|
“Ellen:
The Complete Season Two”
|
 |
Reviewed
by: |
Wayne A. Klein |
| Genre: |
Comedy |
| Video: |
1.33:1 full
screen |
| Audio: |
Dolby Digital
2.0 |
| Languages |
English |
| Subtitles |
English,
Spanish |
| Length |
9 hours and
12 minutes |
| Rating |
NR |
| Release Date |
2/15/05 |
| Studio |
A&E Home
Entertainment |
| Commentary:
|
By Joely
Fisher and David Anthony Higgins on “The Trainer” and “Mrs.
Kroger” |
| Documentaries:
|
None |
| Featurettes:
|
None |
| Filmography/Biography:
|
None |
|
Interviews: |
None |
| Trailers/TV
Spots: |
None |
| Alternate/Deleted
Scenes: |
None |
| Music
Video: |
None |
| Other:
|
None |
| Cast
and Crew: |
Ellen DeGeneres,
Arye Gross, Joely Fisher, David Anthony Higgins, Harry Shearer |
| Written
By: |
Ellen DeGeneres,
Warren Bell, Jennifer Fisher |
| Produced
By: |
Ellen DeGeneres,
Warren Bell |
| Directed
By: |
Robby Benson,
Tom Cherones, Gil Junger |
| Music:
|
John McElhone
and Sharleen Spiteri (theme) |
| The
Review: |
With season two of “Ellen” the comedy
began to emerge from the shadow of the series it was most
indebted to “Seinfeld”. The first uneven season dispensed
with a couple of characters that didn’t serve any purpose
and introduced the delightful Joely Fisher as Paige Clark
and, later after the departure of the very funny Arye Gross,
Jeremy Piven during the third season. Ellen still has her
book store and has an employee from hell (the very funny David
Anthony Higgins). Ellen/st1:GivenName> still hasn’t decided
what to do with her personal life and dating guys was still
very much part of the scene until Ellen DeGeneres decided
to out herself and have her character declare that she was
a lesbian as well. The best episodes of the season including
“The Dentist” where Ellen flirts with her dentist while in
the chair just after inhaling laughing gas and “The Trainer”
(featuring the funny Harry Shearer) where she pretends to
be an exercise trainer demonstrated that the writers were
beginning to find their own footing and the identities for
the characters in the series. ---
|
| Image
and Sound: |
A very nice,
sharp transfer from A&E, “Ellen” has vivid colors and no analog
imperfections (it was videotaped after all) although there are
some minor digital blemishes. The 2.0 stereo sound has nice
presence with crystal clear dialogue. |
| The
Extras: |
No extras
which is a pity. This is where the season ending gag reel,
outtakes or deleted scenes might have come in handy (much
like “Seinfeld”). Perhaps a featurette on the continuing evolution
of the series and why characters were dropped.
|
| Commentary:
|
Two solid
commentary tracks on both “The Dentist” and “Mrs. Kroger” by
Joely Fisher and David Anthony Higgins add a bit of background
on the shooting and creation of these particularly episodes.
The discussion of bits and pieces of action that were introduced
during rehearsal and ultimately incorporated into the final
episode are quite interesting. --- |
| Final
Words: |
A solid
set from A&E with a pair of great commentary tracks, “Ellen”
finds the comedy series catching its breath; “Ellen” hadn’t
quite hit its stride and was still a couple of years away from
the decline that occurred after DeGeneres decided to “out” her
character and the comedic focus changed. It’s still a very funny
series that will continue to delight fans. |
