Brothers: The 80s Sitcom

Since emailing and letter writing don't seem to be doing any good in getting the old Showtime sitcom Brothers picked up for DVD release, I'm trying something new. I've converted some of my old VHS tapes, and I'm uploading clips from the show, in order to get some new folks interested (or to jog the memories of those who saw the original run.) This show was far ahead of the curve – airing long before Ellen’s sitcom and Will & Grace.

Brothers started on Showtime in 1984 and ran until 1989. It focuses on a trio of brothers, the youngest of which comes out as a gay man in the first episode. The gay brother Cliff is played by Paul Regina as a sort of gay Everyman, just trying to find his place in the world. Cliff’s best friend Donald Maltby, played by Philip Charles MacKenzie, acts as Cliff’s guide and mentor through the coming out process. His character is one that, at that time, had never been seen before in a TV series – an out, proud, take-me-as-I-am gay man – and one who deserves to be remembered as a pioneer for subsequent gay television characters. Other actors on the show include Robert Walden (middle brother Joe), Brandon Maggart (oldest brother Lou), Robin Rikker (waitress Kelly Hall) and Hallie Todd (Joe’s daughter Penny.)

1.1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLAJ1YooNIw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PacVYI34w8E

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xu3wdrg4O08

1.2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2uFSRZe5LoU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N46IIsjvicE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rvp_v8-0Is

1.3

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBO3uA-58Tk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jM8R5BjbHI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFSnLT7buJU

1.4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1e3XUeHtzs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ccafLo38wT8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Tk-r7G7Gmo

The video quality of the clips is actually pretty good when you watch in "high quality," considering that the tapes are almost 25 years old - although the audio is a bit muted. I'm sure parts will come across dated and/or preachy 25 years later, but I think the show generally holds up very well. I'm also including a plea to sign the DVD petition:

http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/BrothersTVSeriesDVD