Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Binding: DVD
Brand: Paramount
EAN: 0097360405545
Format: Box set
Item Dimensions: Array
Label: National Broadcasting Company (NBC)
Languages: Array
Manufacturer: National Broadcasting Company (NBC)
MPN: PARD040554D
Number Of Discs: 4
Number Of Items: 4
Publisher: National Broadcasting Company (NBC)
Region Code: 1
Release Date: 2007-02-20
Running Time: 528
Studio: National Broadcasting Company (NBC)
Theatrical Release Date: 1982-09-22

Steve and Elyse Keaton (Michael Gross and Meredith Baxter-Birney), once 1960s radicals, now find themselves in Reagan-Era American trying to raise a traditional suburban family. Son Alex P. Keaton (Michael J. Fox) is an ambitious Young Republican and his sister Mallory (Justine Bateman) is a shallow victim of the corporate culture, obsessed with music, clothes and boys. Their only normal kid is young Jennifer (Tina Yothers), a bit of a tomboy.
Though it emerged during the Reagan era, Family Ties remains as relevant as ever. Most children find their parents a little embarrassing, but what sets this sitcom apart is that former hippies Steven (Michael Gross) and Elyse (Meredith Baxter-Birney) Keaton have three children, Alex (three-time Emmy winner Michael J. Fox), Mallory (Justine Bateman), and Jennifer (Tina Yothers), yet they haven't lost their youthful idealism. The ambitious Alex and materialistic Mallory, however, don't share it. Poster children for the go-go 1980s, they'd rather rake in the cash than change the world. As Alex quips in the pilot, "The '60s are over, Dad." If the writing were more cynical, it's unlikely the ABC show would've become a seven-season hit. It works because the Keatons obviously love each other--foibles and all.

In their first year, the family faces a variety of challenges. Steven finds out his father has a fatal illness ("I Never Killed for My Father"), 15-year-old Mallory deals with unwelcome male attention ("Give Your Uncle a Kiss"), and 17-year-old Alex learns a lesson about responsibility when he loses nine-year-old Jennifer while babysitting ("The Fifth Wheel"). Guest stars include Bewitched's Dick Sargent as Elyse's father, Charlie ("No Nukes Is Good Nukes"), and a lanky Tom Hanks as her brother, Ned (two-part episode "The Fugitive"). Though Fox (Back to the Future, Spin City) was the breakout star of Family Ties, he was part of a strong ensemble. Some storylines are also surprisingly hard-hitting, particularly the script dealing with sexual harassment. On the downside, there are no extras and, like many Paramount boxed sets, most of the original music has been changed or eliminated. The theme song "Without Us," for instance, is sung by session players on several episodes rather than by Johnny Mathis and Deniece Williams. --Kathleen C. Fennessy

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Stills from Family Ties: Season 1 (click for larger image)

Customer Rating:
Summary: Meet the Keaton's
Comment: Because of a "Coach" draught (I'm amazed at how slowly these old shows are released) I wanted to watch another friendly sitcom and I fondly remembered "Family Ties" from way back when. It doesn't hurt that I'm a big fan of Michael J. Fox either.

"Family Ties" is a nice little family sitcom which I doubt seriously would offend anyone. All the family members are likable in their own way and deal with their fair share of shortcomings. What I like most about it though is their political overtone. Elyse and Steven Keaton (Meredith Baxter-Birney and Michael Gross) are old hippies who seem to have raised a die-hard Republican in Alex P. Keaton (Fox). Alex's ideals continually clash with his parents's and those moments provide some great entertainment. Although the tone is pretty lefty it is not judgemental and the clashes always end well (usually with Alex seeing the errors of his ways).

The first season of "Family Ties" isn't laugh out loud funny it must be said. The first three episodes in particular are not at all interesting or very funny but things pick up immediately in the fourth episode which deals nearly exclusively with Alex. The kids gradually took center stage but originally the parents were to be the real main characters.

"Family Ties" ran for seven seasons and when shows run that long it's usually thanks in large parts to great chemistry between the cast members. It's easy to see why Fox became a hot property. He's such a natural comic performer and overall good actor and he easily carries the lesser episodes in the series. Justine Bateman grows on you as Mallory and Meredith Baxter is sincere and likable as Elyse. But here on the first season Michael Gross is easily the weakest link. His one-liners look like they're read off of cue cards and his comic talents seem to be mostly non-existent. He fares better when he's called upon to be serious (like in the episode dealing with his father and when Mallory's uncle behaves inappropriately), that's where he looks pretty solid.

Overall "Family Ties" is a sporadically funny but (nearly) always enjoyable sitcom. The irresistably appealing Fox carries the shows in it's duller moments but mostly it's great fun watching the goings on at the Keaton household. Nearly every reviewer here says the seasons got better and I'm taking them at their word as Season 2 is on it's way.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Typo
Comment: The official Amazon review lists ABC as the network that carried Family Ties. I don't think NBC will be particularly pleased to hear this! :)

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Customer Rating:
Summary: a great show-bought to show my kids!!
Comment: We dont live in America so I got this to improve their English! Its a classic show!!!

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Customer Rating:
Summary: A childhood favorite.
Comment: Family Ties - The Complete First Season brings back fond memories for me, I remember watching this show when I was a little kid. My favorite character was always Alex P. Keaton played brilliantly by Michael J. Fox. This show was pretty groundbreaking for its time, the first season was fresh and honest. My favorite episodes include: Summer of '82, Give Uncle Arthur a Kiss, Death of a Grocer, The Fifth Wheel, and Stage Fright. I highly recommend purchasing this timeless show today, enjoy!

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Family Ties Season One
Comment: This is a great item to own if you are a Family Ties fan or just love 80s television in general. The only let down is that there are no special DVD features in this edition, but it is still the same great show with all your favorite characters.

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