Fans of the nine-season '70s/'80s CBS sitcom "Alice" and lovers of sitcoms generally have several reasons to rejoice regarding the Warner Archive August 1, 2017 DVD release of S5 of "Alice." The primary cause for celebration is this release ending a nearly four-year dry spell since the October 2013 (Unreal TV reviewed) release of "Alice" S4. This chance to see more episodes of this show by the "I Love Lucy" team of Bob Carroll, Jr. and Madelyn Davis also is great reminder of the Silver Age of (Unreal) Television before reality shows dominated the airways.
"Alice" S5 particularly represents sitcoms of its era regarding the numerous on-screen and behind-the-scenes parallels with fellow hit from another network "Three's Company." Like Jenilee Harrison, who has a short tenure on "Company" between the departure of original star Suzanne Somers and the arrival of long-term cast member Priscilla Barnes, Diane Ladd (who plays Flo in the dramatic film "Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore" on which "Alice" is based) ends her short tenure on "Alice" as returned former waitress Isabelle "Belle" Amanda Dupree. Also, akin to Somers departing "Company," Ladd not staying awhile on "Alice" after things do not work out has an element of clashing star egos.
Also like Somers, whose ban from the "Company" set has her essentially phoning in her final performances, Ladd is denied the dignity of a proper sendoff. Her final "Alice" appearance consists of briefly calling the diner to share the good news that requires quitting her job.
The "Company" parallel is clear right from the S5 season premiere. Like a similar plot from "Company," hilarity ensues when then-new ATM technology results in an automatic teller spewing out a comically large amount of money for Mel, who owns the run-down diner around which "Alice" is centered.
An early two-part S5 "Alice" episode expands on the recurring theme of Mel losing ownership of the diner and his waitresses/friends coming to the rescue. This time, the sitcom cliche of dingy waitress Vera winning a trip to Las Vegas in a radio contest leads to the whole gang visiting Sin City where Mel gambles away the diner.
The solution to recovering ownership of the diner involves the tried-and-true tactic of Linda Lavin, who plays the titular waitress/aspiring singer, dressing in male drag to save the day. The two-fer (which relates to the regular practice of high-profile celebrity guests on "Alice") is that Lavin impersonates show business legend Robert Goulet, who appears as himself. Another "very special guest star" is country singer Jerry Reed, who makes his second appearance on the series.
Speaking of very special guest stars, comic legend Martha Raye plays her recurring role of Mel's hyperactive mother Carrie twice. Her first appearance has her visiting in the wake of a separation from her husband, and her second S5 episode has her helping a competitor of Mel after fighting with her offspring.
The "Alice" writers additionally serve up another in a series of episodes in which the quest of Alice for stardom clashes with her day job. This time, a highly praised gig prompts our working girl initially to bore co-workers and customers alike with the oft-repeated tale of her glory night and then seriously consider taking her act on the road.
Celia Weston (who currently plays the mother of country gay boy Cam on the ABC sitcom "Modern Family") makes her literally dramatic entrance as Jolene late in S5. Then-trucker Jolene storms into the diner with her then business and driving partner in the wake of that man making another in a long series of unwanted sexual advances in the cab. The ensuing hilarity includes Jolene indirectly being responsible for the main ensemble getting locked in the ladies room at the diner.
S5 ends with the sitcom cliche of Vera wanting to keep a baby whom she finds at the laundromat. The best humor in this one relates to Vera meeting with a confused staff member at an adoption agency.
The good folks at Archive supplement the S5 set with three bonus S6 episodes. This includes the classic episode in which Mel goes ballistic after Vera breaks the well-known rule of not cashing checks.
The appeal of all this is that it is the video equivalent of the comfort food that Mel and company dish out. We know (and love) the diner crew by then and enjoy their hi-jinks because they provide valued escapism.
Anyone with questions or comments regarding "Alice" is encouraged to email me; you alternatively can connect on Twitter via @tvdvdguy.
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