Two And A Half Men- The Complete Series Blu-ray Review
“Two And A Half Men” is a sometimes funny but often problematic sitcom.
Unless you’ve never turned on a TV, you probably know 2003’s “Two And A Half Men” is a popular long-running CBS sitcom (it ran 12 seasons to be exact). Of course, you only really need to acknowledge the first 8 seasons (more on that in a bit). Set in Malibu, California, the show revolves around the immature, womanizing, alcohol loving Charlie (who writes ad jingles for a living) and his uptight chiropractor brother (Alan) who crashes with Charlie after his wife Judith kicks him out. Staying with Alan and Charlie at certain times is Alan’s precocious son Jake. Plots frequently revolved around Charlie’s many, many love interests, Alan and Charles’ overbearing mother Evelyn, Charlie’s stalker neighbor Rose, Berta (Charlie’s housekeeper), therapy, Judith moving on from Alan and vice versa, Jake’s school life, failed relationships and marriages, injuries and ailments, a “CSI” spoof, Jake’s friend Eldridge, and money woes. Starting in season 9, Charlie is killed off and is essentially replaced by a billionaire (Walden) who befriends Alan. Walden buys Charlie’s place and allows Alan and Jake to live there. In seasons 9-12, storylines involve Walden’s ex-wife Bridget, Alan dealing with Charlie’s loss, Walden dating Zoey and Kate, Walden’s business, Jake joining the army, Alan and Lyndsey’s relationship, Walden taking on another identity, Jenny (Charlie’s lesbian daughter), and Alan and Walden marrying to adopt a child (Louis)
Along with “The Big Bang Theory,” the Chuck Lorre and Lee Aronsohn created “Two And A Half Men” is the last mega-hit network TV sitcom. It’s very much a product of its time and hasn’t aged particularly well due to the frequent misogyny, objectification of women, and the truly tone deaf decision to have Walden and Alan pretend to be a gay couple. With all of that said, you can see why the show became such a hit. The early seasons have some good laughs, notable cast chemistry, and quality pacing. You get drawn into the dysfunctional family dynamic and the stories about family, immaturity (or maturity), life adjustments, and moving forward in life. It goes without saying the first 8 seasons are the ones to watch. The show went catastrophically off the rails from seasons 9-12. The less said about these years the better. Not only was it a petty move to kill off Charlie, but they brought in the insufferably unfunny Ashton Kutcher to replace him. How or why this show went on another 4 years is beyond me (aside from the financial factor of course). Even Angus T. Jones (Jake) jumped ship after season 10.
Going back to Charlie Sheen, he was entirely what made the show work. Yes, you have to deal with his sexist behavior and the fact that he seems to run into exes every episode, but he had the best comedic moments and line deliveries. This series resurrected his career before his addiction struggles surfaced. The rest of the main cast (of the first 8 seasons) is also on point. Jon Cryer really becomes Alan, Angus T. Jones quite literally grows up as Jake, Conchata Ferrell made Berta a beloved character, and Melanie Lynskey’s career took off as Rose (despite the character being rather problematic to say the least). The series also features loads of cameos/guest stars such as Denise Richards, Jenna Elfman, Megan Fox, Teri Hatcher, Sean Penn, Ryan Stiles, Martin Sheen, Brooke Shields, Allison Janney, Ming-Na Wen, Emilio Estevez, Jane Lynch, Patton Oswalt, Miley Cyrus, Mila Kunis, and more.
Video/Audio:
Presentation: 1.78:1 1080p. How do the episodes look? The image quality is a step up from the DVD releases, but the picture quality is still a bit fuzzy. The later seasons look better, but are also a bit on the fuzzy side.
Audio Track: 2.0 DTS-HD MA (for seasons 1-6) and 5.1 DTS-HD MA (for seasons 7-12). How do the episodes sound? The audio quality is also a nice step-up from DVD releases. The 5.1 tracks naturally have a bit more depth than the earlier season’s 2.0 tracks.
Extras:
* Gag reel on seasons 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, and 12.
* Commentary on “Tucked, Taped And Gorgeous” by Chuck Lorre and Lee Aronsohn, commentary on “Mr. McGlue’s Feedbag” by Charlie Sheen, Jon Cryer and Angus T. Jones,
* The “CSI” episode “Two And A Half Deaths.”
* “Backstage Tour With Angus T. Jones”
* “Two Adults, One Kid, No Grown-Ups”- A basic rundown of the show and its inception.
* “A Day In The Life Of Two And A Half Men”- A behind-the-scenes look at production.
* “The Serious Business Of Writing Comedy”- Writer interviews mixed with behind-the-scenes footage.
* “Two Men Talking About Two And A Half Men”- Interviews with Lee Aronsohn and Chuck Lorre.
* “Two And A Half Men At 100”- A featurette on the 100th episode.
* “The Lore Of Chuck Lorre: Must Pause TV”- Chuck Lorre talks about a vanity card.
* “Two And A Half Men- Dying Is Easy, Comedy Is Hard” is all about the writers switch with “CSI.”
* “Two And A Half Men: Growing Up Harper” is all about Angus T. Jones.
* “The Women Of Two And A Half Men” is all about the female cast members.
* “A Charlie Harper Ex Reunion”- Interviews with the cast members who played his exes.
* “Two And A Half Men Version 2.0” is about season 9.
* “The Billionaire Upgrade: Walden Schmidt’s Malibu House Redesign”-
* “Two Manly Men Singing And Dancing” is about the musical number.
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