Overview: Emmy Award-winner Beatrice Arthur stars in this beloved, groundbreaking sitcom created by Norman Lear. Maude was first introduced as Edith Bunker's outspoken, liberal cousin on the classic TV show "All in the Family." Her spinoff, set in Tuckahoe, New York, focuses on Maude's daily adventures at home with fourth husband Walter (Bill Macy), divorced daughter Carol (Adrienne Barbeau), and Carol's son Phillip. Joining in on the fun is housekeeper Florida (Esther Rolle, TV's Good Times), and conservative next-door neighbor Arthur (Conrad Bain, TV's "Diff'rent Strokes").

DVD Verdict: Just thinking about the theme song and accompanying montage makes me smile from ear to ear! I loved this show as a kid. I didn't understand much of it but I knew I liked Bea Arthur and her manic body language made me laugh. I never saw the show again after it went off. If it was in syndication it was nowhere I lived. After 30 years I get to experience the show that brought me sooo many laughs as if for the first time all over again. I think it is way long overdue to the thousands of Maude fan. Beatrice Arthur gave Maude it's luster as she played the most abrasive and outspoken character on television during the 1970's. Maude was one of those shows that had some unforgettable episodes, great acting and superb comedy writing, though there were always some episodes in between that were just average. But with the complete first season being released on DVD, the best episodes I remember include "Love & Marriage," "Maude and the Radical," and "Grass Story," a hilarious episode where Maude tries to purchase marijuana with the intention of getting arrested to change the harsh possession laws. The supporting cast of characters were always a plus from Adrienne Barbeau as Maude's daughter to Arthur Harmon, the conservative doctor who lives next door to Florida, Maude's black housekeeper who's character was spun off later on with the show "Good Times." The first season also contains the episode titled "Maude's Dilemma," a two-parter where Maude discovers she's pregnant at 47 and chooses to have an abortion. This episode remains controversial to this day. What took you guys so long? Major thumbs up just the same! This is a Full Screen Presentation (1.33:1) and comes with no Special Features save all 22 first season episodes on three discs.