I have always loved the idea of the dysfunctional family. They are often the subject of movies and TV shows, but rarely do they mirror life as we know it. I’d like to say that I didn’t come from a dysfunctional family, but I would be lying. As a matter of fact, anyone who tells you they didn’t… is lying. I honestly don’t believe the ‘functional’ family exists. I realize I’m going to get emails telling me off and saying that they, indeed, have/had the prefect family. Let me nip this in the bud… you’re lying. A lot of the better sit-coms deal with seemingly larger than life dysfunctional families where they all kiss and make up by the end of a half hour. As you well know that doesn’t happen in real life, so some of the zing is let out of the dysfunction. One of the few shows I remember watching in recent times that reflected the dysfunctional family like a shiny new mirror, was “Titus.”

Based on the musings of comedian Christopher Titus, the series was one of the darkest sit-coms ever. Rarely have I seen alcoholism, child abuse, affairs, divorce, schizophrenia and car racing treated with all the humor and laughs they so richly deserve. What made the show even scarier was that Titus made the claim that it was a truer reflection of his own life than most people realized. Even worse, I’ll bet you it reflects the real life ‘adventures’ of a lot more families than they’d like to admit (I see you nodding out there…).

I had only seen a few of the episodes of “Titus” when it originally aired back in 2000. The show ran for three seasons and was unfortunately cancelled in 2002. Anchor Bay Entertainment already released the first two seasons last year on DVD, so I was finally given the chance to see if the show as a whole was as funny as it was in parts. It wasn’t just funny however… it was hysterical. Christopher Titus, as he was supposedly playing himself, was dead on target with his brand of humor. Even better was Stacy Keach as his Dad, Ken. Both in the present and in flashbacks, we see Ken Titus as a bull of a man. I honestly didn’t know whether to love him or hate him. I’m just glad my dad wasn’t like that.

Last month the 3rd and final season hit store shelves and further proved why the series should have lasted much longer than it did. This new set includes all 21 episodes of the 3rd season. Also in the box you’ll find a little booklet with notes on each character taken by a psychologist. This alone is quite funny to read. There are also quite a few extra features peppered throughout the set. You’ll find commentary tracks by Titus and writer/directors Brian Hargrove and Jack Kenny on some of the episodes, each one more than worth listening to. There are also some new interviews with actors Stacy Keach, Cynthia Watros and Zack Ward. Again, these are all well worth your time.

Having had the opportunity to see all three seasons of “Titus”, I can clearly see that it had one of those casts that really came together and created something different. I am glad to see Anchor Bay taking the chance to release the entire series. Some people might not like the humor in “Titus”, but I would be willing to bet that’s because they recognize a lot of the situations from their own lives. They are not willing to laugh at their own misfortune vicariously through others. Their loss. It might be cathartic, if they gave it a chance.

Episodes:
Racing in the Streets
Amy's Birthday
Tommy's Not Gay
Shannon's Song
Grad School
Houseboat
The Trial
Grandma Titus
Errrr
Tommy's Crush
Into Thin Air
Too Damn Good
Bachelor Party
Hot Streak
The Session
Same Courtesy
After Mrs. Shafter
The Visit
Insanity Genetic, Part 1
Insanity Genetic, Part 2
The Protector

Starring: Christopher Titus, Cynthia Watros, Zach Ward, David Shatraw, Stacy Keach
Extras: Audio Commentaries with Creator/Star Christopher Titus and with Creators Brian Hargove and Jack Kenny, Brotherly Love - An interview with Zack Ward, His Better Half - An Interview with Cynthia Watros, Honor Thy Father - An Interview with Stacy Keach
Specifications: Full Frame, Dolby Digital Stereo
Studio: Anchor Bay
Release Date: 1/17/2006
Region 1
MPAA Rating: NR
Website

We'll give Titus: Season 3 a B.