On DVD: The Sarah Silverman Program Season One

Directed By Rob Schrab

Starring Sarah Silverman, Brian Posehn, Steve Agee

Sarah Silverman is one of those comedians that you either love or hate,  You can't just not notice her.  Her humor is a solid mix of very politically incorrect jokes, pure unadulterated silliness, music, and social commentary.  She makes jokes about things that are one on her mind and two that push people's buttons.  I happen to really love her humor but if you don't stop right here because her show won't change your mind.

The Season

If you're an edgy and innovative comedian and you get the opportunity to do a sitcom what do you do?  Well if you're Sarah Silverman then you create a bizarro world where reality is more like "surreality".  Then you go out and get some of your buddies, that just so happen to be some of the funniest comedians (Brian Posehn, Steve Agee) in the business, to co-star and co-write the series.

In the series Silverman plays herself as a slacker that leeches off her sister (played by her real life sister) and hangs out with ehr gay neighbors (Posehn abd Agee).  She often finds herself bored and that's when mistakes happen.  In one episode she spends most of the running time high off cold medicine.

This show isn't about character development and story arcs.  It's much more similar to Tenacious D or Mr. Show and it features guest appearances from comedians from those shows.  Rather than do running story arcs they choose to do running gags throughout the all to brief season that are almost unanimously hilarious.

It's completely ridiculous, strange, and definitely surreal.  For many viewers the show might be hard to digest at first.  It was for me.  I like her comedy but the series was just so out there that I just didn't like it at first, but once I settled into the style of the show I found it hilarious.  Another thing that can't be denied is that the series is probably about the most unique sitcom currently on television.  For fans of Silverman this is a must.  Like I said you might not like it at first but jsut stay with it and I bet once you've settled into the style of the show you'll probably really enjoy it.

8/10

The Video

This series was shot digitally so you should expect some softness, but that was there when the show originally aired.  Colors are bright and contrast, considering the softer detail, is pretty solid.  Compared to similar television presentations on DVD this looks pretty good.

8/10

The Audio

The audio is presented in standard stereo.  Dialogue, music, and effects are well mixed and clean but it all lacks dynamic range and of course theirs no use of the surround sound environment.  It's good just basic.

7/10

Packaging and Bonus Features

The half dozen episodes of season one are presented on a single DVD inside a standard DVD case with Silverman's picture on the front.

There are a ton of commentaries on this disc, some from Silverman and writer Rob Schrab and several from the rest of the cast.  All of the commentaries offer interesting behind the scenes stories but the best is easily Brian Posehn and Steve Agee.  These two work together the most on the show and they are really friends outside the series and it shows.  That's really it for important extras.

There are a bevy of musical performances that were originally available on the Comedy Central website.  These are funny for one viewing but that'll probably be the only time you watch them.  Even less interesting are the karaoke versions of Silverman's songs available on the disc.  Lastly there are some story boards.

The commentaries are really the only bonus features that matter and they're better then you would expect.

6/10

This is a unique, funny show that's just not going to be for everyone.  If you're like me and you like Silverman's humor and/or you hate standard sitcoms you should definitely take a look at this series.

Overall (Not an Average) 8/10

The Review

The Movie 8/10

The Video 8/10

The Audio 7/10

The Packaging and Bonus Features 6/10

Overall (Not an Average) 7.5/10

-Stephen Lackey