Spin City (TV Series) (DVD)

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You gotta love DVDs. "Spin City" ran from 1996-2002, and yet I never saw a single episode when it was part of ABC's line-up. And I never saw the first season that Shout! Factory released on DVD, either. My first exposure to this show came with the Season 2 DVD, and it was one of those pleasant surprises. There are so many mediocre sitcoms on television (and now, on DVD) that to find one that's clever and funny, well-paced and plotted seems a real treat.

"Spin City" placed in the Nielsen Top-30 its first season and then dropped out of the top tier its sophomore year before coming back the third and fourth. But frankly, after watching the second season, I'm surprised "Spin City" didn't stay near the top.

Though the title may sound like another radio show, it's a political show that refers to "spin doctoring"--what good PR people say they never do. Michael J. Fox stars as the Deputy Mayor of New York City whose job it is to run the show, because the mayor, Randall Winston (Barry Bostwick), isn't exactly the most reliable. He's easily distracted and prone to both stick his foot in his mouth and use both feet to hightail it out whenever he feels like it.

Season Two begins the with mayor, who's in the process of divorce, enjoying his freedom--so much so that he ends up going to Florida for spring break with one of the men from his office. That leaves Mike facing the press and trying to come up with a believable alibi that doesn't sound as flakey as "the mayor went to Florida for spring break and missed important meetings without telling anyone."

Fox is brilliant in this show, and it's no wonder he was nominated for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series for each of the first four years, finally winning his fourth time. His reaction shots are impeccable, but his character is such a deadpanned extension of Alex P. Keaton, the character he played in "Family Ties," that it's like watching Alex all grown up . . . or as grown-up as someone as short as Michael J. Fox can seem. Height jokes come up a number of times, especially since he becomes romantically involved with a succession of women who are all taller than he is. But he's surrounded by interesting character actors as well, with Richard Kind ("Mad About You") playing press secretary Paul Lassiter, who's as hapless as he is clueless, and Michael Boatman ("China Beach") cutting his comic chops here as a gay African-American who's been brought on-staff to help smooth out the mayor's relationship with the city's minorities. Alan Ruck is also hilarious as the hyper-caffeinated and over-sexed Stuart Bondek, the #2 person in the office who wants to be number one . . . or watch porn. And every sitcom needs a naïve character. Alexander Chaplin does a fine job of playing one as speechwriter James Hobert. Rounding out the main cast are Connie Britton as accountant Nikki Faber and Victoria Dillard as Janelle Cooper, who thinks she should be getting more money and responsibility than she is.

In every episode I found myself laughing out loud or appreciating the writing at least a half-dozen times, and that's rare for a sitcom. I tried writing down some of the funny lines, but they were delivered so quickly and crisply that I would have had to have paused the DVD a bunch of times. Even the clichés sound funny when they're supported by a stronger line, as when one character remarks, "She's not the sharpest tool in the shed," and Paul quips, "If her IQ hits 40, she should sell." Some interesting guest stars also turn up this season (see below).

What's nice too is that fans can consult a seven-page full-color booklet for complete listings of episodes, writers, air dates, directors, and synopses. Here's a rundown on the 24 episodes that are contained on four single-sided discs and housed in two slim clear plastic keep-cases, taken directly from the booklet:

1) "Paul Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest." Acting as the Mayor's divorce layer, Mike finds himself attracted to his opponent, Laurie Parres (Paula Marshall). A psychiatrist (Mark Linn-Baker) declares Paul insane when the press thinks he has suffered a nervous breakdown.

2) "Porn in the U.S.A." Mike and Nikki compete to spend time with Mike's new girlfriend, Laurie. Paul's bombshell mom (Raquel Welch) visits the office, and the Mayor is caught on tape looking for porn.

3) "Wonder Woman." Mike wants a commitment from Laurie, but she isn't looking for a serious relationship. Stuart and Carter are determined to uncover James's new hobby.

4) "The Goodbye Girl." Mike finds himself in the middle of the Mayor's new relationship with a much younger woman (Marla Maples). Paul enjoys himself a little too much while filling in as Mike's assistant.

5) "In the Heat of the Day." Mike wants to suppress a story about Carter's run-in with the police, but Carter resists. Paul obsesses over proving that he's not racist, while James obsesses over a date.