The White Shadow - Season 1

Ironically this series takes place in a high school, and I was in Junior High (1978-1981) when CBS aired it. But still a lot a young kid like me was able to learn and grow with. Ken Howard plays Ken Reeves (a native of my home town of all places: Bayside, New York, in reality Howard was born in Manhasset just over the Nassau County line) a not so lucky forward (I think) for the Chicago Bulls who constantly injures his knee. After the last injury at which he injured his pride a little as well, Ken hangs it up and suddenly gets reunited with his old high school team mate and friend Jim Willis (Jason Bernard in the pilot, Ed Bernard thereafter) who is the principal of George Washington Carver High School in a majority black neighborhood. To make long story short, Willis asks Reeves would he be interested in being Carver's new basketball coach. After thinking about it, he accepts despite learning from Willis' vice principal Sybil Buchanan (Joan Pringle) that the majority of the team are studying to be hoodlums and dropouts (a number of them have juvenile records already). With the support of his sister and brother in law (as well as Willis), Ken keeps the team in check, and helps the "losers" at heart become winners (on and sometimes off the court). The name of the series comes when Ken says to the team at the end of the pilot that he will always be behind them, to which player Morris Thorpe (Kevin Hooks) replies "yeah like a white shadow". The name sticks, and thus a very nice series develops. The stories focus on 1 or more of the team members getting in trouble with the law or other sources, Ken's love life (which is worse than his pro career was) and his being accepted by other students and faculty members. Very good series, I hope all 3 sets come out quickly.

If you're reading this, you're already probably a fan of the show. So this quick review is of the box set, not the show.First, the video quality is EXCELLENT! I'm blown away by how good they've this show looking. Better than some newer movies released on DVD. It's obviously not widescreen or anything ... but, look, the video has probably never looked better. Nice, crisp picture and color.Every episode (at least the first 6 or so I've watched) has the short 30 second or so preview that was originally shown prior to each episode. I was worried they might leave these off.Only special features are a short retrospective (it's on the last disc) and a commentary for the first episode (by director Jackie Cooper and producer Mark Tinker). Retrospective is kinda short but it isn't bad. Only cast members feature are Tim Van Patten (Salami), for sure, and, I think, Ken Howard (Reeves). I'm surprised they didn't get Kevin Hooks or Thomas Howard in there, too. Commentary is just OK. Not all that informative really. I'm thinking they might have taped it and done the feature before Bruce Paltrow died because I don't remember them talking about his death.Anyway, I'm extremely happy to have purchased this box set and look forward to seasons two and three ... ASAP, PLEASE!

I just wish that they release the other seasons.

Really love the show but a little disappointed in the DVD presentations episodes are not listed so you have to watch all of them at one time and if you stop in the middle you have to go right back to the beginning a real Downer on the plus side the acting is fantastic the story lines are very relevant it's too bad they're on shows like that today, and I really wish they'd release season 3 and 4.

love the series

I loved this program for many reasons. Before all the trouble in LA seemed to come to a head the characters were showing us how to overcome some of the serious misgivings and suspicions that still exist in the world today. My favorite episode is when Ken returns home to Bayside, Queens for a reunion and spends time with his estranged father played so well by James Whitmore. I got a real kick out of seeing him walking along Bell Blvd with an old schoolmate past some joints familiar to myself,growing up in Flushing. His father plays a barkeep who never seemed to have time for his son but desparately tries to make up for lost time as he faces his own death. A very well written and emotional story line! Can't wait for the release!

It's been years since I've seen White Shadow and I hesitated in buying the DVD. I'm so sorry I waited. Unlike many other shows from that time the issues being dealt with are still relevant, some even more so at the present time. The acting was more than adequate and the on screen chemistry between most of the characters seems genuine. It doesn't surprise me that several of the actors went on to directing. They were (and some still are) very gifted actors. I enjoyed going through high school with them. A few more extras (like a gag reel) would have been awesome, but overall I am very pleased with the DVD set.

It gave me an opportunity to enjoy a favorite television series again. A number 1 fan that did not miss an episode in its original run.

As a former player and current coach, I can tell you that Ken Howard absolutely nails the coaching persona. Love how this series tackles difficult situations, but it is also a product of its time and brutally honest about some things that were only starting to be understood in the late 70s. This resonates with me because I was a high school basketball player in the 70s but it resonates more broadly than that because of its universal themes.Moreover, it's fun to look at a cutting-edge series of almost 40 years ago and compare it to television now. For a whole bunch of reasons, I absolutely love The White Shadow.

i have watched a few again,as they where good, i couldnt watch disc 2, aswhen i received it,little prongs in the box,had broken off,and scratched this disc,and it would not play at all, i didnt send it back as i thought,i might not get another one,so i kept it.

Wow Is all I am going to type because I never saw or do not remember year one of The White Shadow.I use to see it at 8ish pm where I was growing up and loved it.I loved the characters,stories and Carver High's team.I was not too much a fan of the sport but I liked the story based on a H.S. sports team in the L.A. area.The series was and at the time Fastbreak was a movie soon to be released in 1979 on a college team and The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh too but minor league in 1980.Getting back to the White Shadow the theme was kind of cool like many 1970's series.One episode in if memory is on track Carver High played a Soviet Union team and a Soviet player wanted to defect from the Soviet Union.Race,economy,friendship,relationships,education and politics within episodes and go Carver High.

Loved it, brought back memories of a beautiful youth.

Awesome show