Lea Thompson Movie:

		List Price: $44.99		Label: Paramount Salesrank: 34682 Released: August 12, 2008
		Our Price: $23.85
		Used Price: $23.21
		MPAA Rating: NR (Not Rated) Media: DVD

Editorial Review:

Genre: Television: Series
Rating: NR
Release Date: 12-AUG-2008
Media Type: DVD

Description of Caroline in the City - The First Season:
Of the NBC series that attempted to carry viewers from Seinfeld to ER in NBC's vaunted Thursday night line-up, Caroline in the City came closest to "Must-See" status (no offense, Veronica's Closet). Unlike other woman-anchored sitcoms, Caroline in the City is not in the "you're going to make it after all" vein of That Girl or The Mary Tyler Moore Show. As with series creator Fred Barron's previous series, Dave's World, Caroline in the City revolves around an artist whose chaotic personal life provides a fount of material. Caroline (the babe-dorable Lea Thompson, best known as Marty McFly's mother in the Back to the Future trilogy) is already a success. She draws the highly popular "witty and carefree" comic strip about a hapless single woman who is not Cathy. As this inaugural season unfolds, Caroline finds herself increasingly torn between two men. The first is Del (Eric Lutes), her on-again-off-again boyfriend for whom she creates Caroline merchandise for his dad's greeting card company. The second is Richard (Malcolm Gets), Caroline's new assistant and a struggling artist with a sardonic wit that's a tonic to the show. Caroline and Richard don't generate sparks like Sam and Diane or David and Maddie; They are more Ross and Rachel, and the season gets more involving once the romantic tension tightens. Adding spunk to the series is Annie (Amy Pietz), Caroline's neighbor and best friend, and a Broadway dancer (she's in Cats). Annie and Richard make fine and funny natural-born enemies (they address each other as "tightass" and "tart"). Helping to get the fledgling series aloft like the Caroline in the City parade balloon in the Thanksgiving episode is a roster of fellow "Must-See" stars (David Hyde Pierce and Jane Leeves from Frasier, Matthew Perry from Friends, and Jonathan Silverman from The Single Guy), as well as future Gilmore Girl Lauren Graham in a recurring role as Richard's flakey and impossible to shake girlfriend, and TV icons (Jean Stapleton as Caroline's aunt, Florence Henderson as herself, and in the poignant episode, "Caroline and the Watch," Rose Marie and Morey Amsterdam, though it's off-putting to hear the former Buddy and Sally joke about "screwing"). A top 5 show in its first season, Caroline would prove it was more than a time-slot hit (a series that benefits from the popular show that precedes it) when it went on to hold its own on Tuesday, and then Monday, nights. Those who were living for the City will welcome its arrival on DVD. Those just making Caroline's acquaintance should beware the bonus episode promos; some, like "Caroline and the Folks," contain major plot spoilers. --Donald Liebenson

Caroline in the City - The First Season Reviews:
Caroline In The City
2009-05-18 - Raised in a small town in Wisconsin, young female cartoonist Caroline Duffy has moved to New York City to pursue her career. Her daily cartoon strip "Caroline In The City" is based on herself and her own experiences of life and the people in it. Cute lovable Lea Thompson stars as Caroline in this delightful comedy series.

Entertainment and Societal Studies
2009-01-27 - Preliminaries: I had seen this show as kid in the '90s, and after it was taken off the air I had forgotten about it (in fact, I don't remember much beyond the first season). However, I really liked the show, and when I found it I was pleasantly surprised. I do not wish to go into too much detail regarding what the show is about because that's already provided in the product description. Basically, Caroline (Lea Thompson) lives in New York City working as a cartoonist. She has an assistant, Richard (Malcolm Gets), who comes to her apartment to work. And we cannot forget that Caroline has an on-again-off-again relationship with her boss Del (Eric Lutes). Add these particulars to antics and life episodes that come up in Caroline's (or sometimes the other characters') life and you have a show...primarily comedy, with some low-key drama added into the mix (it was the '90s after all).

Who this show is for: Fans, obviously, and anyone nostalgic about the any aspect of the '90's. This is also a good concentration in a media and sociology doctoral dissertation. I was surprised to find (because I didn't notice at the time) the semi-stereotypical roles of men and women in this show. The men (Richard and Del) are the funny ones most of the time; they get to tell most of the jokes, and they're the ones smart enough to think of quick quips, create hilarious banter, and make up great come backs. While Caroline and her neighbor Annie (Amy Pietz) do get to say something really funny every once in a while, especially near the end of the season, they are often presented as less intelligent in the humor department (that's why they can't make jokes as easily as the men), and stand in the shadow of the men in this respect.

However, the men are presented either as somewhat self-centered or caveman dumb...or sometimes both. Richard is the stereotypical artist who agonizes about his art (which is horrible), while remaining really bitter and cynical about life in general; he's the kind of artist we were all taught artists (painters and sculptures only) are. Del is the bumbling idiot who looks like a moron who couldn't even pass highschool when his character is compared to Caroline. All the women are portrayed as being far more sophisticated and intelligent to how the world works (and intelligent in general) than the men. When there is a man who is presented as intelligent in the show, he is usually a guest (so he's gone in the next episode), is presented as the perfect form of what a man should be, and is usually gay or is the butt of gay-jokes by the other male characters. There, I've just provided someone out there a thesis for their Ph.D.; don't thank me here, just put my name in the acknowledgements section of your dissertation.

Who this show is not for: Anyone who primarily hated the '90s (or at least hated the the '90s more than loved them), doesn't like television shows and movies older than five to seven years, or, obviously, can't stand any of these actors. As I said above, the characters are stereotypical of the '90s; the show does not try transcend the stereotypes present in society at the time, they simply try to mirror society. This sometimes presents annoying characters to watch, especially when you are glad we are not regulated by that kind of society as much anymore, but still recognize that much more needs to change about our societal social structures. But I'm actually not a sociologist or sociology student, so what do I know? I'm not even that interested. Moving on.

If you're looking for action, this is not it. If you're looking for romance, it has some, but it's not the whole show. If you're looking for adventure, well...keep looking. And if you're looking for a show that will pull you in and keep you watching, this would be one of those shows that has that ability, but you have to have some patience, let it grow on you a little, and remember it was the '90s--they were still trying to figure out how to make a show do that to its audience. Enjoy.

Caroline
2008-11-29 - Caroline in the City - The First Season

I'll buy s 2

The last era I watched TV regularly, because of shows like "Caroline"
2008-11-01 - I followed the "Must See TV" Thursday night line-up as long as it kept throwing out worthwhile, inspired, clever and funny programming. And this show was part of the last generation of those kind of shows, particularly comedies in my case. For some reason, few guys admit to liking this show. Is it "Seinfeld?" Of course not. But that was the kind of show more guys related to more than a show like "Caroline In The City," which was one of my favorite comedies of all the "Must See" lineup. In addition to the leads- Thompson (Caroline), Lutes (Del), Getz (Richard), and Pietz (Annie), Andrew Lauer, who played Charlie, Del's assistant/messenger had me in stitches on many occasions. I've always adored Lea Thompson, so sampling her show was a given. But there was definitely something about it from the beginning that separated it from other flash in the pan sitcoms. Once you took this show on its own, and not by comparing it to others it grew on you very fast. The story lines were as relatable as they come, but with a different sense of humor than its contemporaries, albeit with some usual formulas. But the ensemble pulls it off. And as the show and characters developed, so did the appeal. The show was not only funny, but had a real heart. Even the extras on the series had their shining moments and contributions to this show- restauranteur Remo was always ready to pounce on any cue for a home run chuckle. Sadly, in its latest stage it started to pander to the focus group mentality who felt adding additional, yet pointless cast members would reach a wider demographic (Suddenly Susan suffered through the same desperation as it aged too), and the exact opposite occurred. It wound up pleasing nobody, or at least displeased its most loyal followers. What a pitiful finish to a show with so much potential, and a great fistful of episodes to embrace in its early years. When I bought the DVD set, I went through them in no time. They just flew by. Very entertaining series with the edge it needed to separate it from the others. I can't wait for follow up season releases.

underrated gem
2008-10-10 - I liked this show on tv and the dvd is well put together. With tv comedy the way it is today it's refreshing to watch a traditional sitcom with a live audience and good heart. A few actors from FRASIER appear and Lea/Caroline even has a dig at the notorious HOWARD THE DUCK!