#1 Cheap Blossom: Seasons 1 & 2 Reviews
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Rejecting the traditional scripting formula for shows targeted towards teen girls, Blossom did something definitely 'alternative' for it's viewing audience: It realized that we were supposed to be more than boy-crazy and shallow anorexics.
Blossom Russo (played by the very talented Mayim Bialik) lives with her father Nick and two older brothers, Tony (Michael Stoyanov)and Joey (Joey Lawrence). Joey, having grown up on television ('gimme a break') was set up as the teen heart throb of the series, even having recorded an album. But I was unexplainably drawn to the past' of Tony, the 'older brother' who is now working as a paramedic after having apparently led a wild personal life. He could rescue me any day.
When other teen shows (including some of the other ones which I also watched) were still portraying recovery merely as an excuse to show 'rough' characters, young viewing audiences saw a more compassionate portrait in Tony. Having to work for his sobriety, he struggles--even without the traditional over dramatics assigned to similar characters.
'Tough Love' realistically shows what a recovering addict and their family goes through. Tony Russo cannot stay with his family without getting and successfully keeping a responsible job. Nick loves his son, but wants his family to take care of and keep themselves healthy.
Nick faces another dilema in 'The Joint' after he discovers the marijuana cigarette
Blossom and Six brought into the house. He has to discover who it belongs to--and prevent them from doing this again. He also has to get them to confess, not an easy task when the kids are aware that confessing will generate punnishment.
Tony himself saves the day in 'Intervention' because his own history enables him to see that a friend of Joey's is becoming hooked on drugs. Joey (Joey Lawrence) is eye candy, but he does not tend to think things through. So cheating accidentally lands him in an honors class ('Honor?')--where strangely enough the school administration does not question the sudden academic classification of Mr. Russo.
And several episodes show that he is working in a position requiring a great deal of responsibility and authority, something which would not have been possible were he not successfully staying sober.
Another defining trait of this series was that it effectively ran well-written storylines on characters other than Blossom. We saw how these characters own lives ultimately interacted with her own. And because she cares about their well being, she again comes across as an infinently better media role model for a young woman to want to emmulate.
The first and second seasons are bundled together, which is a virtual godsend for both cost and quantity of this series release. The first season only has 13 episodes. People either falling in love with this series or remembering still-awesome episodes would come away sorely disappointed if only being able to view one season! And waiting out potential releases would have us crawling the walls.
Blossom: Seasons 1 & 2 Overview
In 1991 NBC changed the face of prime-time sitcoms by introducing young audiences to an eccentric teenaged girl from a broken home on the mend. A video blogger predating the Internet, Blossom Russo (Mayim Bialik) chronicled the events of her teenage life in full, hilarious and sometimes heartbreaking detail, providing inspiration to youngsters and their families for five very special seasons.
Now the groundbreaking Emmy nominated series first two seasons, 37 episodes, are available for the first time in one deluxe DVD box set. Starring: Mayim Bialik (Beaches, Curb Your Enthusiasm), Jenna von Oÿ (The Parkers), Ted Wass (Soap), Michael Stoyanov and Joey Lawrence in the role that made him an international heartthrob!
Bonus Features:
* Original Pilot
* Blossom Trivia
* A Very Special Show: A retrospective look at the series creation and impact on television, including brand-new interviews with creator Don Reo and stars Mayim Bialik, Jenna von Oÿ, Joseph Lawrence and Ted Wass.
* A Very Special Friendship: An examination of the onscreen friendship of Blossom Russo and Six LeMeure, as well as the off-screen relationship between actresses Mayim Bialik and Jenna von Oÿ.
* Audio Cast & Creator Commentaries
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