Bosom Buddies: The First Season

Like many “groundbreaking” sitcoms of decades past, Bosom Buddies doesn't quite live up to viewers' fond memories: in fact, the once-daring premise—heterosexual men in drag living among women unaware of their true gender—now seems flimsy, while gags that once produced guffaws barely elicit snickers today. The show remains interesting primarily as the comedic vehicle that made Tom Hanks a household name. Hanks and Peter Scolari play Kip and Henry, respectively—young, hip ad-agency employees who lose their Manhattan apartment and are forced to bunk (temporarily, at first) with co-worker Amy (Wendie Jo Sperber). Trouble is, she lives in a women-only residential building, so the guys must don wigs and dresses to go in and out. After becoming smitten with Amy's gorgeous roommate Sonny (Donna Dixon), Kip persuades Henry to make their arrangement permanent. Although the complications arising from this basic situation are silly (and sometimes kind of smarmy), Bosom Buddies still commands attention because of Hanks. Even in the 19 episodes compiled on this extra-less (and minus the Billy Joel theme song) three-disc 1980-81 first season set, viewers can see that Hanks already had the charisma and impeccable comic timing that would later serve him so well in feature films. A strong optional purchase. (E. Hulse)