Rating: 
Summary: Collect The Whole Set!
Review: "The Golden Spiders," which was one of Rex Stout's good efforts but not best, started it all. A&E invested in sets, writing and a stable ensemble cast to produce the best series they have ever done.
With very, very few lapses the series represented the best that cable TV has to offer: good writing (most often leaving it entirely to Rex - not a mistake), great production values, and highly comptent acting. You feel as though you are a member of the household in Nero's very special clean, well-lighted place "in the middle of the Hudson River." It is a placed often bathed in sunlight, showing off the yellow that was Nero's favorite color.
You can watch these shows again and again and they don't get old. In fact, you tend to see things in them which you missed on earlier viewing. Buy both parts of the collection when the second season becomes available again!
Rating:
Summary: Exceptionally colorful
Review: Fooey and nuts! We had never even heard of Nero Wolfe before we went out on a limb and purchased this Nero Wolfe set based on its association with other favourites of ours (Hercule Poirot, Miss Marple, Maigret, etc.) Wow! What a thoroughly sumptuous treat!
"Colorful" really is the best word for everything here: The characters, the set, the dialog, the clothing, the interiors, all very, very colorful, both literally and figuratively. As for the 'colorful' characters: Timothy Hutton's Archie Goodwin (Nero Wolfe's "Sam Spade" assistant) is perhaps a bit too cocky at times; nevertheless, you'll see the sensitive romantic in him after all is said and done. Maury Chaykin's Nero Wolfe (the more genteel "Poirot" genius detective) is perhaps a bit too god-like at times, but he's charmingly openly consumptuous ("I like money. I use a lot of it.") You can't help but love how "Mr. Wolfe" eats, rests and recreates (with his orchids, of course), and he does it frequently and right...on...schedule. So many other movie-made stories don't incorporate these wonderful and necessary activities which allow the audience to really relate to the characters so very, very well. And, if it wasn't for Fritz, how could he possibly eat, rest and recreate so very, very well! Three cheers for Fritz in the kitchen!!!
The late '40s/early '50s setting is the one factor that seems to really allow this series of stories to stand out. Such an artsy and sumptuous time and not portrayed much, if at all, in many other movies, and certainly not done this well. It's a wonderful mix of Sam Spade meets Hercule Poirot, living it up in in a most beautiful brownstone in a most beautiful time!
We love how they use the same repertory of actors/actresses, which makes this series of shows (some one-hour and some two-part) so homey and fun to watch. The stories are very interesting, believable and strong; well worth watching over and over.
No glorification of violence, no overt sex, no profane language. A treat for all!
See also: Very similar is the "Maigret" collection of mostly one-hour shows with Michael Gambon playing a very kindly and go-getter older chief investigator in 1950s Paris. The theme song, costumes and setting are wonderful. His character is very likeable and he does a wonderful job of acting. And, his three assistant detectives are three very different but also very likeable and well-acted characters that help round out the stories and action.
Rating:
Summary: savvy production with Hutton and Chaykin shining
Review: I generally dislike when they take well-known detective series and make a movie or series out of them. They generally just don't reach the quality of the novels. However, Hutton is a class act all the way and it shows in a series they A&E should have never cancelled!
Thanks goods we can enjoy the talented production, the true homage to Rex Stout's vision and some super Archie Antics!
Rating:
Summary: Rex Stout would be proud
Review: If you like the books you will enjoy watching this series. Entertaining and faithful Rex Stout's unique writting style. I just wish A&E had continued adapting the books to film
Rating: 
Summary: Unsatisfactory.
Review: Most television adaptations of iconic mystery sleuths are faithful to the source material but the casting is usually the problem, but it is the opposite here--Chaykin and Hutton are well cast and the basic mystery plot is followed but, and I'll blame all the following to Hutton, as from the credits, he seems to be the creative impetus behind this series, there are some issues I have which outweigh any positives--for one, the decision was made to use a static cast of actors (i.e.: James Tolkin) who change characters every episode, like some sort of theater rep company--you may see an occasional guest star, such as Carrie Fisher, but due to this constant acting "troupe", the effect is intrusive and not a little pretentious--another problem is altho I have said the main roles are well-cast, the portrayals are not well-done--the forces behind the series have seemed to forgotten that Wolfe was well-travelled and schooled in life (and skinny!) before settling down to a sedentary life--as one of the Amazon reviews describes him in this portrayal, "a man-child"--a "BOY-MAN?!" Granted, making a portrayal based on the books/stories is difficult at best, but Chaykin has either been coached or on his own decided to play Wolfe as some sort of petulant innocent with an overinflated ego, brain and waistline, while sacrificing his knowledge of the outside world and the vagaries of man as seen in the writings--therefore, this leaves plenty of acting room for Hutton's Goodwin to belittle (vice badger) and humiliate (vice needle) Chaykin's Wolfe constantly through the series--for these reasons alone I cannot recommend this series as definitive adaptations but will label it as a noble failure and still await the next and, I hope, more successful effort.Oh, and if the above wasn't enough, Inspector Cramer would NEVER man-handle Wolfe the way he does at the end of the conclusion of "Motherhunt"--I was still debating buying this set even after considering all the aforementioned until I saw THAT which was the last straw...
Rating:
Summary: High quality entertainment for the serious mysery lover.
Review: Not often can we say that the movie is as good as or better than the book, but in The Doorbell Rang, I think that is the case. Everything about this production is first-rate.
The actors are uniformly excellent, especially Maury Chaykin as Nero Wolfe and Timoth Hutton as Archie Goodwin. This relationship must be just right for the series to work and in this case, the irascible and briliant Wolfe is countered nicely by the wisecracking, dapper, yet tough as nails Archie. Wolfe never leaves the house. He lets Archie gather the clues and put the strong arm on the various assortment of bad guys he meets on the job. Nero and Archie analyze the evidence and Nero plans the next move, always to the amazement of Archie, who holds his boss in the highest esteem, and quite rightly so. Archie is Dr. Watson to Wolfe's Sherlock Holmes.
Next, Timothy Hutton and the rest of the production crew spare no expense to make the background and environment perfect. It feels like we have been brought back in time to the late forties. The clothes, cars, buildings, interiors, hairstyles, and every other small detail are perfectly realized. These details allow us to enter this world in a way that the novel does not permit, hence my preference for the film.
In the novel the FBI is only a background presence, whereas in the film we see the agents in action and watch as Nero Wolfe counters their every move. Nero has taken a case even Archie thinks is unsolvable; that is, to stop the FBI from harassing his rich client. Like Sherlock Holmes, Nero Wolfe is the court of last appeal and he rises to the challenge of a difficult case. Just as in a Holmes mystery, we must pay the closest attention if we are going to understand the train of thought of Wolfe as he analyzes the problem and sets in motion the chain of events that help him solve the case.
These Nero Wolfe stories are high quality entertainment for the serious mystery lover. Hats off to A&E for making them available on DVD.
Rating: 
Summary: Faithful to the Books and a Joy to Watch!
Review: One of the smartest and wittiest shows on television. Based on the novels of the late Rex Stout, the Nero Wolfe mysteries that ran for two seasons on A&E are simply tremendous. Usually, I read a book, and then critique the movie or TV adaption of it. In this case, watching the show caused me to read the books! The screenwriters did a remarkable job of keeping the essence, tone and feel of the books, while making adapting it for television. Much of the dialogue is directly quoted from the novel (or novelette) that the episode is based on. The genius of Rex Stout's work is that he combined the classic American hardboiled private eye (Mike Hammer, Sam Spade) with the intellectual British style of sleuth (Sherlock Holmes, Miss Marple, Poirot). Bringing these characters of Archie Goodwin and Nero Wolfe to the small screen was a labor of love for Timothy Hutton, and I for one am thankful for his work. The repertory style group of guest stars was another unique aspect to this series, where the same group of guest actors would play different characters each week, sometimes villians and sometimes victims. The quality of acting is top notch. The banter between Wolfe and Archie is a real treat to watch, and Hutton's version of Archie is so convincing, that I hear his voice when I read Stout's novels. A word to parents, this is intelligent, well-written drama/adventure that the whole family can enjoy. The "curses" of choice are "Nuts!" and "Flummery!" - nothing worse. While there are murders, we do not see the murders happen, and there is no gore seen. Also, despite Archie being a ladies man, there is no overt sexuality. Sadly, as with many 'failed' shows today, it was probably too intelligent for the average viewer used to equating 'shock value' and 'crassness' with entertainment. But to anyone looking for something more, something that aims higher and brings the viewer up rather than down with it, this is for you! The only thing that keeps me from giving it 5 stars is the lack of any extras on the DVD. A&E continues to give this fine series short shrift to their shame. Get this any way you can!
Rating:
Summary: Champagne for all who produced this series
Review: Oscar-winner Timothy Hutton directs several episodes of this sparkling series, as well as taking on the character of jaunty gamecock Archie Goodwin, Private Detective and prime mover of the brilliant (but sometimes disinclined to take on new cases) Nero Wolfe, played by Maury Chaykin.
This first season is salted with murder, two of them occurring in Nero Wolfe's own office. One potential client is strangled with the portly genius's own yellow-silk, barbecue-sauce-stained tie--Archie gets a lot of mileage out of this blunder by his usually meticulous boss. There is very little violence except when Archie is asked to eject a particularly obstreperous client. In fact if I were to pick an overriding emotion that governs these episodes, it is high good humor. Archie's wry voice-overs, Wolfe's eccentric winter get-up in "Door to Death," Fritz's icy but voiceless critique of another butler's champagne-pouring technique in "Champagne for One" are all priceless in-jokes for us Nero Wolfe fanatics. Affection rather than parody governs the characters, even in the minor roles. Occasionally Wolfe and Cramer go over the top with their blustering bad humor, but Archie usually supplies an acerbic course-correction.
The sets and costumes are fashioned with artful, low-key perfection--except for Archie's two-tone shoes. They aren't particularly low-key. But we fans get to see all of the décor that made the books so--well, like comfort food for the brain: the outsized globe and chair in the study; Wolfe's tarpaulin-sized yellow-striped pajamas; Archie's snap-brim fedoras; the soothing presence of Fritz in his kitchen.
If I had a Fritz in my kitchen all would be well with my world.
Apart from major characters, certain actors and actresses show up in multiple episodes. Two of my favorites: Kari Machett plays a series of ditzy, seductive, sometimes unscrupulous, sometimes murdered femme fatales that Archie usually ends up falling for. She brings out his chivalrous best, unless she happens to be the murderess. Boyd Banks is a great well-heeled social parasite or weak-chinned younger son, although he also shows up as an FBI agent in "The Doorbell Rang." He absolutely should have qualified for an Emmy for his sniveling, groveling, but absurdly cheerful Dinky Byne in "Champagne for One."
Nero Wolfe fans if you don't watch these A&E DVDs then pfui on you. Go ahead and relax into the world's most famous brownstone, where you can practically smell Fritz's Bacalhau (Portuguese Salt Cod) cooking in the kitchen.
Rating:
Summary: The Whole ¿Seventh of a Ton¿ Is Here
Review: Rex Stout's novels and novellas have finally sprung to life, and here are eight of the finest for us to enjoy, perfectly cast, acted, and directed. Nero Wolfe (Maury Chaykin) has often been called the American Sherlock Holmes, though he actually takes after Sherlock's older brother, Mycroft. Wolfe is an enormous sedentary genius with a penchant for fine food, orchids, and books (in that order), and a distaste for work. He loves his routine, and never leaves his Manhattan townhouse on business if he can help it. To help with the food, he employs a Swiss gourmet chef, Fritz Brenner (Colin Fox). To help with the business, he employs Archie Goodwin (Timothy Hutton). Archie, the narrator of both Stout's books and the series, is Wolfe's complement and factotum. A licensed private detective himself, he not only does all the legwork (often assisted by freelance operatives Saul Panzer (Conrad Dunn), Fred Durkin (Fulvio Cecere), and Orrie Cather (Trent McMullen)), but also badgers Wolfe into doing his "genius" part. Suave, cute, witty, charming, ebullient, confident, and very attractive, Archie takes more after Sherlock: He loves to work. (Though of course, he also knows how to play.) This series is truly a delight. Each episode stands on its own as an entertaining, exquisite work of art. The attention to detail is remarkable. Each frame is a painting; each line is music to my ears (and many are quotable). The actual music (ranging from Jazz to Classical) always fits the setting, and is expertly recorded under the direction of Michael Small. The actors above (and Bill Smitrovich as Inspector Cramer and R.D. Reid as Sgt. Purley Stebbins both of Manhattan Homicide) fit their characters the way Jeremy Brett fit Sherlock Holmes. It's a pleasure to spend time with them. The world of "Nero Wolfe" is wonderful, and well worth revisiting time and again. And these DVDs are just the way to do it. If you can afford them, you're in for a treat. If you can't, beg, borrow, or steal. They're that good.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent!
Review: This is a benchmark for how book adaptations to screen, big or small, should be. The productions are true to the books, even the dialogue. The idea of a theater-style cast (the same players each week in different roles) was inspired. Timothy Hutton and Maury Chaykin are wonderful as Archie and Wolfe.
Aside from the plots, the disks themselves are of superior quality. The video transfer is excellent and the sound is terrific, muddy dialog when the episodes aired has been cleaned up and is much clearer now.
The only regret is A&E saw fit to cancel this series after only two seasons, but season two is also available on DVD if you hunt around the 'net.
Happy viewing!
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