CORPORATE LINE: Shot on location in New York City, this offbeat comedy about a mildly self-destructive police officer and the odd characters in his precinct eschews a laugh track or live audience. Television commercial pitchman Denis Leary (RESCUE ME) plays the Nyquil-addicted cop–a neurotic detective who’s married with a mistress, literally pops pills like they were M&Ms, and remains caustic and abrasive with his co-workers–except for the one he longs to take to bed (Diane Farr). This compilation features the full series run of two partial seasons (19 episodes).
THE SHOW: “The Job” was a show that a lot of people passed on for many reasons. Mostly because of a lack of promotion—ABC didn’t know what to do with this gem. Denis Leary is fantastic as Detective Mike McNeil. He’s a father and a husband—but more interesting is that he’s also a train coming off the rails. He smokes like a chimney, drinks like a fish.
There are some fantastic stories—often very funny. Some of them off the wall and yet still keep you tuned in and interested. One great episode is when McNeil suspects another cop is gay. Or maybe it’s when they are chasing a wheelchair bound suspect. No matter, every episode is fantastic.
DVD FEATURES: The commentary is a little like watching the show with Leary and partner co-creator/writer/producer Peter Tolan—most of the time they sat and watched as if entranced by their own brilliance.
There is an interview with Tolan and Leary where they discuss the show and how it was developed. It gives some insight—and sadly as uninteresting as it is it’s the best featurette on here.
There is a Gag Reel which is exactly as you’d expect. Bits and pieces of messed up lines but barely funny. The rest of the featurettes are “Behind-The Scenes-Footage” and “On-The-Set Cast Interviews” are all barely worth watching.
FRANKLY: “The Job” is a brilliant show that deserved more time to grow on the network. I never saw it when it was on ABC and now I wish I had—along with a few million other people so that the show may have lasted a few more seasons. Buy it for the episodes—not the extras.
+ Charlie Craine
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