Mork Mindy The Complete First Season DVD with Elizabeth Kerr, Robin Williams, Pam Dawber (Unrated) +Movie Reviews +Used DVD available for Swap

Robin Williams: the only real alien who applied!

cyclista | the Midwest | 10/25/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Based on his son's request for an alien on Happy Days, Garry Marshall planned an episode where the Fonz is abducted by aliens. At the audition when Marshall asked Robin to sit down, he sat on his head. Marshall said he was the only real alien who applied. Two appearances on Happy Days were so successful that Mork & Mindy became its own show.

A generous first season of 25 episodes. Robin Williams in his first TV series is a standout. This first season is generally considered to be the best. I'm a Robin Williams fan, and this show is a perfect venue for his particular brand of humor complete with funny faces, goofy noises, and acrobatics. A brief episode guide of the first season:

1. Pilot (1) gs: Penny Marshall (Laverne), Henry Winkler (Fonzie). Mork, on assignment to study planet Earth, meets Mindy McConnell. She discovers that he is an alien.
2. Pilot (2) Penny Marshall (Laverne) Henry Winkler (Fonzie) Mindy's father finds out that Mork is living with Mindy and wants him to move out.
3. Mork Moves In: Mork agrees to move out but becomes drunk on ginger ale.
4. Mork Runs Away: Mork decides to move out because Mindy is having problems dating because of him.
5. Mork in Love: Mindy tells Mork that he has to experience love to understand humanity, so he falls in love.
6. Mork's Seduction gs: Morgan Fairchild. An old rival of Mindy's decides to go after Mork in revenge.
7. Mork Goes Public gs: Jeff Altman. Mork decides to reveal his origins to a reporter offering big bucks for proof of alien life.
8. To Tell the Truth: Mindy tells Mork that he should never lie.
9. Mork the Gullible: Mork helps an escaped convict after hearing his story about his sick mother.
10. A Mommy For Mork: Mork wonders what it would be like to have had a mother.
11. Mork's Greatest Hits: Mork puts a bully in his place.
12. Old Fears: Mindy's grandmother is depressed over the death of a friend.
13. Mork's First Christmas: gs: David Ketchum. Mork is overwhelmed by the Christmas rush.
14. Mork and the Immigrant: Mork contacts the Immigration Bureau after hearing that immigrants are required to register.
15. Mork the Tolerant: Mork invites a complaining neighbor to dinner.
16. Young Love: When Eugene and his girlfriend want to get married, Mork performs the ceremony.
17. Snowflakes Keep Dancing On My Head: Mork and Mindy go to a mountain cabin offered by a new friend, only to find out that it has no roof.
18. Mork Goes Erk: gs: Morgan Fairchild, David Letterman. Mork is ordered to leave Earth.
19. Yes Sir, That's My Baby: Mork decides that he wants to buy a baby.
20. Mork's Mixed Emotions: Mork has a surprise reaction to being kissed by Mindy.
21. Mork's Night Out: Mork goes out with a friend when Mindy is away.
22. In Mork We Trust: A friend steals Mork's age machine.
23. Mork Runs Down: Mork suffers from a potentially fatal condition: his birthday!
24. It's a Wonderful Mork: Mork decides to return to Mork after costing Mindy the opportunity for a new job.
25. Mork's Best Friend: Mork has a pet caterpillar."

He observed our planet...and made us laugh

Robin Orlowski | United States | 07/30/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"In the late 1970's and early 1980's, this "Happy Days" spin off quickly took on a separate life of it's own---and made Robin Williams a household name.

After it went into syndication in various markets around the country, I vividly remember getting up at 12:30am in the summer time to catch graveyard airings of this show on a local independent station simply because I wanted to see it again.

Because I had also lived in Colorado and was obviously "different" from most of my peers, this show (whether it was formal creator intention or not) convincingly reassured me I would find somebody who genuinely loved me for who I really was. Real friends look at the heart of the individual in question and do not care about the home planet (etc...) of the person.

Dispensing with the 1950's altogether, Mork and Mindy is set in (then) present-day Boulder Colorado, home to the ever-present conglomeration of hippies/free spirits and college students. The first episode is especially important because of the environmental context in which Mork and Mindy first meet each other.

University of Colorado Journalism student Mindy McConnell (Pam Dawber) is on a date with a `good' guy when he suddenly attacks her. Initially traumatized by the event, she receives a second shock after realizing that her mystery savior is not a Catholic priest----but an eccentric who placed a business suit on backwards. Mindy is understandably scared until she realizes that he is really a non-violent alien from outer space who is only trying to learn about Earth.

Hillarity ensues as Mork moves in with Mindy (capitalizing on the baby boom generation's unprecedented cohabitation) and he attempts to blend in. For all of Boulder's eccentricities, Mork still appears 'different' from most people. The living arrangement initially bothers her conservative musician father Fred (Conrad Janis) but he grudgingly learns to accept Mork as part of the family.

Another great character is Mindy's grandmother Flora (Elizabeth Kerr) who also works in the family music shop in downtown Boulder's Pearl Street pedestrian mall. She is responsible for ensuring the otherwise staid music shop stocks enough rock and roll to bring in the local college age community---and thus keep the family music store afloat. Although she does not figure out his real idenity, she respects Mork for his generalized difference.

Williams may have subsequently moved on to more famous roles and the wardrobe (with the exception of Dawber's clothes) appears somewhat dated, but this show is a mandatory DVD library acquisition for baby boomers and gen-xers alike. Plus, unlike the previous series releases (however cherished in their own time) this is a full series instead of a trickling of select episodes preselected by a third party.

More seasons of this series must head into production and be released ASAP. Rest assured I will purchase all of them.
"

Thank you Paramount

bellbottom blues | San Jose | 09/29/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Hats off to the fine folks at Paramount for releasing this jewel of a DVD set. The color is great, as is the sound. I also love the fact that the cases are slim, not bulky like most DVD sets. Robin Williams and Pam Dawber play off of each other so well, even while he was in his spontaneous hyper-excited adlib mode. The guy is an absolute comic genius, with a heart of gold. I was 20 years old when this show first aired, and I am suprised watching it today at how much of the subtle humor I missed as Williams attacked the shallow culture of the times. I love the lesson at the end of each episode in the guise of "reporting to Orson." I don't think a show like this could survive today, with our sophisticated diet of special effects and reality show selfishness. I wonder if anyone who wasn't around in the 70's would fully understand the humor, as I have watched it with some younger friends and I had to explain some of it. In any event, there is more than enough humor to keep you rolling on the floor. Worth buying, and at a decent price too. Good job Paramount. Can't wait for Season 2 !!!"

Absolutely wonderful TV show

Inspector Gadget | On the trail of Doctor Claw | 01/22/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I first saw Mork and Mindy when I was about five and thought it was the funniest thing on earth. I would even sit on my head like Mork did and I had some of the Mork toys too.

So it's obvious I would grab this DVD box set as soon as it came out. And is Mork and Mindy as good today as it was back then? Of course! In fact it might be even better coz when you compare it to modern sitcoms M&M has more integrity as Robin Williams and Pam Dawber seem to be performing to a much rawer audience with more theatrical performances.

Robin Williams is just completely crazy as Mork (from Ork), an alien sent to Earth to investigate our strange customs and report back telepathically to Orson, his boss. Mindy is the girl he meets who gives him a home in her attic, much to the annoyance of her cynical dad. And, trust me, you can clearly see that Robin Williams often gives up the script to manically ad-lib his own madness while Pam Dawber runs after him, desperately trying to keep the show under control. It's so cool in certain moments when they're close together during a manic moment and she's looking into his eyes in amazement, petrified at what he's about to do next. He would also go crazy off-stage in an effort to distract Dawber when she had a scene on her own.

Supporting characters are also cool. Mr Bickley, Mindy's dad and grandma, Eugene and the outrageous Exidor all grab as much attention as they can whenever Williams isn't going mental. David Letterman, Dana Hill, Tammy Lauren, Morgan Fairchild, Penny Marshall and Geoffrey Lewis show up in cameos too. Plus Fonzie is the first episode (a flashback to Mork's first ever appearance in Happy Days).

There are NO FEATURES AT ALL on the DVDs. Which is annoying seeing as how this time I would have liked to have seen stuff. But I'm just glad to have it. Hey, Paramount, give us Season 2 NOW!!!

The show is presented in 1.33:1 full frame, as originally shot. And for a 27 year old show it looks great with very little in the way of print damage or grain. The sound is plain old mono but it's fine for what it is.

You MUST buy."

Hurry up, season 2!!!

Twiddles42 | MN, USA | 03/21/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I netflixed this last week and had to run out to buy it! "Mork and Mindy" is a refreshing, innocent yet brilliant, sitcom from the late-70s. The show revolves around an alien, Mork (from planet Ork), who is sent to Earth to study humanity. He meets up with Minday, and hilarity ensues when Mork tries to understand the humans he's observing.

Mork, a naive innocent (or Autistic/Asperger's if he wasn't an alien), is played to outrageously perfect finesse by Robin Williams. The one-liners, puns, double entendres, and dry wit sparkle in every episode. And best of all, there isn't a real clunker amongst the lot of 25 episodes in this season.

I've never understood why this show had a laugh track; it's hardly needed.

I've also never understood why this show was hanging on the coattails of two 50s-throwback shows (Happy Days and Laverne & Shirley) as Mork & Mindy is set clearly in the long, long futuristic 1970s and in a state far, far away from Wisconsin! There was no need to make this a 'spin-off', and the ratings quickly proved the show had a life of its own.

But I digress. The DVD quality in this set is extremely good! The audio is crisp and clear; and the film brilliantly restored; only the occasional film speck occurs - and the color is accurate and perfectly saturated. It looks like it was made yesterday. Pity it wasn't; this show is far better than most made at the time - so compared to today's offerings it surpasses by miles. And having an average of 6 episodes per disc helps keep compression artifacting to a minimum. I am VERY happy with the quality put into thee discs.

The series is clearly dated (45 RPM records, late-70s lingo, and all), yet there's an endearing, timelass magic to this show.

Of course, the "fish out of water" concept has always appealed to me... so has sci-fi. It's no wonder this show retains its jubilant cheekiness and ability to mix sci-fi with comedy that's sufficiently geeky yet accessible by all.

Highlighted episodes include:

"Mork in Love": In an attempt to learn about love, at the behesty of Mindy, Mork falls head over heels for Dolly... a mannequin.

"Mork's Seduction": A customer, Susan Taylor, recognizes Mindy. And how Mork is hanging out with her. Thinking Mork is her boyfriend, Susan is intent on taking him for herself; as revenge for Mindy stealing her boyfriend back in high school.

"Mork Goes Public": Mork intends to turn himself into the authorities, so the reward money can go to help Mindy and her father's financial troubles.

"To Tell the Truth": Mork learns about lies and 'little white lies'. (a brillaintly written episode)

"Mork the Gullible": Mork learns that not all people can be taken at face value.

"A Mommy for Morky": Mindy, reunited with an old love, is curious about raising childhood after talking with her friend who's about to deliver a baby. Mork never had a mother. But he has an Orkan Age Machine and is able to act like a baby...

"Mork's Greatest Hits": When a thug tries to hit on an unwilling Mindy, Mork intercedes but doesn't truly know how to protect her. She tries to teach him physical violence, but he prefers nonviolence. Another terrific episode.

"Old Fears": An old friend of Cora's passes away and gets into depression. Mork uses his aging machine to 'become' old and become a companion for Cora; with Mindy angry once she finds out what's going on. (this is another sweet-hearted episode.)

"Mork's First Christmas": Mork invites the beautiful and egocentric, and selfish Susan Taylor over for Christmas... much to Mindy's discontent.

"Mork and the Immigrant": Mork befriends a Russian immigrant and believes "alien" applies to him as it does the Russian... things get worse when Mork is told all aliens need to be registered.

"Mork the Tolerant": Mork wishes to befriend a grumpy old neighbor (Mr. Bickley, played by Tom Poston)

"In Mork We Trust": Mr Bickley steals Mork's age machine... hilarity ensues. :)

"Mork Runs Down": Mork is looking for a job, but also has to celebrate his "birthday". The trouble is, birthdays for Orkins can be fatal unless he recharges himself with his egg-like "gleek". (the chickens worked overtime to help make this episode...)

"It's a Beautiful Mork": Mork inadvertantly costs Mindy her job; and Mork decides to return to Ork. Orson shows Mork what life would have been like if Mork had not entered her life.

Of course, season 2 starts with a bang as it features a 2-part opener that had me terrified as a kid (age 7 at the time (1979), please don't be too harsh...), what with Mork shrinking down to nothing and all... and then there's that riotously funny Necroton 2-parter too (Racquel Welch, squeeeeeee!), first referenced in "Mork's Greatest Hits"... but that's for another day. Hopefully not too long from now!"

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