This is a great, classic show.
928947
This is a great, classic show. We need more shows with good writing. It's become so rare these days on the tv circuit with all of the horrible reality shows.
3117415
I will keep my comments brief since literally hundreds of people have already reviewed this series.

This show is a great choice if you're tired of brash, loud guttermouths (no, I'm not talking about you, Chapelle) and overly-topical political satirists (no, I'm not talking about you, either, Colbert).

The acting is superb (and it's very possibly the acting that keeps this now-dated show very funny and watchable). What needs saying about Judi Dench? If you haven't seen her in comedy before, you'll be pleasantly surprised at how well she can turn a funny phrase as the sharp-as-a-whip executive Jean. Geoffrey Palmer is giggle-worthy as the grumpy and clueless but gallant Lionel. The supporting cast provides a good balance between these two titans (in terms of both gender and intelligence).

This is a gentle show for several reasons, but the most notable one is that the comedy is CLEAN most of the time. You could play most episodes of this show for your prudish elderly relatives without making them blush. Children might also find a few laughs since there is some physical comedy sprinkled around. This means, of course, that the writing has to be strong to make up for a lack of swearing or smutty plots...which it is in spades. There are actually some very level-headed observations in this show. It gives honest but wonderfully optimistic thoughts on aging and romance, and this alone makes it worth watching. Few topics are ignored, and the ones mentioned always put a dignified light on an issue. These characters aren't perfect, but they're willing to admit that as they deal with their problems. The solutions they come to are often funny and heartwarming at the same time, leaving you with that cliched but enormously appreciated "warm, fuzzy feeling." The plausible premise of the show (a relationship halted not by a breakup but instead by one lost letter in the mail) keeps it very down-to-earth: Jean and Lionel are a loving couple, but their "second chance" was itself a slim chance.

I definitely recommend getting the entire series (though there are times when it may be cheaper to buy seasons separately instead of as a box set).
3726181
This is one of my all time favorite shows. Oh and the product is great.
4225197
Sometimes shows from my childhood don't hold up under adult viewings.  Not only does this show hold up, it's better than I remember.  Even toward the end here, the writing, acting and direction is superb.
1442261
What can be said, except this is the first season of a great show that lasted 12 years.  I am completing my collection.  From the start, there is excellent writing and acting.  There is no wasted or nonsense acting on this show.  It is a show one can watch over and over again.  Not DVDs to watch once and then stash away.  Keep them handy!
3163438
classic show.  they don't make shows like this anymore.  the best tv shows were done in the eighties and nineties .  it was fun to watch this again. I recommend it. good purchase.
2826398
The show of course is phenomenal and timeless. I've seen all of these episodes more times than I know and can basically quote them word for word at this point. Still, I find myself enjoying them and laughing each and every time. I wasn't around during the original run of this show but I can certainly understand why it was and still is such a big hit. So many classic episodes that you could almost list the entire run of the show and be justified and saying they're all worthy of that distinction. It's great to finally have all of the episodes at my disposal to watch at my leisure and I don't regret the purchase at all.

I give this 5 stars but there is a downside that doesn't have to do with the show itself but rather the packaging that is used for the discs. I am not a fan of the style of casing they chose for this set. It actually happens more than it should with large collections like this. They often go with some form of terrible packaging that is easy to have the discs come lose in the case, possibly causing scratches or they make it very inconvenient where it can make it difficult to even get to the discs themselves. I have a couple of collections like this where I've simply opted to put all of the discs in individual jewel cases and just display the packaging itself on my shelf. I was lucky in that my discs were fine but I've definitely fallen victim to problems with this type of packaging before with other sets.

I am still overall satisfied with the purchase and have been thoroughly enjoying a marathon of the show since I received it.
4642939
Wow, I have this boxed set and it is wonderful. Back in the 90's it was a great way for me to learn lots of things just by watching this show. I love the whole "Cat and Mouse" thing with Carmen and the kids Zack and Ivy.  The whole interaction between the three and the characters interaction with the player is great. though at times I must admit I felt like smacking the player in the back of the head. Anyway, this is a great DVD set and worth picking up. True, much of the political info will be out of date but it was true for the time it was produced. Still a great way to learn and have fun. I even had a Professor who thought Carmen was a great character. I wish some how the show could have continued a little longer and have a real grand ending.  But in the end, it was a show that made people happy and it will make you happy too. So go ahead and buy it, Carmen fans, you'll be glad you did.
2241245
If you like classic television, then this series is most certainly one of the best situation comedies ever produced.  The DVD set came well packaged and while I have not viewed every DVD in the set, I haven't experienced one problem with the one's I have viewed.
3826480
What makes this show great is first, the writing. The scripts are well written with particular attention to detail. The nuances of the characters are never ignored nor forgotten. And each episode feels like a companion of the last. I appreciate that because it makes the show more genuine and ups the repeated viewing anty.

Another strength are the characters themselves and the cast whom portray them. You can tell they are having fun with this. It shows on screen and containing their own laughter is a treat to watch. I never watched it during its initial run in the 90's. I was in late teens and early twenties then and I thought of the program as "an old person's comedy". It wasn't until about twenty years later that I actually sat down and watched an episode. Oh my God - what a laugh riot! I watched the entire series thereafter and fell in love with it. Onslow will always be my favorite character. God bless Onslow - the gentle hulking, but extremely lazy husband of Daisy. Onslow is very intelligent but lacks the will to apply that intelligence or put it to good use to improve the couples "situation." His character adds the golden touch to it all. Especially when he interacts with Hyacinth's prim and proper escapades.

Now - this edition. The new extra's are worth the price of a double dip if you've bought individual sets from past releases. My only beef is with the packaging. The sleeves are not the greatest. They're snug and I would strongly suggest, carefully, taking out all the discs, inspect them and if they're okay find another storage alternative for them. I would NOT put them back in the sleeves. It's not worth the risk of scratching them. I hope in a few years time this series will get the Blu-ray treatment. It certainly deserves one.  Enjoy!
4743464
How can you give a classic show like this anything less than 5 stars.  Watched it as a kid, re watching every episode again as an adult.
699833
I am so glad to have this show, it has been worth the wait. The cast is stellar, the writing smart and what a trip down memory lane. The reason for 4 stars instead of 5: I am disappointed with the poor quality of picture on some of the episodes -- this is DVD man! But to be able to laugh over and over is definitely worth every penny. It is time for Sony to get on the ball and release the rest of the show. Thank you Hal Linden, Ron Glass, Max Gail and everyone in the cast for delivering great timeless performances.
1330269
Ever since "Home Improvement" came on in 1991, millions of people have watched it.  Today, re-runs of this show are still shown on televison, and "Home Improvement" has even found some new viewers.  I have loved this show since I was seven years old, and I remember watching every episode every night.  Years later, this show still kicks, and it is a miracle to see that "Home Improvement" has finally made it's way to DVD.  This DVD has three discs, and there are eight episodes on each disc.  Yes, all the laughs are here.  All the grunts are here.  But most importantly, all of the great episodes which were all made during season one are all here.  There is no behind the scenes look at the show, and there are no interviews with the cast members, but there are two commentaries on disc one and one commentary on disc two, and on disc three, there is "Loose Screws", a certain thing from this show where people talked about how much they loved Al, Tim with his kids, Wilson giving advice to his neighbors, and seveal other features (there are nine "Loose Screws") which are all pretty funny. Also, if you purchase this DVD, a free 2005 calendar that has a picture of Pamela Anderson comes with it. Before I got this DVD, I had seen every season one episode, and it is great not just to have them all on DVD, but to get to watch them anytime I want to.  Hope they release a season two DVD!
4752013
I have the whole series on DVD - but love it that it is available on Prime. This series is classic and a joy to watch - which I have, over and over again.
1438747
I'm sure this was a great show in its time.  I certainly heard great things about it.  It is a bit dated and clich a decade+ later.
2994483
On par with some of the great shows of our time.  Few wasted "lame" episodes, great acting, and just a fun show to watch.
72978
I missed this series on public TV. In many ways, it's better than the classic original. I plan to get more seasons.