Ned and Stacey: The First Season

I distinctly remember this show as being the first of very few 'appointment television' -type shows to dot the landscape of the TV-watching aspect of my life. I looked forward to every single episode of "Ned and Stacey", loved the show, & was bewildered & seriously bummed when it was cancelled.Having a humorous premise is one thing (& on the face of it, the premise of this show is practically ripe for humor), but to be able to take it in multiple directions, let alone come up with so many plausible potential scenarios, issues, & 'consequences' -- given the premise of 2 people who irritate each other, but get married & live together so that each can gain something of specific importance -- required intelligence & creativity, & skillful writing & execution. The writing was terrific, & the acting by the 4 principal actors (as well as others, for that matter) was fantastic, & topped off by the chemistry between them, collectively rendered each episode a wonderful, interesting, & humorous look at various 'what if(s)' associated with the lives of 2 strong-willed people contending with the constraint-filled & what-others-expect-to-be-true-and-assume-of-two-people-who-are-married circumstance that they themselves created, & about which only 2 others in their inner circle know the truth.Along the way, the various comical scenarios end up illustrating some irony & various truths about people, & relationships (& marriages, in particular), that make for an all-the-more-interesting ride when taking a 'trip' through Ned and Stacey -land... Also, & which is seemingly inevitable when it comes to various people who don't actually take the time to get to know one another, but then spend extensive time around each other, you see ~hint-like occasional moments when Ned & Stacey seem to come to a better understanding of each other, & while they won't admit it, they gradually start to have a bit of respect for each other, & the formative element of a friendship is ultimately 'there' despite the 'best efforts' of each to think they couldn't possibly like the other.I've just watched episodes of this series (the entire first season) for the first time since it was originally broadcast, over 15 years ago, & the humor holds up so incredibly well, all these years later. I am delighted beyond words to be able to watch episodes of this show again, & in watching the first season in a kind of 'marathon viewing session', was reminded of just how rare it is for me to find *any* television series which makes me laugh out loud & smile so much.I hope like crazy that Season Two is ultimately made available -- not only for those of us who watched the series when it was originally televised, but also for those who either didn't happen to catch it the first time around, or weren't able to (for some, due only to the fact that they were children at the time [& not old enough for a show with a premise involving marriage], let alone those who were not yet born). Studio head honchos & decision-makers -- please, please, please make Season Two available on DVD.Thomas Haden Church has always been in a class by himself, & his unique & significant impact on this series is a comedy wonder to behold. While I liked him in "Wings", I absolutely loved him in "Ned and Stacey". Similarly, while I liked Debra Messing in "Will & Grace", I enjoyed her far more in "Ned & Stacey". Additionally, Greg Germann, who I've enjoyed in many projects over the years, was terrific in this series (among so many things, there are times when he has to 'turn on a dime', perceived allegiance -wise, & he is able to convey so much [& comically so] with just a quick change in his facial expression [at times followed by some well-delivered accompanying line]). And Nadia Dajani, who I've seen in various projects since "Ned & Stacey", is fantastic as Stacey's sister, who thinks Stacey is nuts to have entered into a 'fake marriage', & to boot, Nadia's character can't stand Ned, suffers no fools, & 'tells it like it is' -- albeit with such skillfully delivered lines & accompanying facial expression & body language, & to great comedic effect.Lastly, the limited special features with the Season One set are interesting & fun.Love, love, love this show...

Ned and Stacey only lasted two seasons but it is still a great comedy worth to take a look again and again. Thomas Haden Church became an Academy Award nominee for the film, "Sideways," and Debra Messing would succeed in another comedy series, "Will and Grace." In this series, Ned and Stacey have an unusual marriage arrangement for business reasons. Ned needs a wife to get a promotion in his company while Stacey is yearning to the live in New York City and escape her parents' suffocating environment in the New Jersey suburbs.Ned and Stacey are opposites which works great to the advantage of the series. Ned is serious about his profession in the advertising game. Stacey is an aspiring writer and journalist herself. They meet in the pilot episode on a blind date arranged by Stacey's brother-in-law Eric Moyer (Greg Germain) and his Stacey's sister, Amanda Moyer (Nadia Dajani). Dori Brenner and Harry Goz played Stacey's parents mostly in the first season. Eric and Amanda are also opposites in character. The two couples have terrific chemistry onscreen and the laughs keep coming.Sadly, the series lasted only two seasons on Fox in the mid-nineties. The cast would go on to other projects as well. Thomas Haden Church would earn an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for the film, "Sideways" and other accolades. Debra Messing has just been awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Television, Emmys and has returned as Grace Adler in the updated version of the comedy, "Will and Grace." Greg Germain would act in the hit series, "Ally McBeal." Sadly, Dori Brenner died in 2000 from cancer. She was a terrific actress in any medium. I wished there was a tribute feature to her in this DVD collection.Guest stars include Joanna Cassidy, Susie Essman, Olivia Newton-John, Jason Bateman, Kathy Griffin, Marcia Cross, Megan Mullaly, Sara Rue, Christopher Hewett, Alex Trebek, Lloyd Bridges, Corinne Bohrer and more. I loved the Thanksgiving episode best of all so far. It is a classic Thanksgiving episode entitled "The Thanksgiving Day Massacre." Another favorite is the flashback episode when Amanda told Stacey to break up with Joe in high school. Eric is playing the diner busboy and Ned appears looking like Joe Dirt.

I loved this show when it was on tv. It was one of the best things on tv at the time. Some years later I bought season one on dvd and then wondered for a long time if they would ever release season 2. Instead they released this complete series. I'm glad they finally did so.Concept of the show is a couple arrange a fake marriage for the sake of furthering their careers. Which they do. And the comedy abounds.

Producto completo y conforme a lo descrito.

I've waited 20+ years to see the last 19 episodes of Season2... and savored every minute.This was My favored sitcom of the time and always sorry it ended.The only thing that would have made this better is if it was available on Blu-ray.That being the only criticism... c'est la vie

Felt a bit disappointed. After Wings and pre Will and Grace I expected more. It was good, just not great. Both leads went on to much better.