“The Sarah Silverman Program – Season One” DVD Review
Sarah Silverman is an acquired taste, much like her program, The Sarah Silverman Show. Thankfully, I rather enjoy the program. I find it to be, at most times, hilarious. Sure, not every episode is a laugh riot, and there can be the odd dead spot here and there, but, overall, it’s a funny show. It can be incredibly bizarre at times (which I’ll get into), but it also has some really shining moments of genius. And now with first season out on DVD, just in time for the premiere of season two, now is a pretty good time to see what Sarah Silverman is all about.
Sarah Silverman says what’s on her mind. And no one else’s. And, as you can imagine, hilarity ensues. In this first season of the critically acclaimed The Sarah Silverman Program, Sarah gets hepped up on cough syrup, takes in a homeless man and poops her pants. With her unique perspective on life and her ability to turn just about everything into a song, find out why Sarah Silverman is an American treasure. An offensive, filthy-mouthed treasure. And believe me, that’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Silverman.
The first season of The Sarah Silverman Program is a short one, clocking in at just six episodes. But don’t let the short length fool you. There is plenty to be found here. A lot of just crazy, hilarious stuff. Each episode somewhat follows the same formula of Silverman leeching off her sister and hanging out where her gay-couple friends. Not an episode goes by where they all don’t come together, for one reason or another, to help Silverman deal with whatever problem it may be. Of course, during all this, that’s when things manage to go a little bit . . . out the window. Each episode presents some rather bizarre and out there premises. When the main focus of one episode is Silverman pooping her pants after unsuccessfully trying to pass some gas, you know you’re in for a bit of a bizarre turn.
And, given her reputation, it’s no surprise at how un-PC or risqué this show can get. The episode “Batteries,” the first episode of this program I actually watched on TV, has a host of jaw-dropping moments, all ending with a decidedly bizarre ending. The show starts with Silverman on the quest to get batteries so she can switch her channel off an infomercial (lasting 36 hours) about children with leukemia. It escalates from there, resulting in her pooping her pants, asking God to take it back, trying to navigate a wheel chair marathon, and somehow bedding God and then nailing him in the crotch . . . after herself being cracked by a child’s brace. It’s . . . odd. But funny. Oh, and there’s also a subplot involving her father and her apparent inability to go to the store without messing things up.
Yes, it’s weird. Now imagine every other episode on the disc being just like that. But different. One of the more straight-forward episodes involves Silverman deciding to be a lesbian after developing a crush on a girl. What follows is her donning very stereotypical lesbian attire and trying to win over her affection which, of course, goes off the track at the end. Of course, this all leads to a very sequence in the rain, parodying those cheesy romance movies where the deepest emotions are usually revealed while the main characters are outside in some heavy downpour.
It’s very bizarre humor, but also very good humor. Like I said, it’s an acquired taste for some, but I heartily recommend giving this show a shot. If you’re aching for some non-PC Mr. Show type humor, here you go.
The DVD itself seems to follow Silverman’s quirky humor. The episodes are presented in full frame, mimicking the aspect ratio of the program. The audio and video is above broadcast quality. The extras themselves consist of commentaries on all episodes aside from “Batteries,” with second commentaries on the second and fourth episodes . The DVD also includes 13 live song performances by Silverman, two original title sequence pitches, an animatic and a karaoke sing-along feature. It’s a tidy collection which seems to be in the vein of Silverman’s humor.
Overall, I’d have to Recommend this collection. The Sarah Silverman Program – Season One is a DVD set that can easily enjoyed in one sitting. There’s a lot of bizarre humor, quirky moments, un-PC incidents, and some great dead-pan and subtle humor. While some episodes are funnier than others, there’s something in every episode that’ll make you recoil in shock or laugh uncontrollably at the sometimes crazed dialogue. Mix in a great supporting cast and a very likeable lead, and you have a show that’s going to be, at least, a major cult hit. Give Silverman a shot, and you won’t be disappointed. I mean, how can you not like Silverman hepped up on cough syrup?
The Sarah Silverman Program – Season One is now available on DVD.