United States

I remember seeing all 6 episodes of this on TV in 1980. I only tuned in because the critics were raving about it. At first it was off-putting--it was a sitcom without a laugh track. But (slowly) it drew me in. The acting of Beau Bridges and Helen Shaver was excellent and they had great chemistry together. Also the show dealt with real issues (love, sex, marriage) in an adult upfront manner. No talking down to the audience. Of course this bombed completely-- it was simply too good for TV. It was pushed by the network nonstop and critics praised it up and down--but it wasn't enough. It MIGHT work today but I think the absence of a laugh track still might bother viewers. Well ahead of its time. Recommended.

I watched this show with great interest and quickly got hooked by this family who was actually intelligent and did not find quick and easy solutions to their problems. They were educated, upper class, and had respect for each other. Fine writing, beautiful sets and creative humor was the highlight. Of course it would not hold up on commercial television, it was far too interesting and well written, but I do hope the studio will release all 6 episodes on DVD. This series would surely find an audience with today's more sophisticated viewers. How times have changed and today we openly talk about the subjects this show brought up. It's time has come!

A witty couple, obviously nuts about each other, who relate to each other the way people relate to each other in real life, albeit, a bit smarter.

One wonders how it might have worked if they'd layered in canned laughter. In 1980, people weren't ready to decide what is funny on their own, perhaps. As if sit-coms have advanced all that much since them.

There was genuine chemistry between Bridges and Shaver, but one wonders if it's the actors' contribution or the sheer honesty of the writing.

I saw all "United States" episodes at the Museum of Radio & Television in Beverly Hills. (There are a couple of episodes that were never run before it was canceled.) It's not consistently brilliant, but there are plenty of moments that (had it been given a chance) might have changed the way half-hour episodic television works.

A quarter of a century later, "United States" still seems ahead of its time. It's almost voyeuristic in its honest portrayal of people who deal with situations that, as in all of our lives, combine humor, pathos, irony, love, naiveté (even the kids aren't all *that* obnoxious), and honesty.

Alas, it appeared on television the same year America preferred to elect Ronald Reagan. I don't think America was in the mood for honesty just then. I'm not sure we're ready for it yet.

Instead, people tune in to "reality" shows, which are fake as hell.

This was a short lived gem. Man and wife, adult, discussing adult issues with sensitivity and humor, and without the comic "all ends happily after" at the end of each 30 minutes. Entertaining, and made you smile without demeaning. If it ever comes back (unlikely) worth a view.

Just did not remember the name of the series. Was looking for the show on which Beau Bridges discussed e.g the education of the children etc. with his wife. A very unusual series. So different from the mainstream. A couple really trying to solve their problems. Obviously not a series for a wide audience. Never understood why Beau Bridges was more or less forgotten. The relationship seemed so equal. A kind of marriage to be envied. For me the quality of this series almost equaled "The wonder years". A real television Icon. Both series made you think about life. I really was surprised finding out that there were only 6 episodes of United States, seemed like so much more. Unfortunately, I think that a series like this, today would not be appreciated enough by the advertisers.