In many ways, the series is a standard formulaic '80s sitcom. With its set-up/punchline rhythm, the show is loaded with the punny comedy that was the rule at the time, while at the same time, inserting moments of emotion, though not the "very special episode" type of emotion. The episode "What's Wrong with Mr. Right" is a heartbreaking look at dating, but it doesn't become sappy or overwrought. There are no vanilla-drinking uncles or molesting bicycle-shop owners here. There is Monroe, though. Played by Bullock, he was a gem in a long-line in wacky "neighbors," a mealy-mouth, socially-awkward, nearly retarded man capable of unbelievable destruction and equally-unbelievable pathos. Surprisingly though, he wasn't included in the opening titles, despite having a large role.

Besides the formula jokes and Monroe, there's also plenty of sex. Henry and Muriel are always talking about it, Sara's always got it in her eyes and voice and Jackie's always thinking about it. When "Too Close for Comfort" was on the air, it was shown at 9:30 at night on ABC, so perhaps that was the standard, but I don't remember another '80s sitcom with such a racy nature. Sara's wardrobe alone would get censors going today, with shorts that revealed her butt, and tops that gave jiggle a good name. Those were glory days for tight, tight jeans. Even the never-seen Rafkin raised the sex-quotient, with his transvestite tendencies. One episode, "A Friend in Need," might not even be able to air nowadays, as Monroe's looking to have sex with a surrogate. I'm pretty comfortable in saying that this show could fit in today on network television. Especially if Sara wore the same outfits.

While there's a lot going on on this show, this was intended to be a showcase for Knight, who had been off TV for some time. He was the king of overreaction and condescension, with his trademark stammer used to full-effect in this series. Eternally outraged, he was at his best when frustrated by the modern morals of his daughters or the bumbling of Monroe. Without him, there probably wouldn't have been a show. Without his class and dignity, gags like the jury note in "Deadline for Henry" simply wouldn't work.

The DVDs
Rhino's packaged the three DVDs in ThinPak cases, housed in a cardboard slipcover. The first season's 19 episodes are split with seven episodes on the first two discs, and five on the final DVD. Oddly, the episodes are numbered starting with 1 on each disc, so episode eight is numbered one on Disc Two. The menus are animated, using graphics from the show, along with the show's instrumental theme. A "play all" option is available on each disc, along with episode selections and chapter stops in each episode. Here's a breakdown of what's included:

Disc One
• Pilot - The Rushes' downstairs tenant dies, leaving a vacancy their daughters want to fill
• It Didn't Happen One Night - Henry finds birth control pills in Sara's room
• The Bag Lady - A pair of ex-con repairmen make Henry nervous, as Jackie brings home $100,000
• Sara's Monroe Doctrine - When Sara defends him at school, Monroe becomes a pain in the butt
• Que Sara, Sara - Muriel moves in with the girls after an argument with Henry
• Tenants Anyone? - An argument over the rent leads to the girls moving out
• Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolfe? - Jackie is upset to think her gigolo boss might be putting the moves on Sara

Disc Two
• Mister Big - Henry's new boss tries to solve Sara's purse snatching
• The Location - Sara allows the apartment to be used for a movie
• A Friend in Need - Sara tries to help Monroe with his problems with women
• A Fine Romance - An old friend of Muriel's wants to sleep with Henry
• The Boy in the Band - A musician who dated Muriel becomes enamored of Jackie
• Deadline for Henry - Henry serves on a jury while working, costing him sleep
• Huey - Henry's dad visits and throws the Rushes into chaos.

Disc Three
• Centerfold - Muriel agrees to do a nude photoshoot of a famous football player, angering Henry
• What's Wrong with Mr. Right? - Jackie is seeing a married man, which causes plenty of problems
• Up Your Easter Bonnet - A vacation for the Rushes is ruined by Monroe
• Cosmic Cow vs. the Oval Office - Henry loses his job for making fun of the President
• The Return of Rafkin - Rafkin's sister's return causes plenty of problems

The Quality
The full-screen video looks very good for its age, as fine details like stray hairs on Henry's head are very visible. Occasional softness is evident, as are color problems around the edges of the screen. Tight patterns display the moire effect, while bright colors, like the red on the Rushes' house in the opening titles, shimmer and bleed. The soundtrack is in 2.0 Stereo but it's almost entirely center-channel. It's a very straightforward track in terms of content. Oddly, the music behind the closing titles sounds distorted.

The Extras
According to the press release for the set and Rhino's website, the extras should include commentaries, cast interviews and photos. The screener discs I received have nothing on them besides the episodes. I've attempted to contact Rhino about this problem, but haven't heard anything yet.

The Bottom Line
Today, "Too Close for Comfort" is a nostalgic trip to a more innocent time in TV, but a racier time for family TV. It's not the greatest show, nor is it a pain to watch, as the comedy is somewhat timeless, and the cast is good (and good-looking too when it comes to Sara.) If you were a fan you should enjoy it, though you'll be disappointed at the lack of extras. Anyone curious should just try it as a rental.

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*The Reviewer's Bias section is an attempt to help readers use the review to its best effect. By knowing where the reviewer's biases lie on the film's subject matter, one can read the review with the right mindset.