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Private Notes
This compilation introduces each of the twisted story lines of the 1970s-era soap opera spoof by beginning with Jessica Tate's wrongful conviction of the murder of Peter, her lover and step-nephew. In a jailhouse meeting, Jessica (Katherine Helmond) and brother-in-law Burt (Richard Mulligan) examine other possible suspects, a perfect excuse to roll tape. Viewers meet her daughter Corrine, also embroiled in an affair with tennis pro Peter, that is, until her chaste courtship with a priest interferes. They see Burt's stepsons Danny, burdened with a mob assignment to kill Burt; cross-dressing Jodie (Billy Crystal), saving up for a sex change operation until his football-playing boyfriend dumps him for a shot at heterosexuality; and Chuck and Bob, the inseparable ventriloquist and dummy team. Or how about Jessica's husband Chester, outraged at her betrayal despite his own mistress and girlfriend. The only nonsuspect is Mary--Jessica's sister, Burt's wife, and the moral center of the sitcom--who stands by Burt through his guilt-ridden impotence and descent into madness because he killed her first husband. But who killed Peter? That question is never answered in this 74-minute volume, which leaves Jessica still in her jail cell as credits roll.
A compilation special prior to the season 3 premiere. Jessica reminisces about the family with Benson, who is leaving the Tate household for a position at the state governor's mansion
In a recap of season three, Jessica pleads with her guardian angel to allow her to rejoin her family on Earth.
A twenty minute featurette focusing on the three creators and how the series came to be. They relate how they went about casting the many varied roles and what obstacles they faced in attempting to get the show on the air. The program was derided before a single episode was ever broadcast. Various religious and gay rights groups assailed the show, and it was only with support of Fred Silverman (President of ABC at the time), that the show survived and flourished for four seasons.
