Back in 1997, when this briefly popular sitcom first appeared, one critic noted that both the show's overall theme and the plot of every episode could be summed up in two words: culture clash. Nearly 10 years later, the extent to which Dharma & Greg milked that simple concept remains the most interesting thing about the series. Jenna Elfman's Dharma, a free-spirited yoga instructor (and daughter of aging hippies) marries Thomas Gibson's Greg, a Harvard-educated lawyer (and scion of a wealthy, aristocratic family), on their first date. The pair soon learn that impulsiveness comes with a stiff price—in this case, weathering the inevitable conflicts that arise as the result of misunderstandings by parents. Series co-creators and chief writers Dottie Dartland and Chuck Lorre wring every last drop of humor from the constant interplay between the in-laws—Alan Rachins and Mimi Kennedy as Dharma's mom and dad, with Susan Sullivan and Mitch Ryan as Greg's folks—and the newlyweds frequently find themselves acting as referees. Gibson makes a fine straight man, while the vivacious Elfman really shines in a role that some found comparable to Lucille Ball's work. It didn't take very long for the show to lose its shine, but the 23 first-season episodes collected here are uniformly funny and display the bright young stars in the most favorable light. DVD extras include audio commentaries on select episodes, a behind-the-scenes featurette, and an interactive game. Recommended. (E. Hulse)
Dharma & Greg: Season One
Fox, 3 discs, 500 min., not rated, DVD: $39.98 Volume 21, Issue 5
Dharma & Greg: Season One
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