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As little actual
television as I watch, I do have my favorite
stations. Nearly at the top of my list is
Comedy Central. I have them to thank for
shows like “South Park”, “Chappelle’s
Show” and “The Daily Show.”
This last one is a special favorite of mine
if for no other reason than I know it is
where I can get the only daily dosage of
truly unbiased news. Forget the network
stations, or CNN, or even MSNBC. If you
want the lowdown on what is really happening
in the world, turn to “The Daily Show.”
Considering this, I’ve been asked
by numerous friends if I had ever watched
“Reno: 911!” For some reason,
I haven’t. I’m not even sure
why. Perhaps it’s scheduling, maybe
I’ve just been lazy. But somehow I’ve
missed Comedy Central’s answer to
“Cops.”
However, thanks to Paramount Home Entertainment,
I finally had the chance to sit down and
watch the entire first season on DVD. I
had no idea I was missing such a hysterically
funny show!! “Reno: 911!” was
created by some of the same people who worked
on MTV’s “The State” and
its spin-off “Viva Variety.”
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I understand that it was originally developed
for Fox, but the Pilot ended up sitting on the
shelf for two years. It received a new lease on
life when Comedy Central got hold of it and ordered
an additional 13 episodes. Thanks to its huge
ratings, a second season started up just a couple
of weeks ago.
“Reno: 911!” sticks to the gonzo style
of filmmaking that you may be used to from watching
“Cops.” The only difference is that
none of what you see here is real. And thank God
for that. The opening sequence of the Pilot episode,
where two of the officers are called to a scene
where they have been told that shots have been
fired is shockingly funny, so much so that you
almost feel guilty for laughing. What makes the
show so darn funny, is that no matter how ridiculous
a situation is that these ‘cops’ get
into, it is always underplayed. All of the ‘interviews’
as well as the scenes done within the precinct
building are very low-key, yet are laugh out loud
hilarious.
The humor is often a bit gratuitous and certainly
adult in nature, but it is ultimately harmless.
The show utilizes the same blurring effect that
you see on “Cops”, so nudity is generally
alluded in about the same manner. The language
is at times a bit offensive, but only if you live
in a PC world. The first episode has a discussion
amongst the officers as to when it’s appropriate
to use the “N” word, and it is one
of the funniest scenes in that episode. Again,
it is a very low-key scene, played completely
straight, but I almost spit out my drink laughing
so hard.
I cannot give enough credit to the cast that make
up the characters working in the Washoe County’s
Sheriff’s Department. I understand the show
is unscripted, so every cast member has to use
their improvisational skills to carry each scene.
And let me tell you, these guys are masters of
that improvisational craft. What’s even
more impressive is that most of the cast also
play multiple parts in the show. Usually their
faces are blurred out (“Cops” style),
but there’s no mistaking who the perpetrators
are being played by.
The 2-disc DVD set contains all 14 episodes from
the first season run, as well as some welcome
cast commentary on four of the episodes. And I
highly recommend listening to the commentary.
The guys are comedians and what you hear from
them is often as amusing as what you see on the
show. There are also ten deleted / alternate or
unaired scenes on the second disc. These are a
must watch as some of them are almost grotesquely
funny. Finally you’ll find a couple of Comedy
Central ‘quickies’, or short scenes
from “South Park” and “Chapelle’s
Show.”
Starring: Cedric Yarbrough, Niecy Nash, Ben Garant,
Thomas Lennon, Carlos Alazraqui, Wendi McLendon-Covey,
Kerri Kenney
Extras: Audio Commentary by the Cast and Director
on Four Episodes, Alternate and Deleted Scenes
Specifications: Full Screen, Dolby Digital Stereo
Studio: Paramount
Release Date: 6/22/2004
Region 1
MPAA Rating: NR
Website
Website
We'll give Reno 911!: Season 1 an A.
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