Scrubs: The Complete First Season
Buena Vista Home Entertainment
Cast:
Extras: Commentary Tracks, Featurettes, Clips, Deleted Scenes, Outtakes
Rating:
We should be thankful that TV shows are as successful on DVD as they are. Many of the smaller shows are suddenly outperforming their broadcast days and become new fan favorites and the focus of the DVD publishers on these TV releases make it possible to even see a wealth of added extras and supplements on those DVDs. Buena Vista Home Entertainment is now releasing the first season of "Scrubs" on DVD in a 3-disc DVD set, that is another highlight in the flood of TV series on DVD.
In case you are not familiar with the show, "Scrubs" is a comedy surrounding a hospital and its inimitable staff. Sacred Heart Hospital is the place, in fact, and J.D (Zach Braff) is just starting on his job. Being the new kid on the block, he quickly becomes the target of all the jobs no one else wants to do, and of course the target of all their practical jokes. Not to mention, of course, that he has to get used to his colleagues little peccadilloes and quirks. But it is also the constant references to pop culture and their mocking them that makes "Scrubs" such a unique experience.
"Scrubs" is absolutely hilarious, thanks to a great cast and a refreshing line of stories with many new elements as a result of the fairly unique setting of the comedy show. Especially John C. McGinley is a riot in virtually every scene he is in, creating one of the most consistently hilarious characters of the show and adding tremendously to the appeal of the series.
Buena Vista Home Entertainment I presenting "Scrubs" in its original 1.33:1 <$PS,fullframe> aspect ratio on this DVD. The transfer is clean and without any defects or blemishes. The image is a bit grainy throughout and soft. Color reproduction is generally good and nicely recreates the harsh, clinical environments of a hospital, but also nicely renders more atmospheric shots without problems. However, colors appear a bit muted at times with black levels that are not quite as solid as they should be. As a result shadows occasionally lose definition and detail, making the image look not as sharp and defined as you would expect form a new TV production like this. No edge-enhancement mars the image, and the compression has been handled very well not to introduce compression artifacts, making for an enjoyable viewing.
The DVD set contains the show’s original stereo audio track in English. No optional languages are included on this release, which is a bit of a disappointment, especially as subtitles are available in English only as well. Dialogues are well integrated and always understandable, without harshness or distortion. The audio’s frequency response is wide and natural without notable limitations.
The bonus features included in the release are spread across all three discs with each one contain a few of the supplements. You will find <$commentary,commentary track>s for selected episodes on each of these discs. Participation on these tracks changes for each episode and includes the show’s creator Bill Lawrence, actors Zach Braff, Neil Flynn and others. The commentaries are usually revealing a lot of the goings-on behind the scenes, making them entertaining and informative at the same.
You will also find various clips and featurettes across the DVDs, including interviews with each of the principal cast members about their background, what they did before getting the show, etc. You’ll also find various clip in which the cast members share their favorite moments from the show with the viewer. A selection of Outtakes is also included on the release, as well as various Deleted Scenes, and many other little gems.
The DVD packaging is also very nicely done with faux band-aids plastered across the inside. It’s just an overall well-rounded release that perfectly fits the show’s sentiment and reflects its good-hearted nature. While watching all 24 episodes of the show’s first season that are included here, it only makes you want to see more and you start to think that it’s too bad each episode is only about 24 minutes long. Well for me, "Scrubs" is just what the doctor ordered.
