Product Review

"China Beach" at The Paley Center for Media on September 13, 2013. Airing on ABC from 1988-1991, "China Beach" revolutionized episodic drama with its profound exploration of the emotional impact of the Vietnam War on the men and women who risked their lives "in-country." It was bold enough to tackle the psychological repercussions of a controversial war that divided the nation.

This PALEYLIVE event celebrates the 25th anniversary of "China Beach," the drama series set during the Vietnam War, which focused on the women stationed at China Beach, a combined U.S. Armed Forces hospital and USO recreational facility located near the South China Sea.

Will Keck (senior editor, TV Guide Magazine) moderates the following panelists: cocreator/executive producer John Sacret Young; and cast members Dana Delany ("Colleen McMurphy"), Marg Helgenberger ("K.C. Kolowski"), Ricki Lake ("Holly Pelegrino"), Michael Boatman ("Pvt. Samuel Beckett"), Robert Picardo ("Dr. Dick Richard"), Chloe Webb ("Laurette Barber"), Brian Wimmer ("Cpl. Boonie Lanier"), Concetta Tomei ("Maj. Lila Garreau"), Jeff Kober ("Sgt. Evan 'Dodger' Winslow"), Nancy Giles ("Pvt. Frankie Bunsen"), and Troy Evans ("Master Sgt. Bob Pepper").

The panelists touch on such topics as: problems with music clearances causing the long-delayed release of the show on DVD; the reason Delany's hair was cut into McMuphy's now-classic bob; and Wimmer being viewed as the "eye candy" of the show.

Questions from the audience then lead to a discussion of the following topics among others: Picardo having to wear a toupee after the network wouldn't let "a bald man" romance McMurphy; handling of racial themes in a "grown-up way"; and the show's reflection of music's importance to soldiers in Vietnam.

When sold by Amazon.com, this product will be manufactured on demand using DVD-R recordable media. Amazon.com's standard return policy will apply.