Roseanne – The Complete Second Season

 

Picture: C+     Sound: C+     Extras: C     Episodes: B-

 

 

I have to admit, it got by me.  Not being a fan of Roseanne, I had no idea the actual episodes had been slightly shorter syndicated versions.  For this new Complete Second Season set, Anchor Bay has purposely made sure fans know that these shows are “original network uncut episodes” to avoid more upset fans.  This happened before when Shout! Factory released butchered versions of Too Close For Comfort, so they are not the only ones who made this mistake.

 

Looking at these new shows, I personally could not tell much of a difference, but maybe some jokes were cut from the first set.  I’ll never know.  However, the show continued to stay on course with the kind of working class humor that made it work best.  The writers kept things fresh enough that it did not yet become formulaic, while the cast seems to actually be having a good time and that joy only helps the comic timing.  The 4 DVDs are contained in two slender cases, boxed.

 

The 1.33 X 1 image is again soft at times, being shot on professional analog NTSC video, one of the last such hit series to ever be produced this way.  Color is as consistent as it is going to get and all looks to be close to the source tapes.  The Dolby Digital 2.0 stereo has no surrounds, but is of the expected fidelity for a series from 1987 produced like this.  The result is playback as good as you will ever see the show.  Extras include more trailers for other TV series from Anchor Bay, new interviews with Goodman and Michael Fishman, highlights from this season, behind the scenes Season One Launch Party, and the best of Roseanne’s sister dubbed Wacky Jackie.  Last time I said fans would be happy just based on the extras.  Now, the shows are untouched.

 

 

-   Nicholas Sheffo