Product Details

• Actors: Debra Messing, Judy Davis
• Format: AC-3, Color, Dolby, DVD, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC
• Language: English
• Subtitles: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
• Number of discs: 2
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: Universal Studios
• DVD Release Date: March 10, 2009
• Run Time: 430 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B001PSVHOE
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #20,294 in Movies & TV (See Bestsellers in Movies & TV)
• For more information about "The Starter Wife: Season 1" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Drawing from her years in Hollywood, Gigi Lavangie Grazer, wife of producer Brian Grazer, penned The Starter Wife, which inspired the limited series that launched this USA Network dramedy. Author Molly Kagan (Will and Grace's Debra Messing) continues to forge a new life for herself after her divorce from Kenny (David Alan Basche, taking over from Ken Jacobson), a studio exec. In between petty battles with the high-powered wives who disdain her less affluent lifestyle and attempts to get back into the publishing game, the designer-clad mom pals around with Joan (Emmy winner Judy Davis), a recovering alcoholic, and Rodney (Chris Diamantopoulos), an interior designer. Her social circle expands when she befriends Liz (Danielle Nicolet), a pathologically possessive pitcher's spouse, and Zach (Hart Bochner), a writing instructor and possible love interest... if only Molly hadn't sworn off men.

So, while Rodney and Joan have affairs with actors--one in the closet, the other in recovery--Molly turns to screenwriting and a possible no-strings fling of her own. Fantasy sequences parodying hits like The Godfather and Body Heat represent her deepest fears. If the show's sole season gets off to a shaky start, it finds its footing once the central trio becomes more fully rounded and relatable Though the rest of the year doesn't hit the same comedic heights as Will and Grace, Messing still comes on like a modern-day Rosalind Russell and The Starter Wife makes for light and frothy fun. In their commentary on two episodes, producers Josann McGibbon and Sara Parriot discuss the changes between the series and the miniseries, like the disappearance of Miranda Otto’s Cricket (just as Jacobson joined the cast of House, she joined the short-lived Cashmere Mafia). McGibbon, Parriot, Messing, and Bochner also comment on the 10 fantasy sequences. --Kathleen C. Fennessy

Product Description

Studio: Uni Dist Corp. (mca) Release Date: 03/10/2009 Rating: Nr

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is Television at it's best!!, May 3, 2009

By	Gayle J. Bannister "music lover" (California) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Debra Messing and supporting cast/ensemble cast is absolutely stunning in this romantic comedy about a woman who faces her life after realizing she was just a "starter wife" for her up and coming famous husband. As he moves on to younger and more beautiful women, she must learn to adjust and eventually flower into who she really is.

Excellent, Smart, Sophisticated, Entertaining!!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars wonderfule series, April 17, 2009

By	E. Evertz - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The Starter Wife Season 1 was a hoot! Love Debra Messing and the way she interacts with other characters. I do wish all of the characters from the miniseries had returned as well.

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful treat - Messing is terrific!, September 20, 2009

By	clarita davies (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

I loved the miniseries and thought I would have to be content with just those 6 episodes, so I was thrilled to see a whole other season of terrific characters, stories and sets.

Debra Messing stars as a newly divorced wife of a (once) powerful Hollywood mogul who has fallen off his golden pedestal. The show is delicious social satire, set in the excesses of uber-rich Hollywood, but the themes apply to any society - friendship, honesty, loyalty, decency, contrasted with social climbing, backstabbing, greed, jealously and posturing. It all takes place in the wealthy stratosphere of Hollywood society, so you can count on gorgeous sets, cars and clothes and dreamy California scenery. Messing is hilarious, moving, and refreshing as the lead, and she has a wonderful supporting cast.

Messing's husband was played brilliantly by Peter Jacobson in the mini-series, perfectly cast as a nebbishy, self-serving jerk. He left Starter Wife for a role in House and is sorely missed in Season 1. The show is still great fun. Highly recommended to all.

Definitely watch the miniseries first. It is excellent and is an essential part of the story line.