Finally got season one of "Gimme A Break" and just love it as much now as I did back when. I have always been a fan of Nell Carter and love the gruff Dolf Sweet who has been a character actor for many years. This is a no frills show. Nell is a housekeeper who moves in with the family to care for the three daughters of a widowed police chief in a small California town. She ends up doing a lot more than just cleaning house. She becomes a surrogate mom. When you're feeling stressed out just watch some of these shows. I still find them very funny and entertaining.
If you want to be transported back to the 80s, this three pack DVD will do the job nicely. Several episodes feature topics considered controversial or touchy in the day, especially for a major network. These topics include: teen birth control, out of wedlock teen pregnancy, race relations (including use of the "N" word), child sex education, marital infidelity, shootout resulting in death. Surprisingly, nearly every situation was handled without the sugar-coating that might be found in yesterday's sitcoms. If you expect the same lewd, crude humor found on TV or cable in 2010, you'll be dissapointed. But if you want to see tough topics, laughs, and family-oriented comedy all rolled into one and presented with tight dialog, this DVD delivers. This sitcom quite often finds an episode transition from the funny to the serious, and surprisingly, these are mostly done with tact. Only a few scenes go over-the-top as to be unbelievable. Three full length episodes of Charles in Charge, Kate and Allie, and Gimme a Break "Nell Goes to Jail" are included in the 3rd DVD as extras. The Kate and Allie espisode is an extra nice treat back into a bygone era when life had nearly all the complications of today, but could be handled in simpler, more genteel ways. I understand there are plans to release all episodes of Gimme a Break. Count me in.Read full review
Nell Harper is the no-nonsense housekeeper and surrogate mother for police chief Carl Kanisky's children: Samantha, Julie and Katie. The Kanisky daughters need all the help they can get after their mother dies - because Carl isn't exactly in touch with his feminine side. This also includes an episode in Season 2 and two episodes from Charles in Charge and Kate & Allie.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
Who can resist Nel Carter in her finest role, ever. The late Nel Carter stole the show, one of 1980s most beloved sitcoms. And the late Dolph Sweet, the father of the house, as opposed to Nell's maid/nanny role, was irreplaceable, literally. When he died in 1985, during the show's 4th season, his character was not replaced and the show began to lose steam. Season 1 of Gimme A Break is a keeper.
Very funny family sitcom. Nell Carter is great.Also great deal for the money. Worth it! It's an appropiate sitcom to watch with your family and all the child actors are lovable and regular kids. Nell Carter is a diamond in the rough and could make you laugh out loud with her sense of humor. The family dynamics is great and you can see they generally care about each other.
Doesn't delve into the pertinent social issues facing black America in the 80's like What's Happening ( e.g. concert bootleging- Doobie Brothers) or Different Strokes, but it did provide an model for up and coming stars like Queen Latifa and Salt and "ha-ha" Pepper to pattern themselves after. Large negro women had finally someone to admire other than Oprah at the time. Viva "Gimme a Break" !!!!!
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Love it
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
She's happy so I'm happy Thanks
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
I love Gimme A Break! This one was especially well because it shows the shows start. This is one of those seasons that I think that everyone should get and I would definately recommend this one to everyone
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