THE STORY: Ne’er-do-well redneck Earl (Jason Lee, Chasing Amy, Vanilla Sky) has taken one too many wrong turns on the highway of life, but when an epiphany – and a car – hits him and he loses his winning lottery ticket, the simple twist of fate turns his life into tailspin of life-renewing events. Join Earl on the rocky road to redemption in the hilarious karmic comedy, “My Name Is Earl,” debuting its complete first season on DVD September 19 from Fox Home Entertainment. The top-ranked new comedy for the Fall 2005 season, “My Name Is Earl” was also voted Favorite New Television Comedy in the 2005 People’s Choice Awards and earned a prize for Outstanding Directorial Achievement In A Comedy Series from the Directors Guild Of America, as well as various nominations for its talented cast and crew in the Golden Globes®, The Screen Actors Guild Awards, The Writers Guild Of America Awards. Starring Jaime Pressly (Joe Dirt, “Jack And Jill”), Ethan Suplee (Mallrats, Clerks II), Eddie Steeples (Akeelah And The Bee, Torque) and Nadine Velasquez (Biker Boyz, Chasing Papi), “My Name Is Earl” also features a cavalcade of notable guest stars, including Jon Favreau (Swingers, Daredevil), Giovanni Ribisi (Gone In 60 Seconds, Saving Private Ryan), Beau Bridges (The Fabulous Baker Boys, “Into The West”) and Juliette Lewis (From Dusk Till Dawn, Natural Born Killers). Sharing an offbeat comic sensibility with such shows as “The Office,” “Arrested Development,” and “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” but with a distinctly dysfunctional redneck flair, the “My Name is Earl” Season One DVD Collection boasts a hilarious, never-before-seen DVD exclusive short entitled “Bad Karma: An Earl Misadventure,” which reveals the twisted path Earl might have taken if he chose NOT to live by the laws of karma. The “My Name Is Earl” Season One DVD Collection also features audio commentaries from the crew, the cast and their mothers, deleted scenes, blooper reel, a featurette.
SYNOPSIS: Earl is a low-life who buys a winning lottery ticket, only to get hit by a car, losing the ticket in the process. He then realizes in the hospital that his bad luck is the result of karma, in which fate punishes him for all the rotten things he’s ever done in his life; therefore, he then decides to dedicate his life to making amends to all the people he has hurt in his life.
THE REVIEW: The Pilot episode sets the stage and gives us exactly what we need to know about Earl, his dopey brother, and the rest of his crew. I actually watched the show when it first aired on television and enjoyed it immensely.
My Name Is Earl has everything a great show needs; an interesting premise, great cast, and lots of laughs. The premise didn’t seem like a winner at first—and then the stories start to evolve and you soon realize this show could last forever. Once the first episode starts you realize it really is a brilliant concept. My Name Is Earl was the best new comedy of the year and worth repeated viewings.
The cast is top notch. Jason Lee is the anchor as Earl—but there are definitely standout characters. Jamie Pressley as Earl’s ex-wife Joy and Earl’s brother Randy could probably carry multiple episodes on their own. Pressley is obnoxious and the kind of woman you want to take out back and beat to a pulp. She couldn’t be more of a witch and you love her for it. Randy is the good natured imbecile that has the heart of a lion and a brain Forrest Gump wouldn’t trade for. The fringe cast members Catalina and Crabman also have great moments, too. The wonderful things about every episode of Earl are the people Earl has to repay. Every extra is great and keep the show interesting.
Some of the best episodes include Y2K where the gang thinks the world is coming to an end so they hide out in a store similar to Wal-Mart. Another hilarious episode is when Earl ends up with a police badge and must return it—it’s not the return that is funny it’s the flashbacks of Earl and Randy using the badge that are full of laughs. Another episode finds Earl dealing with donuts and a relationship.
EPISODES:
1. Pilot
2. Quit Smoking
3. Randy’s Touchdown
4. Faked His Own Death
5. Teacher Earl
6. Broke Joy’s Fancy Figurine
7. Stole Beer From A Golfer
8. Joy’s Wedding
9. Cost Dad the Election
10. White Lie Christmas
11. Barn Burner
12. Karma, Where Art Thou?
13. Stole P’S Hd Cart
14. Monkeys In Space
15. Something To Live For
16. The Professor
17. Didn’t Pay Taxes
18. Dad’s Car
19. Y2K
20. Boogeyman
21. The Bounty Hunter
22. Stole a Badge
23. BB
24. Number One
THE EXTRAS: There is a plethora of commentaries. The first includes commentary by Greg Garcia, Marc Buckland, Jason Lee and Ethan Suplee. The second is with Greg Garcia, Jason Lee, Giovanni Ribisi and Ethan Suplee. The third commentary includes commentary by Greg Garcia, Marc Buckland, Jason Lee and Eddie Steeples. The fourth commentary by Greg Garcia, Jason Lee, Jon Favreau and Ethan Suplee and the fifth commentary includes commentary by the mothers of Greg Garcia (Natalie Garcia), Marc Buckland (Mary Buckland), Jason Lee (Carol Lee) and Ethan Suplee (Debbie Suplee). The final commentary by Greg Garcia, Marc Buckland, Jason Lee and Ethan Suplee.
“Bad Karma” – This featurette is an exclusive Earl misadventure where Earl does the opposite and gets revenge.
“Karma Is A Funny Thing” – This is a great blooper reel.
“Making Things Right: Behind The Scenes Of My Name Is Earl” – The featurette is a nearly forty minute documentary that goes into the production of the show and those who work behind the scenes.
Finally, the deleted scenes are a nice bonus feature.
FRANKLY: My Name Is Earl was the best comedy of the year and the season one DVD set is a must buy for anyone that loves a good laugh.
+ Charlie Craine
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