Dream On - Seasons 1 & 2 (1990)

One hopes that at the annual HBO characters Christmas party, Larry Sanders, Carrie Bradshaw, and Tony Soprano make a point to raise a toast to Martin Tupper, the hapless hero of Dream On. This groundbreaking 1990 sitcom from future Friends creators David Crane and Marta Kaufman ushered in a bold new era of original cable programming not bound by broadcast network content restrictions. Hence, the profanity and nudity (you didn't see that on Knott's Landing!), which distinguished the series and helped put HBO on the pop culture map. Brian Benben stars as Martin, a New York book editor still reeling from the breakup of his marriage. The show's gimmick is that baby boomer Martin, a member of the first television generation, flashes on vintage TV clips that express his innermost feelings and desires. When his wife, Judith (Wendie Malick), visits Martin in "The First Episode," he fantasizes reconciliation, but she wants him to sign the divorce papers so she can remarry. The scene is punctuated by clips (from an old Twilight Zone episode, perhaps?) in which boxer Lee Marvin is pummeled in the ring and knocked out. But the clips and the language and the sex would get old fast if we didn't like the characters. Benben has the Everyman charm of a young George Segal, and he wears his anxiety to hilarious effect. He is devoted to his young teenage son, and still loves Judith, who is marrying a paragon, never seen, but described at one point as a "Ghandi for our times." His dating relationships spectacularly crash and burn (cue clip of disabled aircraft). In one episode, he comes undone when he discovers his new lover was a porn star. At the office, he is at the mercy of his caustic secretary (Denny Dillon). Dream On is of more than prurient interest. This was one of those lightning-in-a-bottle series blessed with a fresh vision, a seamless ensemble, and smart writing. To finally have it on DVD is a Dream come true. --Donald Liebenson Amazon.com

EX-CELLENT!!!

I was SO happy to find this collection after having missed this show terribly for years. The quality of the CDs is outstanding. No complaints. May 29, 2008

Woke up too early

4 years since this pack and no release plans for the next 4 seasons.

¡We want to dream on! ¡We need the next seasons! May 13, 2008

Good Things come to Those Who...(yada, yada, yada,..)

I was actually looking for another movie when browsing through San Francisco's Virgin store I found a hidden treasure!!!

I faithfully followed Martin Tupper & Company for the major portion of its run on HBO. Looking at the episodes this weekend, I had forgotten how wonderful the series is....especially being a baby boomer myself....it bought back wonderful memories and the interjection of vintage movie clips on Martin's present-day situations was a novel idea which worked beautifully.

Actually, my biggest complaint is that now that I have the first two seasons, this has only served to whet my appetite for more Dream On. I recall many more wonderful moments, most notably an hour-long episode featuring Tom Poston, James Woods, Isabel Sanford, Tom Smothers, Jack E. Carter. It was, for me, the quintessential Dream On episode....hopefully they will release later seasons.

Dream On ushered in a new era of comedy on cable, is indeed now a classic series all its own.

Definitely recommend March 10, 2008

AWSOME!!!!!!

Can't say enough about this DVD. Nice interview with John Landis, good extras including all special guests & cameos, and the show is top notch. Would reccommend to anyone. May 25, 2007

Dream On Lives On

I recently received the first two seasons of Dream On on DVD and have watched them all several times. This was always one of my all-time favorite TV shows and I had taped some of the episodes (poorly) over a decade ago. The quality of each episode is so clear now that I can't get enough.
I always thought that this was such a well written show and feel that way even more now that it has come out on DVD. I hope the other four seasons are released soon because right now we only have 29 episodes out of 120 total. March 29, 2007

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