Diana’s DVDs: Aug. 25, 2009
Over the last couple of months, current TV shows have slowly made their way onto DVD and with only a few weeks left before the new fall season kicks off, distributors are scrambling to make sure you, the viewer, have time to play catch-up.
But with so many amazing titles out just this week alone, it didn’t seem fair to review only two. So, I decided to highlight four — a prime-time medical drama, a hit cable series, a popular teen soap and a hilarious sitcom — in a quick, easy-to-read guide with the hopes that you’ll want to try something new (or, in the case of one of my faves, Californication, be excited to catch up on the past season).
For more info on this season’s new and returning shows, plus spoilery tidbits, check out TVGuide.ca’s complete Fall Preview coverage here.
PICKS OF THE WEEK
House: Season 5
Who does it star? Hugh Laurie (as Dr. Gregory House), Lisa Edelstein (as Dr. Lisa Cuddy), Omar Epps (as Dr. Eric Foreman), Robert Sean Leonard (as Dr. James Wilson), Jennifer Morrison (as Dr. Allison Cameron), Jesse Spencer (as Dr. Robert Chase), Kal Penn (as Dr. Lawrence Kutner), Olivia Wilde (as Dr. Hadley a.k.a. Thirteen) and Peter Jacobson (as Dr. Chris Taub).
What’s the premise? A doctor and his team diagnose patients using unconventional methods at the Princeton-Plainsboro Teaching Hospital in New Jersey.
When can I see it? Season 6 premières Sept. 20 at 8 p.m. ET.
Where does it air? Global and Fox.
Why is it worth my time? House isn’t well-known for his bedside manners; rather, the cranky doc is better remembered for his sarcastic wit, biting remarks and demeaning insults — half the time I tune in is just to see what will fly out of his mouth next!
But even though his personality is far from friendly — and his treatments far often too risky — there’s something fascinating about this medical genius, from his surly interactions with patients and staff to his constant quest to solve puzzling diseases.
Throw in some relationship drama, heartfelt, make-you-cry moments and a few big-name guest stars, and House becomes TV’s most worthwhile medical series.
In Season 5 … Wilson resigns from Princeton-Plainsboro; House discovers his father has died; Cuddy decides to adopt a baby; the team is held hostage by a desperately ill man; Thirteen copes with Huntington’s disease; and Cameron urges House to take on the case of a patient whose chronic pain has caused him to become suicidal.
Guest stars: Zeljko Ivanek (Damages), Mos Def (The Italian Job), Carl Reiner (Ocean’s 13), Michael Weston (Scrubs), Breckin Meyer (Robot Chicken, King of the Hill), Lori Petty (A League of Their Own) and Meat Loaf.
Bonus features: Commentary on the episode “Locked In” and featurettes titled “House Meets a Milestone: The 100th Episode,” “Keeping It Real: Accuracy in Writing,” “Dr. Mom: Cuddy’s Storyline,” “Anatomy of a Teaser” and “House Guests: Casting the Show.”
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Number of discs: 5
Number of episodes: 24
Running time: 1,060 mins |
Californication: Season 2
Who does it star? David Duchovny (as Hank Moody), Natascha McElhone (as Karen van der Beek), Madeleine Martin (as Becca Moody), Evan Handler (as Charlie Runkle), Pamela Adlon (as Marcy Runkle) and Madeline Zima (as Mia Cross).
What’s the premise? A troubled novelist struggles to get his career back on track while trying to raise his teenage daughter and re-kindle a relationship with his ex-wife.
When can I see it? Season 3 premières Sept. 27 at 10 p.m. ET.
Where does it air? The Movie Network, Movie Central and Showtime (in the U.S.).
Why is it worth my time? Hank Moody is the kind of guy every man wants to be friends with and every woman wants to sleep with. Sure, he may not have much going for him (no job, no money and not much chance of getting his beloved ex-wife out of his head), but his unpretentious, devil-may-care attitude and disheveled good looks attract people like flies to honey.
Granted, Californication definitely lives up to its name and Moody’s frequent sexual escapades (and those of his friends) are often explicit, raunchy and laden with drinks, drugs and cigarettes — in other words, not for everyone. That said, they’re also usually laugh-out-loud funny.
Combined with razor-sharp dialogue and some touching (dare I say, even romantic) vignettes, this half-hour dramedy makes for an easy and addicting watch.
In Season 2 … Hank undergoes a vasectomy; Karen receives a marriage proposal; Charlie takes on a porn star as a client; Becca gets a boyfriend; Mia has an affair; and Marcy goes to rehab.
Guest stars: Callum Keith Rennie (Battlestar Galactica) and Mädchen Amick (Twin Peaks).
Bonus features: Commentary, interviews with the cast, a featurette titled “Marcie’s Waxing Salon” and the first two episodes of both The United States of Tara: Season 1 and The Tudors: Season 3.
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Number of discs: 2
Number of episodes: 12
Running time: 336 mins |
One Tree Hill: Season 6
Who does it star? Chad Michael Murray (as Lucas Scott), Hilarie Burton (as Peyton Sawyer), James Lafferty (as Nathan Scott), Bethany Joy Galeotti (as Haley James Scott), Sophia Bush (as Brooke Davis), Paul Johansson (as Dan Scott), Antwon Tanner (as Antwon “Skills” Taylor), Barbara Alyn Woods (as Deb Scott), Lee Norris (as Marvin “Mouth” McFadden) and Lisa Goldstein (as Millicent Huxtable).
What’s the premise? Teen drama follows the lives of two half-brothers and their various relationships and friendships in Tree Hill, N.C.
When can I see it? Season 7 premières Sept. 14 at 8 p.m. ET.
Where does it air? The CW.
Why is it worth my time? If you prefer soapy serials, the kind infested with family drama, illicit hook-ups, light humour and good-looking actors, Tree Hill was tailor-made for you.
Don’t stress about where to begin, either. Season 6 was the first time I checked out Tree Hill and I assumed I’d be lost not knowing a single thing about the characters, their relationships or their back stories. Surprisingly, I was able to pick up the basics within just one episode and my curiosity has been officially piqued — I’m itching to go back to the show’s beginning for all the juicy scoops.
And if you’re a longtime fan, you’ll definitely want to pick up this box set — it’s the last time Murray and Burton will appear as Tree Hill regulars. Tear.
In Season 6 … Lucas embarks on a journey with the woman he chose to love; Nathan continues to work on his comeback as a professional athlete; Brooke’s battle with her mom over their clothing line heats up; Haley dreams of success in the music biz; Skills and Deb continue to hook up; Dan’s life hangs in the balance and Mouth and Millicent consider leaving Tree Hill.
Guest stars: Daphne Zuniga (Melrose Place), Torrey DeVitto (Beautiful People), musician Kate Voegele, Stephen Coletti (Laguna Beach) and Michaela McManus (Law & Order: SVU).
Bonus features: Unaired scenes, a gag reel, commentary and featurettes titled “One Tree Hill Goes Back in Time,” “Slammin’ with One Tree Hill,” “One Tree Hill Celebrity Soundtrack” and “One Tree Hill – The Director’s Debut.”
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Number of discs: 7
Number of episodes: 24
Running time: 1,102 mins |
Scrubs: Season 8
Who does it star? Zach Braff (as Dr. John “J.D.” Dorian), Donald Faison (as Dr. Christopher Turk), Sarah Chalke (as Dr. Elliot Reid), Judy Reyes (as Nurse Carla Espinosa), John C. McGinley (as Dr. Perry Cox), Ken Jenkins (as Dr. Bob Kelso) and Neil Flynn (as The Janitor).
What’s the premise? A group of doctors try to survive both their professional and personal lives at Sacred Heart Hospital.
When can I see it? Scrubs is a midseason show, so look for Season 9 to première in early 2010.
Where does it air? ABC.
Why is it worth my time? Scrubs has been hailed as “the best show you’re not watching” and in my case — and probably many others — these words truly hit home. Created by Bill Lawrence (Spin City, the new Courteney Cox sitcom Cougar Town), this comedy boasts delightful characters, musical montages and a bit of improv that all add up to one word — hilarious.
Braff and Faison have some of the best bro chemistry on the small screen and the eclectic group of doctors — most notably grumpy Dr. Cox and self-esteem challenged Elliot — makes Sacred Heart one of TV’s most memorable hospitals.
With so many heavy, doom-and-gloom dramas out there, Scrubs provides a fun, refreshing look at the lighter side of medicine.
In Season 8 … J.D. struggles to manage new interns; The Janitor is caught tormenting the staff; Dr. Cox request Dr. Kelso’s help in ousting a fellow medic from the hospital; Dr. Cox, Todd and Turk help two kidney transplant patients; Elliot ponders her future as a doctor and Carla discovers she’s pregnant.
Guest stars: Courteney Cox (Friends, Dirt), Elmo (Sesame Street), Elizabeth Banks (Role Models), Scott Foley (Felicity), Christa Miller (The Drew Carey Show) and Thomas Cavanaugh (Ed).
Bonus features: Bloopers, deleted scenes, alternate lines, Scrubs intern webisodes and a featurette titled “My Bahamas Vacation.”
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Number of discs: 3
Number of episodes: 19
Running time: 414 mins |
OTHER TV AVAILABLE THIS WEEK
Questions or comments? diana@tvguide.ca
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To escape from the daily chaos of life, Diana enjoys curling up on the couch to watch a good movie, and is guilty of partaking in the current TV-on-DVD trend. From documentaries and dramas to comedies and animated flicks, no genre is off-limits.
Before her current editorial gig, Diana worked in TVGuide.ca’s listings department, so she’s a pro at getting the most up-to-date info to keep fellow movie buffs in the know with the latest TV and film releases. Now a content specialist, Diana graduated from the Broadcast Journalism program at Seneca College in Toronto. |
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