Valerie

This show really belonged to Valerie Harper, no offense to her replacement Sandy Duncan. Harper left the show under uncertain circumstances. Regardless, the show and network wrote her off sadly. While on, she was the mother to three boys and a pilot husband who was often absent. The cast was first rate including Edie McClurg as a neighbor, Christine Ebersole as her snobby unmarried sister-in-law, and the boys played by Jason Bateman, Jeremy Licht, and Danny Ponce. Ponce and Licht played fraternal twins who were as opposite as night and day. They touched on some issues like AIDS and homosexuality and other issues in this series but the show never fully recovered from the blow of Harper's absence.

I know that the Hogan's, and Valerie before it, didn't represent state of the art comedy, being utterly formulaic and looking like the very template for family sitcoms, but darn it, it was nice. The family was nice, the house was nice, the plots were nice. Nice, warm, fuzzy, safe family viewing. Sometimes I want hard-edged, risky comedy, but sometimes I just wanna watch TV safe in the knowledge that every episode will have a group-hug type ending. It's the perfect remedy if you're ever feeling a bit oppressed by all the stuff that's going on in the world right now. The comedy is still nice enough, but boy have the clothes and hairstyles dated!

I have a bunch of episodes on tape but would love to get more.

The transition from "Valerie" to "Valerie's Family" to "The Hogan Family" is surprisingly smooth. However, the content is just not there; which is a shame because I absolutely love this cast and the set. This show was also one of the very first shows to feature an AIDS storyline. That is certainly commendable. I enjoyed maybe 4 or 5 episodes out of the entire series.

how can you say that the hogan family was a great show, Mark and Dave and the other guy. that was a good show, it reminded me of my neighbors. i had to register just to tell everyone how good this show was. you know what else where good shows? pete & pete, salute your shorts, and "fun house". too bad there not in syndication anywhere:(

First of all Huge Val Harper Fan here from day one as far back as when she star with Mary Tyler Moore and then Her own Show Rhoda. I was excited when Valerie Family first debuted. I was such a huge Fan of the Show I loved it still do till this Day. I often try and catch it in rerun form. I have always felt never was the same once Val was gone from the show, Althou I did continue to watch it. The show always had a lovely Family vibe/cozy easy going vibe. They just do not make shows like this anymore. I feel this show never got as much respect as it should have. LONG LIVE "VALERIE" "Hogan Family" <3 (REVIEW BY: Leslie Wrona)