My impressions are admittedly forged chiefly by syndicated rerun viewings, but Home Improvement seems the classic example of a television series that defines its audience
early on and then gives that subset more of what it has grown to love,
while also adding enough small character wrinkles to keep things
legitimately fresh and moving forward. The show was originally rooted
in the gruff, “guys’ guy” stand-up comedy of star Tim Allen — part of a
spate of pilot production deals handed out to up-and-coming comedians
in the early 1990s — but anyone who followed the series in its later
years will attest that only the most trace amounts of that edge
remained. Instead, Home Improvement grew into the equivalent of
a pine tree — a dependable if unspectacular small screen laffer with
not quite the majesty of an oak, the delicious novelty of an apple or
lemon tree nor the mannered beauty of a willow tree.

For those
unfamiliar with the Detroit-set show, Allen stars as Tim Taylor, the
affable, pun-loving host of a Bob Villa-type, do-it-yourself television
program called Tool Time. His faithful co-host is Al Borland
(Richard Karn), and his long-suffering wife is Jill (Patricia
Richardson). Together, they preside over a brood of three rambunctious
sons (with an irritating nine names between them — Zachery Ty Bryan,
Jonathan Taylor Thomas and Taran Noah Smith), and live next door to a
rarely glimpsed neighbor, Wilson (Earl Hindman), who dispenses nuggets
of advice that help, when necessary, steer the perpetually
mishap-making Tim toward compromise and apology.

Highlights from the series’ fourth season find Tim dropping a
three-ton beam on Jill’s car, Jill deciding to return to college and
Tim additionally both baffled and slightly jealous when Al is named one
of the city’s most eligible bachelors. Home Improvement, like
many of its familial sitcom brethren, stoops a bit too often to the
overly simplified husband-as-idiot routine. Still, the characters are
nicely sketched and warmly brought to life by both Allen and especially
Richardson, who would pick up the second of four unfulfilled Emmy
nominations for her work this season. Episodic highlights include “Ye
Olde Shoppe Teacher,” “A House Divided,” “Brother, Can You Spare a Hot
Rod?” and the cleverly titled “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s Just
Irresponsible.” Guest stars herein include Dave Chappelle (not as Rick
James, alas), Lucy Liu and Michelle Williams.

Presented in 1.33 full screen with audio in Dolby digital 2.0 stereo, Home Improvement: The Complete Fourth Season
comes in a unique cardboard slipcase that showcases a saw on its
undercover. Spread out over three discs that are in turn housed in
sturdy gatefold packaging, this is a prime example of a bit of extra
time and effort being put into the presentation of a set, and it’s nice
for consumers. Unfortunately, though, the only bonus material comes by
way of a brief blooper reel, at least some of which fans will no doubt
recognize from Dick Clark’s visit to the set for his blooper-laden
specials. C+ (Series) B (Disc)