Home Improvement [TV Series] (DVD)

Connect to Facebook/Twitter, recommend via email and much more.

---

12) "Ploys for Tots." When Marty's evil "twin" keeps throwing tantrums, Jill and Tim can't keep from offering advice.

13) "Chop Shop 'Til You Drop." When Brad's first car is stolen, Tim and Al go undercover to try to find out who took it and stripped it for parts.

14) "Home Alone." When everyone leaves Tim for the weekend so he can write a book for Binford Tools, he gets writer's block: he can't think of anything besides doing the talk show circuit after the book is a huge success. Oprah, Jay Leno, and Michael Eisner guest star.

15) "Knee Deep." When Brad screws up his knee tripping over a carpet when "Tool Time" shoots an episode at the house, he blames Dad. Magicians Penn & Teller guest star.

16) "Mark's Big Break." The "Greased Lightning" episode, where Mark is commissioned to make a video for Dad, and has to make amends when the first version disappoints.

17) "Young at Heart." Tim and Jill are supposed to have big plans for their 19th wedding anniversary, but all that seems in jeopardy after Tim is caught in a compromising position with a female mechanic.

18-19) "Love's Labour Lost," Parts 1&2. Jill needs an emergency hysterectomy, but things turn much more serious than just plans for a ski trip that are thwarted.

20) "Neighbors." When Wilson wins a bunch of money and decides to spend it on a greenhouse, Tim goes ballistic because it blocks his view.

21) "A Hardware Habit to Break." Tim tries to organize a fundraising party for Harry after he announces he's selling the hardware store, and Tim ends up buying it . . . only to fail miserably as a retailer.

22) "Loose Lips and Freudian Slips." When Jill criticizes her psychology professor, it could come back to haunt her.

23) "Trouble-a-Bruin." When the sponsor mandates that only Binford tools can be used on the show, Tim faces a decision. So does Brad, who has to finally decide whether it's going to be soccer or college.

24) "Dead Weight." A poignant episode has Al coping with the death of his mother.

25) "The Long and Winding Road," Parts 1&2. The show's new producer decides it's Jerry Springer time, rather than just plain old "Tool Time," and Tim hangs it up. Meanwhile, Jill is offered a job--in another state--and Wilson and Tim decide to take down the fence to make room for Al's wedding.

26) "Backstage Pass." A clip show features interviews, bloopers, and Wilson's facial unveiling.

Video:
"Tool Time" . . . I mean, "Home Improvement" is presented in 1.33:1 aspect ratio, and this transfer looks really good. The colors are bold and vivid, the picture is clear and free of outlining fuzz, and there's not a whole lot of grain. In fact, there isn't even much in the way of edge distortion when the picture is stretched to fill out a 16x9 screen. Fans should be pleased.

Audio:
The audio is a Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo, which delivers a crisp-enough sound with no noticeable flaws or distortion. Bass/treble balance is also good. No complaints here.

Extras:
The big bonus feature is another clip show, "Tim Allen Presents: A User's Guide to Home Improvement," which aired in May of 2003, wherein the big guy co-hosts with Karn and brings Dunning onboard as well. In the process, he tries out some new stand-up material and fields questions from a live audience. Also included is an okay blooper reel.

Bottom Line:
I can't put my finger on it, but maybe the success of "Home Improvement" all boils down to Tim Allen and the concept of having him be the man's man host of a fixit show . . . and the irony being that he's the clumsiest handyman around. Certainly the "Tool Time" segments gave the show its sparkle.

---

Connect to Facebook/Twitter, recommend via email and much more.

---