Cheap Wiseguy - Sonny Steelgrave and the Mob Arc (Season 1 Part 1) (DVD) (Ken Wahl) Price
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Season 1, Part 1--the first of six Wiseguy DVD sets--includes the entire nine-episode arc (plus pilot) in which Vinnie infiltrates the New Jersey mob family of Sonny Steelgrave, a silk-suited kingpin played by Ray Sharkey in his finest TV role. Their brotherly relationship poses a moral dilemma for Vinnie (giving the arc its dramatic core and primary source of suspense), and Wiseguy earned its reputation as a well-written series that favored character-driven tension while providing the requisite pulp fiction (i.e. occasional murder and mayhem) that kept viewers and advertisers happy. While the DVD packaging gives bogus equal billing to Annette Bening (who appears here in one pivotal episode), her pre-stardom appearance is indicative of the show's consistently high standards in writing, casting, and stylish direction. The styles may be dated (including poodle-puff hairdos for women, including Bening), but there's not a weak episode in the bunch, including the stand-alone shows (involving domestic crises for McPike and Burroughs) that allowed character growth beyond the story-arc structure. It's all good, apart from a dispensable gag reel and commentaries by Wahl (on his two favorite episodes), who says little of interest between long gaps of silence. (He promises more on later DVDs, so Wiseguy devotees are advised to keep listening. Next up: the "Mel Profitt" arc, with guest star Kevin Spacey.) --Jeff Shannon
| ACTORS: | Ken Wahl |
| CATEGORY: | DVD |
| MANUFACTURER: | Ventura Distribution |
| MPAA RATING: | NR (Not Rated) |
| FEATURES: | Color, Dolby, Box set |
| TYPE: | Television |
| MEDIA: | DVD |
| # OF MEDIA: | 4 |
| UPC: | 634991155526 |
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Customer Reviews of Wiseguy - Sonny Steelgrave and the Mob Arc (Season 1 Part 1)
My favorite TV show of the eighties I nearly jumped for joy when I saw that this great series was going to be released in DVD format--all I can say is "It's about time!" This was the show which pioneered "story arcs" where a plot line ran through a limited number of episodes of a series. In the first season of "Wiseguy", there were not one but two fabulous story arcs. The first arc featured the late, great Ray Sharkey in a searing performance as the crime lord Sonny Steelgrave--anyone who saw the last episode of this arc must wonder to this day why Sharkey didn't get an Emmy nomination for his performance. The second arc (which I actually saw before I saw the Steelgrave arc) featured a then-unknown actor named Kevin Spacey who was as memorable as in his performance as Ray Sharkey was in his. Which is not to slight the regulars in the series--they were all wonderful. If the thought of another so-called reality series makes you violently ill, do check out this DVD set when it comes out--this is truly imaginative and creative television art!
It's Aged Well
I haven't seen these episodes in about 15 years, so it took me one or two hours to get re-accustomed to the mid-80s style of TV. Once the story gets rolling, however, I found that I enjoyed it as much as I remembered. Ray Sharkey's performance is extraordinary.
Like other reviewers here, I was waiting for "Nights in White Satin" in the last episode, and until I checked here, I was wondering if perhaps I remembered it wrong. Well, it's a relief to find out my memory hasn't deteroriated yet. However, it's a shame that music rights issues still cause so many problems.
I wouldn't be too quick to blame the Moody Blues, or any other artist. Very often the artists have nothing to do with these decisions. Also, the producers very likely wanted to include the original songs, but the licensing demands may have made the cost of production prohibitive...yes?
In the last few years, especially since DVD was introduced, film and TV productions routinely negotiate the music rights at the time of production, so that it doesn't become an issue in future video releases. Since this wasn't a practice in earlier days, we unfortunately get stuck with compromises like this one.
Frankly, I always thought the use of "Nights in White Satin" was somewhat bizarre and incongruous, since it's such a romantic piece... but that's doubtless why I remember the original scene so well. I guess I'm lucky that's the only change that I notice (it is pretty glaring).
From what I've read it's not the creative people (like Stephen Cannell or the Moody Blues) who put up these roadblocks. There are plenty of greedy "suits" who control the rights, and a director or producer may not be able to say "boo" to them. (They're probably the kind of people Sonny Steelgrave hangs out with...)
For me it's worth it to have these shows in my collection. It's fun to revisit the days when a story "arc" was something new (it's become the rule today). The writing and acting are first-rate, and as for the music... well, the original theme is still catchy!
great entertainment
it's 2004, and i rented the box set, and this is the 1st time
ever seeing the series, I work 3 pm to 11 pm for the last 20 yr's, so i missed out on a lotta tv series.
ken wahl and i went to the same high school, he graduated
3 yrs ahead of me, good to see a hometown guy do good.
law enforcement practices were a little short changed.
seems like showing i.d. cards, yr supposed to believed as a cop, and dealing with mobsters, working 1 man un marked car's
when ya know yr a thorn in the side of a local capo.
it was entertaining, and the arch storey line went well.