Wings: Season Five

In the world of television most series fail to make the cut and are cancelled after only a season or two. Others become wildly successful and can last year after year. There is a third category that never seems to receive the attention it should. These are the shows that are solid performers in the ratings, consistently entertaining and deserving of their renewals. In most cases of series like this you are most likely aware of them but they aren’t showed with the awards and accolades of the flagship series. One such series was ‘Wings’. Although it was largely overlooked at award time it lasted for eight full seasons, quite an amazing feat for any series. Most importantly the show remained funny throughout most of its run. While many half hour sit-coms loose their edge after a season or so ‘Wings’ was able to grow and keep the laughs coming year after year. It was set in the same ‘universe’ as ‘Cheers’ and ‘Frasier’ and was able to get a boost now and then with visiting characters. Ironically, one of the only Emmy nominations ever given series was for a guest appearance by Kelsey Grammer in his persona as Frasier Crane. Like the proverbial little engine who could or the Energizer Bunny this series just kept moving along. Paramount has released the fifth season to DVD and it is something that you should get. If you missed this series during its original run or in syndication this is one to get. Not only will you enjoy this you will most likely be looking for the previous four box sets currently released. This show is like being a marathon runner; you may never finish first but you went the distance.

The series takes place in a small airport on the little island of Nantucket, Massachusetts. One of the small air charter services there, Sandpiper Air, providing transportation between the tourists oriented island and the mainland. The nominal head of the company is Joe Hackett (Timothy Daly), a pilot who is obsessed with having everything neatly in its proper place. His brother, Brian (Steven Weber) is just about the exact opposite. Brian is free-wheeling and unable to commit to anything. Life seems to come easy for him although he has been known to ruin many chances for success. The only other full time employee for Sandpiper is Fay (Rebecca Schull), an often married and widowed former stewardess who handles the ticket counter and flight announcements. While he often works on the Sandpiper planes Lowell Mather (Thomas Haden Church) is actually a mechanic in the employ of the airport for general maintenance and repairs. Also employed in the Tom Nevers Field Airport are several other odd characters. At the lunch counter is Helen Chappel (Crystal Bernard) who really wants to be a symphony cellist and has been friends with both Hackett men but has always had her eye on Joe. The main rival airline for Sandpiper is Aeromass, owned and operated by Roy Biggins (David Schramm). He is not only unpleasant to all but at times out right dishonest in his business and personal life. Running a taxi service to and from the airport is Antonio Scarpacci (Tony Shalhoub), a meek and mild Italian immigrant. Lastly there is a helicopter pilot Alex Lambert (Farrah Forke) who is the object of both Hackett’s attentions.

The fifth season starts off with Brian ecstatically happy about his relationship with Alex. Joe is not very pleased not because he was interested but more because Brian decides to wake him up to relate his joy. Helen, on the other hand, is in a dating slump. Her last date tried to sell her insurance. Everyone is sure the Brian will not remain so happy with Alex. His track record pushes the odds to a soon to happen breakup. He protests adamant that this is now how he is but is put aback one of his previous ‘love forever’ flings happens to be in the airport. Other episodes seem to be a loose association of gags held together by a flimsy premise. For example there is the time when Helen is upset because the health inspectors are due. The best humor in this (and many other) episode are the non sequiturs from Lowell. When Roy states he is bored Lowell tells him that when he is bored he ponders life’s mysteries such as ‘if you drive down Sesame Street will you wind up in Mister Roger’s neighborhood’. This is strange enough coming from an adult but takes on a whole new light when you consider the source is the man responsible for the maintaining the aircraft. In typical sit-com fashion the health inspector turns out to be someone who tormented the then over weight Helen in school. Helen only finds this out after she tells the woman off. Yes, the stories are predictable but while you are watching you don’t really care. That is what makes the series work. Even if you can predict what will happen in the plot the little one-liners and sight gags keep you coming back.

The setting for an ensemble cast series is very important. Whether it’s a bar, a TV newsroom or a taxi garage the audience has to be able to identify with it as a place that normal people go to work. Much the humor in Wings can translate to almost any environment. You are always going to have the ladies man, the anal retentive, the beautify girl, the older woman and the slightly dim guy. These are relatable people that help the audience want to watch. In many ways the series is also the younger brother living in the ever present shadow of a more successful sibling. While many Cheers characters have visited over the eight year run Wings was never to reach that level. There is a nicely balanced mixture of running gags and physical humor. A pratfall is usually good for a laugh and is preferable to a less able joke.

The cast is what made up the core of this series. Timothy Daly and Steve Webber had great chemistry as brothers. They were a one family odd couple and works for the same reason; it is funny to watch two polar opposites bicker. Daly plays Joe as a man who is in need of control but also as a person who secretly envies his brother’s freeform life style. He wishes he could take life with such a joy for the moment outlook. In contrast Brian also wants to have some of the stability of his brother. Crystal Bernard proves that there are few things hotter than a beautiful woman who is funny. She has such control over the delivery of her lines that she nails each one. She is also solid on the physical humor, unafraid to get messy with the boys for a laugh. Two incredible actors may never have received awards for their performance here but they certainly went on to much greater achievements. Tony Shalhoub has been a successful working character actor for years. His resume has spanned just about every genre imaginable including a role in Men in Black. He can play almost any ethnic character with respect and professionalism. He has now found the role of a life time with his portrayal of the defective detective, Adrian Monk. Thomas Haden Church gives his all to his presentation of Lowell. It takes an incredibly smart actor to play a dumb character. Actually Lowell is not dumb by any means thanks to Church’s ability. He makes Lowell as a man who just lives in a world of his own. Church will go on to an Oscar nomination for Sideways.

Paramount presents this season set to DVD in a plain vanilla release. The full screen video is clear with a reasonable color and contrast. The Dolby 2.0 has good separation and gets the job done. This is a great set to have for those times when you are tired of the second rate shows on the air. Just pop in a disc and enjoy it with the whole family.

Posted 10/22/07