One thing that changes with astonishing rapidity is television programming. It seems that just when a show catches your interest you tune in the next week and it has been cancelled. With the most popular genre of the situation comedy this can happen with the release of only a handful of episodes; a season or so maximum. At one time NBC ruled the sit com universe with one long lasting hit after another. There was ‘Friends’, ‘Cheers’, ‘Frazier’ and last but certainly not least ‘Wings’. Each of these show managed to hold on far longer than the average series of this format and for good reason, they were relatable and funny. The DVD distribution rights for most of these series are held by CBS Paramount and they have been great in their release schedule to get the discs in the hands of the fans. Now, for those out there that enjoyed the New England airport that was the setting of ‘Wings’ the wait is over and with the release of eight and final season the entire series is now available on DVD. While the series was never the mega hit of others in the NBC sit com lineup it succeeded in doing what eludes most shows of this format; develop a loyal fan base and remained consistently funny throughout most of its run. Some fans did complain that the show lost a lot of its heart when one of the most beloved core characters left the series but that was at the end of season seven and there was more than enough momentum to carry it for the remaining year. The writers and producers of ‘Wings’ also demonstrated a lot of respect for their fans but bringing the series to a conclusion wrapping up many of the ongoing story lines and loose ends.

The show did have some help in staying on the air for so long. It was given the most coveted time slot possible; directly after another sit com that was a huge hit; ‘Cheers’, It also was set in the same character universe as ‘Cheers’ and its subsequent spin off ‘Frazier’. This translated into a little boost in the ratings with some cross over guest appearances whenever the ratings began to lag a bit. It also allowed some of the energy and fans of the other series to come and visit giving ‘Wings’ a spark or two. Like many popular sit-coms this one was based on working class people. The prime time soap operas tended to show the problems and tribulations of the ultra rich but for humor people like to watch characters they can readily identify with and understand. This concept was well played in this series. The characters were all naturally zany and full of quirks but that only made them more enjoyable to watch each week.

The foundation of the theme here is one that is tried and true; the juxtaposition of polar opposites. It worked well in the ‘Odd Couple’ so with only a few tweaks the same premises held up here. In this case the two diametrically opposed people are a pair of brothers; Joe (Tim Daly) and Brian Hackett (Steven Weber). They are both pilots working out of a small airport in Nantucket Massachusetts. Their company is Sandpiper Air and while not a big airline it does allow the brothers to support themselves. Joe is the more stable of the two; responsible focused and slightly neurotic. Brian is more of the ‘live in the moment’ sort of guy, easy going and the one that usually creating a problem. Most of their business consists of shuttling tourists back and forth between the little island and the main land. Sandpiper has one other long time employee Helen (Rebecca Schull). In her younger days she was a air line attendant, who works at the ticket counter. She looks like a typical grandmotherly type but the stories of her youth are legendary for their wide side. Every sit com needs a villain and for all the years his series was on there was one; Roy Biggins (David Schramm). He owns another small airline, Aeromass, and is the major competitor to Sandpiper Air. You also need some love interest which comes in the form of Helen (Crystal Bernard) and her sister Casey (Amy Yasbeck). At this point in time they have pair off with the brothers with Helen and Joe married and Brian and Casey in a somewhat stable relationship. The necessary quirky character is Antonio Scarpacci played by veteran character actor Tony Shalhoub. Helen works at the snack counter at the airport but her life long dream has been to play cello for the symphony. Casey was, or rather is married to a wealthy man, Stuart who left her.

It seems that the writers have a touch of pyromania in their psychological profiles. At the start of season six Brian and Casey are having sex in Helen and Joe’s home and accidentally set it on fire and burn it down. As this season begins the tables are turn and Helen and Joe inadvertently torch Brian’s house. He hopes to get a full settlement but the insurance investigator looks closely at both claims since two homes in a year is a bit suspicious. This is resolved in a typical crazy sit com fashion when the investigator has a wild night of passion with the hapless Antonio and wind up setting their motel room on fire. Antonio is featured in many story lines especially with his main feature of being notoriously bad with the ladies. In one episode the gang is trapped by an old fashion New England storm at a singles mixer and Antonio strikes out so many times the planners offer him his money back.

There is a freedom afforded the writes when they know that the current season will be their last on the show. In a case like this they can throw caution to the wind and go crazy. Because of financial problems Joe and Brain have to face getting an investor for Sandpiper. They wind up with a company that wants to buy them out but soon discover that the plan is to strip and sell the airline for a tax break. In the end the brothers get a long lost inheritance from their late father and have some small financial stability. This allows Joe and Helen to take off for Europe so she can study music for a year. In all the show ended as funny as it began and gave the fans the conclusion they wanted for eight years. This is the end of a era and will remain funny for a long time so add it to you DVD collection.

Posted 03/24/09