Even sadder than the mandatory inclusion of The Brady Bunch is the fact that a two far superior shows, Frasier and Cheers are forced to take a backseat to the Bradys. Frasier, itself a spin-off of 
Cheers, opens with “The Good Son” (September 16, 1993) as a newly-divorced Dr. Frasier Crane (Kelsey Grammer) unwillingly gives up his “freedom” by letting his father (John Mahoney) move in with him. This episode also introduced us to the ultra-sexy David Hyde Pierce as Frasier's brother, Niles, and (although briefly), Jane Leeves as Daphne Moon.
Lastly on this disc is the Cheers pilot, “Give Me A Ring Sometime” (aired September 30, 1982). While preparing to start life anew, Diane Chambers (Shelley Long) is dumped by the her 
fiancé and left stranded in a Boston bar. Taking pity on the poor deranged soul, the bar’s owner, former Red Sox pitcher Sam Malone (Ted Danson), offers Diane a job so that she can get back on her feet again. But how well will the prim, proper, and very well-educated Diane fit in with a group of washed-up uncouth beer lovers?
The overall quality varies from episode to episode in this assortment. Some episodes were taped live with analog video equipment while others were filmed with more traditional 35mm materials. Either way, the quality here is not up to par with the individual season sets since this is a budget disc meant to whet the appetites of fans and would-be fans alike. The soundtracks range from English Mono to Stereo, depending on the sitcom and when it was made.
While it’s not recommended for the serious collector,TV Sets: Forever Funny is a good way to figure out if you’d like to be a serious collector of any of the series featured in this DVD compilation. It also makes a very cheap gift for friends or family.
Article comments