Rhoda: Season Two

Genre : DVD ( DVD )
Release : 2010/03/30
Price : $32.49

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Everyones favorite New York daughter returns for the second incredible season of RHODA, the popular Mary Tyler Moore Show spin-off created by James L. Brooks and Allan Burns!

On a visit to her childhood home, spunky window dresser Rhoda Morgenstern (Valerie Harper) had no idea she would meet the man of her dreams, a handsome divorcé named Joe Gerard (David Groh). But soon she was back living in New York City and married to Joe. Now their marriage just has to survive Rhoda s hectic career and relationships with her overbearing mother Ida (Nancy Walker), beleaguered father Martin (Harold Gould) and neurotic sister Brenda (Julie Kavner).

RHODA aired for five seasons on the CBS network from 1974 1978, garnering an astounding 17 Emmy nominations and two wins for its cast and crew. Now you can see why with the next 24 episodes in the hilarious life of RHODA.

Sad to say that the show could not keep up the sharp, smart sparks from Season 1. RHODA made one huge mistake in season one: getting her married so soon, so fast. Why?? Was it the network? the producers?? Harper herself? The ratings held up for Season 2 but CBS/producers felt that viewers wanted Rhoda single, not Rhoda married, so the season is bittersweet in that poor Joe does not last much in Season 3. I wish the wedding took place in Season 2 and perhaps a baby in Season 4. Can you imagine Ida as a grandma? There was much potential in the show in re to the themes that could have been discussed--being a stepmother, being a wife and wanting a career in the 1970s in NYC, et al., but instead the scripts in Season 2 were very generic and could have been used in any other show at the time. The pluses are the strong cast and guest spots, including one of the last bits by the great Vivian Vance.

I got an advance copy of the DVD set and it's great! Four DVDs (containing all 24 season two episodes) in two plastic cases slide inside a cardboard slipcase. All episodes have been vibrantly remastered and are uncut (running times are almost always 24 mins and 55 seconds). This is a big improvement over season one, that had too many edited-for-syndication episodes (including a cameo appearance of Mary Tyler Moore playing Mary Richards in the pilot episode!). Almost every season of RHODA had a slightly different theme song--season one had the "My name is Rhoda Morganstern..." opening; season two replaces her narration with "La-la-la-la-la"s. Guests this season include Ruth Gordon (an EMMY nominated performance as Carlton the doorman's mother), Vivian Vance, Jack Gilford, Eileen Heckert, John Ritter, Norman Fell (as a doctor Ida thinks she's having an affair with), Tim Matheson, Joan Van Ark (as Joe's first wife) and Ron SIlver (but not as Gary Levy). This second season is filled with hilarious, well-written episodes. Besides Ruth Gordon's nomination, this 1975--76 season earned EMMY nominations for Valerie Harper (she'd won the previous year), Julie Kavner (who'd finally win in the fourth season), and Nancy Walker (who earned 7 EMMY nominations between McMILLAN & WIFE, RHODA and a guest shot on THE GOLDEN GIRLS--and never won; she was the Thelma Ritter of TV). Sadly, there's no extras (you'd think Valerie Harper would be happy to do a commentary or two or film a short rememberance of the series). But the set is beautiful looking, unedited, and still wildly funny.

Its always interesting to see how a spin-off series will fare. Valerie Harper has gusto! She was determined to make it work. I have season 1 and certainly buying season2. An inspiring show that continues to prove women can be the lead in anything. Mary Tyler Moore mentioned the many challenges for women during the womens liberation movement during an interview on seaon 1 of The Mary Tyler Moore show. I would say Marlo Thomas in That Girl paved the way for other shows like Rhoda and The Mary Tyler Moore Show. What inspiring role models they are.

SEASON 2 AND I HAVE PRE ORDERED. I HOPE ALL OF THE RHODA SEASONS GET RELEASED AND PHYLLIS/

I'm so excited that Shout is releasing Season 2 of Rhoda. This is such a great series and this is one of the best seasons. This season focuses on Rhoda and Joe's married life and it is a lot of fun. Shout is releasing it with complete and remastered!! Let's all support it so that "Phyllis" will be released. That would be so wonderful!