My Name is Earl: Season 1

You now have to pay MORE money to watch. $130.00 is overpaying in the first place, now to watch a show worth watching, you have to pay more, bet me!

I tend to be skeptical of all hype, whether about sports figures or commercial products or film reviews, but particularly about "critically acclaimed" TV series (comedies especially, since I am admittedly not an easy laugh). Most of these so-called "original" and "brilliant" shows are almost invariably formulaic, predictable, unimaginative, unoriginal, and uninteresting mediocrity that are predictably shilled by a largely conformist and toadying group of "entertainment critics" who often pander to the networks' program marketing and who themselves probably have never actually written a script, (and for the most part don't have a clue what is in fact good), but strive to maintain their credentials by raving about the "right" shows in a scarcely veiled act of symbiosis between the networks and the mainstream outlets where these critics/shills ply their dubious trade. Far too often, something unique or original or unorthodox meets with disdain or indifference, while meritless offal is undeservedly touted. But once in a while, there is a program that critics and audiences (not just the really stupid ones that watch "reality" shows) all can laud. MY NAME IS EARL is one such show.I first saw this show inadvertently, on the big TV screens at the gym. I started laughing out loud within just a few minutes. This influenced me to watch more episodes, which in turn convinced the Mrs. and myself to buy the first season, which we missed in its original broadcast. After having seen each episode of the first season, I don't think there is a bad or weak one in the whole series, although there are some that do stand out as favorites.For those few who might not be familiar with the show, it's about an inveterate ne'er-do-well named Earl Hickey (Jason Lee) who continues his life of petty theft and mayhem until one day winning a big prize from a scratch-off lotto ticket, which he loses moments later in a bizarre accident. While in the hospital, Earl comes to the conclusion that his poor quality of life - in particular his painful loss of fortune - is a result of karmic forces aligned against him. To regain some measure of good fortune, he begins a determined quest to live a better life and to try and right some of the wrongs he has done. No sooner does he begin this quest than his winning ticket is miraculously returned to him by the providential wind, thereby providing the funds for his mission.The show's premise is both creative and interesting, in addition to being very well-written. The stories are an imaginative foray into different subplots which cleverly ties the various elements together in an ending which is not only satisfying, but also adroit.The biggest pleasant surprise is the wonderful effectiveness of the cast. I was not an especially big fan of Jason Lee (I don't like Kevin Smith films), but he is so good in the lead role (capturing the clumsy but earnest intentions and hamheaded determination of the character), that it is difficult to imagine anybody else being able to play that role with any comparable skill. The other biggest surprise was Jaime Pressly, whose acting career has largely consisted of straight-to-video or late-night cable low budget B- movies. Though she had been making the transition towards comedies, she excels in her role of Joy (Earl's ex-wife and occasional nemesis). She has really hit the mark in terms of her comic timing, delivery, and expressions. The rest of the main cast includes Ethan Suplee, a capable journeyman character actor with a surprisingly long and diverse resume' of roles, plays Earl's simple but mostly good-natured brother Randy; Eddie Steeples plays Darnell (aka Crabman), Joy's laid-back new husband (she divorced Earl while he was in traction in the hospital) who Earl still remains friends with; the scorching hot Nadine Velasquez (yummy!) plays Catalina, the paradoxically worldly yet naive (and highly sexy) maid who works at the rundown motel where Earl and Randy live. Also, she's really attractive. Add to this a wealth of talented and familiar guest appearances and you have the right crew for this remarkable vessel.The show works for a variety of reasons, and all factors not only work well but exceptionally so. Of all the different types of entertainment viewing options (films and/or TV), comedies are usually first preference, although again I tend to be a tough audience. In addition to the laugh-out-loud humor, it is very satisfying to see a show about someone trying to redeem himself and help others WITHOUT ALL THE SANCTIMONY AND SELF-ADULATION that other programs with less merit would purport to have. It has become a staple of entertainment for our family, and countless others. The only thing I enjoy more than watching the episodes are watching them with family and friends and seeing the enjoyment they also have in watching it. There is no show (or anything for that matter) that everyone will like, but I am confident that this show will be received favorably by those looking for great humor, good writing, engaging stories, likable (if somewhat dysfunctional) characters, and a positive message.

It is doubtful that very many people in this world have been influenced by the words of Carson Daly. However, there is at least one person, and his name is Earl Hickey.Each fall I find myself conflicted about new shows for a variety of reasons. Should I get attached if it is going to get cancelled? Do I have time for another television show? Or do I like the idea of this show? So I limit myself to only two new shows each season. In the fall of 2005, one of those shows was My Name is Earl. The buzz surrounding this show was amazing and I felt that if I didn't watch, I was going to be missing out on something.And I was right. Earl is one of those shows that helps me to believe in the good in people, if only for 22 minutes at a time.Earl Hickey (Jason Lee) is one of those guys who you might call sketchy. With his ragged clothes and big moustache, he may be the typical ideal of a redneck. He has lived his life without much regard for others and never really thought about it that much. That is, until he bought a 100,000 dollar scratch ticket. Celebrating the win, he is hit by a car and ends up in the hospital, where he tunes in to hear Carson Daly talking about karma and he decides to change his life.Earl makes up a list of everything he has done wrong and sets out to make things right, one list item at a time. This is the premise for the show and it really works. Each episode sees Earl focusing on one thing on his list. Items get added as he goes along, and occasionally he'll take care of a couple in one episode. But with a list of more than 250 things, the show has a solid base to work with. And when he starts doing things on the list, the ticket ends up back in his hands, reinforcing his belief in karma.Along for the ride with Earl is his simple brother Randy (Ethan Suplee). Randy's simple mind and uncluttered thinking make for some great comedy. It is obvious the two brothers care about each other a lot, though they do have their differences.The brothers rent a motel room and befriend the hotel maid Catalina (Nadine Velazquez), a beautiful illegal immigrant who immediately steals Randy's attention. She helps the brothers out on occasion as they try to make right all the things that Earl has done wrong in his life.Stealing the show, however, is Earl's ex-wife Joy, played to perfection by the beautiful Jaime Pressly. If you were thinking of a "queen of the trailer park" type, Joy would be it and Pressly has her nailed. It seems Earl met Joy while he was drunk and didn't notice she was pregnant. Then, a few years later Joy had another baby, but he was black. So with two kids that weren't his own, Earl wasn't living the great life. Joy divorces Earl in the pilot to be with her black baby's real father, Darnell Turner (Eddie Steeples), a waiter at the gang's hangout, the Crab Shack, thus earning him the nickname Crabman. These two characters are really great together and Joy's quest to get her hands on Earl's newfound money and Crabman's desire to remain friends with Earl play off each other really well.The season tracks Earl through the ups and downs as he confronts people from his past, including the one-legged woman he stole a car from, Donnie Jones, who he sent to jail, Kenny James, a boy he picked on as a kid, his father Carl (guest star Beau Bridges) whom he lost an election, and a jilted-ex turned bounty hunter, played wonderfully by guest star Juliette Lewis. As the season goes along viewers learn a lot about Earl and just where he comes from and how he became who he is.This DVD set was well done, with a number of commentaries. Each of the main characters does at least one, while Jason Lee and Ethan Suplee each chip in on a number. Creator Greg Garcia and director Mark Buckland also sit in on most of the commentaries. There is a great gag reel and a behind the scenes featurette. Perhaps the best extra is the "lost pilot" called Bad Karma. Instead of listening to Carson Daly, Earl listens to Stewie Griffin and makes a list of people who screwed him over and sets out to do the same to them. This was pretty funny because it showed a side of the characters that you never saw on the real show.This was a great set of one of the best comedies on television now. For those who have never seen the show, if you want to see a comedy about someone trying to change for the better, you can't do much better than My Name is Earl.

A very funny offbeat comedy series, excellently cast and produced. The hapless shenanigans and scheming of one and all in it are a real tonic.

Personally, classic. As good as I remember watching in me teens, & I'm not really a big fan of american sitcoms.

I just loved this series. The characters are fantastic and the story lines are laugh out loud funny. First watched it years ago but after catching an episode on tv recently I just had to watch them again from the beginning. Simmiar to (but funnier than) Scrubs when it was at it's very best. If you've never seen this series I can't see how you could possibly be disappointed. Buy it!

Good price excellent service

If you are a fan of the TV series "My name is Earl" this is a great to add to your collection of DVD's. Even though I had seen most of them before, it still brought a lot of laughs with the antics of Earl trying to keep karma happy.This is not exactly the most educational of DVD's, but for pure inoffensive entertainment you can't go far wrong.