DVD Review: Small Wonder Season 1

Small Wonder Season 1

Small Wonder Season 1 will be available, February 16th, from Shout! Factory.

When Ted Lawson gets inspired to create a life-like robot, he decides to see if his experiment can pass as a real girl. The Voice Input Child Identicant (nicknamed VICI or Vickie), soon becomes a member for the family. Joan Lawson quickly comes to think of Vickie has her own daughter, and son Jamie continually tries to exploit Vickie by getting her to do his homework and chores.

This original sitcom from the 80’s stars Dick Christie as Ted Lawson, Tiffany Brissette as V.I.C.I., Marla Pennington as Joan Lawson, Jerry Supiran as Jamie Lawson, Emily Schulman as next-door-neighbor Harriet Brindle, and Edie McClurg as Harriet’s busybody mother.

As a child of the 80’s and life-long scifi fan, Small Wonder held a special place in my heart. For their extremely limited budget, and time period, the special effects are not all that bad. The commentaries were especially enjoyable, hearing about what went on behind the scenes, Vickie’s eternal pinafore, and how they were actually not allowed to downplay anything. Dick Christie was told to overdo the acting. Besides the usual corny jokes, catch-phrases (“That makes sense!”) and over-acting, the stories and heart of the show actually made me fall in love with the show all over again.

Specs:
– The 4-disc DVD set includes all 24 episodes from season 1
– Multiple commentaries with creator and cast
– Original episode promos
– Fan art gallery