It always scares me a little when stand-up comics try to get serious. I’m not sure why I feel this way though, as most comics do a fairly good job with the transition. I think a lot of this has to do with the truthful adage, “Dying is easy, comedy is hard…” But while so many make the attempt, only a handful parlays it into a really successful venture. Robin Williams comes to mind, as does Tom Hanks (who started life as a street performer before moving on to becoming one of the cross-dressing “Bosom Buddies”).Then there’s Denis Leary. After years of working the stand-up crowds, it wasn’t until 1993 that the fast-talking, cigarette smoking Leary caught the attention of mainstream America with the unlikeliest of hit songs, “I’m an Asshole.”

As the first cut off of his CD “No Cure for Cancer”, “I’m An Asshole” took the country by storm (and I believe Texas adopted it as the new state anthem… or at least it should…) and catapulted Leary into the stratosphere. Suddenly his name was everywhere, which allowed him the opportunity to make the move into films. Though his list of credits isn’t as stellar as that of Williams or Hanks, he’s had a few standout performances, most notably in his voiceover work for films like “It’s a Bug’s Life” and “Ice Age.”

It is on television that Leary has delivered some of his best work, even though it’s taking audiences a while to catch on. In 2001, he created (along with Peter Tolan) and starred in the short lived cop drama, “The Job”, which lasted all of 12 episodes. Not sure why this series didn’t catch on, because it was a damn sight better than a lot of other shows on during that period. By the time audiences took notice, it was gone. Fortunately, the team of Leary and Tolan didn’t give up and in 2004 launched “Rescue Me” on the FX network.

“Rescue Me” followed the day to day lives of some of New York’s firefighters. Leary plays Tommy Gavin, who along with his unit, were amongst those who faced tragedy at the World Trade Center on 9/11. He suffers from some severe post-traumatic depression because of the event, and this is one of the areas where the show has caught some flack. You see, Leary chose to bring humor into the otherwise dramatic series, but in very peculiar ways. Gavin’s disorder causes him to ‘see’ and talk to some of his buddies who died on 9/11, including his cousin. Some of these scenes, which include a talking, disembodied head, are rather disconcerting at first glance. Some audiences objected to this brand of humor and claimed it was doing a disservice to those who died in real life.

As the series continued through the 1st season, there were those didn’t like the idea that these men and women had problems. Gavin was going through a divorce, people were having affairs, there were instances of ‘gay-bashing’, and the guys and 'girl' in the unit used all manner of expletives and ‘politically incorrect’ language.

I disagreed heartily with all of the so-called complaints the series received, because in essence, they were really saying that these characters were human. Yes, they should be treated as heroes for what they do every day, but they were also real people with real problems. I didn’t even have a problem with Gavin’s ‘talking to dead people’, because in the case of post-traumatic depression, I imagine that really does happen in their minds. So all you whiners and complainers… get over it.

Sony / Columbia Tristar released the entire 1st season last year, which was where I had my first chance to check it out. My wife and were completely blown away by those 13 episodes and clamored for more. And now, nearly a year later, we're getting another dose of "Rescue Me" with the release of the 2nd season on DVD. This new 4-disc set offers 13 more episodes and a ton of additional material.

As the 2nd season geared up, all of the troubles trials and tribulations that our gang of firefighters were suffering and most of them went into directions I never saw coming. I'm not one to give up too much information, and would rather keep my reviews spoiler free, so I won’t go into details. But suffice to say this sophomore season was even better and stronger than the 1st. And I was in no way prepared for the level of tragedy that Leary's Gavin was going to suffer before the end of the season. I can only say it is a tragedy that no one should ever suffer. I know I couldn't handle it.

As I mentioned, this new DVD set really delivers in the special features department. They spread out amongst the first 3 discs and include several deleted scenes and a short teaser for the 3rd season. And I will say that usually I'm not a big fan of deleted scenes (there's usually a reason they're deleted), but there are some great ones in this set. You'll also find a featurette called "The Second Season", which is as it sounds. In it, Leary and Tolan, as well as some of the cast talk about how the show improved in its sophomore season. This is followed by an additional featurette that focuses on shooting the series in New York, at times touching on the subject of Ground Zero. There is also a short feature on the 'kitchen' set, as well as the very funny "Waiting for the Cast", in which Tolan and Leary get to discuss the many ways to kill off a character when an actor misses his cues.

Of course, if you think you’re done here, you’d be wrong. There is also a hysterical gag reel, a look at what life is like on the set of the show, and a very lengthy featurette where actress Diane Farr talks to members of the real New York Fire Department about how they feel towards the series.

“Rescue Me” is a terrific series, which offers some really strong and insightful writing. Thankfully the series is getting enough attention to warrant a 3rd season, which is getting ready to start airing this month, and I'm torn between watching it to in order to keep up, or wait the inevitable year for it to be released on DVD (my preferred method of viewing). Yes, the show is that good.

Episodes:
Voicemail
Harmony
Balls
&#!&
Sensitivity
Reunion
Shame
Believe
Rebirth
Brains
Bitch
Happy
Justice

Starring: Denis Leary
Extras: 6 exclusive behind-the-scenes featurettes: "The Second Season," "Filming in New York City," "The Kitchen," "Working with the Cast,", "Diane Farr Talks to the Real NYFD", Blooper reel, 35 deleted and extended scenes, Exclusive sneak peek a the third season
Specifications: Widescreen (1.78:1), Dolby Surround
Studio: Sony / Columbia Tristar
Release Date: 5/9/2006
Region 1
MPAA Rating: NR
Website

We'll give Rescue Me: Season 2 an A.