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"Aren’t doctors supposed to be nice?" Running for six seasons, Becker broke the Cheers curse (RIP: Good Advice, Inc, Pearl). The role of Dr. John Becker was just what the doctor ordered for Ted Danson. Becker is, according to those who know, and grudgingly admire him, best, "a miserable human being" and "such an ass," but "a brilliant one." As for his bedside manner, he makes House seem like Marcus Welby. But this being a sitcom, the cynical and politically incorrect Becker also must have a heart. In the pilot episode, it is revealed that he will secretly pay for treatments for an HIV-p
"Aren’t doctors supposed to be nice?" Running for six seasons, Becker broke the Cheers curse (RIP: Good Advice, Inc, Pearl). The role of Dr. John Becker was just what the doctor ordered for Ted Danson. Becker is, according to those who know, and grudgingly admire him, best, "a miserable human being" and "such an ass," but "a brilliant one." As for his bedside manner, he makes House seem like Marcus Welby. But this being a sitcom, the cynical and politically incorrect Becker also must have a heart. In the pilot episode, it is revealed that he will secretly pay for treatments for an HIV-positive seven-year-old. "You may go to heaven whether you like it or not," his chief of staff Margaret (Hattie Winston) tells him. Becker divides his time between his chaotic clinic and the local diner, where he alienates the patrons with his tirades on subjects ranging from Jerry Springer to reality shows. In its promising first season, there’s nothing wrong with Becker that sharper writing can’t cure. The first season suffers slightly from Night Court-itus; the gritty urban setting glimpsed in the show’s interstitials undercut by the broadly-drawn character types who are either Becker’s patients, or simply try his patience, like his flaky new nurse’s assistant (Shawnee Smith) or on the make diner (as opposed to lounge) lizard Bob (Saverio Guerra). Much better company are Jake (Alex Desert), the blind diner newsstand vendor, and "Reggie" (Terry Farrell), a gives-as-good-as-she-gets gal in the mold of Frasier’s Roz. Becker and Reggie aren’t exactly Sam and Diane, but this season sets the stage for romantic possibilities (although the season finale, in which he wrestles with whether to ask her to a formal charity benefit, is anti-climactic). As the season unfolds, Becker more closely examines the good doctor’s misanthropy. One of the season’s better episodes is "Becker the Elder," featuring Dick van Dyke as Becker’s estranged salesman father, who is as charming as Becker is abrasive. In "Activate Your Choices," we meet Becker’s ex-wife, who has written a self-help book in which she diagnoses Becker as "Angry Man." There are no spoonfuls of sugar (extras) to help the medicine go down, but for those who made an appointment to see Danson and company every week, the DVD release of Becker is good for what ails you. --Donald Liebenson
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Manufacturer: Paramount
Release date: 1 April 2008
Number of discs: 3
EAN: 0097361326443 UPC: 097361326443
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