Family Ties Season 3 DVD Credits:

Region: 1

Family Ties Season 3 DVD Release Date: 12th February 2008

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Family Ties Season 3 DVD Review:

Family Ties Season Three is a four-disc DVD collection featuring all 24 episodes of the show’s third season. Family Ties was a hit sitcom television show that ran from 1982 until 1989.

Set in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio, the show follows the Keaton family. Parents Steven and Elyse are children of the 1960s and have a laid back attitude. Their children, on the other hand, are products of the 1980s. Their eldest child, Alex P. Keaton, played by Michael J. Fox is an ultra-conservative, business-minded republican obsessed with money, who dreams of becoming a banker. Steven and Elyse also have two daughters, Mallory “Mal” (Justine Bateman) and Jennifer (Tina Yothers). Mal is more interested in shopping and name brand clothing than in flower power and peace. Jen, who is a bit of a tomboy, is starting to discover a newfound interest in boys and clothes.

Season three finds the Keaton parents interested in spending some quality time with their children before they all go off to college. Steven organizes a family camping trip which eventually falls apart, starting with Elyse who decides not to go because she feels ill. The trip is finally called off. A phone call from the doctor gives Elyse some unexpected news that she is pregnant. The third season then follows the family as they deal with the unplanned pregnancy. Meanwhile, Alex begins college at the prestigious and conveniently located Leland University, allowing him to continue to live at home.

Season three introduces a new member to the family, Andy. Season three also brings memorable character nanny want-to-be Karen Nicholson, who is played by Geena Davis. Karen is rejected as a potential nanny by family patriarch Steven, but is hired by Alex due to his enormous crush on her. Other antics ensue as Alex decides to open the family house as a hotel, and when he decides to rush for the exclusive fraternity Alpha Phi Epsilon. Steven arranges a job at his television station for Alex during an intensely busy production time. The strenuousness of the schedule causes the entire crew to quit, leaving Steven and Alex to finish the project themselves. During this time, they discover that despite their varying points of view, they can collaborate on a professional level.

Family Ties is a 1980s cultural icon the likes of Cheers and the Cosby Show, both of which happened to air either right before or right after Family Ties. Watching Family Ties brings back a reminiscent feeling long since forgotten in television. It has been a substantial amount of time since there has been a truly great sitcom, one whose characters are all enjoyable, not to mention well-conceived and portrayed. Every member of the cast made their role their own, be it the staunchly republican banker-in-training Alex P. Keaton, the air-headed Mallory, or even the recurring characters like the goofy neighbor Skippy and the Rambo look-alike, budding artist, Nick. It is almost unfair that all other sitcoms have to be compared to such a prodigious series.

The only real disappointment with the box set is the fact that almost no improvements have been afforded to the DVD release. Family Ties Season Three is presented in full frame and in mono sound. The special features are nearly as sparse, with only a gag reel and episodic promos included.

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Family Ties Season 3 DVD review written by: Andrew Mattson