The War at Home: The Complete First Season

This Fox TV series ought to be included in a time capsule, so that Americans in the distant future might understand the pressures under which nuclear families labored in the early 21st century. A glib, irreverent sitcom, The War at Home bitingly chronicles the never-ending struggles between parents and children. Dave and Vicky Gold (Michael Rapaport and Anita Barone) happen to be in the perfect position to anticipate the problems and challenges posed by their three teenagers (Kyle Sullivan, Kaylee DeFer, Dean Collins), because they've “been there, done that.” A clear descendant of Married with Children, this popular series deftly handles some potentially dicey material, such as Dave's concern that son Larry's fondness for show tunes could be an early indicator of sexual orientation and ditzy daughter Hillary's preoccupation with breast implants. The show's hip storytelling style—which includes flashbacks, flash-forwards, and “confessional” sequences in which the principals unburden themselves—effectively separates The War at Home from more conventional sitcoms. This three-disc set contains all 22 episodes from the 2005-06 first season, as well as DVD extras including unaired scenes, cast and creator “Living Room Confessions,” and a gag reel. Recommended. (E. Hulse)