The Andy Griffith Show - The Complete Series (1960) Review

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(More customer reviews)Well, one good thing is that if you are angry because you bought the individual season DVD sets (like I did) and wished you waited to buy the complete series box set for the extras and corrections, you need not sweat it. The missing epilogue and minutes to "The Darlings Are Coming" and the missing epilogue to "Barney Mends a Broken Heart" from season 3 were not restored to this set. The laugh tracks to a few episodes from season 4 have been restored, but that wasn't a big deal to me.
The "extra extras" you get from this series box set are available individually elsewhere if you look around. The pilot "Danny Meets Andy Griffith" is available edited on the "Make Room for Daddy" 5th season DVD set. The pilot included here is also edited. You can also find "Return to Mayberry" on DVD online and the other bonus is the episode "Opie Joins the Marines" where Opie visits Gomer on "Gomer Pyle USMC," which will be released in that series' second season set in a few months. I wish Paramount could have gathered some behind-the-scenes stuff or commentaries or interviews (the actors are not getting any younger and in just the past few years, many important TAGS people have died like Howard Morris and Don Knotts). That would have made this set worth it, but nothing like that is included.
What bugs me the most, though, is the crummy packaging: Cardboard folders and pockets with cut-out photos on the characters printed on it. At least make it the same as the individual sets with the plastic, easy-to-use holders and the bold and colorful illustrations. It's a great series, I love the shows (even the color episodes), but if you have already bought the seasons and are wondering if the series set is worth it, I would vote, 'no.' In fact, if you haven't bought anything from this series yet, I would still choose the indivdual seasons to this set.

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Down-home humor and an endearing cast of characters helped to make The Andy Griffith Show one of the most beloved comedies in the history of television. Introduced as a spinoff from The Danny Thomas Show in 1960, The Andy Griffith Show ran for eight seasons in prime time. Widower Andy Taylor divides his time between raising his young son, Opie, and his job as sheriff (and Justice of the Peace) of the sleepy North Carolina town, Mayberry. Andy and Opie live with Andy's Aunt Bee, who serves as a surrogate mother to both father and son. Andy's nervous cousin, Barney Fife, is his deputy sheriff whose utter incompetence is tolerated because Mayberry is virtually crime-free.

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30 Rock: Season 2 Review

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(More customer reviews)Watching 30 ROCK during its second season was a completely exhilarating experience. It had in its rookie year quickly established itself as the funniest show on TV, but during its sophomore campaign the writing and acting got sharper and sharper with each episode. Next to ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT, I honestly believe that this is the funniest American comedy series ever.
Most comedy shows, when the writers get a funny joke or idea, they massage it and call attention to it, perhaps even taking a pause to allow everyone to notice and appreciate it. Not 30 ROCK. The jokes just tumbled out and sometimes they were only there if you looked hard for them. The humor came in waves, in layers. For instance, in one episode Jack Donaghy (Alec Baldwin) is watching Celeste Cunningham (Edie Falco), with whom he has just had a passionate romantic encounter, get interviewed on a news network. The main point in the scene is that the right-wing Republican Jack is horrified to learn that his flame is a left-wing Democrat, but if you look very carefully at the ticker tape along the bottom of the TV screen, you will see the words "Anne Heche leaves husband for pony" scroll across. And shot after shot during the season features in-jokes concerning the Shinehardt Wig Company ("NOT Polluting Rivers since 1997"), which somehow manages to be the parent company for GE. This is not to say that the main jokes aren't great as well (I mean, just how funny is the idea of the fake reality series MILF ISLAND?). The key point is that it isn't just that they jokes are plentiful and unrelenting; they are GOOD. It is humor with an edge, but it is never less than brilliant.
This year Alec Baldwin will almost certainly win what should have been his second Emmy for Best Actor in a Comedy series. Last year news broke about an abusive message he left on his daughter's phone mail service. It unquestionably cost him the Emmy he deserved. But there is simply no question that he is the most outstanding lead actor on a comedy series today. And Tina Fey not only matches him scene for scene in her self-effacing portrayal of GIRLIE SHOW head writer Liz Lemon, but gets additional major kudos for serving as head writer on the show itself. The two of them are backed by a deep and talented cast, from Tracy Morgan in his inspired role as the literally insane Tracy Jordan to Jack McBrayer in his scene stealing role as Kenneth the page (I would love to see him get an Emmy nomination). And in addition to the regular cast there was an endless string of wonderful guest appearances, including return visits from Dean Winters as Liz's horrid (but very, very funny) ex-boyfriend Dennis and Will Arnett as Jack's company rival Devon Banks. But there were some great one-time guest appearances as well, perhaps none as delightful as Tim Conway's portrayal of a TV veteran who shatters all of Kenneth's illusions about the Golden Age of TV. Oddly enough, the one guest appearance that misfired was that by Jerry Seinfeld. It was as if the show ceased doing what makes it so brilliant to accommodate Jerry's guest spot.
The lone mystery about 30 ROCK is why it doesn't attract a larger audience. I won't name names, but there are hosts of truly lousy series that get far larger audiences than 30 ROCK. This show gets the critical acclaim and wins the awards, but it simply doesn't pull in the large ratings. This distresses me. It makes me wonder if America is clueless about great comedy. I don't get it. Never have and perhaps never will. But trust me: this is as brilliant, as funny as TV can get.

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Relive the second season of the Primetime Emmy® Award-winning comedy 30 Rock, the show that the guy who writes stuff on DVD boxes calls “my current assignment” and that Gillian Flynn of Entertainment Weekly has named “simply the best TV.” Created by Golden Globe® and SAG Award winner Tina Fey, 30 Rock features Fey (as TV writer Liz Lemon), Golden Globe® and SAG Award winner Alec Baldwin (as corporate executive Jack Donaghy), Tracy Morgan and Jane Krakowski (as Lemon’s unpredictable stars, Tracy Jordan and Jenna Maroney) and Jack McBrayer (as the naive NBC page Kenneth Parcell). Co-workers and friends, they are all trying to balance work and life, with the inevitable result of failed relationships, disastrous parties, at-work drunkenness, hard-core coffee addiction, world-class sandwich eating and occasional attempts to chop down Christmas trees. Join in the behind-the-scenes fun with lots of exclusive content and all fifteen episodes of the acclaimed second season of 30 Rock from executive producer Lorne Michaels.

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Entourage: The Complete Fourth Season (2007) Review

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(More customer reviews)I press "Play." The HBO static kicks in. Yet, the "Superhero" theme by Jane's Addiction is nowhere to be found. Before we begin, ENTOURAGE's 4th season presents a mini-documentary (like THE OFFICE) detailing the trials and tribulations of getting a dream project made. This change of pace promises great things to come; the premiere episode of ENTOURAGE's fourth season will undoubtedly go down as one of its greatest.
As the show continues, it continues its solid streak for a while. Although the remaining 11 episodes are shot in the traditional style we've seen this show use for years, things become even more desparate and challenging for Eric, Vince, and Ari than ever before. Their domestic lives and careers are really put through the ringer this time.
Eric continues to try to expand his career, but struggles to get what he wants most: Respect. Vince actually matures more than the rest of the cast this season. His optimism is no longer a boyish laziness; he actually steps up to plate when the line is drawn in the sand. Ari Gold has plenty of issues on his own. If you thought his financial woes in seasons' past made him a bitter man, wait until you see how his domestic life tests his aggressive masculinity.
You may have noticed I haven't mentioned Turtle or Johnny Drama yet. Well frankly, ENTOURAGE really drops the ball with them this season. While the gang's rapport is still very funny, I'm frustrated that neither of these two characters have shown any growth since the show began in 2004. Seriously, does Turtle really only think about sex, weed, and assorted materials? Gimme a break! Drama's insecurities are becoming pathetic, but at least Kevin Dillon's brilliant performance still sells it. Never once did I think that Drama wouldn't behave the way he does.
I don't want to give away any cameos, but be assured that they all pay off. Remember Scarlett Johannson's pointless bit from the Season One finale? Don't worry, you won't find any of that useless "Hey-Look-It's-Him/Her" garbage.
Special mention also has to go to Rhys Coiro's turn as crazed auteur Billy Walsh. While I can't believe a man like that is inspired by a real person, he's given just the right amount of screentime (and madness) to be effective, but not overstay his welcome. Also, Perrey Reeves and Rex Lee (as Mrs. Ari and Lloyd, respectively) get to kind of "star" in their own individual episode. While neither really contributes anything significant to Season Four's overall story, they were a nice change of pace.
I guess that last sentence summarizes my overall reaction to Season Four. I found these 12 episodes to be very entertaining, and with plenty of neat ideas thrown in to keep things from getting stale. But when I look at the season from beginning to end, the middle patch really doesn't have much to with the bookends. For example, there's a nice small angle involving Anna Faris. While it works the way it plays out, there were so many lateral moves the writers could've done with it. But in the end, very little has changed.
That's the problem with Season Four - Nothing's Really Changed.
The creators had one of their best plots when Ari Gold wasn't in Vince's good graces. That's why that particular season was so excellent. The writers and creators took a chance. But in Season Four, the chances are merely temporary. For four years, I've watched these characters take small steps into uncharted waters, only to return to shore. It's time to shake things up again before ENTOURAGE starts getting stale. That day hasn't come yet, but be assured that this series is still a very slick, entertaining comedy.
SEASON ONE --> 7.0 / 10
SEASON TWO --> 8.0 / 10
SEASON THREE > 8.0 / 10 (Part 1)
SEASON THREE > 9.0 / 10 (Part 2)
SEASON FOUR -> 8.5 / 10

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Sure it would be great to have it all, but at what price? For Vince, Eric, Drama and Turtle, life in Hollywoods fast lane can be an intoxicating ride. In Season Four, in fact, Eric and Vince have taken on new roles as producers. Will their film be hailed as a critical masterpiece, or will it end up on the trash heap of broken Tinseltown dreams?

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Everybody Loves Raymond: The Complete Seventh Season (2002) Review

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(More customer reviews)The seventh season of EVERYBODY LOVES RAYMOND will always hold a special place in my heart because it is the first season I started seeing when the new episodes would air every Monday night on CBS. The first six seasons I saw via re-runs and the DVDs because I didn't get into the show until this season. Therefore, I am particularly excited to see this season being released on DVD. Here is a breakdown of the episodes that will be on this set:
1. The Cult-- Raymond and Robert go to extreme measures to try and solve the feud between Debra and Marie that began at the end of season six.
2. Counseling-- After getting an idea from their friends Linda and Bernie, Debra decides that she and Raymond need some marriage counseling.
3. Homework-- Frustrated by the amount of homework Ally gets (since he's the one stuck helping her with it), he confronts the teacher about it, who invites him to present his case in front of the school board.
4. Pet the Bunny-- As a challenge, Ray decides to write a eulogy for Frank, which helps to reveal a softer side of the tough guy.
5. Who Am I?-- Ray fears that something is wrong with him when he goes out for a night with his friends and tells Debra that something is wrong with him. Debra, who thinks Ray is finally "growing up," is shocked to learn he wants to join his father's lodge.
6. Robert Needs Money-- When Robert says he is strapped for cash, Ray and Debra give him a gift of $1000, only to be shocked to find out later that he is going to use the money for a Las Vegas vacation.
7. The Sigh-- Ray gives full control of their bathroom to Debra to give her more space, but quickly regrets it after teasing ensues from Robert and Frank.
8. The Annoying Kid-- While Debra is thrilled to have met a couple that she and Ray can be friends with, Ray is less than thrilled about their spoiled, annoying 8 year old son.
9. She's the One-- Robert thinks he has finally found "the One" girl, Angela, with whom he might be able to spend the rest of his life. However, trouble ensues when Ray notices her at their table eating a fly that she killed after dinner.
10. Marie's Vision-- Marie gets new glasses and with her better eyesight, she starts noticing and pointing out physical features on her family members that make them extremely sensitive.
11. The Thought That Counts-- Robert gives Ray an idea of what to get Debra for Christmas, but is upset when Ray takes all the credit for it.
12. Grandpa Steals-- Ally is frightened when she watches Frank samples some trail mix in the grocery store, despite the sign that forbids sampling, and yells at the salesman who confronts him to accuse him of stealing from the store.
13. Somebody Hates Raymond-- After his friend Andy lands a job with a famous sports radio talk show host, Ray is shocked to learn that this man does not want him as a guest on his show because he hates him.
14. Just a Formality-- Robert decides that he is finally ready to propose to his on-again-off-again girlfriend Amy, but when he asks her ultra-conservative religious parents for her hand, he is turned down. (A CLASSIC episode!!!!)
15. The Disciplinarian-- Tired of always being labeled as the bad guy with the twins, Debra makes Raymond force the twins the clean their room, and his failure to do so prompts a family discussion of what it means to discipline your children.
16. Sweet Charity-- Debra encourages Ray to do some charity work at the local hospital, but becomes upset when Ray becomes a hit with the patients and starts spending more time at the hospital than at home.
17. Meeting the Parents-- When Amy's parents arrive at her doorstep to talk her out of marrying Robert, they meet Frank and Marie. It's not long before the two sets of parents start disliking each other. (Another classic episode!)
18. The Plan-- When Robert is put in charge of the wedding invitations and consults Ray and Frank for help, they encourage him to do a bad job on purpose so that Amy won't make him do any more to help. Unfortunately, the bad invitation is the one that accidentally gets sent out.
19. Sleepover at Peggy's-- Ray takes Ally to a sleepover at a friend's house and is mortified when the mother Peggy, who is the same troop leader who beat him up in season six's episode "Cookies," pats his behind.
20. Who's Next-- After Marie suggests the idea when an elderly woman down the street passes away, who Marie had chosen for Frank in the event she died first, Ray and Debra pick replacement spouses for each other, but jealousy isn't far behind.
21. The Shower-- Debra throws a bridal shower for Amy, but Marie's interference makes her angry to the point of drinking too much. While waiting for a ride home from Ray, an officer carts her off to jail. Without a driver's liscence, Debra must rely on Marie for help.
22. Baggage-- Ray and Debra end up in a two-week standoff over who should move a suitcase that is sitting in the stairwell, prompting Marie and Frank to offer advice on how to resolve the situation based on their own experiences.
23. The Bachelor Party-- Ray throws a lame bachelor party for Robert, and is prompted by the ladies to throw him another one to make up for it.
24. Robert's Wedding (parts 1 and 2)-- Robert and Amy get married, but as is always typical with the Barone clan, things are never destined to go smoothly...including Marie standing up at the part where the priest says "If anyone can think of any reason why these two should not be joined, speak now or forever hold your peace."
I am thrilled over how consistent they have been with the Raymond releases. I think it's safe to say we'll have the complete series by summer 2007 next year. Buy season 7 and continue to enjoy this classic sitcom that truly serves as a microcosm for the modern American family. You won't regret it, I promise!

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(Comedy Series) Standup comedian Ray Romano stars as Ray Barone, a successful sportswriter who deals with his brother and parents, who happen to live across the street. Patricia Heaton ("The Goodbye Girl"), Peter Boyle ("While You Were Sleeping"), Doris Roberts ("Remington Steele"), and Brad Garrett ("Gleason") round out the stellar cast. DVD Features:Audio Commentary:Four optional audio commentaries ("Counseling," "Just a Formality," "Meeting the Parents," "Baggage") with series creator Phil Rosenthal, Ray Romano, Chris Elliott, Monica Horan, Anna Romano Fred Willard and writers Mike Royce and Tucker Cawley. Deleted ScenesOther:Bloopers

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The Larry Sanders Show: The Complete Series Review

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(More customer reviews)Finally! I have already pre-ordered The Complete Series. The Complete First Season and Not Just The Best Of The Larry Sanders Show are already in my collection, and I have enjoyed those sets over and over and over again. The First Season has an enteraining interview with Garry Shandling, and Not Just The Best includes amazing, personal, informative, funny and long visits between Shandling and his friends Carol Burnett, Tom Petty, Jerry Seinfeld, Alec Baldwin, John Stewart, Sharon Stone and others. The first two collections are thus definitely worth having. The forthcoming Complete Series will give us all a chance to enjoy the episodes we haven't seen in decades. I can't wait to see Hank confess to Larry's ex wife, after spending a night in a hotel room together, that he emptied the mini-bar and that he will reimburse her. Such situations, sublime and tears-down-your-face-funny, were the result of patient character development and a deep understanding of the human condition. Garry Shandling created the most intelligent comedy series ever. Every writer, every director and every actor responded to his concept and made The Larry Sanders Show a timeless masterpeice. Whatever the reasons were for delaying this release, I am grateful they no longer exist.

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Live on tape, from Hollywood, its The Larry Sanders ShowThe Complete Series: 89 Original Episodes on 17 DiscsAt long last, Garry Shandling s comedy series about the twisted inner workings of a late-night talk show, and its host, comes to DVD. All of it. Larry Sanders (Garry Shandling) is a neurotic late-night talk show host flanked by Artie (Rip Torn), his caustic, foul-mouthed producer, and Hey Now Hank Kingsley (Jeffrey Tambor), his hopelessly insecure, ethically inept sidekick. Off-air it is all train wrecks and egos, but when the lights go down and the theme music kicks in, you get late-night Entertainment Inc. at its finest. The Larry Sanders Show raised the bar for fearless, acerbic Hollywood satire. The innovative use of both video and film to distinguish on-air events from real-life happenings, displaying the jarring dynamic between the on-camera poise of Larry and his backstage neurosis, was brutally fascinating. And in the company of a patronizing, combative staff and a parade of A-list guests, more than game for putting their own celebrity in the crosshairs, you had a backstage pass to a Hollywood that was shockingly raw and hilarious. Also starring Linda Doucett, Janeane Garofalo (24), Penny Johnson (24), Wallace Langham (CSI), Bob Odenkirk (Mr. Show, Breaking Bad), Jeremy Piven (Entourage), Mary Lynn Rajskub (24), Sarah Silverman (The Sarah Silverman Program), Scott Thompson (Kids In The Hall), and written and produced by Garry Shandling, Peter Tolan (Rescue Me) and Judd Apatow (Knocked Up), The Larry Sanders Show was the hippest TV show . . . probably ever. Late-night would never be the same again.

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Extras: The Complete Series (Includes Series Finale) Review

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(More customer reviews)A few years back, Ricky Gervais created "The Office," a Dilberty satire on office work. Now, he's created "Extras," a wickedly funny satire on showbiz and acting, both seasons of which are contained here. And the fact that prominent actors appear in it -- as warped versions of themselves -- is just the icing on the comedy cake.
Andy Millman (Gervais) and Maggie Jacobs (Ashley Jenson) are film extras -- Andy is embittered by his lack of success and his inept agent (Stephen Merchant, Gervais' work partner), while well-meaning Maggie merely pursues a series of crew members on the films they work in.
The first episode features the two working in a biopic directed by a brusque Ben Stiller ("Would you stop going on about your f**king dead wife?"), and Andy gets himself kicked off the set. Their blunders continue with other stars: Kate Winslet in a nun costume, who teaches Maggie how to talk dirty to her new boyfriend ("I'd love it if you stuck your Willy Wonka in between my Oompa-Loompas!"); Samuel L. Jackson, and Patrick Stewart, who is writing a movie about psychkinesis and naked women.
And in the second season, Andy gets his Big Break -- BBC2 is producing his sitcom "When the Whistle Blows," but they dumb it down until it's popular but critically lambasted. Meanwhile, he and Maggie tangle with a bunch of new celebs -- the arrogant woman-chasing Daniel Radcliffe and Orlando Bloom, self-promoting Chris Martin, a hostile David Bowie, and Andy even stars in a play of Ian McKellen's about gay love (much to his discomfort).
Finally, the Christmas special takes us forward -- Andy has fame and fortune from his sitcom, and Maggie is still struggling at the lowest rungs. When Andy blows up and destroys his own fame, he is forced to confront the fact that he cannot be both an "artiste" and rich'n'famous.... and also who his true friends will always be.
It's a bit depressing compared to the past two seasons, especially when Andy has turned into a big stupid sitcom diva. But it is funny in an understated way, and Gervais' televised monologue is an absolute, heartbreaking gem.
Part of the genius of "Extras" is that it isn't much like any other showbiz parodies -- the lead characters are on the lowest rung of acting, and the big egos are real stars making fun of themselves. Sometimes they play really nasty versions of themselves, such as Winslet saying that she's only making a Holocaust film so she can FINALLY nab an Oscar.
The other half of the comic genius is Gervais' direction, with most of the jokes based on socially awkward situations. It's all about cringing and giggling at once, such as when Andy's pals see him pantsless in Ian McKellen's dressing room. Those hideously embarrassing situations -- usually with some hilarious dialogue involving the star guests (Bowie's "little fat man/nobody's laughing" song is a gutsplitter) are what it's all about.
Gervais underplays a sort of befuddled, cynical extra, but you can really connect with his struggles, even when he gets his own sitcom. No matter what, Andy can always be depended on to jam foot in mouth, and occasionally to attack Warwick Davis. And Jensen is clumsily charming as Maggie, who tries to be nice to everyone but says all the wrong things at the wrong time, when she's not being pursued by Orlando Bloom or offending Samuel Jackson.
From start to finish, "Extras" is an uproariously funny, barbed looks at the strange world of showbiz, with the self-parodying actors as the final perfect touch.

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The British phenomenon and 2007 Emmy-winner Ricky Gervais, founder of BBC's original The Office, stars in the hilariously funny series Extras, now available in a Gift Set! Watch the story unfold as Ricky Gervais plays a lowly film extra, Andy Millman, who makes his mark in the background while the stars do their work. This Gift Set is packaged in a slip case that includes both Seasons of the hit series Extras and a 90 minute series finale, never before released on DVD! Extras: The show with big, big stars...and Andy Millman.

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The New Adventures of Old Christine: The Complete First Season (2006) Review

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(More customer reviews)I was so excited to find out that the first season of "The New Adventures of Old Christine" is coming to DVD! This show has a terrific cast with terrific writing that make it a very enjoyable show to sit down and watch. I think what is so endearing about this show, especially the main character Christine, played brilliantly by Julia Louis-Dreyfus, is that she tries so hard to be a normal, working mother. She is sending her son to a fancy private school while having to deal with the hilarious "Meanie Moms," who are rich snobs who look down on her for being a divorced, working woman, her ex-husband coming around with his new girlfriend, a young, sweet lady who also happens to be named Christine, and the fact that she herself does not have much in the way of what you'd call a love life. But instead of taking the usual approach of a lot of sitcoms where the characters have problems but then they are resolved within thirty minutes, we see Christine's failures. She tries so hard, and yet she manages to embarass herself, screw up, and/or put her foot in her mouth. That is what makes her endearing...she has very good intentions, but she can't always succeed, and so that makes it easy to relate to her. That is why I find the cover art so funny and so in character for her...only she could hop into her car and begin driving away without a care in the world only to have every single thing she needed to bring with her still on the roof of the car. So pick this one up, you won't be disappointed...it's a fresh sitcom with unique writing and I have no doubt that you'll not only enjoy this, but in some way, you just may be able to relate to it!

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Now, there's a kick in the self-confidence: Single working mom Christine Campbell has just learned that her ex is dating a much-younger woman with the same first name. To avoid any confusion, everyone calls one woman New Christine and the other Old Christine. You can guess which is which. Julia Louis-Dreyfus' hilarious and insightful performance in the title role won fans and earned her the 2006 Emmy as Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series. Christine struggles to hold it together as she adjusts to her new nickname, confronts the meanie moms at her son's private school, jumps back in the dating pool with a post-bikini bodÄand gets laughs every misstep of the way. You go, -old" girl!

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