and the locales that we grew to know so well over the three seasons that the show ran. I believe that all of the episodes maintain a high standard thanks to the talented cast and there definitely some standouts that help illustrate the great charm that this series held for viewers in the late 1960's. Some of my favourites are "Ah Love, Could You And I Conspire", a very funny story about the nuns taking a gangster's girlfriend under their protection with hilarious results. "The Dig In", where Sister Bertrille matches wits with a cynical escaped prisoner, the beautiful "Wailing in a Winter Wonderland", which is a touching Christmas story where Sister Bertrille goes to great lengths to make an elderly Nun's last wish come true, and "The Sister and the Old Salt", where Sister Bertrille becomes the inspiration to an old man who has a very big dream he wants to fulfill. One episode "The Reconversion of Sister Shapiro", which tells of a young jewish girl who wants to be just like Sister Bertrille even contains some clips from Sally Field's previous series "Gidget", in a showing of "old home movies", where Sister Bertrille tries to point out to the young girl the need to live a bit and have some fun before making serious plans about what to do with your life. These and other episodes all contain nice little morals in among their humour which often surprisingly make them quite timely even for today's audiences. In the accompanying interview with Sally Field which is the only extra on the DVD Sally Field talks of her difficulty in working on the series at a time when the world was changing so quickly and certainly this series along with possibly "The Brady Bunch", was really the last of the "cute" series to be produced near the end of the 1960's decade before more harder edged programs such as "MASH", and "All in the family", took television off in a totally different direction. For nostalgia buffs like myself however these fantasy series of the 1960's will always hold special places in our hearts and I never tire of the escapades of the bubbly Sister Bertrille and the Nuns of the Convent San Tanco.
A popular target for those strange books by even stranger authors highlighting supposedly the worst television shows of all time "The Flying Nun", generally makes their "lists", on a regular basis. Often joined by the likes of "My Mother the Car" and "Gilligan's Island", I've often wondered about these people's lack of ability to look beyond the wild premise of the show to see all the great work that went on in the creation of shows like "The Flying Nun". Considering the poor standards on present day television viewers could do alot worse than the harmless antics of Sister Bertrille and her fellow sisters at the Convent San Tanco. For a journey back to a far more innocent time on television "The Flying Nun", makes essential viewing and never fails to leave a big smile on my face at the end of each episode. Hopefully Seasons Two and Three will follow this first season release soon onto DVD so that we can enjoy in full the funny antics of Sally Field and her friends in properly restored prints of this special little series. Enjoy!

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Two-time Academy Award®-winner Sally Field (1984, Actress in a Leading Role, Places in the Heart), flies in and out of trouble as Sister Bertrille in this classic and timeless series. Always with benevolent aims, Sister Bertrille gets into all kinds of hysterical situations and manages to get in trouble with Sister Jaqueline (Marge Redmond), with the Reverend Mother Superior (Madeleine Sherwood) and with a local clubowner, Carlos Ramirez (Alejandro Rey). From being mistaken for enemy aircraft to having a pelican fall in love with her to disrupting a meeting of mobsters, Sister Bertrille constantly manages to find herself in precarious and hilarious situations.

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SpongeBob SquarePants - The Complete 1st Season (1999) Review

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(More customer reviews)Here comes the first season of the cult smash that's fun for kids and adults alike. Spongebob's peculiar charm came from nowhere into one of the most beloved cartoons of recent times and finally we have the complete first season on DVD, instead of the numerous compilations already out. (when will they realize people really want TV released by seasons)
The classic episodes contained here are:
- Bubblestand
- Ripped Pants
- Help Wanted
- Reef Blowers
- Tea at the Treedome
- Jellyfishing
- Plankton!
- Naughty Nautical Neighbors
- Boating School
- Pizza Delivery
- Home Sweet Pineapple
- Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy
- Pickles
- Hall Monitor
- Jellyfish Jam
- Sandy's Rocket
- Squeaky Boots
- Nature Pants
- Opposite Day
- Culture Shock
- F.U.N.
- MuscleBob BuffPants
- Squidward, the Unfriendly Ghost
- The Chaperone
- Employee of the Month
- Scaredy Pants
- I Was a Teen-age Gary
- SB-129
- Karate Choppers
- Sleepy Time
- Suds
- Valentine's Day
- The Paper
- Arrgh!
- Rock Bottom
- Texas
- Walking Small
- Fools in April
- Neptune's Spatula
- Hooky
- Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy II

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SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS revolves around the denizens of Bikini Bottom and a sweet square yellow sponge with the tongue twister name of SpongeBob SquarePants, who lives in a giant pineapple with his cookie-loving pet snail Gary.His two best friends and comrades-in-misadventures, are Patrick, a gullible starfish and a temperamental, thrill-seeking squirrel named Sandy Cheeks who lives in an underwater dome complete with a large Texas tree house and picnic area.SpongeBob is the "best fry cook ever" at the Krusty Krab, where he has to deal with his miserly boss Mr. Krabs and the grumpy cashier Squidward Tentacles.SpongeBob is always landing himself (and his friends!) in hot soup despite the best of intentions.His enthusiasm and optimism are endearing and infectious, making him one of the best-loved characters by children and adults alike.Episodes: - Bubblestand - Ripped Pants - Help Wanted - Reef Blowers - Tea at the Treedome - Jellyfishing - Plankton! - Naughty Nautical Neighbors - Boating School - Pizza Delivery - Home Sweet Pineapple - Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy - Pickles - Hall Monitor - Jellyfish Jam - Sandy's Rocket - Squeaky Boots - Nature Pants - Opposite Day - Culture Shock - F.U.N. - MuscleBob BuffPants - Squidward, the Unfriendly Ghost - The Chaperone - Employee of the Month - Scaredy Pants - I Was a Teen-age Gary - SB-129 - Karate Choppers - Sleepy Time - Suds - Valentine's Day - The Paper - Arrgh! - Rock Bottom - Texas - Walking Small - Fools in April - Neptune's Spatula - Hooky - Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy II

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The Bernie Mac Show - Season 1 (2001) Review

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(More customer reviews)This is a funny show. Bernie Mac is a stand-up comedian living with his beautiful wife Wanda. When Bernie's sister is sent to rehab for drug use her three children: teenage adolescent Vanessa, asthmatic weaseling Jordan, and sweet, innocent Bryana, are taken into Bernie's custody. In each story, Bernie uses a parenting issue for a story.
This first release of The Bernie Mac Show on DVD contains all of the episodes of its first season. All 22 episodes are contained on 4 disks. It is full frame and list at 506 minutes.
1) Pilot - In the pilot, Bernie and Wanda are forced to take care of his sister's 3 children.
2) Now You Got It - Bryana's has a birthday, the kids get sick and Bernie is trying to get to Las Vegas.
3) The Main Event - After Bernie teaches Jordan a few moves, Jordan turns into a monster.
4) Bernie Mac, Ladies Man - Bernie becomes defensive about his masculinity.
5) Saving Bernie Mac - After Bernie takes the children to church, the Bishop and Deacon show up at Bernie's house.
6) Here To Stay - Wanda holds sex from Bernie until he realizes the kids are truly part of the family
7) A Christmas Story - The Mac's get a dog.
8) Starting School - Bernie finds the kids a school.
9) Hot Hot Hot - It's the hottest day of the year and Bernie just had the pool drained.
10) Wanda's Week Off - Wanda is getting a sense of motherhood and drops hints to Bernie about having a baby.
11) The King and I - Bernie lets Vanessa determine the discipline of Jordan and Bryana.
12) Hall of Fame - Jordan wants joining Vanessa and Bryana on the Bernie Mac Hall of Fame awards shelf and joins the football team.
13) Handle Your Business - Bernie is a week-long guest on a morning show.
14) Back in the Day - Bernie has aches, pains and is finding gray hairs and becomes that old age is catching up with him.
15) Lock Down - Bernie's house is broken into.
16) Mac 101 - Bernie tries to get each of the kids to do something with him, but they are all preoccupied with TV.
17) If I Were N-Riched Man - Bernie use inappropriate language at home and Bryana repeats the same at school.
18) Stop Having Sex - With out Bernie's knowledge, Vanessa has a pool party and invites kids of both genders.
19) Secrets and Lies - Bernie takes Jordan to a Clippers' game but tells Wanda they went to the hospital.
20) Kelly's Heroes - Bernie's friend Kelly breaks up with his girlfriend, stays with Bernie and then becomes a burden.
21&22) Sweet Home Chicago (part 1 & 2) - Bernie and the family go to Chicago to deal with his uncle's death

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Taking care of kids can be tough on anyone, but watching a busy stand-up comic raise his sister's three children while she's on a "state-sponsored vacation" is enough to make you scream…with laughter! Inspired by his own life experiences, Bernie Mac's outrageous brand of comedy "turns the family sitcom on its head and sets it spinning" (The Washington Post). And now you can share Bernie's hilarious old school ideas of discipline and parenting with the complete first season of "The Bernie Mac Show" on DVD!

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