Customer Reviews

The Best of Soap: Who Killed Peter?/ TV Show [VHS]

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This tape, is a great way it be introduced to the wacky Tates and Campbells from Dunn's River, CT!!. Although packaged as THE BEST OF SOAP it is in fact a clip show that aired before the beginning of the second season. It was shown to catch viewers up on what had gone before in the previous first season. It shows Jessica Tate (played by Kathrine Helmond) in jail for a crime she did not commit and her brother-in-law Burt Campbell (played by Richard Mulligan) comparing notes trying to figure out who did kill Peter Campbell. The two review all the family members via clips from the past season. One word of warning: You don't find out who DID do it by the video's end. This was after all just a way to get you to watch the season opener the following week.There were 2 other retrspectives made during the series run. For somestrange reason the one for season 2 is not avaliable commercially while the one for season 3 is under the title of JESSICA'S WONDERFULL LIFE.

One of the most controversial series' ever made, and on top of that one of the funniest. Despite the protest letters that accumulated over 20,000, ABC backed up the sitcom and still aired it. Shortly after the protests stopped, then the ratings took off. It has everything from homosexuality to ventriliguism (sp?). Starring Katherine Helmond, Richard Mulligan, Billy Crystal, Robert Guilliame, Ted Wass, Robert Mandan, and Cathryn Damon, to name a handful. The best characters were played by Mulligan (Burt), Helmond (Jessica), and Guilliame (Benson). Richard Mulligan, who is an underappreciated actor, gives the most comical and convincing performance, which he won an emmy for. Katherine Helmond deserved an emmy for playing a dimwit so well. From Jessica's court scenes to Burt's alien abduction to devil possession, this outrageous comedy delivers. Even is able to become dramatic sometimes. Quite possibly the best comedy ever! GRADE: A+

I was disappointed in the snipit version of this video. It recaps past episodes that involved the characters inolved with Peter but doesn't really capture the essence of any of the episodes. I guess I would have preferred to see a few episodes in their original form.

I can't say enough good things about this show or this 90 minute movie which is really a recap of everything that happened in the first season.

Jessica (katherine Helmond) and Burt (Richard Mulligan, God bless him!) are what made the sitcom what it was in addition to many others who went on to do great things after the show was canceled in 1981.

If you want a movie that has a lot more going for it than just your typical cookie cutter Father Knows Best clan. The Tates and The Campbells are for you.