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At last, "thirtysomething" comes to DVDIf one series could be blamed for my addiction to television, it would be thirtysomething. As a Baby Boomer working in an ad agency, I related to so much of the show that I felt like it was real. (Not that other TV isn’t real, Virginia.)
Perhaps at some level, I knew that a lesbian was on board. Susan Miller, who produced and wrote for the first season of The L Word and is one of the creators of Anyone But Me, was a story editor for thirtysomething. I don’t recall any lesbian content, but I’m sure the vibe was there.
The show has been on cable now and then, but never at a time I could watch. But finally, thanks to Shout! Factory, the first season of thirtysomething will be released on DVD on August 25, with the other seasons to follow in six-month intervals.
The characters in thirtysomething weren’t doctors or lawyers or cops, but regular Yuppies in Philadelphia trying to figure out how life works — and talking about it. And at the heart of the show was their realization that part of growing up is learning to live with compromise.
That sounds depressing, doesn’t it? Sometimes it was. But it was also full of friendship, joy and love.
Those who didn’t like the show thought it was whiny. Others attacked thirtysomething for its controversial storylines, like daring to show two men in bed, having a post-coital conversation (note: sky didn’t fall.). But it was unlike anything else on TV, to be sure. And it won 10 Emmy Awards, a Golden Globe, a Peabody Award and many other honors along the way.
Thankfully, Shout! Factory was able to clear the music rights, so thirtysomething’s soundtrack is intact. The music was as much a part of the brilliance of the show as the writing, with people like Karla Bonoff, Rickie Lee Jones and Ray Charles on board to round out the incredible instrumentals of W.G. Snuffy Walden. Once you watch thirtysomething, you’ll see its influence everywhere, from commercials to soundtracks to current series. (Without spoiling anything, if you saw the season finale of Grey’s Anatomy, you can thank — or curse — thirtysomething for the storyline.) You’ll also recognize the actors, including four women — Melanie Mayron, Mel Harris, Patricia Wettig and Polly Draper — who helped make 50 the new 30. May we all age so gracefully.
I’ve already preordered my DVD. Are you as excited as I am? Speak out, thirtysomething fans! Submitted by on June 11, 2009 - 3:00pm. |
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I loved this show!
It was on when I was a teenager, and I used to watch it on weekends, and my 35-year-old guidance counselor at school made fun of me for it. :)
It didn't have any lesbian content, but it did show the first scene on American primetime television of two men in bed together — ABC actually got huge flak about that from advertisers, and ended up censoring the scene, if I'm remembering it correctly.
I liked all the women, but especially Melanie Mayron's one-dangling-earring-wearing character. (Melanie was recently in Itty Bitty Titty Committee, for you younger types.) Melanie is on twitter now at @melaniemayron52 (and yes, that's really her); not sure about the rest of the cast.
Curious
I watched this show faithfully for years. It seemed very different at the time. (When was this on the air, anyway?) And it had some depth to it. I'll be curious to watch it again to see why I liked it so much.
www.SeekingSaraSummers.com
I was ADDICTED to this show! SPOILER ALERT!!
I was the demographic target for this show, and it did hit home. I watched faithfully each week and laughed, cried, worried, according to the plot. I was a divorced "30 something" single mom working as a corporate telecom services sales rep at that time...grey leather briefcase and all! Ugh....I shudder to think!
At that time, I was not out - even to myself - and related to two of the female characters who seemed most similar to my personality; I had "crushes" on both Polly Draper (Ellyn) and Melanie Mayron (Melissa). Thinking back, I was struggling with my own sexuality and "persona" and it seems these characters were too. And, it helped that they are both adorable! So, in answer to those lesbian undertones? YES!!! YES!!!! YES!!! (Well, they were at least Bi-undertones!)
I had friends that I could easily plug in to the other characters perfectly - my friend Brigid was an amazing double for "Hope" (Mel Harris), and my nephew Bill (even though he was in his mid-20's) for Peter Horton's character, "Gary" (and also like the character >!!SPOILER ALERT!!<, he died young a few years after the show ran.
I am not so sure I could relate to the show now if watching it again, and I wonder if, like others, I might find the characters whiny and self-absorbed (I think we were!).
Thirty-something and Northern Exposure were the two shows I could NOT live without, and I still miss them. I am excited that this one is finally coming out on DVD, and will add it to my wish list!!
You Forgot a Lesbian
Susan Miller wasn't the only lesbian on board. Pretty sure Melanie Mayron is one as well.
More Blasts From the Past
I loved this show. I was 12 when it started and fought with my mom to stay up and watch it...she said no, usually, so I watched in secret at my sister's house when possible. I still love it. One of the best dramas about friends and relationships ever. If you don't believe me, go to YouTube and catch the scenes of ***SPOILERS*** Nancy's battle with breast cancer and Gary's sudden death. I still get all giddy when I see chubby lil Ken Olin on 'Brothers & Sisters' now. Oh, and Melanie Mayron, totally the first redhead I ever had a crush on.
i loved this show
the nancy-gets-ovarian-cancer storyline (1990, i think) was a touchstone when i was diagnosed with the disease in 1994. patricia wettig's acting was amazing.
:kali:
woot!! woot!!
I had to stop eating dinner to comment. I love this show and I am sooo happy to read this post! Also, giddy to read that the music soundtrack is in tact. I really dig snuffy's work! Great characters and actors/actresses.
Thx Linster! ok i breath and resume eating...wahoo!
Good show
It premiered when I was in college. I didn't start watching it until, I believe, its third year and thought it was really good. It wasn't my demographic and not similar to my life, but it did show a life that I thought (hoped?) might be mine if I was older. I agree that it did influence other shows and change TV for the better.
There were no lesbians or bi women on the show, however, the producers of thirtysomething went on to create three more excellent shows -- My So-Called Life, Relativity and Once and Again, the latter two of which both had lesbian characters and storylines.
If I have the time, I think it would be fun to watch the show again and see it now from a fortysomething perspective.
The cast looks fantastic
Yesssssssssssssss!
So happy about this