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 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 is releasing the first two seasons this week on DVD, so I finally had 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.

The DVD includes all 33 episodes of the first two seasons on 3 discs. 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 three of the episodes (“Dad’s Dead”, “The Breakup” and “The Last Noelle”), each one more than worth listening to. There is also a terrific and informative interview with Titus that runs a little under an half hour as well as some rehearsal footage. Again, both of these are well worth your time.

From what I saw, “Titus” had one of those casts that really came together and created something different. I really hope that Anchor Bay decides to follow up this set with the final 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:
Dad’s Dead
Sex with Pudding
Dave Moves Out
The Breakup
Titus Integritous
Red Asphalt
Mom’s Not Nuts
Intervention
Episode Eleven
Titus is Dead
The Test
The Surprise Party
What’s Up Hollywood
Locking Up Mom
The Perfect Thanksgiving
Tommy’s Girlfriend
The Reconciliation
The Last Noelle
Sunday! Sunday! Sunday!
When I Say Jump
Episode 27
The Smell of Success
Deprogramming Erin
Nascar
Life Forward
The Gift of the Car Guy
Tommy’s Girlfriend II
Hard Ass
Private Dave
Three Strikes
The Pit
The Pendulum
The Wedding

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, Hard Laughs – All New Interview with Christopher Titus, Titus Promo, Rehearsal Footage
Specifications: Full Frame, Dolby Digital Stereo
Studio: Anchor Bay
Release Date: 7/12/2005
Region 1
MPAA Rating: NR
Website

We'll give Titus: Seasons 1 & 2 an A.