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Fans of "The State," the cult-favorite sketch comedy series from the early 1990s, have been waiting almost as long for the DVD release of the show as Pirates fans have been waiting for a winning season. For at least one group of fans, the wait is over.
Since the show left the air in 1995, "The State" cast members have gone on to create other offbeat TV comedies, such as "Stella," "Viva Variety" and "Reno 911!" while also dabbling in stand-up and big-screen projects. But nothing they have done since has recaptured the off-the-wall energy and pure silliness of the original MTV series.
The new five-disc set contains the full catalog of the show's subversive blend of sarcasm and slapstick, which, along with a generous amount of bonus material, including commentary on all 24 episodes, makes the MTV Video release worth the price of $69.99.
A full disc of extras features the pilot (which never aired), along with more than an hour of other unreleased sketches, outtakes and interviews. The commentary includes, at one time or another, all 11 cast members, sharing stories about the origins of the group and the genesis of some of its most memorable characters, such as Doug, Louie, Captain Monterey Jack and Blueberry Johnson.
One disappointing note: Due to licensing issues, some sketches employ different music on the DVDs than they did when they originally aired. This is jarring at first, but it affects only a small number of skits.
The most important question, after almost 15 years: Is it still funny? If you thought it was funny the first time around, you will still be laughing out loud at least a few times each episode. But if you didn't get it then, well ...
-- R.J. Hufnagel, Post-Gazette staff writer
4 stars = Outstanding
Ratings explained
The fantastic AMC series, which returns to cable for a third season Aug. 16, emerged in its second season as a powerful story about the role of women in the 1960s, so it makes perfect sense that the DVD release ($49.98, Lionsgate) includes a 42-minute documentary, "Birth of an Independent Woman." Split in two -- part one on disc one, part two on disc two -- this smart doc includes commentary from academics and commentators (including insightful Emily Bazelon of Slate's "Political Gabfest" podcast).
Each episode includes commentary tracks -- one featuring producers, the other with actors -- and a second documentary, the 20-minute "An Era of Style," looks at the show's fashions.
Better still, "Time Capsule" featurettes put the focus on aspects of '60s culture featured in the "Mad Men" narrative, including the TV show "The Defenders" and restaurants Sardi's and Lutece. (One disappointment: Although there's a Time Capsule on Jackie Kennedy's tour of The White House TV show, the program itself is not included in this DVD set.)
Of course, those are just the extras. The main treat is the series itself. And anyone who tuned in last year knows how fascinating the lives of Don Draper (Jon Hamm) and company became in their second season.
-- Rob Owen, Post-Gazette TV editor
Take Robin Hood and move him to L.A. Add high fashion, smooth action and a major chunk of high-tech wizardry and you have TNT's series "Leverage." Nate Ford, portrayed with charm and intellect by Timothy Hutton, leads his band of merry men (and women) on old-fashion capers designed to give back to the poor victims of modern-day bad guys by being the better thief.
The stories are complex enough to keep you watching from start to the finish. The characters themselves are complex with layers that reveal as the series progresses. Many back stories come to light through the 13 episodes, leaving you looking forward to the next series and its capers.
The fourth disc holds the special features, including a rather nice little spoof on actress Beth Riesgraf's character, Parker. And the breakdown of a fight sequence is interesting to see. Wish they had included some bloopers because, with a cast like this, there must have been quite a few. One nice touch is they show the cast when they find out the series has been renewed. It's fun to see that bit of Hollywood reality.
-- Liz Gray, Post-Gazette staff writer
When I see the handwriting on the wall that a show is going to be canceled, I've learned to distance myself from the soon-to-be-deceased. Although I never stopped watching "Pushing Daisies," I did try to disconnect from it.
But watching the season two DVD ($39.98 or $49.99 Blu-ray, Warner Home Video), in stores Tuesday, brought the show's joyful quirkiness rushing back and caused me to mourn the show's loss all over again. It was simply brilliant -- in casting, in writing, in its creative wonder.
The same cannot be said about this DVD's extras, which are limited: No audio commentaries by cast or crew and just four special features, the lengthiest running 12 minutes. Three featurettes offer informative glimpses behind-the-scenes at the show's music and special effects and one is dedicated to lauding "Daisies" creator Bryan Fuller, who is well worth praising, but attempts to explain Fuller's creative process fall short.
-- Rob Owen, Post-Gazette TV editor
