We all love Christina Applegate, and we have for years. Even as the dim but cute Kelly Bundy on Married with Children, it was apparent that Christina had been gifted with the ability of true comedy.
In Samantha Who? that comic genius is allowed free reign and the viewer is the beneficiary of many great moments. Not since Lucille Ball has there been such a consummate comedic actress, able to bring on laughs with just the right blend of physical comedy, timing and delivery of lines.
Samantha Who? is the story of Samantha Newly, a young woman who after a hit and run accident is in a coma for eight days. When she awakens, she has no memory of her life before the accident. As bits of Sam’s memory begin to surface and she finds out who she is (or was,) Sam discovers she has been cruel, selfish and generally a not very nice person.
She decides that this is her chance to change all the wrongs, and so sets about making amends. A recurring element in the story is Sam’s relationship with her parents. In the character of her mother Regina (played by Jean Smart) we can see traces of both the old and new Sam. Regina loves her daughter, but doesn’t hesitate to use her for her own ends, such as getting a better deal on the floor refinishing.
Sam’s father is there, but rather distant and “absent” causing the new Sam to feel this is a problem area in her life. The new good Sam seeks fatherly advice from her ex-doorman (Tim Russ) whom she considers her good friend, although he denies it adamantly.
Sam’s friend Andrea Belladonna (Jennifer Esposito) prefers the old Sam, and wishes she would get her memory back and return to normal. Regina doesn’t like Andrea, thinks she is poison (like her last name) and lectures her on her excessive partying. Dena (Melissa McCarthy) fools Sam into thinking that they have been best friends all their lives when really they parted ways in seventh grade.
Now that Sam is a kinder, gentler girl, she keeps on being friends with Dena even when she learns the truth. If family and friends are complicated for Sam, dating and having a love life is like walking through a mine field. Her ex-boyfriend still lives in her apartment, another ex has a restraining order against her, the man whom Andrea loves is in love with Sam and so on.
Each of these encounters with family, friends, lovers, ex-lovers, and ex-lover’s ex-girlfriends are hilarious in the fact that Sam is trying desperately to be the new good version of herself, against all odds.
Samantha Who? First Season is presented in a multi-disc set containing all season one episodes. They are presented in widescreen format. There are special features included that have deleted scenes and a bloopers reel.
If you are a fan of comedies, this is an excellent series to collect. If you have never seen Samantha Who? treat yourself to this season and enjoy a wildly funny show, with good writing and an excellent cast.
Samantha Who?: The Complete First Season is now available at Amazon . As of yet, there is not a release date for the UK. Visit the DVD database for more information.
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