DVD Review | Just Shoot Me (Seasons 1 and 2)
Written by: Kage Alan

Ah, sometimes there just isn’t anything better than watching a sitcom that covers some facet of the media.  Remember, the media manipulates its viewers.  Ever watch the news?  It’s often no better than watching all those televised commercials exaggerating products we don’t really need for reasons that are created by the people trying to make a profit.  Fortunately, when fun is being made of such things as with “Just Shoot Me!,” there is a definite sense of humor behind the entertainment that makes it all worthwhile.

Maya Gallo (Laura San Giacomo) can’t sit still when there’s an injustice, especially when it comes to reporting the truth.  When a snobby anchorwoman crosses her, Maya plays with the teleprompter and makes things right…at the cost of her job.  Broke and without prospects, she turns to her estranged father, Jack (George Segal), who just happens to be the owner of a popular fashion magazine called “Blush.” While she’s initially hired to write only a single article, the relationship between father and daughter proves to be a budding one and Maya soon finds herself on the Blush team.

Well, a sitcom wouldn’t be a sitcom without some fantastic one-liners, practical jokes and cast members to carry out both.  There’s photographer Elliot (Enrico Colantoni), who not only gets the models to take their clothes off for him in the studio (tastefully, mind you), but also in bed (tastelessly, of course).  Then there’s ex-model and editor Nina Van Horn, professional sexpot whose best friend is Binny, a running joke because the woman (Binny) goes unseen.  There’s very few people Nina hasn’t slept with or wouldn’t sleep with as long as they had a recognizable name, which is in perfect balance with her character.  Rounding off the regulars is Jack’s ultra-sarcastic assistant, Finch (David Spade).  We’re talking so sarcastic that he’s become my hero.  Watching Finch and Elliot switch Nina’s word-a-day calendar is worth the price of this collection alone!

Season 1, which is only 6 episodes, focused on Maya at the office and also at home with her male roommate while Season 2 eliminated the roommate altogether and concentrated solely on the office.  It was a good idea because that’s where the humor is.  Speaking of humor, the original pilot wasn’t quite cutting it, so the writers went back to the drawing board, changed a few things around and finally convinced Spade to come on board.  That was a solid move since he helped even out the characters and added quite a bit to his role.

Sony has released “Just Shoot Me! (Seasons 1 and 2)” in their original Full Screen ratio.  Picture quality is fairly decent with little grain present, so no real complaints there.  The audio, though not as dynamic as a feature film, does the trick nicely.  As for extras, they may not be as plentiful as one might have hoped in some areas, but what they have offered us is very, very good.  There are 4 commentaries with the creator and writing producers, “Always in Fashion: A conversation With Steven Levitan and the Cast of Just Shoot Me!” (26 ¾ min) and the “Blush” Magazine covers.  The commentaries are all extremely informative and a great deal of fun to listen to.  It’s obvious why these people worked together and they are a stitch.  While the featurette is above par, I couldn’t help but wonder why there weren’t any bloopers, deleted scenes or commentaries with cast members.  Perhaps in the future.

The network never really did “Just Shoot Me!” justice while it was on the air.  They kept changing the time and day the show played and never really allowed it to find the pulse it needed to survive.  I remember enjoying what I saw, but gave up trying to follow when it would be on.  Fortunately, because of the DVD release, I’m not only catching up on episodes I missed, but entire seasons as well.  This is a wonderfully funny show and really allows viewers to appreciate the cast’s comedic talents.  Perhaps it will now find the following it lost because of the network as well as a new generation of viewers.  That’s the beauty of home video!

Season Ratings: 1 (B-) 2 (B)
DVD Special Features: A-