Customer Reviews

Perfect Strangers: The Complete First and Second Seasons

5 star:		(214)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Perfect Strangers debuted to high ratings and critical praise in March 1986. Comfortably nestled between Who's the Boss? and Moonlighting on ABC's Tuesday night lineup while Growing Pains took a break, Perfect Strangers was hailed by critics as a refreshing blend of witty humor and slapstick delivery. Co-stars Mark Linn-Baker (Larry Appleton) and Bronson Pinchot (Balki Bartokomous) were lauded for their unmatched chemistry and comic talent. Comic legend Lucille Ball called it her favorite comedy. The show returned in the fall of 1986 on Wednesday nights paired with Head Of The Class, and continued to win its time slot. (It would be at least another two years before Perfect Strangers would become the centerpiece of ABC's TGIF Friday night lineup.)

The new DVD box set from Warner Bros. containing the first two seasons of the hit series allows longtime fans and newcomers alike to rediscover this wonderful, often overlooked sitcom gem from the 1980s. The premise of the series is simple and attractive. At the start of the pilot episode, Larry had just moved from his crowded childhood home in Madison, Wisconsin, to an apartment in Chicago, where he planned to make it as a photojournalist. To pay his bills, he found a job working at a discount store for the heartless Mr. Twinkacetti. One evening, a distant cousin shows up at his door, bearing his possessions in a box mislabeled "America or Burst." Balki has made his way from the Mediterranean island country of Mypos to start a new life in America. Unfortunately, there aren't many jobs in Chicago for sheepherders, so Larry lets Balki move in with him until he can get settled.

Balki innocently sees America through a scattered and chaotic series of images and slogans he has picked up along the way. "America, land of my dreams, home of the Whopper!" he exclaims. When he finds out he is in debt, Balki proudly asserts "now I am a true American." He may not realize that groveling is not the proper way to pick up American women, but he is a virtual encyclopedia of references to stars from Telly Savalas to Bo Derek. And then there's his weakness for Wayne Newton, the most popular singer on Mypos.

Larry views himself as the person to educate the naive but big-hearted Balki in the complex ways of American life. In various episodes, Larry attempts to teach his cousin about everything from dating and opening a checking account to driving a car and joining a "healthy club." But Larry is not as schooled in the ways of life as he likes to portray himself. When Larry's big ideas inevitably lead to chaos, it is often Balki that gives Larry a useful nugget of wisdom. This is the true strength of the show - for all the talk of Perfect Strangers being about a zany immigrant, the show is at its core about two people from different backgrounds who become inseparable when they discover how much they really need each other.

The box set contains all six episodes from the spring 1986 run, and the 22 episodes comprising the 1986-87 season. The packaging is colorful and informative, as the plastic slipcases give episode titles, writer and director information, airdates, and witty blurbs about each episode plot. Thankfully, all episodes appear to be uncut, so they can be watched as they were originally seen on ABC. Even the original Lorimar-Telepictures logo at the end of each episode is preserved. And for those of you who have endured the WKRP DVD debacle, it should be noted that all the music appears to be intact. Balki sings a number of songs in the episodes, from Tina Turner's "What's Love Got To Do With It" to Dolly Parton's "9 To 5," and they're all here.

One significant criticism is that the episodes do not appear to have been remastered from the original film, but rather taken from a video master. Although the picture quality is less than ideal given the potential of the DVD format, the look is still equal to if not superior to what has been available in syndication or on AOL's In2TV.

In the end, this DVD set is a must buy. This show is quite addictive, and it gets even better as the seasons roll on. Early in Season Two, we are introduced to Jennifer Lyons (Melanie Wilson) and Mary Anne Spencer (Rebeca Arthur), who will continue as Larry and Balki's love interests, respectively, throughout the rest of the series. Larry and Balki remain working for Twinkacetti at Ritz Discount during the first two seasons in this set, although they are constantly chafing to do something more. At the beginning of Season Three, the two of them get jobs in the basement of the Chicago Chronicle, where Larry cuts his teeth as a cub reporter and Balki works in the mailroom. On the home front that same season they are seen in a new apartment where Balki has his own room and no longer has to sleep on the sofa. (Many have commented on the fact that the move was never explictly referenced in the show, and that Jennifer and Mary Anne were still their neighbors even in the new apartment building - but we'll leave those controversies for the Season Three review!)

If enough people buy Seasons One and Two, Warner Bros. hopefully will release Season Three in the near future, and the fun will continue!

Ålong with "All in the Family", "Good Times" & "Night Court", this was one of my favorite shows growing up in the 80s. Sadly, it's difficult even to find re-runs of this show nowadays. Fortunately, I have some episodes on tape from back then, but what about releasing the classic first season on DVD, Warner Brothers? What's wrong with you guys? I'm witnessing many other shows getting released before "Perfect Strangers".
I'll admit that the show fell into a slow decline by season 5, and when they moved out of the apartment and into that house by season 7, the show completely fell apart. However, the first four seasons are killer. I discovered the show by accident early in season 2 and fell in love with it.
Classic episodes besides the hilarious first two; Gina's baby, Balki & baseball, Meeting Jennifer & Mary Anne, Las Vegas, Balki's dream, the Mypos diet, Balki's cable TV addiction, the Ex-Con photographer & moving Lydia's piano. Yo, Warner Brothers, get on the ball and release this show on DVD so all us fans can re-live these moments......thank God they finally did. Can't wait for season three, let's hope.

I've been looking on Amazon for over 2 years to see when they might release this classic show. Alright already. As much as I love "Seinfeld" and "Everybody Loves Raymond," I can watch them on multiple TV channels on re-run and don't need to purchase the DVD. Things are looking more hopeful for a possible release date. I hope this is true. I have 3 or 4 BETA tapes full of these episodes but can no longer watch them because I no longer have a BETA player. Warner Bros., don't be ridiculous - RELEASE, RELEASE, RELEASE! Or the lot of us crazed fans will walk onto the Warner stuio lot in protest! Standin' tall on the wings of my dream! Come on everyone, join me in singing. :)

i love this show and balkie and larry, but where is the DVD? shame for WB studio... many people love this series and i want to watch it again on dvd.

There are so few comedies on TV today. What few there are have so many suggestive, adult-oriented themes that I cannot watch them without being embarressed (is that right?)
Perfect Strangers was one of the funniest shows of all time. It is a show I can watch without being embarrassed. I cannot understand why so many shows are coming out on DVD that were essentially failures as TV shows.
I want my Perfect Stangers now!!

I'm a proud 80's baby. Nothing reminds me more of growing up then this series. With all the recent releases of shows on DVD, its a crying shame and a slap on the face that this show hasn't even been thought of yet.

Industry Executives or To Whom It May Concern:

You need to release Perfect Strangers on DVD. Classic show that many Generation X'ers and some members of Generation Y grew up on this show. People will buy the DVD because of nostalgia. Hot item! Mark Linn Baker is on a new WB show. If the show succeeds and gets renewed, wouldn't it be great for him to promote the DVD too? I am one of many fans of the show who regret not taping the show. We want our episodes, our favorite characters, our favorite TV show to be available to us, please!

Perfect Strangers was one of my favorite shows. I loved the chemistry between the characters and always found the situations very funny......good, clean humor, which is rare on TV nowadays. Anyway, they never re-run the show on TV anymore, and I really hope it comes out on DVD soon. Obviously there are enough fans out there who are interested!!!

Perfect Strangers was and still is literally my favorite show EVER - huge cult classic, and perhaps some of the most brilliant humor ever done. some of my fondest TV memories are Perfect Strangers moments ("who wants pie?, and "Then I thought,leaves?") This is absolutely ridiculous that this release is being held up - I am extremely disappointed the Warner Bros studios, and if they don't release, it is one the stupidest moves they will have ever made. They don't make humor like that any more, and there are many people who enjoy good old fashioned slap stick comedy that they can actually watch their parents or kids in the room.

I have to agree with the fan known as Donald Duck who wrote the previous review. This was one of the most fun sitcoms ever on tv. I remember watching it as a kid and just laughing so hard. I used to watch this every Friday no matter what.

Mark Linn Baker plays Larry, a high strung, sometimes insensitive guy who just wants the good life. But! Here comes Balki from a far off land! Played by Bronson Pinchot, Balki is a caring good hearted fella, with the fish out of water story. Coming to America. Learning a different culture. Learning agbout these things as hilarity and shenanigans ensue with some lessons learned along the way about friendship, loyalty and stuff like that.

This show debuted in the mid 80's during ABC's hot period. Everything on that network was turned into gold. This joined the likes of Full House, Family Matters, Step By Step, Boy Meets World, Home Improvement and many other great sticoms that helped ABC pulverize competition at that time.


It was such a positive and relaxing show to watch it. Why this isn't out is beyond me. A real keeper in my mind. I will buy this when it comes out. A highly suggested sitcom in a world that needs more positivity and encouragement. I don't know how many great things I can say about this show, without sounding redundant.

Hope you enjoy this season one box set, as much as I did watching it as a kid.

PS-The theme song is just as good as the show too!