Rating: 
Country: USA
Release Date: June 19, 2007
Distributor: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Cast:
· Ricky Schroder
· Joel Higgins
· Erin Gray
· Leonard Lightfoot
Related Sites:
· IMDb: Silver Spoons
Grade: B+
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DVD Review: Silver Spoons - The Complete First Season
by R.J. Carter
Published: June 18, 2007
Edward Stratton III (Joel Higgins) had everything a kid could ever want. And then he got a twelve-year-old son he didn't know he had when Ricky (Ricky Schroder shows up at the door. Looks like that marriage to his ex-wife was the most productive six days of Edward's life.
In the opening episode, we meet Edward -- an overgrown kid in a man's body -- devoid of responsibility and burdened with the problem of having been born rich. Surrounded by videogames, taken from room to room of the mansion on an oversized toy train, Edward's wealth is in danger of disappearing, something Edward seems to be completely oblivious to, despite the best efforts of his lawyer, Leonard (Leonard_Lightfoot) and his business manager, Lou (Star Trek: Voyager's Robert Picardo. When Ricky shows up and announces who he is, he's hoping that he'll get to stay with his newfound dad instead of going back to military school while mom honeymoons overseas with her new husband. Edward, however, isn't ready for the responsibility and is prepared to send Ricky back the next day.
Fortunately for Ricky and Edward, this was the early 80s, when personal computers were the rage and kids Ricky's age were whizzes with the technology -- and with bank statements. Ricky discovers that Lou has been electronically siphoning off Edward's fortune into his own account, and brings this to Leonard's attention, saving the Stratton estate. It doesn't save him from military school, however, as Edward still has his personal assistant, Kate (Erin Gray), ship him off the next morning. But while Ricky is there, being tormented by his irascible friend Derek (Jason Bateman), Edward has a change of heart, and brings Ricky home. He figures he can teach Ricky how to be a little boy -- something he has a lot of experience at; and maybe Ricky can teach Edward a few things as well.
Raising Dad. Ricky and Edward have a little
man-to-man talk.
(L-R: Schroder, Higgins)
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Ricky's enjoying the completely computerized house, but within a few episodes, Ricky's mother Evelyn (Christine Belford) learns what's happened, and shows up to take Ricky either back to school or back to Europe with her. Edward is prepared to fight for custody, but -- per Leonard's advice -- realizes that a court battle would be an ugly thing where Ricky would hear both his parents say hurtful things about each other. Rather than have his son endure that, he tells Ricky it's best for him to go with his mother. But Evelyn also has a change of heart, seeing how badly Ricky wants to be with his father, and let's him stay.
This season also featured a sentimental (overly so, to be honest) Christmas episode, in which Ricky hires a young Joey Lawrence at Christmastime so he can buy his mom a present. But Ricky later finds out that what Joey and his family really need are food and shelter. His dad's lost his job, the family's car broke down, and they're living in a cave. Too proud to take handouts, the family leaves the cave for Christmas Eve services, leaving Ricky time to decorate and get Edward into a Santa suit to deliver presents. And since Edward owns a toy factory, which he figures that can't be much different from a steel mill, Edward caps off Christmas by giving Joey's dad a job. God bless us, everyone.
Keep a sharp eye out for a guest appearances by Sharon Stone, The West Wing's Allison Smith, and John Houseman as Joel's father. And feel that cheesy 80s goodness when Arnold Jackson (Gary Coleman) makes a guest appearance, and see what happens when Ricky gets a bodyguard: Mr. T!
This three-disc set contains no bonus features, nor any audio or subtitling options. The menu allows for either "Play All" or "Episode Selection".
Previews on the third disc of this set include "Catch and Release" and "The Pursuit of Happyness".
Silver Spoons
The Complete First Season
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Disc 1
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Disc 2
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01. Pilot
02. Boys Will Be Boys
03. Grandfather Stratton
04. Me and Mr. T
05. Takin' a Chance on Love
06. Evelyn Returns
07. The Great Computer Caper
08. I'm Just Wild About Harry
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09. Honor Thy Father
10. Father Nature
11. A Little Magic
12. Falling in Love Again
13. The Best Christmas Ever
14. The Most Beautiful Girl in the World
15. Twelve Angry Kids
16. The Toy Wonder
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Disc 3
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17. Popcorn
18. Junior Businesswoman
19. Three's a Crowd
20. The Empire Strikes Out
21. Won't You Go Home, Bob Danish?
22. The X Team
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CD Giveaway - Paper Bird, "Rooms"
Ends May 28, 2013
Drifting ever so slightly away from traditional folk music, this Colorado band delivers harmony and energy aplenty. |
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