PRESS SYNOPSIS: Spin City is a smart, sophisticated sitcom about the behind-the-scenes workings of a fictional NYC based City Hall. Workaholic Mike Flaherty (Michael J. Fox) is the Deputy Mayor of New York City, serving as Mayor Randall Winston's (Barry Bostwick) key strategist and much-needed handler. Mike runs the city with the help of his oddball staff: an anxious and insecure press secretary (Richard Kind); a sexist, boorish chief of staff (Alan Ruck); an impeccably groomed gay activist running minority affairs (Michael Boatman); a sharp and efficient, man-crazy accountant (Connie Britton); and an idealistic young speechwriter (Alexander Chaplin). Like Mike, they are all professionally capable but personally challenged. The critically acclaimed and award-winning television series Spin City draws back the curtain of this dysfunctional City Hall in the biggest city in America and provides a smart and comic take on how much it takes to keep the well-meaning but bumbling Mayor looking good. Season One of Spin City boasts a pedigreed ensemble cast including Michael J. Fox, Carla Gugino (Chicago Hope, Karen Sisco), Barry Bostwick (Law & Order: SVU), Richard Kind (Mad About You, Scrubs), Alan Ruck (Ferris Bueller's Day Off), Michael Boatman (Law & Order), Connie Britton (Friday Night Lights), and Alexander Chaplin (Scrubs), alongside notable guest stars Stephen Colbert, Jennifer Garner, Woody Harrelson, Marlee Matlin, Gretchen Mol, Amanda Peet, Luke Perry, George Stephanopoulos, Courtney Thorne-Smith, George Wendt, among others. Created by Gary David Goldberg and Bill Lawrence, executive produced by Michael J. Fox and Gary David Goldberg, and produced by UBU Productions in association with Dreamworks Television, Spin City debuted on ABC on September 17, 1996 and received extraordinary receptions from the critics and viewers. The series reunited Fox and Family Ties executive producer and creator Gary David Goldberg and proved that the magic of their creative partnership was enduring. A.J.'S PROGRAM REVIEW: Arguably one of the better sit-coms of the 1990's, Spin City compares favorably with other ensemble shows of the era such as Fraiser, Just Shoot Me, and NewsRadio. The first season of Spin City shows a program that really hit the ground running, no doubt due in large part to its top-knotch writing staff and highly talented cast and creative crew. Although there would be some minor changes as the show searched to find its unique style, the overall concept and execution were, from the beginning, nearly flawless. The acid test, of course, is that after more than a decade, it's still very, very funny! DVD SPECIAL FEATURES REVIEW: Prime Time Partners - Michael J. Fox and Gary David Goldberg: This is a 30 minute excerpt from a 1996 seminar given by the Paley Center for Media (formerly The Museum of Television & Radio). Fox and Goldberg, who had worked together previously on NBC's Family Ties, share their thoughts on returning to television after 7 years away. An informative, often funny interview with two of television's great talents. The Spin: Making Spin City: A relatively current collection of interviews with the cast and creative crew of Spin City, which combine with clips from the show for a very nice "making of" featurette. Runs apx. 35 minutes. TeamFox.org Promotional Video: Running for a cure - a wonderful six minute clip about TeamFox volunteers who run marathons on behalf of The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research. Pilot Episode audio commentary by Gary David Goldberg & Bill Lawrence: Goldberg and Lawrence discuss the creation of Spin City, achieving the correct tone for the series, and working with an ensemble cast. Pilot Episode audio commentary by Thomas Schlamme: The director of the pilot episode for Spin City does what most directors do, which is to basically take credit for everything, in this entertaining solo commentary track. Pride & Prejudice (4th episode to air) and Kiss Me, Stupid (16th episode to air) audio commentaries with Michael Boatman and Alexander Chaplin: Michael and Alexander, who played Carter and James on the show, discuss the early days of the show in these two fun audio commentaries. Dog Day Afternoon (11th episode to air) and Hot in the City (21st Episode to air) audio commentaries with Michael J. Fox and Alexander Chaplin: Two very entertaining and informative commentaries from Fox and Chaplin. Gabby's Song (15the episode to air) audio commentary with Richard Kind and Alan Ruck: Some great behind the scenes stories from Ruck and Kind concerning acting on Spin City. A.J.'S FINAL PROGRAM NOTES: Seven commentaries that include most of the principle cast members, the series creators, and the director of the pilot episode - nice work, people! Most shows don't get quality treatment like this on DVD over their entire run, much less the first season. Here's hoping Spin City - The Complete First Season is only the first of many fine box sets featuring the series. A.J.'s DVD Rating: 4 Stars |
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PRESS SYNOPSIS: Spin City is a smart, sophisticated sitcom about the behind-the-scenes workings of a fictional NYC based City Hall. Workaholic Mike Flaherty (Michael J. Fox) is the Deputy Mayor of New York City, serving as Mayor Randall Winston's (Barry Bostwick) key strategist and much-needed handler. Mike runs the city with the help of his oddball staff: an anxious and insecure press secretary (Richard Kind); a sexist, boorish chief of staff (Alan Ruck); an impeccably groomed gay activist running minority affairs (Michael Boatman); a sharp and efficient, man-crazy accountant (Connie Britton); and an idealistic young speechwriter (Alexander Chaplin). Like Mike, they are all professionally capable but personally challenged. The critically acclaimed and award-winning television series Spin City draws back the curtain of this dysfunctional City Hall in the biggest city in America and provides a smart and comic take on how much it takes to keep the well-meaning but bumbling Mayor looking good. Season One of Spin City boasts a pedigreed ensemble cast including Michael J. Fox, Carla Gugino (Chicago Hope, Karen Sisco), Barry Bostwick (Law & Order: SVU), Richard Kind (Mad About You, Scrubs), Alan Ruck (Ferris Bueller's Day Off), Michael Boatman (Law & Order), Connie Britton (Friday Night Lights), and Alexander Chaplin (Scrubs), alongside notable guest stars Stephen Colbert, Jennifer Garner, Woody Harrelson, Marlee Matlin, Gretchen Mol, Amanda Peet, Luke Perry, George Stephanopoulos, Courtney Thorne-Smith, George Wendt, among others. Created by Gary David Goldberg and Bill Lawrence, executive produced by Michael J. Fox and Gary David Goldberg, and produced by UBU Productions in association with Dreamworks Television, Spin City debuted on ABC on September 17, 1996 and received extraordinary receptions from the critics and viewers. The series reunited Fox and Family Ties executive producer and creator Gary David Goldberg and proved that the magic of their creative partnership was enduring. A.J.'S PROGRAM REVIEW: Arguably one of the better sit-coms of the 1990's, Spin City compares favorably with other ensemble shows of the era such as Fraiser, Just Shoot Me, and NewsRadio. The first season of Spin City shows a program that really hit the ground running, no doubt due in large part to its top-knotch writing staff and highly talented cast and creative crew. Although there would be some minor changes as the show searched to find its unique style, the overall concept and execution were, from the beginning, nearly flawless. The acid test, of course, is that after more than a decade, it's still very, very funny! DVD SPECIAL FEATURES REVIEW: Prime Time Partners - Michael J. Fox and Gary David Goldberg: This is a 30 minute excerpt from a 1996 seminar given by the Paley Center for Media (formerly The Museum of Television & Radio). Fox and Goldberg, who had worked together previously on NBC's Family Ties, share their thoughts on returning to television after 7 years away. An informative, often funny interview with two of television's great talents. The Spin: Making Spin City: A relatively current collection of interviews with the cast and creative crew of Spin City, which combine with clips from the show for a very nice "making of" featurette. Runs apx. 35 minutes. TeamFox.org Promotional Video: Running for a cure - a wonderful six minute clip about TeamFox volunteers who run marathons on behalf of The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research. Pilot Episode audio commentary by Gary David Goldberg & Bill Lawrence: Goldberg and Lawrence discuss the creation of Spin City, achieving the correct tone for the series, and working with an ensemble cast. Pilot Episode audio commentary by Thomas Schlamme: The director of the pilot episode for Spin City does what most directors do, which is to basically take credit for everything, in this entertaining solo commentary track. Pride & Prejudice (4th episode to air) and Kiss Me, Stupid (16th episode to air) audio commentaries with Michael Boatman and Alexander Chaplin: Michael and Alexander, who played Carter and James on the show, discuss the early days of the show in these two fun audio commentaries. Dog Day Afternoon (11th episode to air) and Hot in the City (21st Episode to air) audio commentaries with Michael J. Fox and Alexander Chaplin: Two very entertaining and informative commentaries from Fox and Chaplin. Gabby's Song (15the episode to air) audio commentary with Richard Kind and Alan Ruck: Some great behind the scenes stories from Ruck and Kind concerning acting on Spin City. A.J.'S FINAL PROGRAM NOTES: Seven commentaries that include most of the principle cast members, the series creators, and the director of the pilot episode - nice work, people! Most shows don't get quality treatment like this on DVD over their entire run, much less the first season. Here's hoping Spin City - The Complete First Season is only the first of many fine box sets featuring the series. A.J.'s DVD Rating: 4 Stars |
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SPIN CITY - THE COMPLETE FIRST SEASON Starring Primetime Emmy® and Three-time Golden Globe® Winner Michael J. Fox, Barry Bostwick, Carla Gugino, Richard Kind, Alan Ruck, Michael Boatman, Connie Britton, Alexander Chaplin A Collectible 4-DVD Box Set Packed with All 24 Addictive Episodes Featuring All-New Interviews with Michael J. Fox, Cast & Show Creators and more! NOW AVAILABLE ON DVD |
