Reviews
The Family Tree (1983)
Brilliant show
As someone else said, this show is about a single mother who meets a single father and their two families join. It was a trial series for the network because it was only intended as a limited series. So, regardless of rumors that circulate the web, this show was never presented as anything more than a limited, summer series. And, of course, this was because the two main stars: Anne Archer and Frank Converse had other commitments so this couldn't have been anything more. Regardless of this fact, the entire series should get a loving treatment on DVD. The young deaf actor, who was the first major deaf character on a TV show, was my favorite. Incorrectly billed by many talk show hosts as the son of Ernie Kovacs, they would soon realize that young, Mr. Kovacs was a few years too young to be Ernie's son. However, they are related, but just not father and son.
Anyway, I cannot really add more to this show than what has been said. It was a great show that featured some major, up and coming actors of their time. Martin Hewitt had just appeared a few years earlier as Brooke Shield's love interest in Endless Love. And James Spader had appeared as a teen in several movies before making the leap to adult actor who now appears on The Blacklist.
So, after all of this, I don't really know if my comments apply as a formal review. I can't describe any of the episodes because it was a very long time ago. But I did enjoy all of them and I wish this series would finally turn up on DVD.
Sanford Meisner Master Class (1988)
Sanford Meisner Master Class
I just purchased this DVD from and can't say enough great things about it. Sidney Pollock and a group of Sanford's Master Class students assembled over an eight month period to document the work of the great one. This documentary, which is told over eight hours, shares a glimpse of the Great Sanford Meisner doing what he does best; teaching. When the video was made Sanford had already lost his voice and was using a voice box. Luckily, there are subtitles in yellow to help you understand what he's saying. However, to a Meisner student, which I am, this information is priceless. The picture quality is excellent and you get to see a very young, Matt McCoy. If you don't recognize his name, look him up. Anyway, this DVD is worth it's weight in gold. I went through all eight hours over a weekend and it left me wanting more. Unfortunately, this is it but it is truly a great testament to an extraordinary instructor and citizen of truthfulness.