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.

When I was in my early twenties I saw this show in the Netherlands (I am Dutch and still live in the Netherlands). It was totally different from other sitcoms. It was even so different that I found out just now through IMDb that it actually was a sitcom. I will never forget the husband (played by Beau) telling about having a "rear view mirror affair". When I see either Helen Shaver or Beau Bridges in a movie or on TV I always remember their role in that show and hope that it comes back. After a couple of items suddenly the show was gone and I missed it. It really influenced my outlook on life and relationships. Still I could understand, because sustaining such a high level of dealing with true issues in life, in a very funny and amusing way is extremely difficult. Now I am in my forties and can understand that probably there was a lack of interest in going on with the show. Thanks for sharing the information on IMDb! I surely hope that this comes out on DVD. When someone knows, please let me know.

What a priceless gem this show was! It lasted just six weeks, but it had a timeless freshness, a bright optimism that Americans really did want more than the standard, predictable sitcom fare. I would love to get the episodes on DVD or video. Every time really good TV comes along, it just doesn't seem to have a chance to last. Such was the case with "United States." The husband and wife actually talked WITH each other instead of yelling or purring one-liners at each other. The children were actually listened to by their parents. I so appreciated that everything didn't turn out neatly in 22 minutes plus commercials. The statements that were funny were indeed funny rather than fodder for knee-jerk reactions to canned or prompted studio laughter.

For anyone who enjoyed the honest dialogue of the show, "thirtysomething", "United States" would definitely have been a show to see. The conversations between a man and his wife (we find out that she has been married before) are a stream-of-consciousness discussion, weaving in, out, and around the original topic.

In one episode, the husband finds out that a friend has been having an affair. The topic of marital fidelity is discussed, and the wife reveals that she had cheated on her first husband. Her state of mind at the time of the affair and her new husband's altered opinion of her are addressed, very compellingly.

Rather than simply have talking heads, the camera rarely points at the characters' faces. In this episode, for example, the couple is changing clothes to attend a function at which the unfaithful friend will be present.

The camera is directed at the busy hands and fluttering clothing of each speaker in turn, until they finally leave the bedroom.

If this series is now or is ever available for purchase, I am eager to own it.

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!