Maude: Season 1 [DVD]

We have waited a long time for this Norman Lear sitcom to appear on DVD.The character of "Maude Finlay" came from 2 episodes of "All in the Family" (1971-79) during the second season. Beatrice Arthur first appeared in the episode "Cousin Maude's Visit" (December 11, 1971).If you thought "Archie Bunker" was very vociferative on politics, union labor, black and polish people and God, then wait until you hear Edith's cousin, Maude.Maude and Archie could go around and around on a topic, including women's liberation. Maude would win.We saw "Maude Finley again when Edith & Archie Bunker went to New York to visit Maude for Carol's wedding (March 11, 1972). These two episodes are not on the "Maude" DVD, but can be seen on the All in the Family - The Complete Second Season DVD.Beatrice Arthur was so popular with the tv viewers, she was spun-off into her own CBS tv series, Maude (1972-78).The cast included Bill Macy as Maude's husband, "Walter", Adrienne Barbeau as daughter "Carol", Brian Morrison [Airport 1975/ Airport '77 and The Concorde: Airport '79 in additional footage] as Carol's young son, "Phillip", Conrad Bain as the neighbor and Walter's best friend, "Arthur", Rue McClanahan as "Vivian", Esther Rolle as "Florida Evans"--Maude's new housekeeper.Bill Macy also appeared in 2 "All in the Family" episodes, "Archie sees a Mugging" (January 29, 1972) as a "uniformed policeman". Six weeks later, he returned in an episode as "Walter Finley".Maude had a beautiful home with her fourth husband, Walter. She convinced her adult daughter, Carol and her young son to live with them in the two-story house. Maude was an activist on politics and women's rights. Don't cross Maude on an issue because she is a woman who is liberal, headstrong and speaks her mind. When she was right, she knew it. When she was wrong, she would relent and say so. She was emotional too. Always worried about her daughter Carol and having the perfect marriage. Maude loved Walter.Some familar faces in this season:Ed Begley Jr, Helen Page Camp, William Redfield, Cesare Danova, Pasty Garrett, Paul Barswlou, Jon Korkes, Vincent Gardenia, Louis Guss, Frank Aletter, Van Johnson, Barbara Rush, Elizabeth Fraser, Frank Campanella, Tom Bosley, Rosemary Murphy.Funny Line: "God's gonna get you for that, Walter".Notes: Esther Rolle would later leave the show, but continued her "Florida" character in Good Times - The Complete First Season (1974-79). John Amos continued his character as her husband.In the 3 episodes John Amos appeared in on "Maude". His character name was "Henry Evans". In the spin-off "Good Times", the character name changed to "James Evans Sr.".They were going to revamp the "Maude" tv series. After 4 episodes, Bea Arthur decided she no longer wanted to play "Maude". The new tv series was remade as "Hangin' In" (August 1979) ended up with only Bill Macy.Beatrice Arthur and Rue McClanahan would reteam for The Golden Girls - The Complete First Season (1985-92).Update: Bea Arthur passed away peacefully April 25, 2009 in the early morning from cancer. She was 86.

Two of the greatest NORMAN LEAR sitcoms of the 70's are finally out on CD... this and MARY HARTMAN !Prior to the debut of ALL IN THE FAMILY, most TV shows steared free of controversy... from Dick Van Dyke not being allowed to sleep in the bed with his wife, to the Smothers Brothers eventually getting thrown off the air for causing problems with the CBS censors over their political views.... Enter Archie Bunker... the original reactionary conservative, his hippie son-in-law Mike... Edith, Glory... and the belches, flushing toilets and cutting edge humor and story lines from which many of the other great sitcoms of the 70's would spin off (including Good Times and The Jeffersons) - - alas along came MAUDE - - Archie's arch rival liberal in-law from hell... and its unforgettable theme song (sung by Donny Hathaway!)Like ALL IN THE FAMILY, Maude featured the cutting edge social satire, but in many ways went a step further...Each episode wasn't only a classic TV sitcom, but (like all in the family) a 30 minute teleplay taking on a theme or social issue bound to rile up the viewers. (All In The Family itself managed to offend everyone... from Conservatives who didn't feel so comfortable about its irreverential humor, to liberals who took Archie's bigoted rants a bit too seriously.) - - Maude, in contrast was both outspoken feminist and liberal - - but just as progressive and englightened as mis-informed, nervous and neurotic (so much for liberal media bias!) - Her foils: The rest of the world: including her nice ever-suffering Maytag salesman husband - - as well as fiesty live at home divorced daughter w/ child and a reactionary conservative Doctor neighbor Aruthur, played by Conrad Bain, Dad from DIFFERENT STROKES. - - Regardless of whether you're politically left or to the right, each episode will definitely give you stuff to wag your finger about - - though if you're simply normal and level headed, you'll be too busy laughing at ignorance across the social and political spectrum, and sigh thinking how contemporary the show still feels today. (Haven't we progressed at all since then? Why *doesn't* the show feel dated???)Repeatedly rewatchable, this is TV that makes you laugh as well as think... and full of lines you may even find yourself repeating on occasion... You'll laugh while you watch it... then THINK about the topics when you're away from the DVD... (TV sitcom buffs in contrast will see a who's who of TV stars before they got their own spin-offs or became famous!)All in all, get this or... God'll get ya for it! (By the way, thumbs up for the nifty slimline packaging - - no special bonus features, however with over 9 hours of such great watching, who needs it ! ! ! )If you like this show check out the 70's BRITCOM "Til Death Us Do Part" !