Homefront

I cried when it was cancelled. I had to wait 9 years for TVLand to fill my need; this time I taped every episode! The writing, acting and overall production value of this show was outstanding. Too bad that ABC did not give it the support it needed. Look how long it took "Seinfeld" and 'Cheers" to become ratings hits. "Homefront" offered fully developed, three dimensional characters, gripping storylines that gave different points of view to the same situation. From the town's wealthy affluent family, to town's poorest occupants, we were able to see the different effects of racial descrimination and labor unions disputes. If TVLand ever runs another marathon, make sure to tune in; one episode will make you a believer!

I'ts been ten years since Homefront aired here in the backside of Scandinavia, and coincidentally i've been kicking myself that same amount of time for not taping it when i had a chance. Fortunately someone in our notorious channel 3 got a brainstorm and now i have a second chance to appreciate one of the very best dramasoaps ever made. Period dramas are quite tricky and i'm still baffled that ABC ever showed green light to this one, and two seasons ain't bad in that context. If somebody would try to launch Homefront nowadays i wouldn't bet a nickel for it lasting even one full season, the times surely have changed that much since early 90's. Anyway, if you haven't visited River Run Ohio circa 1946, please do, you don't regret it! This series offered best production values, damn good drama and ensemble cast that was just amazing. Being male i must give special commendation for Kelly Rutherford portraying babelicious Judy Owens, that girl could compete with the original femme fatales any day. Let's hope that somebody somewhere will get another brainstorm and get this series in DVD format, like the man says in the song, gotta ac-cen-tu-ate the positive. Fore Daddy-O!

Based on the time period after WW2 ended, different families, all somehow connected, strive to get on with their lives despite personal losses. The show provided proper humor while showing how people were still biased and judgemental and how it affected everyone around them. A very well written, directed, acted and produced show that kept audiences returning each week to see each new episode, only to be canned by ABC. It returned for a short time (viewer protests), again with ABC abusing it to cut back the ratings so that they could cancel it again without any complaints since no one knew when it came on anymore.

I really love a lot of the musicals that came out in the late '40's, and this show was a great series set in the same time period.

It showed the toll of waiting, that was experienced by the families of WWII soldiers. In the pilot, WWII had just ended and the soldiers were coming home. The Metcalf family included widowed mother Anne, whose eventual love affair with a Jewish union organizer shocked her grown children. Linda Metcalf worked in a factory during the war, and her future was undecided when the men came back to reclaim their jobs. Older son Hank was a returning solider, and younger son Jeff was an aspiring baseball player.

The Sloans were a rich couple mourning the loss of their only son in WWII - and dealing with the arrival of his pregnant Italian war bride, Gina.

Caroline Hailey was a British war bride, far more ambitious than her American husband, who was content with his life the way it was.

The fashions and hairstyles were wonderfully accurate - I remember one of the actresses griping in an interview that they had to wear vintage underwear, and it was uncomfortable!

One of the best ensemble cast to ever work together. The talent of the actors, writers and directors married well and produced a wonderful show. Shame on ABC for not appreciating and continuing this fine show, especially after the many pleas of Homecoming fans. The storyline was well woven and executed with style and finesse by all cast members. Focused on 3 different families and friends all intertwined in carrying on and rebuilding their lives after WWII. What a treat to discover it being showcased this weekend as a prequel to its being re-aired. Find it, watch it, and enjoy it.