Dharma & Greg – Season One
Picture: C
Sound: C+ Extras: C+ Episodes: C+
Though it has its moments of being entertaining and the
starts are likable, though the show was a big hit, Dharma & Greg was
still an overrated TV show. However, in
a sea of very bad TV shows and especially bad “reality TV” programs, it is no
wonder that what did work was sufficient enough to make the show a hit. Jenna Elfman and Thomas Gibson are the title
characters. She is a free spirit (as
her name implies) and he is a sort of stuffy shirt despite being a “good
looking” lawyer who has become too gridded in the daily routine of his
professional role.
The show is about Dharma freeing him from himself, though
this is not exactly a Buddhist polemic, but the all too predictable meeting of
the parents, opposites attract mythos and love conquers all sappiness is mixed
with postmodern humor where being crude is always funny no matter how often it
is not. Still, the show hit a nerve and
for fans, Season One is here with all the episodes and some extras.
The 1.33 x 1 image is disappointing, with slight digititis
throughout and though color holds, the edge enhancement, likely digital video
noise reduction and constantly having to watch slight ghosting is just not
acceptable at this point with HD formats on the market. The Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo has no
surrounds, but is clear for its age and for a TV series from 1997. Extras include an interactive game, two
featurettes and three audio commentaries.
Yes, the leads had chemistry, but even in the beginning, the humor was
an acquired taste at best. Now you can
see for yourself.
- Nicholas Sheffo
