While a lot of the humor teeters between innocent and obnoxious, there are some very touching moments. This is probably what NBC liked most about the show because it’s clearly the direction that the show takes into future seasons. Episodes like “Mom’s Birthday” challenge the topic of dealing with the birthday of a mother that has passed away. In the final scenes, the kids watch home videos and “spontaneously” break into the chorus of “Happy Birthday” along with the camera. It’s a touching scene, and probably marked an early beginning to the end of the show. Looking at the timeframe, with shows like The Cosby Show and Family Ties soon to appear, it seemed like Gimme A Break might have been the last ditch effort to keep the spirit which All In The Family or The Jeffersons created.
The season is very challenging and fun, and you have to give it to the producers of this DVD set. They’ve done a very nice job with the bonus features. By far, the best part of the disc is their “Great 80s Flashback” special. This documentary deals with the impact pop culture had on various shows during the timeframe. It’s a very good special. Additionally, they are clearly working to sell other products, as they provide a bonus episode of Season 2 of Gimme A Break, as well as the first seasons of Kate & Allie and Charles In Charge. Overall, you’ve got a solid collection here from start to finish.
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