Search - Rhoda: Season One on DVD

Consider this, "RHODA" fans...

Christopher Bryant Olson | Federal Way, Wa United States | 03/21/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"It has come to light that approximately 2/3 of the episodes in the "Rhoda-Season One" set, are the edited for syndication versions. Fox holds the masters to "Rhoda", and they are said to be damaged. Apparently, Shout! did the best that they could do, and the choice was to release "Rhoda", as is...or not at all. Some of the footage that did make it to this release is quite flawed, and it is anything but pristine. A few episodes are unedited, such as "Rhoda's Wedding", "You Can go Home Again" and "Along Comes Mary"...all personal favorites of mine. Since this is the only set of "Rhoda" that has yet to have been offered on dvd, I am not terminating my pre-order, as other fans have said they have. Shout has been quite clear on their website concerning the content of this dvd set. Of course, we all would like a perfect dvd release for "Rhoda-Season One", but it is what it is. To buy or not to buy. It's up to YOU. As for myself, I still want the set. To read a review of the "Rhoda" dvd set, visit Sitcomsonline."

You, too, are going to make it after all!!

E. Hornaday | Lawrenceville, NJ United States | 02/06/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Rhoda, TV's favorite, funny second banana is FINALLY returning in a complete first-season DVD boxed set!

Shout!Factory is issuing the four-disc boxed set to honor the show's 35th Anniversary. (Obviously, this is a pre-order review, so the actual discs could not be examined.)

The series, starring Valerie Harper in the title role, ironically became an iconic sitcom itself after spinning off from THE iconic sitcom of the era: The Mary Tyler Moore Show. Rhoda was a ratings success, even beating its parent show, and was also the winner of two Golden Globes and two Emmy Awards during its run.

Rhoda premiered in 1974 on CBS and ran for five years. Harper portrays her character, Rhoda Morgenstern, as larger than life - a big mouth, big hearted woman from the Bronx with self-esteem and weight issues. Her best friend was the prim and proper, responsible Mary Richards (played to absolute perfection by Ms. Moore), the two meeting because they both lived in the same apartment building in Minneapolis. The juxtaposition between the flamboyantly dressed, non-conformist Rhoda and the fashionable and traditional Mary was a consistent source of humor.

(Note: the following contains specific plot details.)

In this series, Rhoda, who has beaten her weight issues, takes her trademark head scarves and returns home to visit. Once there, she meets Joe Gerard (played by David Groh) and a romance begins. Rhoda decides to stay in New York, initially moving in with her younger sister, Brenda (played by Julie `Marge Simpson' Kavner), who is struggling with the same issues that had plagued her older sister.

Their parents, Ida and Martin Morgenstern (played by the brilliant Nancy Walker and Harold Gould) are arche-typically Jewish, having aired prior to political correct ideas. So, Ida is overbearing, overprotective, loving and desperate to make sure Rhoda finds a good husband. Martin is henpecked, dutiful, and mild-mannered.

In a move that was quite controversial for its time, Joe and Rhoda decide to live together, but do so only briefly. Whether from pressure from viewers or not, Rhoda quickly realizes she wants to be married, and they wed.

Just eight weeks into the series, on Oct. 28, 1974, Rhoda and Joe were married in a special hour-long episode. Widely publicized, the episode became one of the highest-rated TV shows during the decade. All of the main characters from The Mary Tyler Moore Show were on hand for the nuptials. Ted Knight, who played the bombastic anchor man Ted Baxter, was not in attendance.

In addition to Mary Richards, look for curmudgeon Lou Grant, played by Ed Asner, writer Murray Slaughter, played by Gavin `Love Boat' MacLeod, sometime friend Phyllis Lindstrom, played by the brilliant Cloris `Dancing With the Stars' Leachman, and gentle Georgette Franklin, played by Georgia Engle.

In the closing credits of the first season, Rhoda was depicted walking across a New York street. She stops and tries to imitate Mary Tyler Moore's trademark hat toss, but instead the cap slips from Rhoda's hand.

Comic and producer Lorenzo Music, portrayed Carlton the Doorman. Carlton was often drunk, and always unseen. He spoke to Rhoda, et al via the apartment intercom. (Music was also the voice of the TV Garfield.) Becoming well-known for never being seen on Rhoda, gave Music the idea of never being photographed directly in public or on film. If filmed, there would always be something blocking his face, or he'd only be depicted in silhouette.

The opening explanied: "Rhoda Morgenstern was born in the Bronx in December 1941. She's always felt responsible for World War II. She had a bad puberty. It lasted 17 years. She's a college graduate, she went to art school. Her entrance exam was on a book of matches. She decided to move out of the house at the age of 24. Her mother still refers to this as the time she ran away from home. Eventually, she ran to Minneapolis where it's colder, and she figured she'd keep better. Now she's back in Manhattan. New York, this is your last chance."

This boxed set includes all 25 episodes of Season One: Joe; You Can Go Home Again; I'll Be Loving You, Sometimes; Parent's Day; The Lady in Red; Pop Goes the Question; The Shower; Rhoda's Wedding Part I; Rhoda's Wedding Part II; The Honeymoon; 9-E is Available; I'm a Little Late, Folks; Anything Wrong?; 'S Wonderful; Good-Bye Charlie; Guess What I Got You for the Holidays?; Whattaya Think it's There For?; Not Made for Each Other; Strained Interlude; Everything I Have is Yours, Almost; Chest Pains; Windows by Rhoda; A Nice Warm Rut; Ida, the Elf; and Along Comes Mary."

Beware: Cut episodes

Murray Slaughter | Switzerland | 04/22/2009

(1 out of 5 stars)

"The show is obviously beautiful but this DVD isn't: first of all the episodes are cut (where's Mary on the Pilot?), then the quality is unacceptable. This DVD is a total shame!!!"

Warning: the episodes on this release may be the syndicated

bsomers | West New York, NJ United States | 03/23/2009

(1 out of 5 stars)

"Reliable sources have let it be known that there is a strong possibility that the episodes on this DVD set will NOT be the original episodes broadcast on CBS from 1974-75. The episodes may be the edited-down, syndicated episodes. If this is the case then I am going to cancel my order; this is precisely what happened with Season 1 DVD of ROSEANNE. I suggest you all try to contact SONY or whoever is responsible for the set and find out what is going on."