Unlike other woman-anchored sitcoms, Caroline in the City was not in the “you're going to make it after all” vein of That Girl or The Mary Tyler Moore Show, since Caroline (Lea Thompson, best known as Marty McFly's mother in the Back to the Future trilogy) is already a successful cartoonist whose titular comic strip is wildly popular. As this 24-episode 1995-96 inaugural season unfolds, Caroline finds herself increasingly torn between two men: Del (Eric Lutes), her on-again-off-again boyfriend (for whom she creates Caroline in the City merchandise for his dad's greeting card company); and Richard (Malcolm Gets), Caroline's new assistant, who is a struggling artist with a sardonic wit. Caroline and Richard don't generate sparks like Sam and Diane (Cheers!) or David and Maddie (Moonlighting). The pair are more like Ross and Rachel (Friends), each seeking “sincere amore—the kind of love you never have to question,” as the season progresses and the romantic tension tightens. Adding spunk to the series is Annie (Amy Pietz), Caroline's neighbor and best friend, who works as a Broadway dancer (she's in Cats). Annie and Richard make fine and funny natural born enemies (they address each other as “tightass” and “tart”). Helping to get the fledgling series started here are a roster of guest stars (David Hyde Pierce and Jane Leeves from Frasier, Matthew Perry from Friends, and Jonathan Silverman from The Single Guy), as well as future Gilmore Girl Lauren Graham in a recurring role as Richard's flakey and impossible to shake girlfriend. Look, too, for TV icons (Jean Stapleton as Caroline's aunt, Florence Henderson as herself, and in the poignant episode, “Caroline and the Watch,” Rose Marie and Morey Amsterdam). A Top 5 show in its first season, Caroline in the City held its own for four seasons. A strong optional purchase. (D. Liebenson)
Caroline in the City: The First Season
Paramount, 3 discs, 533 min., not rated, DVD: $39.99 November 24, 2008
Caroline in the City: The First Season
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