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Gone are the days of sitcom dads in sweater vests, having loving heart-to-heart chats with their angelic children. The Golds definitely aren’t the Cleavers—and they’re not the Cosbys, either. Actually, they’re less of the ideal American family and more of the real American family—and that’s what makes The War at Home so entertaining. It’s funny ‘cuz it’s true.
Parents Dave (Michael Rappaport) and Vicky (Anita Barone) were once wild children who did everything their parents told them not to do. But you know what they say about payback…and now they’re forced to raise three teenagers of their own. Dave, a mid-level insurance salesman, is totally clueless about parenting. And Vicky is trying to balance her work and her family. Together, they do the best they can, even though it sometimes compels them to hide in the garage, where they can get a few moments of peace and quiet—about enough time for a nice strong drink. Sure, they screw up from time to time. They’re not the perfect parents. And that’s why you can’t help but love them—and feel their pain.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the battle are the kids. Hillary (Kaylee DeFer) is gorgeous, popular, and 16. It’s a lethal combination—just ask any dad. Larry (Kyle Sullivan) loves show tunes and the Ice Capades—and he swears he isn’t gay (though his best friend, Kenny, played by Rami Malek, really wishes he were). And Mike (Dean Collins) is a smart, trouble-making 13-year-old, who’s always up to something.
Though the Golds seem to be in constant battle (and, really, what family isn’t?), they still occasionally let on that they actually love each other. And that’s what makes The War at Home both hilarious and realistic. They drive each other crazy, but they’re still one big [kinda] happy—and totally normal—family.
The first season of The War at Home covers more controversial topics than a Very Special Episode of Blossom. Drinking, drugs, sex, religion, homosexuality, racial stereotypes—they touch on it all. It’s done well, though—and with plenty of humor. While the season has its ups and downs, like any show does, every episode is laugh-out-loud funny. It’s cleverly written—and the cast has wonderful chemistry. My favorite, though, is Sullivan, who plays Larry, the troubled middle child. While all the cast members give it their all, Sullivan shines in his completely over-the-top role. (Note to Hollywood: get this kid a movie.)
Special features on this three-disc, 22-episode set include deleted scenes, an entertaining gag reel (especially when the cast members start dancing), and “Living Room Confessions,” a behind-the-scenes feature, with cast and crew interviews.
Before checking out season one of The War at Home on DVD, I’d only caught a few episodes in passing on TV. But after making it through the entire season, I was looking forward to catching the next season—until I discovered that Fox recently canceled it. While you won’t be able to catch new episodes each week, though, you can still pick up a copy of season one of this funny-‘cuz-it’s-true family comedy on DVD—and you can watch it whenever the kids make you crazy.
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