Customer Reviews

Life Goes On: The Complete First Season

5 star:		(46)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I've got great memories of watching this show on Sundays night over dinner with my family. They really don't make t.v. like this anymore, and that's a shame. The Thatchers were a believable family, albeit a very unique one.

I do think the first season was a bit uneven, as the show struggled to become more than just a soapbox for accepting different people (i.e., Corky's Down Syndrome). And they never could seem to figure out what to do with oldest daughter Paige (who was played by another actress in seasons 2-4). But it's still engaging family drama that never gets TOO preachy.

The best part about the first season has to be Kellie Martin as Becca. The part was smarter and better-written than any teenage role I can recall. Martin just got better as the series went on; it's a shame she would only do one more series (the short-lived CHRISTY) before becoming the queen of t.v. movies throughout much of the 90's.

I hope that this set sells well so Warner will be able to release the remaining seasons of Life Goes On.

Family dramas had existed since the invention of television-but 'Life Goes On' really attempted to deal with real life.

14 years after the passage of laws requiring special education, this was the first series realistically examining a person with a disability as lead character that audiences intentionally were supposed to empathize with.

Nineteen year old Charles "Corky" Thatcher has Downs Syndrome (as does the actor Chris Burke who plays him). Many plots of this award-winning series involved Corky adjusting to being mainstreamed in a regular school after previously having attended a special school.

Younger sister Becca (Kellie Martin-in her breakout role) loves her brother, but also wrestles with her own challenges of wanting to support family while wanting to fit in with her peers who don't take easily to the `weird'. Winning the affections of Tyler Benchfield (Tommy Puett) is her recurring goal throughout the 1989-1990 season. She also gets an EXCELLENT `star' episode in "Becca and the Underground Newspaper" , learning the hard way that publishing everything and anything you find out without first doing fact-checking is irresponsible journalism. Tyler is admittedly hot for the era, but the writers wanted Becca to also be daring.

"Corky for President" is a good episode because Corky runs for president---without realizing that the girl whom he sincerely had a crush on encouraged him to run to only toy with his emotions. She did not feel the same way about him. At the same time, it showed Corky seriously campaigning and sincerely believing that he could be president.

Another memorable episode is "The Baby-sitter" because Corky gets a job as a babysitter, taking care of children. This is important because people with disabilities ourselves are historically portrayed as children, needing other people to take care of us. Corky himself is considered responsible and capable.

"Ordinary Heroes" is a pivotal episode because Drew decides to quit his construction business and instead open up a restaurant. The current owner of the property the Thatchers are interested in won't sell because of Corky's disability, but the Thatcher family restaurant ultimately comes into fruition.

Then, Corky is paired up with none other than Shannen Doherty herself when a teacher has students do a `marriage' project ("Corky's Crush").He subsequently develops a crush on her-while she has the hots for another guy. I still get a kick out of this episode because both Kellie Martin and Doherty now look so different from how they once looked.

"Corky Rebels" is an important episode because it communicates that some families smother their members with disabilities under the guise of protecting them They don't want to acknowledge us as being independent. Corky's `fight the power' act looks somewhat campy now, but ironically aired at a time when disability activists demanded greater freedoms for people with disabilities and passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

"The Return of Uncle Richard" reminds us that those upcoming freedoms will not leave the world in a free for all. Drew Thatcher (Bill Smitrovitch) mends fences with his estranged brother Richard so Corky still will have a guardian if something bad were to happen to his parents.

I have a different disability and am a young adult in a much different era, but this series continues to address so many similar issues. It grows ever more relevant for me and other people with disabilities. Many of our experiences continue being reflected in the series scripts without being condescending, overdramatic, or disempowering.

Extras include commentary by both Chris Burke and the series creator Michael Braverman. During this season only, Paige Thatcher, Drew's daughter from a previous marriage, is played by Monique Lanier. This series was good in it's time, but grows ever more cherished with age. It's a scathing indictment of current television that other series have yet to make a similar cultural impact, particularly concerning people with disabilities, our families, and friends.

Oh-blah-dee, Oh-blie-dah, Life Goes On!

I grew up with many family shows such as Little House on the Praire, the Waltons, and so forth. But, Life Goes On will always be my favorite.

Life Goes On put realism and just a touch of grit into television as it attempted to broadcast to families the changing times, the new issues facing teenagers, and the plights of an American family constantly struggling to make do.

Life Goes On is the first television series to have a down-syndrome actor as one of its stars. Chris Burke (Charles "Corky" Thacher) is simply wonderful. You will see over the course of four seasons how his acting range really blossoms. He was originally going to be the focal point of the show.

Life Goes On is about the Thachers...a semi-middle class family living in Glenbrook Illinois which is a suburb of Chicago. It is the story of a hard-working family that faces one plight after another...just like life!

Drew Thacher (Bill Smitrovich) is the father who is working as a construction worker. He's tired of "just getting by" with the hard physical labor and the small checks. He plays a father who loves his children and is always trying to find a way to get ahead; to get on top of things. His life-long dream is to be the owner of a restaurant. Over the course of the first season we find out if he can achieve this dream or not...and if so, what are the costs?

Libby Thacher is wonderfully played by stage performer and Tony award winner, Patti Lupone. She works for an advertising agency run by Jerry (who becomes a favorite character played by Ray Butenika). Libby is tired of doing all of Jerry's dirty work...taking his clothes to the cleaners, washing his car, getting him coffee, etc. She feels she can do more than this, but Jerry is stingy and tries to cut financial costs and corners wherever he can.

Paige is Drew's daughter from his first marriage. She is out of high school, and a bit of a leaf blowing in the wind. She doesn't know what she wants to do with her life. The role of Paige is played first by Monique Lanier who has a softness and sweetness in the character. She is replaced from the second season on by Tracey Needham. Paige has a special relationship with Corky, and she has the usual big-sister/little-sister issues with Becca. She also begins the show with an estranged relationship with Libby.

Corky is the oldest son who is suddenly moved from attending a special school to a public school, as he is high-functioning, and the Thachers feel he is entitled to a "regular" education as they attempt to mainstream him. Corky finds himself the target of many high school taunts and practical jokes (particularly Russo). Tyler Benchfield is, at first, Corky's only friend. Tyler is a jock who has a special place in his heart for Corky, as we discover that Tyler has a brother with down-syndrome also. Tyler attempts to protect Corky and to help him fit in. Becca, the youngest daughter, is not thrilled at having Corky at her school, but quickly changes her tune.

Kellie Martin would soon take center stage in Life Goes On. Her acting ability is tremendous, and the writers quickly discover that the meat of their story is in the character of Becca (Rebecca) Thacher. She is a brilliant, straight "A" student with glasses and skinny legs who dreams of Tyler, her life-long crush. She's feisty and has a knack for throwing out intelligent comebacks or quips to her parents or to those who try to put her down. We quickly find that Becca is an intelligent girl with an even bigger heart. Subsequent seasons will demonstrate this fact when she meets Jesse (Chad Lowe), a boy she quickly falls in love with, but discovers he is HIV+, which sets up one of the most powerful relationship dynamics in television history.

This is a show about real values. This is a show about real problems...money, integrating into high school, issues facing the rearing of a down-syndrome child, broken dreams, etc. You find as a viewer that you relate with the Thachers. Their world is far from perfect, but the love is always there, and in the end, it's the most important glue to holding a family together.

The entire cast is wonderful. I loved this show when it was on. I was sorry to see it go. Chad Lowe would later win a much deserved Emmy for his performance as Jesse McKenna as Life Goes On would tackle one of the biggest issues in society...AIDS and how it affects a high school boy; how he deals with the prejudices of those around him, and why a "normal" girl would want to have anything to do with him.

Life Goes On will touch your heart, make you laugh, and make you cry because there is a tenderness and sweetness behind the realism. Life Goes On proved that family television can do both!

This show came out about the time I started getting involved with the disability rights movement in 1989. This show was on the air when the Americans with Disabitiles Act was signed into law on July 26, 1990. This was and is the only television show based around a person with a real disability. I wish there were a lot more television shows like this using people with real disabilities. This show did a lot to break down barriers for people with disabilities, particularly people with Down Syndrome and other types of mental retardation. I cannot wait for the remainder of this wonderful television series to come out on DVD. I strongly recommend everyone read Chris Burke's book "Some Kind of Hero."

I had enjoyed this show when it was originally on TV and was glad to see it available on DVD. I wanted my 13 year old daughter to watch it since this was on before she was born. There aren't many shows like this for the family to watch together. She watched the whole season in 2 days! So needless to say she enjoyed it and wants to know if further seasons are coming out...I hope so!

My sister has Down Syndrome---and when this show was airing---she never missed an episode.
She is now 46 years old, lives with me and has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's ---which doctors/researchers are discovering in Down Syndrome's who live into their 40' and 50's.
I have tried numerous things to engage Cathy Sue--in an effort to keep her mind as alert as possible. Sadly, she seems to have lost interest in most of the things that she dearly loved. The Dodgers; Cops TV show; arts/crafts and oldies music.
When I found this show on DVD--I immediately ordered the series for her---and she just perked right up! She remembers the show, the theme song, the characters and of course, Corky Thacher!
In fact, whenever she sees Corky on her big screen TV------ she forgets that it's TV and tries to touch Corky on the screen.
I enjoy watching Cathy Sue---while she watches Corky.
I recommend this wonderful program to anyone with kids of any age......the show's story and characters present an ideal opportunity to teach children about "special people".
It goes without saying---anyone with a Down's adult who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's-----should try shaking up the memory cells and purchase this program.

My second favorite family drama of all time (Our House ranks #1) is finally coming to DVD! I watched this show religiously every Sunday night (back to back with America's Funniest Home Videos) when it originally aired. Like the other vreviewer said, the only bad part is that the original theme will not be intact. But hey, it's a small price to pay to have the show on DVD. I urge all fans of this show to PLEASE buy this set despite the theme change. There is a lot more to a show than just it's theme. This show is very deserving to have all four seasons released. I believe Warner Bros. also owns "Our House," so hopefully if this does well they'll eventually feel comfortable with releasing "Our House" as well. First Knots Landing, now Life Goes On. Well done, Warner!

UPDATE; Sitcoms Online has posted a review of the set and even has an audio clip of the new theme song. However, the original theme song is still in tact in the pilot! :) The original closing song is in tact in the pilot as well, and the original end theme is in tact in all the other episodes. The new theme song is alright, but the DVD reviewer was right when they said it sounds more like it's for a teen show but still catchy. The only problem I have with the new theme song is that it sounds a little too today-ish. But it's the episodes themselves that really count and that's all that matters.

If you'd like to read the review and listen to the audio files, just go to Sitcoms Online (with your standard www. and .com after it). Click on "DVD Reviews" in the side panel, and scroll down until you find "Life Goes On." The reviews are in alphabetical order.

I remember LIFE GOES ON so well. I was an adult struggling with a young family, my oldest disabled (not down's but just as disabilitating) and my youngest, my baby girl, coming of age and having to suffer wearing glasses for the first time, like Becca. I swear the writers of this program were looking over my shoulder to get their ideas. I LOVED this show and was totally devoted to it. This from an avid NBC junkie who hardly ever switched channels. Come Sunday night, we went to ABC and sang along as the theme song came on. It gave our family many things to talk about after the show.

Please remember that during this time LIFE GOES ON was cutting edge and very controversial. Not only did they have a son with down's syndrome and mainstreaming was still pretty new, but later Becca deals with a boyfriend with HIV and then AIDS. It was SO controversial, the last show where Robbie dies of AIDS was not shown by our local network (and by MANY local networks from what I was told) because of the AIDS story line. To this VERY DAY I have never seen the last episode. ABC lost me as a customer after that.

I actually cried when they announced the show had been canceled. My son identified with Corky, and my daughter, who wanted to be a teenager at 9 years old, identified with Becca. To me, they were family that lived in the Midwest and came to see me every week. I marveled at the realism and the true to life struggles the family faced each week.

My biggest thanks for bringing this DVD out. I will preorder every season, all of them this very second if you will promise to bring them all out on DVD. A big thank you to the writers, the actors (especially those who played Corky and Becca) and ABC for putting on such a cutting edge program that made many uncomfortable. Now a days, no one would bat an eye watching these episodes.

Im trying to collect all the memorable 80's TV shows from when I was a kid. This is definetly one of the best shows of the 80's. It dealt with many real life issues and had a great storyline. They were the typical ordinary family with one exception. They had a son named Corky with down syndrome. It didnt affect his performance in any way, he was great and he also seemed to make the show.

Heres a list and description of the Episodes.
Disc One-
1.Pilot Original Airdate 9/12/1989- Corky enrolls at his little sister's high school. He has courage and determination- but is that enough? The pilot also contains Commentary by Chris Burke and Series Creator Michael Braverman.
2.Corky For President Original Airdate 9/24/1989- ''The brain and the brainless.'' That's what the in-crowd calls a geeky campaign manager and his class-president candidate, Corky.
3.The Babysitter Original Airdate 10/1/1989- Corky learns that teens are more trouble than little kids when rowdy classmates crash his babysitting gig.
4.Break A Leg, Mom Original Airdate 10/8/1989- Guilt stricken Corky fears that hes the reason Libby gave up a glamourous show-biz career.

Disc 2-
5.Becca's First Love Original Airdate 10/15/1989- When Becca flips for a bad-boy rocker in a local garage band, her normal good sense goes missing.
6.Paige's Date Original Airdate 10/22/1989- Concerned that Paige seems drawn to losers, Drew arranges a blind date for her with a corporate go-getter.
7.Paige's Mom Original Airdate 11/5/1989- Paige's actress mother comes to town every few years, full of big promises that never come true.
8.Call of the Wild Original Airdate 11/12/1989- The Spirit of a long-gone brave appears to Corky just as Drew begins a development on sacred Native American Land.

Disc 3-
9.Corky witnesses a Crime Original Airdate 11/26/1989- Corky is the football teams equipment manager! Then the coach slugs a student, and Corky isn't sure if a team player tells.
10.Ordinary Heroes Original Airdate 12/3/1989- Unappreciated at work and feeling all 43 of his years, Drew dreams of opening a restaurant.
11.Pets, Guys and Videotape Original Airdate 12/10/1989- Paige's new boss is a veterinarian who can't seem to get along with anyone who dosent have four feet.

Disc 4-
12.Corky's Crush Original Airdate 1/14/1990- It's all in timing. After 45 Years, Libby's parents split up. After 45 seconds, Corky falls for the new girl in class.
13.Thatcher and Henderson Original Airdate 1/21/1990- A high school reunion football game brings Drew together with his former best friend...and current foe.
14.The Return of Uncle Richard Original Airdate 2/4/1990- Drew's brother is everything Drew isn't: a flashy glib rascal. So naturally the kids adore him.
15.Brothers Original Airdate 2/11/1990- The Special Olympics is a great opportunity for fun, for friendship and for one man to come to grips with his son's disability.

Disc 5-
16.Corky Rebels Original Airdate 2/18/1990- Rebel with a cause: Corky demands some independence, like riding the bus by himself.
17.It Ain't all its Cracked Up to Be Original Airdate 3/4/1990- Becca goes for the Teenage Miss Beauty Crown- and so does her icy, arrogant, beautiful classmate Rona.
18.Pig o' My Heart Original Airdate 3/25/1990- Drew opens his restaurant. But its Corky who brings home the bacon: a lovable, supersized hog.
19.Becca and the Underground Newspaper Original Airdate 4/1/1990- Becca writes a hard-hitting expose of the school janitor's criminal past. But she dosent have all the facts.

Disc 6-
20.Save the Last Dance for Me Original Airdate 4/15/1990- Once she danced in front of royalty. But now lifes curtain comes down for Becca's beloved ballet teacher.
21.With a Mighty Heart Original Airdate 4/29/1990- Drew is a great dad, a skill he didnt learn from his own father, a footloose guy who specializes in not being there.
22.The Spring Fling Original Airdate 5/13/1990- Island Night at Marshall High means leis, music, punch... and Corky and Becca at their first high school dance.

Special Features- Bill Smitrovich/Patti LuPone Screen Test
Laughs Go On: A Mini Gag Reel

The Cast-
Bill Smitrovich as Drew Thatcher
Patti LuPone as Libby Thatcher
Chris Burke as Corky Thatcher
Kellie Martin as Becca Thatcher
Monique Lanier as Paige Thatcher
and Arnold the Semi-Wonder Dog

Overall, it's a great series and can be enjoyed by all ages. Highly Recommended. Enjoy.

I didn't even know that this was available until I started messing around on Amazon and checking to see if some of my old favorite TV Series were on DVD.
I was thrilled to find Life Goes On and immediately ordered it. This was one of the best family TV shows ever! Now, I waiting on Seasons 2, 3 and 4. If you are waiting on how well the sales goses for Season 1, I recommend you advertise and I guarantee you it will be one of your best sellers!
In the meantime, THANK YOU for Season One, now bring on the rest of the seasons!