Lewis Black’s Root of All Evil: Uncensored - Season One (Comedy Central DVD)

 

Picture: B-     Sound: B     Extras: B-     Program: B-

 

 

Lewis Black has emerged onto the comedy scene over the past few years and the hits keep coming.  After several successful shows on Broadway and his regularity on Comedy Central, people just can’t seem to get enough of him.  I appreciate his ability to be both ‘angry’ with his comedy shtick, but at the same time he is well-educated and like Jon Stewart or Stephen Colbert, has researched his thoughts and feelings, who comes across as an intelligent human being that happens to find all that is wrong with the world as an outlet for comedy.  He is not the first to think of this, nor will he be the last, but his routine is always humorous and charming all at the same time. 

 

People who have followed Black for years probably are not surprised that he would eventually get his own show.  The formula behind Root of All Evil is rather simple, as it takes two entities and in a courtroom-like fashion has a comic represent each one and state their case for why that particular entity is in fact…the root of all evil.  Lewis Black plays the judge who commands the courtroom and in the end makes his ruling.  This fresh approach works well, although the downside is that Black does not get as much attention, but instead the comics have more face-time.  The comedy lineup comprises of Andrew Daly, Greg Giraldo, Andy Kindler, Kathleen Madigan, Patton Oswalt, and Paul F. Tompkins, who are all quite good and compliment Black’s comedic timing as well, but to some extent the show almost becomes too formulaic for its own good. 

 

Currently the show filmed another season, but it’s hard to imagine that it will go the distance as the topics will become too thin after awhile, and again with Black being used less than the comics, it will ultimately suffer an evil death. 

 

Episodes - Disc One:

 

Oprah Vs. The Catholic Church

Donald Trump Vs. Viagra

Weed Vs. Beer

YouTube Vs. Porn

 

Disc Two:

 

Kim Jong-Il Vs. Tila Tequila

Paris Hilton Vs. Dick Cheney

Las Vegas Vs. The Human Body

American Idol Vs. High School

 

 

The technical specs for this particular set is on par with most TV programming, the transfer is in full-frame aspect ratio at 1.33 X 1 and looks good considering it’s standard definition video.  Colors, sharpness, and detail are all consistent.  The Dolby Digital 2.0 mix is adequate as well and doesn’t seem too different from the original broadcast would.  Bonus materials include interviews with Black, some behind-the-scenes moments, and a featurette starring Black.  All of which are nice additions, but not necessary either.

 

 

-   Nate Goss