“Wings” was always something of a show that had genuine laughs, talented cast members, and a recognizable sitcom formula, and sadly was never that notable. Even with the appearance of Norm and Cliff from “Cheers” to help usher in the series and its setting, “Wings” was always kind of an under the radar series for folks that appreciated more downbeat comedy. Which is not to say “Wings” is a bad show, it just never quite reaches its stride until the first few seasons pass.
Basically, “Wings” is kind of an offshoot of “Cheers,” where Tim Daly is a seasoned pilot named Joe, who runs his own small airport in Nantucket, and shares the space with a rival airport, as managed by the hilariously amoral Roy. “Wings” garners the more down to Earth, small town aspects that made “Cheers” a hit with Daly playing the likable and charming manager, along with his crusty best friend Fay, his dumb but hilarious mechanic Lowell, and a cafe owner and long time friend Helen. While Daly himself is almost always the straight man to the show, “Wings” succeeds in being sharp sitcom fodder thanks to the wonderful supporting cast.
David Schramm as the slimy Roy is the character you love to hate, while Thomas Haden Church is a laugh riot as the inept Lowell, always five steps behind everyone else. The conflict arises when Joe’s brother Brian comes back in to town asking Joe for a job at the airport, hoping to reconcile. Years before, Brian ran off with Joe’s ex-wife, and the two slowly decide to rebuild their relationship when they agree to run the airport side by side. Picking up the slack further for Daly is Stephen Weber, the polar opposite to the more upright and straight laced Joe. Weber’s comic timing and deadpan delivery one-liners often pose some raucous laughter, and he keeps the series afloat, even when it stumbles and falls with dull storylines, and bland conflicts beyond the more familial dysfunction.
Mill Creek once again makes the show available for fans awaiting the episodes on DVD, putting together seasons one and two of the series. Season one and two does have its share of funny episodes, including “Sports and Leisure” where in Roy tries to make friends with the gang by playing Trivial Pursuit. When he’s teamed with Lowell, things become disastrous. There’s also “The Tennis Bum” where Brian realizes Fay is much better at him in tennis, despite his years playing. It’s a very solid set for a show that only managed to get funnier the more it progressed.