Home Improvement [TV Series] (DVD)

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Goodbye Tim the Tool Man. Goodbye Al. Goodbye Jill and the boys. With this eighth and final season, "Home Improvement" goes into that big screening room in the sky. And its legacy? Oddly enough, with a husband-wife dynamic that seemed pretty standard, and a home-work dual plotline that has also driven more than a few sitcoms, what this show might be most remembered for are the little things. Like Wilson (Earl Hindman), the neighbor whose complete face was never shown--not even when he joins Tim (Tim Allen) on a whitewater rafting trip for this season's opener and wears a specially designed helmet that hides the same portion of his face, as always. Or Heidi (Debbe Dunning), who brought a splash of water-in-the-face sex(ism) to the show. And, of course, the fact that this show didn't just offer a situation comedy--it poked fun of Bob Villa and every educational TV home improvement show.

This final season, Tim's on-air sidekick Al (Richard Karn) finds a rich girlfriend, the boys spread their wings, Tim gets jealous when Al gets to star in a TV movie with Morgan Fairchild, Jill (Patricia Richardson) has surgery, that famous fence between Tim and Wilson comes down, and several episodes take viewers down memory lane.

But all the elements that mad the show popular are still in place. Tim is still bumbling, his relationship with Al is still half-pal, half-feud, his ability to relate to his wife and kids is still limited by his own self-interests, and there's still the same mixture of slapstick and heartfelt moments that made the show a fan favorite.

Twenty-eight episodes are offered here on four single-sided discs that are housed in a single-width keep-case with two on each side, overlapping. Here's the rundown:

1) "Whitewater." Part "Deliverance" and part "City Slickers," the season opener follows the gang on a whitewater rafting adventure when Jill plans a surprise birthday party for Tim--who'd rather be watching NASCAR in his new recliner. Oh, and did I mention their rafting guide is a psycho?

2) "Adios." Randy (Jonathan Taylor Thomas) bids his girlfriend adieu, but then finds out that he's also been accepted for an environmental study program in Costa Rica. Meanwhile, Tim hosts his version of the "Gong Show" in an attempt to find a theme song for "Tool Time."

3) "All in the Family." When Tim's brother visits and takes a shine to Jill's sister, it causes a little sibling rivalry: Tim and Jill. Thom Sharp and Tudio Roche guest star.

4) "Taylor Got Game." Brad (Zachery Ty Bryan) is the focus this episode, when he's offered the chance to play pro soccer in Europe.

5) "Al's Fair Lady." Tim comes up with a new community fix-up van and takes the "Tool Time" show on the road. Meanwhile, Tim and Jill argue over how appropriate it is for Al to accept a gift from his new girlfriend--like a new car.

6) "Bewitched." It's Halloween, and at Tim's insistence Wilson dumps his girlfriend, who had claimed to be a witch. And when Wilson disappears, guess whom the police suspect?

7) "Not-So-Great Scott." Jill thinks one of her patients is having an affair with Heidi's husband, and because Tim can't keep a secret, all heck breaks loose.

8) "Tim's First Car." What do you buy the guy who has everything? How about a replica of his first car? While the boys are checking out colleges, Jill tries to replace the beloved car that finally had to be scrapped.

9) "Mr. Likeable." Jealousy rears its ugly head when Al gets to star in a movie opposite Morgan Fairchild . . . and Tim doesn't.

10) "Thanks, But No Thanks." When Tim learns that his brother has separated, he invites Marty (William O'Leary) and the twins to move in with them, temporarily of course.

11) "Home for the Holidays." In a precursor to the clip shows that are coming, Randy sets the nostalgic stage by coming home for Christmas and realizing how many changes have taken place. Tim, meanwhile, gets into a Christmas light showdown with Al.