A classic television series that has been running for nearly four decades, Coach follows the life of Hayden Fox, head coach of the Minnesota State University Screaming Eagles. Airing on ABC from 1989 to 1997, Coach has gained a loyal fan base and remained a popular show throughout its long-running history.
It follows the story of Hayden as he deals with his professional and personal life while mentoring and coaching his players. Despite its age, Coach continues to capture the hearts of new viewers.
The DVD includes several special features, such as deleted scenes and a feature-length documentary on the making of the film that any fan would be sure to appreciate.
During its acclaimed run of nine seasons, the television show Coach amused viewers of all ages and was nominated for a total of 16 Emmys and four Golden Globes.
The series follows the escapades of fictional Minnesota State Screaming Eagles college football coach Hayden Fox (Craig T. Nelson), who is the prototypical example of a male chauvinist pig. The show is considered one of the most underestimated comedies of its time.
Hayden, though, has a good heart, which sets him apart from many of his politically insensitive contemporaries.
This more vulnerable aspect attracts Christine Armstrong, a prominent anchorwoman who is also his lover (Shelley Fabares). In the locker room, Hayden is joined by assistant coaches Luther Van Dam (played by Jerry Van Dyke) and Dauber Dybinski (played by Bill Fagerbakke), who are the ideal complements to the coach’s inconsistently illogical reasoning.
Hayden is constantly delivering sarcasm, trading barbs, or being aggravated by someone, whether it be his estranged daughter Kelly (Clare Carey), her less-than-manly boyfriend Stuart (Kris Kamm), the nagging athletic director Howard Burleigh (Kenneth Kimmins), or ladies basketball coach Judy Watkins (Pam Stone).
The complex, opinionated, and domineering Hayden Fox is brilliantly portrayed by Craig T. Nelson, who is also great in his performance. The plausible image of a real romance is created by the chemistry that he and his co-star Shelley Fabares share on screen. But the cast of Coach is full of well-known actors and actresses.
The series is given a pleasant comedy edge by the underrated and long overdue breakout role of Jerry Van Dyke, who portrays the part of Luther Van Dam, the stuttering and kind-hearted bungling best buddy of Hayden. Jerry Van Dyke is the brother of Dick Van Dyke, who plays the role of Hayden.
Before Coach Jerry stole the show with a few guest appearances. Coach gave him a full-time job so everyone could see how funny he was. Examples are The Dick Van Dyke Show and The Andy Griffith Show.
The first few seasons of the comedy show Coach are, by far and away, the funniest and most brilliant of the entire series. Take a seat, get some official Minnesota State Screaming Eagle gear, and get ready to laugh your way through one of the funniest comedies of all time!
The DVD collection of The Coach, Season 1, includes a lot of humorous episodes, one of which is titled “Kelly and the Professor.” In this episode, Hayden finds that his daughter Kelly, a Minnesota State student, recently went on a date with a professor.
Hayden is driven insane by the news and willing to go to any lengths to discover the identity of the faculty member who committed the crime.
Other noteworthy episodes from the first season include “I’m in Love with a Boy Named Stuart,” in which Hayden is introduced to Stuart, Kelly’s new boyfriend, and his future arch-nemesis, and “I’m Sorry I Told You My Wife Was Dead,” in which Hayden compromises his integrity to coerce a widow into handing over the massive donation that her late husband had promised the Minnesota State football program. Both of these episodes can be found in the first season.
In conclusion, Coach, the classic television series from the 90s, is a great show that still holds up today. Its creativity and humor make it an enjoyable watch for all ages. The characters are well-developed and have their own unique personalities and quirks. The stories are engaging, with clever plot twists and turns throughout each episode. It is easy to relate to the characters as they face everyday struggles that many people can identify with.
Coach, the first season DVD, contains the following episodes:
Episode 1 (Kelly and the Professor) Air Date: 02-28-1989
Episode 2 (Love Me Tender) Air Date: 03-01-1989
Episode 3 (Kelly, Meet Christine) Air Date: 03-08-1989
Episode 4 (I’m in Love with a Boy Named Stuart) Air Date: 03-15-1989
Episode 5 (The Loss Weekend) Air Date: 03-22-1989
Episode 6 (Gambling for Meat) Air Date: 04-05-1989
Episode 7 (19 Candles) Air Date: 04-12-1989
Episode 8 (Parents’ Weekend) Air Date: 04-19-1989
Episode 9 (I’m Sorry I Told You My Wife was Dead) Air Date: 04-26-1989
Episode 10 (Define Romance) Air Date: 05-03-1989
Episode 11 (Whose Team is It, Anyway?) Air Date: 05-17-1989
Episode 12 (Hoot, Hoot Hike) Air Date: 05-31-1989
Episode 13 (Dauber’s Blow-Out) Air Date: 06-07-1989
