One Day at a Time : Season 1

This box set is a GREAT start to a LONG overdue TV series to come to DVD! The episodes are the full-length versions clocking in around the 25:30 mark, and the transfers look really good for a 32-year old videotaped show. The reunion special is indeed included on Disc 2, despite what one reviewer says. And, the icing on the cake is that the episode "The College Man" retains the use of the Van McCoy song "The Hustle." Some other publishing companies who are notorious for music replacements (a la Paramount and Fox) can learn a lesson from Sony, who does not seem to mind forking over a little extra cash to turn out the kind of quality product that fans of TV shows on DVD REALLY want. Hats off to them on this FINE job! I only hope that this sells well enough to justify more season sets in the future!

I love "One Day at a Time." This show is pure seventies. Such a quality show because all the storylines and acting always seemed so real. This was a very rare TV sitcom, because it always had a relevant message (that women didn't need a man around to feel important) while still always being very funny.

My favorite actress and character was Julie Cooper (played by the legendary, Mackenzie Phillips.) Julie was always so pretty and funny. Julie always managed to push her mother's buttons because she would never give up and was always very headstrong. Picture Kimberly (from "Diff'rent Stroke") with a devilish streak! And I am so proud of Mackenzie for cleaning up her act and not succumbing to the same demons that tragically took Dana's young life, way before her time.

Season One introduces us to Ann Romano (played by the awesome, Bonnie Franklin) and her two girls, Julie and Barbara Cooper (Valerie Bertinelli.) The series begins as Ann and her daughters forge forward to start a new life together, right after she leaves her husband. To borrow the words of Mrs. Rodham Clinton, Annie wasn't some "Tammy Wynette standing by her man." Nope! She didn't need any man. And, Annie was a hot mama, I don't think she ever wore a braw during Season One.

We also meet Schneider (Pat Harrington Jr.,) the building's handyman and resident snoop. What can I say about Schneider that you don't already know? He was the kind of guy that acted like an old friend even though he just met Annie and her girls; he was always around when they didn't need him and never around when they did. But he was more than just a handyman, he was like a member of the family because he just fit in so perfectly, like an old driving glove that was battered and tattered. Ann also has an on-again, off-again relationship with the much younger David (Richard Masur.)

The Theme Song of "One Day at a Time" is by John & Nancy Berry:

This is it. This is it.
This is life, the one you get
So go and have a ball.

This is it. This is it
Straight ahead and rest assured
You can't be sure at all.

So while you're here enjoy the view
Keep on doing what you do
So hold on tight we'll muddle through
One day at a time, One day at a time.

So up on your feet. Up on your feet
Somewhere there's music playing.
Don't you worry none
We'll just take it like it comes.

One day at a time, one day at a time.
One day at a time, one day at a time.
One day at a time, one day at a time.
One day at a time, one day at a time.

Here's all the eps from Season One:

Ann's Decision 12/16/1975
Annie has to decide if Julie can go away with a boy, camping, overnight!

Chicago Rendezvous 12/23/1975
Ann starts seeing a new guy that wants to take her away to Chicago for the weekend.

Jealousy 12/30/1975
Ann sees the green eye of jealousy when Julie and Barbara make friends with their father's new girlfriend.

How to Succeed Without Trying 1/6/1976
Ann thinks that the executive interviewing her for a job has designs on her.

David Loves Ann 1/13/1976
David tries to get Ann to marry him.

Julie's Best Friend 1/20/1976
Julie starts making spoiled demands to her mother, which causes David to kick in some extra loot.

Super Blues 1/27/1976
Annie throws a party in her apartment.

All the Way 2/10/1976
Chuck, Julie's boyfriend, wants to "go all way" with her.

Fighting City Hall 2/17/1976
Ann is furious over a $4,000.00 phone bill.

David Plus Two 2/24/1976
Annie again sees the green eye of jealousy when she catches David hopping into the sack with a sexy new neighbor.

Julie's Job 3/2/1976
Julie gets a job as a waitress.

The College Man 3/9/1976
Julie's college-man date, takes an interest in Ann.

Father David 3/16/1976
The girls have a party in the apartment.

Dad Comes Back (1) 3/23/1976
Ann finds out that her ex-husband is engaged.

Dad Comes Back (1) 3/30/1976
Julie and Barbara want to get their parents back together.

After 17 years of marriage, 34-year-old Ann Romano (Bonnie Franklin) has just divorced her husband and embarked on a new life with her teenage daughters, Julie (Mackenzie Phillips) and Barbara (Valerie Bertinelli). Having literally moved directly from the protection of a father to that of a husband, Ann is unprepared for the harsh realities that greet her in the outside world, from the job hunt (a prospective employer wants to hire her based on the promise of sexual liaisons) to her tiny apartment which she can barely fill with enough groceries to feed two growing girls.

To complicate things, there's David (Richard Masur), a 27-year-old attorney who handled Ann's divorce and is in love with her. She constantly fends off his advances, claiming their age difference and her recent divorce reasons she needs to stay single, though it scarcely daunts his devotion to her and her daughters. While Ann certainly appreciates having his emotional support during the times when she needs a friend, it's also difficult, as David is fairly well off and doesn't hesitate at writing a check for his friend. The last thing Ann needs or wants is to feel beholden to anyone...so why can't David ever understand?

The final blow is Schneider (Pat Harrington), the middle-aged building superintendent who fancies himself a ladies' man. He's constantly barging into Ann's apartment unannounced and busying himself with her personal concerns. But as annoying as he might be, Ann learns that Schneider does have a softer side, like when she throws a party and hurts his feelings by not even considering putting him on the guest list. Deep down, it seems, Schneider cares about Ann and the girls just as much as David.

Though this show came out in the mid-70s, it's still engaging and timely. It's no longer considered daring or innovating to show a divorced woman striking out on her own, unashamed to discuss real life with her daughters, the struggles faced by the lead characters still hold true today. Who among us *isn't* trying to get by, just one day at a time?

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