Seth Green

Life Goes On tells the problems and everyday life of the Thacher family. The interesting thing about this television drama is that one of the Thacher clan has Down’s Syndrome and is played by an actor with Down’s Syndrome.

The Thacher’s are an ordinary family, with one exception. Drew (Bill Smitrovich), Libby (Patti LuPone), Becca (Kellie Martin), Paige (Monique Lanier) and Arnold the semi-wonder dog are the typical American family. However, they have a son with Down’s Syndrome named Corky (Chris Burke). What makes this show different is that they have an actor with Down’s Syndrome in the part. A lot of the drama comes from the fact that Corky is being mainstreamed or put into the regular population of his sister Becca’s high school instead of special classes.

Episode 1: Pilot: Corky enrolls at Becca’s high school and is accused of cheating on a test.

Episode 2: Corky for President: Corky runs for class president.

Episode 3: The Baby-sitter: Rowdy classmates crash Corky’s babysitting job.

Episode 4: Break a leg, Mom: Corky wrecks the driver’s ed car and he also fears he’s the reason that Libby gave up a showbiz career. Greg Kinnear has a bit part.

Episode 5: Becca’s First Love: Becca falls for a bad boy rocker in a garage band.

Episode 6: Paige’s Date: Drew arranges a blind date for his daughter. Corky, awake and awaiting his first day of high school

Episode 7: Paige’s Mom: Paige’s actress mother comes to town, full of promises that never come true.

Episode 8: Call of the Wild: Drew is going to develop some Native American land when the spirit of an Indian brave appears to Corky.

Episode 9: Corky witnesses a crime: Corky is the football team’s equipment manager and witnesses the coach punching a student and is torn whether he should tell or not. Dan Dierdorf, Frank Gifford, and Al Michaels appear in this episode.

Episode 10: Ordinary Heroes: Drew feels unappreciated at his job and wants to fulfill his lifelong dream of opening a restaurant.

Episode 11: Pets, Guys and Videotape: Paige gets a job at the veterinarian, but he gets along better with the animals than the human customers.

Episode 12: Corky’s crush: Libby’s parents split up and Corky gets a crush on the new girl in class. Shannen Doherty appears in this episode.

Episode 13: Thacher and Henderson: Drew meets up with his high school friend turned adversary at the high school football reunion game. James Cromwell appears as Drew’s rival.

Episode 14: The Return of Uncle Richard: Drew’s brother turns up and is everything he’s not, a flashy, glib rascal, and the kids seem to like their Uncle better.

Episode 15: Brothers: Corky participates in the Special Olympics and one man comes to terms with his son’s disabilities.

Episode 16: Corky Rebels: Corky decides be like the school tough guy, leather jacket and all. This is the episode where Corky belts out “Fight the Power” on stage.

Episode 17: It Ain’t All It’s Cracked Up to Be: Becca enters a beauty pageant, but so does her snooty high school rival. Denise Richards appears in this episode.

Episode 18: Pig o’my Heart: Drew finally realizes his dream of opening a restaurant, but Corky brings home a oversized hog as a pet.

Episode 19: Becca and the underground newspaper: Becca writes an expose of the janitor’s criminal past, but she doesn’t have all the facts.

Episode 20: Save the Last Dance for Me: Becca’s beloved ballet teacher, Mrs. Doubcha, is going senile and will have to go to a retirement home. Libby and Becca have trouble dealing with it and Mrs. Doubcha can’t accept her loss of independence. Viveca Lindors won an Emmy for her portrayal of Mrs. Doubcha

Episode 21: With a Mighty Heart: Drew’s father comes back into the picture but he was not a very good father to Drew. Pat Hingle guest stars as Drew’s father.

Episode 22: The Spring Fling: Marshall High school is having an Island Night dance and it’s both Becca and Corky’s first opportunity to attend a dance. Seth Green appears in this episode.

Life Goes On has a fine cast. Bill Smitrovich and Patty LuPone play well against each other and with their “kids.” Chris Burke also does a fine job as Corky and Kellie Martin is good as well. Monique Lanier only appeared in the first season as Paige and another actress took over from Season 2 onward. Show creator Michael Braverman mentions that he has a brother with Down’s Syndrome on the commentary and that was his inspiration for the show. Drew and Libby discuss mainstreaming Corky

They also use every opportunity to have Patty LuPone sing. What has not aged well are the 1980s fashions and hair styles. When I watched the show on television the theme song I recall was the Beatles’ Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da (sung by the cast), this is not the song used on this set. Sadly, this has been replaced because of the high cost to license the music. The problem is that they’ve replaced it with a song that definitely does not have the energy of the original opening. Frankly, the new song sucks.

Life Goes On is presented in fullscreen as it was originally shown on television. Season One is spread out over six single sided discs in three slim cases. Special features include a commentary by creator Michael Braverman and actor Chris Burke on the Pilot episode. Other special features are located on disc 6, including Smitrovich and LuPone’s screen test (6 minutes) and a 30 second gag reel.

Fans of the show will definitely want to pick it up, but the replacing of the Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da theme song is most disappointing. However, I’m glad to see it on DVD instead of sitting in the vault because of the theme song. There are a few nice special features, but it might’ve been nice for Braverman or Burke to provide more than one commentary.