Robson Arms – The Complete First Season
Picture:
C+ Sound: C+ Extras: C Episodes: C+
Usually,
we see U.S. TV situation comedies imitating previous bad series or trying to
recapture shows from other countries. When
watching the Canadian series Robson Arms
– The Complete First Season from 2004 on DVD, was like watching a very odd
reproduction of NBC’s so-called “must see TV” night, but with somewhat more
likable people. Unfortunately, that was
just not enough.
I knew
actors Mark McKinney, William B. Davis, Kevin McNulty and of course, Margot
Kidder, but Fred Ewanuick and Gabrielle Miller are supposedly big Canadian TV
stars. The cast is actually not bad, but
the material is almost formulaic in its predictability and even though the
precocious kids say more sexually explicit things, they are still obnoxious and
make the whole affair unrealistic.
That
leads to no real laughs and very few smiles as the residents get to know each
other and scandal ensues. However, this
U.S.-styled show is apparently a hit in Canada and now BBC Home Video wants to
make it popular in the U.S. with its initial DVD release. There are only 13 half-hour shows here, but
it establishes everything the show is about.
For the most interested only.
The
anamorphically enhanced 1.78 X 1 image is a little soft and its HD shooting
could not be more than 1080i at best.
The Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo is simple, lack surrounds and is not that
rich. Extras include previews for the
first tow seasons, select commentary tracks with the creators and a breakdown
of the opening.
- Nicholas Sheffo
