Rating: 
Summary: NOTE - 4 Episodes are Edited - Inexcusable for DVD
Review: As soon as this set came out, I posted below, enthusiastic about receiving complete, unedited episodes, even to the point of excusing the absence of extras. I was wrong. As discussed by others below and on the Yahoo Soap Group, a comparison of the DVD episodes with the complete, unedited episodes on the Columbia House videotapes shows that 4 DVD episodes are edited: Episode 2 - Edits out Jody singing "There's Nothing Like a Dame" and the tune the Godfather hums after Danny leaves the sauna. Episodes 16 and 17 are the syndicated versions, each missing 2 and 1/2 minutes from the complete episodes. Episode 19 deletes the "On the last episode on Soap" intro. It should be noted that the company issuing Soap on DVD, Columbia TriStar, also puts out Sanford and Son on DVD, and that a second season DVD episode of Sanford and Son, "Blood is thicker than Junk" incredibly edits out 2 and 1/2 minutes which appear on the syndicated version. All of this, of course, is not important in light of what's happening in the world, but it does show extrememe sloppiness and lack of care by Columbia TriStar.
Rating: 
Summary: Can't Wait For More "Soap!
Review: The is a very nice first season release of the classic sitcom "Soap." Stellar writing, acting and directing makes this show a cut above most things on tv today. Though time has not been kind to the video quality of some of the episodes, these dvds still look much better then the reruns on TVLand or Comedy Central. Do not hesitate to buy this fine set. I hope that Colubia Tri-Star delivers us seasons 2-4, because this show deserves to be preserved and seen in the dvd format. Perhaps they can include the two 90 minute "Soap" retrospectives that were put on VHS in the mid-1990's as part of future sets.
Rating: 
Summary: What a way to kill a weekend
Review: I was 13 when this show came out and my mother made us all watch Soap (before the era of multiple TV's in America's homes). I hated it at the the time. It was one of the few times my mother was not swayed by the whining of her chidren. I rediscovered the show in the mid eighties at college and fell in love. I skipped an entire semester of Introduction to Marketing to watch the show every day at the Frat house (and still got a B+ in Marketing). It became a college cult classic with me and my friends. I am still amazed by the cast's skill taking the viewer from one emotional extreme to another in a matter of seconds. Chuck and Bob, Benson, Sherriff Tinkler, the Major, the cast is legend. The characters were all totally unbelievable, yet I always believed. The casting and writing was pure genius. This series may have been written and produced by Susan Harris, but Mel Brooks must have been lurking in the shadows of the set somewhere. I can't wait to have mom over for dinner and spring this on her as after dinner entertainment. This is must have for anyone who needs to have laughs on tap. Or want to cry at the drop of a hat.
Rating:
Summary: Television's Landmark Comedy
Review: At long last, "Soap" comes to DVD. An avid fan of the show since it originally aired in the 70's, I own the series on VHS but am estatic about the DVD release for a few reasons. Not only do I look forward to selecting which episodes to watch over and over again, ANY extras will just be icing on this delicious cake. But beyond that, having Season One on DVD means that there's a commitment to releasing future seasons of this quinti-sensational laugh-riot-of-a-comedy. Now I know what my friends are getting for Christmas this year! Ruthlessly funny and irreverent, SOAP was like a breath of fresh air when it first made its network appearance 25 years ago. My best friend and I would literally watch each episode together - eithe rin person or on the phone, mostly to share the immediacy of the funniest gags we'd ever scene, but also to ensure one of us would remember all the lines the next day. With a cast of characters that quite honestly DEFINED the word CHARACTERS "Soap" ranks as the funniest comedy series of the past 40 years, perhaps ever. Up there with "I Love Lucy" each episode guarantees a laugh - guffaws and belly grabbing are a given. Few series have ever combined wit and wisdom the way SOAP did. Sure - it introduced prime time's first "out" gay character (Jodie, the incomparable Billy Crystal) but no show has even come close to creating some of the other situations you'll find here! A demon baby? YEP, why not, when a fallen priest (Father Tim) hooks up with the ... daughter Corinne.
A talking grapefruit? Sure...if you're imitating one crazy sibling's unique attachment to a ventriloquist dummy named Bob.
A mother in lust with her daughter's lover (and tennis coach)? Trust me, Lifetime never had it this good.
How about murder? Alien Abductions? A gay quarterback? An all-knowing scene-stealing butler (the one and only BENSON)? Yep, they're all here. And Richard Mulligan - the late great and brilliant comedian who forever channelled the character of Burt -is absolutely the funniest TV dad you'll ever meet. You can keep Bill Cosby - gimme BURT any day! And Katherine Helmond, whose bust and boundless sex-kittenish turn as Jessica Tate made her a TV staple - is an absolute joy. SOAP was - and remains - a series that breaks the rules and still works. Its humor was often raw and raunchy, but human nonetheless. Forget "Happy Days" - for pure unduplicated television laughs, SOAP is comedy heaven.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Show That Deserves a Better DVD
Review: What can I say about this groundbreaking hit TV show from 1977 that other reviewers haven't already said? This is an excellent, hilarious soap opera spoof that focuses on two familes whose only link is the matriachs, Jessica and Mary, two sisters. Well, Jessica is also sleeping with Mary's stepson, so I guess there are more links. Several funny storylines are woven together in this first season, culiminating with a classic murder mystery that stretches for twelve of the 25 episodes. This is definitely a five star TV show, but the DVD production is severely lacking. Not only are a couple of episodes edited, as previously reported, but there are no extras to speak of (unless you count movie trailers). I can easily recommend this collection to purchase, just due to the excellent episodes of this series that you will get. However, Soap deserved more effort from Columbia House, and one can only hope they release season two with complete, unedited episodes. Knowing their history, however, extras will probably continue to be a pipe dream.
Rating:
Summary: Soap - The Complete First Season
Review: PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE we want more, we want more, we want more!!!! My girlfriend and I watch 3 DVD in 3 days!!!! We watch it every week in the 70's,
Rating:
Summary: 5 star show on a 3 star DVD!
Review: SOAP was amazing when it aired, and it still has a lot going for it. The slapstick scenes are impeccable, the comedy is brilliant and sharp, and the heartwrenching scenes are so well done! It's the story of two sisters and their respective families - Jessica Tate and Mary Campbell. In true soap opera form in this first season someone is murdered, everyone seems to have an affair, several people have nervous breakdowns, somebody tries to quit the mob and gets drug back in, somebody goes into the hospital for a sex change, somebody finds out they were adopted, impossible love rears its head several times, a couple of people are accused of murder, and many of the characters are blackmailed! This doesn't even BEGIN to cover all that happens! SOAP moved at lightning speed doing what most soap operas take years to develop. I watched it back in the days it was on, and I was afraid it would not hold up well. Guess what? It does! SOAP was funny because of the characters not topical discussions. Sure there are plenty of 70s touches - the costumes, the way the show looks, but it's still funny and moving. The ensemble was unbeatable! The DVD gives you 22 episodes spread out over 3 discs. No extras! And this show begs for them. It was the FIRST show to have a content warning before it aired, the first show with an openly gay character (Billy Crystal as Jody Dallas), and it's soooooo irreverant and politcally incorrect! Black jokes, gay jokes, veteran jokes, talk about orgasms, talk about infidelity, talk about impotence, mental health issues, hookers, politicians -- I could go on and on with the tabboos this show broke! It seems a little less sensational here in 2003, but it's still something special. Too bad they didn't put more on the discs, but the show itself is well worth the price! Is the picture quality poor? Yes, but that may be because of the way networks taped shows back then. SOAP was never high on production values, just high on its own giddy satire!
Rating:
Summary: According to Tri-Star/columbia...
Review: ...whom I contacted via email last week, the last two seasons will be released sometime this year, although there is no exact date as of right now. Keep the faith, Soap fans!
Rating:
Summary: Can't Wait For More "Soap!
Review: The is a very nice first season release of the classic sitcom "Soap." Stellar writing, acting and directing makes this show a cut above most things on tv today. Though time has not been kind to the video quality of some of the episodes, these dvds still look much better then the reruns on TVLand or Comedy Central. Do not hesitate to buy this fine set. I hope that Colubia Tri-Star delivers us seasons 2-4, because this show deserves to be preserved and seen in the dvd format. Perhaps they can include the two 90 minute "Soap" retrospectives that were put on VHS in the mid-1990's as part of future sets.
Rating: 
Summary: Not worthy
Review: It's a shame that "Soap" is out on DVD while the truly funny, groundbreaking show that it lamely attempted to imitate (Mary Hartman) is not yet out. There is no justice in this world!
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