Starring:
Tim Allen as Tim Taylor
Patricia Richardson as Jillene ‘Jill’ Patterson-Taylor
Earl Hindman as Wilson W. Wilson Jr.
Taran Noah Smith as Mark Taylor
Jonathan Taylor Thomas as Randall ‘Randy’ Taylor
Zachery Ty Bryan as Bradley ‘Brad’ Taylor
Richard Karn as Albert ‘Al’ Borland
Pamela Anderson as Lisa
Special Features:
Loose Screws The Show’s Most Hilarious Moments
Audio Commentary from the Show’s Co-Creators and Executive Producers Carmen Finestra and David McFadzean
Other Info:
Full Frame (1.33:1)
Dolby Digital Surround Sound
Running Time: 566 Minutes
Synopsis:
This is the first season of Home Improvement which aired in 1991. The following is the official description of the DVD:
“An immediate hit with both fans and critics, this classic family comedy earned an Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Comedy Series in its very first season and soon found its place among the most popular and acclaimed sitcoms in television history.
Tim Allen ratchets up the laughs as Tim “The Toolman” Taylor in Home Improvement’s landmark first season. Relive every hilarious moment with the accident-prone TV show host and the original “Tool Time” girl, Pamela Anderson, in this comprehensive 3-disc set, including all 24 episodes and exclusive bonus features. It’s the show you love with “more power” than ever!”
This DVD is rated TV PG.
The Series:
I used to watch Home Improvement on TV all the time when it first aired, so it was a treat to be able to go back and watch episodes from the first season again. Seeing the pilot for the first time in a while, I’m amazed at how they hit on a working formula right off the bat. Tim and Jill have great chemistry immediately. Wilson’s upper face spouts wisdom from the other side of the fence. The boys are realistically mischievous. Then, of course, you have the grunting and botched repair jobs. This series made grunting and “more power” household phrases. Everything worked immediately and didn’t really change through the course of the series.
Sitcoms are frequently based on the routines of comedians, but it doesn’t always work. Fortunately, Tim Allen’s “guy stuff” act really was a great source for comedy and it struck a chord with viewers. Who doesn’t know somebody that tries to fix everything and typically tries to cover up a botched job? Allen does for home improvement what Bill Cosby did for fatherhood. It’s also amazing that Tim Allen was such a natural at acting. From the pilot episode on he did a great job playing his character. Maybe it wasn’t all an act!
If you liked Home Improvement when it first aired then you may want to revisit it again. If you missed these episodes when they first aired then you’ll definitely want to check it out now on DVD.
The Extras:
The bonus features are disappointingly slim on this DVD. “Loose Screws The Show’s Most Hilarious Moments” is nothing more than a compilation of clips from various episodes. It’s not even a blooper reel. Fortunately the Audio Commentary with producers Carmen Finestra and David McFadzean is a little better. They provide a lot of insight about the creation of the show, the casting, the ideas behind the bits that became trademarks, and more. If you’re a fan of the show then you’ll definitely want to hear this commentary.
The Bottom Line:
If you’re a fan of Al (and who isn’t?), then you’ll want to get this DVD. Oh, and Tim “The Toolman” Taylor is pretty good, too.
