Greg the Bunny DVD: Review By B. Alan Orange
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OVERALL4.5SUPERB
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Feature
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Extras
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Replay Value
THE FEATURE
Hell Mission Statement #2223051: Greg the Bunny
Here stands the best testament to why TV on DVD is important to the mass transit system known simply as our Entertainment center. It gives shows such as Greg the Bunny, a dead corpse lying in the gutter, rejuvenation in the afterlife. Now it can be enjoyed by the many cult enthusiasts that missed it that first time around (such as myself). I envision a time, in the very near future, where failed sit-coms will find a spirited home in the heaven that is our versatile collection. Yes, it is my belief that some episodic programming, otherwise discarded by mean spirited Network Executives, will grow to thrive in the digital world to the point where fictional shows are being produced solely for this type of living room media.
I'm also willing to wager that those same studios will be eager to take more chances when it comes to inventive fare because they can triple there losses in the Best Buy market.
It's already worked for Family Man (also starring Seth Green). DVD sales were so huge that Fox went back to the drawing table and started making more of them. I could honestly see that happening with Greg the Bunny. If this hits high enough numbers, I wouldn't rule out a special straight to DVD episode run for season two (though it may be hard to get some of these key players back.)
Is the show that good? At first, I didn't think so. Any episode taken out of context would be hard to digest, especially if you missed the opener. This is a set that needs to be watched in its original procession. Each individual outing fails to work on its own, but once you get into the ebb and flow of the piece as a whole, you begin to realize what an awesome undertaking it really is. It is meant to be swallowed in one setting.
During its initial run, I caught bits and pieces of Greg the Bunny while flipping through channels. It rubbed me the wrong way, simply because I didn't really know what was going on. I couldn't stay locked on it for more than a minute or two, and never once did I give it the full attention it deserved. Out of context, it could be viewed as awful stuff. I understand fully why it got canceled.
Looking at the case, I regretted having to watch Greg the Bunny for this review. Let's just say, I'm not a fan of Seth Green. I've heard many people sing his praises (I've yet to see his performance in the Italian Job so he may yet win me over), and I'm sure he's a wonderful guy outside of the limelight. Still, as a performer, he's just not my cup of tea. Something about his face rubs me the wrong way. He's had his moments, but I was never happier than when he got gunned down in Knockaround Guys. It was with great apprehension that I slid this into my Versatile deck.
I must tell you, I did not like that first episode. I thought it was stupid. And bad. I never once believed the interaction between Seth and the Bunny. And didn't feel like watching this whole set. It seemed like torture. I decided I would watch only the first three episodes and call it quits. That should be enough to do a review on.
Then a strange thing happened. By the time that third episode came to it's screeching conclusion, I was hooked. Greg the Bunny grew on me like funky mold. I suddenly found this odd group of Fabricated Americans funny and engaging. I wanted to keep going, and did. As of now, I'm on episode Eight. There are thirteen in all (with the amount of sh*t piling up on my living room floor I didn't have time to watch the entire set before this self-imposed deadline, but plan to ASAP).
The main storyline centers on Greg the Bunny (We never do get an explanation why his eyes go form buttons to actual plastic eyes with moving eyelids in episode seven) and his roommate Jimmy (played by Green). They are two go-nowhere 20 somethings loafing through life. One of them just happens to be a puppet (sock is the derogative term). Jimmy's Dad (a more jovial than usual Eugene Levy) is the creator and director of Sweetknuckle Junction, a children's show that intermingles puppets with humans. After 8 episodes, I'm still not sure that this show within a show is supposed to be popular with the masses.
Anyway, to make a long story short, Jimmy gets Greg a job interview for Production Assistant, and the Bunny accidentally walks into an audition for Sweetknuckle's next rabbit star. He gets the job, Jimmy signs on as a PA, and things take a highroad from there. The Sweetknuckle puppet cast is great. There really isn't a dud in the bunch. We have Count Blah, the Vampire. Warren Demontague, the drunken "Professor Ape". And Tardy, the not "very-smart" turtle. On the human side, Sarah Silverman (best known for her appearances on The Larry Sanders Show and Mr. Show) acts believably against her fisted co-stars (more so than the rest of the cast).
The episode run order on the actual DVD is different than the way they were originally aired on Fox. The episodes are as such...
Disc 1:
1) Welcome to Sweetknuckle Junction - Greg goes in for an assistant's job at Sweetknuckle Junction, and walks out with a starring role. David Spade cameo. (The pilot, aired in original order of appearance.)
2) Sock Like Me - Alison forces the staff to undergo puppet sensitivity training after somebody writes the "S" word on the set. (Unaired, would have been the twelfth episode.)
3) Dottie Heat - Dottie is crushed when Greg lies to the gang, and tells them that he did the nasty with her. (Originally aired as episode eleven.)
4) SK 2.0 - When the show bombs with a children's focus group, Alison plans changes -- and Jimmy's ideas just might be the trick. (Originally aired as second episode.)
5) Piddler on the Roof - Believing that Alison won't let him do Shakespeare on the show, an angry Warren takes a piss in her open convertible. (Originally aired as the ninth episode.)
6) Rabbit Redux - Greg feels guilty for stealing Rochester's job, and wants to patch things up. Meanwhile, Jimmy wants to score with Alison. (Aired in order of appearance.)
Disc 2:
7) Father and Son Reunion - Father/son relations between Jimmy and Gil are damaged when father doesn't tell son that his parents' marriage is over. (Originally aired as the 8th episode.)
8) Jimmy Drives Gil Crazy - Warren plots to get even with his bad neighbor, Corey Feldman. Meanwhile, Jimmy feels unloved when Gil yells at him. Guest Star Corey Feldman acting his heart out; though he is playing himself. (Unaired, would have been thirteenth episode.)
9) Greg Gets Puppish - The head of a puppets rights organization orders Greg to familiarize himself with puppish culture -- to the detriment of the show. (Originally aired as the fourth episode.)
10) Surprise! - Alison tries to fool a TV Guide reporter into believing that the cast is a happy, functional family, in hopes of getting on the cover. (Originally aired as the seventh episode.)
11) The Jewel Heist - Greg is jealous when Jimmy gets a new love interest -- whose dog is quite aggressive. Meanwhile, the gals revolt when Gil doesn't invite them to a paintball weekend. (Originally aired as the third episode.)
12) The Singing Mailman - Dottie is blackmailed by a guy who has a dirty tape of her -- and plans to post it on the 'net if she can't get him a role on the show. (Originally aired as the fifth show.)
13) Blah Bawls - Warren can't get over his ex-wife, Maggie, and Count Blah can't get over his dead wife, Maldora...Until he meets Maggie. (Originally aired as the tenth episode.)
Here stands the best testament to why TV on DVD is important to the mass transit system known simply as our Entertainment center. It gives shows such as Greg the Bunny, a dead corpse lying in the gutter, rejuvenation in the afterlife. Now it can be enjoyed by the many cult enthusiasts that missed it that first time around (such as myself). I envision a time, in the very near future, where failed sit-coms will find a spirited home in the heaven that is our versatile collection. Yes, it is my belief that some episodic programming, otherwise discarded by mean spirited Network Executives, will grow to thrive in the digital world to the point where fictional shows are being produced solely for this type of living room media.
I'm also willing to wager that those same studios will be eager to take more chances when it comes to inventive fare because they can triple there losses in the Best Buy market.
It's already worked for Family Man (also starring Seth Green). DVD sales were so huge that Fox went back to the drawing table and started making more of them. I could honestly see that happening with Greg the Bunny. If this hits high enough numbers, I wouldn't rule out a special straight to DVD episode run for season two (though it may be hard to get some of these key players back.)
Is the show that good? At first, I didn't think so. Any episode taken out of context would be hard to digest, especially if you missed the opener. This is a set that needs to be watched in its original procession. Each individual outing fails to work on its own, but once you get into the ebb and flow of the piece as a whole, you begin to realize what an awesome undertaking it really is. It is meant to be swallowed in one setting.
During its initial run, I caught bits and pieces of Greg the Bunny while flipping through channels. It rubbed me the wrong way, simply because I didn't really know what was going on. I couldn't stay locked on it for more than a minute or two, and never once did I give it the full attention it deserved. Out of context, it could be viewed as awful stuff. I understand fully why it got canceled.
Looking at the case, I regretted having to watch Greg the Bunny for this review. Let's just say, I'm not a fan of Seth Green. I've heard many people sing his praises (I've yet to see his performance in the Italian Job so he may yet win me over), and I'm sure he's a wonderful guy outside of the limelight. Still, as a performer, he's just not my cup of tea. Something about his face rubs me the wrong way. He's had his moments, but I was never happier than when he got gunned down in Knockaround Guys. It was with great apprehension that I slid this into my Versatile deck.
I must tell you, I did not like that first episode. I thought it was stupid. And bad. I never once believed the interaction between Seth and the Bunny. And didn't feel like watching this whole set. It seemed like torture. I decided I would watch only the first three episodes and call it quits. That should be enough to do a review on.
Then a strange thing happened. By the time that third episode came to it's screeching conclusion, I was hooked. Greg the Bunny grew on me like funky mold. I suddenly found this odd group of Fabricated Americans funny and engaging. I wanted to keep going, and did. As of now, I'm on episode Eight. There are thirteen in all (with the amount of sh*t piling up on my living room floor I didn't have time to watch the entire set before this self-imposed deadline, but plan to ASAP).
The main storyline centers on Greg the Bunny (We never do get an explanation why his eyes go form buttons to actual plastic eyes with moving eyelids in episode seven) and his roommate Jimmy (played by Green). They are two go-nowhere 20 somethings loafing through life. One of them just happens to be a puppet (sock is the derogative term). Jimmy's Dad (a more jovial than usual Eugene Levy) is the creator and director of Sweetknuckle Junction, a children's show that intermingles puppets with humans. After 8 episodes, I'm still not sure that this show within a show is supposed to be popular with the masses.
Anyway, to make a long story short, Jimmy gets Greg a job interview for Production Assistant, and the Bunny accidentally walks into an audition for Sweetknuckle's next rabbit star. He gets the job, Jimmy signs on as a PA, and things take a highroad from there. The Sweetknuckle puppet cast is great. There really isn't a dud in the bunch. We have Count Blah, the Vampire. Warren Demontague, the drunken "Professor Ape". And Tardy, the not "very-smart" turtle. On the human side, Sarah Silverman (best known for her appearances on The Larry Sanders Show and Mr. Show) acts believably against her fisted co-stars (more so than the rest of the cast).
The episode run order on the actual DVD is different than the way they were originally aired on Fox. The episodes are as such...
Disc 1:
1) Welcome to Sweetknuckle Junction - Greg goes in for an assistant's job at Sweetknuckle Junction, and walks out with a starring role. David Spade cameo. (The pilot, aired in original order of appearance.)
2) Sock Like Me - Alison forces the staff to undergo puppet sensitivity training after somebody writes the "S" word on the set. (Unaired, would have been the twelfth episode.)
3) Dottie Heat - Dottie is crushed when Greg lies to the gang, and tells them that he did the nasty with her. (Originally aired as episode eleven.)
4) SK 2.0 - When the show bombs with a children's focus group, Alison plans changes -- and Jimmy's ideas just might be the trick. (Originally aired as second episode.)
5) Piddler on the Roof - Believing that Alison won't let him do Shakespeare on the show, an angry Warren takes a piss in her open convertible. (Originally aired as the ninth episode.)
6) Rabbit Redux - Greg feels guilty for stealing Rochester's job, and wants to patch things up. Meanwhile, Jimmy wants to score with Alison. (Aired in order of appearance.)
Disc 2:
7) Father and Son Reunion - Father/son relations between Jimmy and Gil are damaged when father doesn't tell son that his parents' marriage is over. (Originally aired as the 8th episode.)
8) Jimmy Drives Gil Crazy - Warren plots to get even with his bad neighbor, Corey Feldman. Meanwhile, Jimmy feels unloved when Gil yells at him. Guest Star Corey Feldman acting his heart out; though he is playing himself. (Unaired, would have been thirteenth episode.)
9) Greg Gets Puppish - The head of a puppets rights organization orders Greg to familiarize himself with puppish culture -- to the detriment of the show. (Originally aired as the fourth episode.)
10) Surprise! - Alison tries to fool a TV Guide reporter into believing that the cast is a happy, functional family, in hopes of getting on the cover. (Originally aired as the seventh episode.)
11) The Jewel Heist - Greg is jealous when Jimmy gets a new love interest -- whose dog is quite aggressive. Meanwhile, the gals revolt when Gil doesn't invite them to a paintball weekend. (Originally aired as the third episode.)
12) The Singing Mailman - Dottie is blackmailed by a guy who has a dirty tape of her -- and plans to post it on the 'net if she can't get him a role on the show. (Originally aired as the fifth show.)
13) Blah Bawls - Warren can't get over his ex-wife, Maggie, and Count Blah can't get over his dead wife, Maldora...Until he meets Maggie. (Originally aired as the tenth episode.)
THE EXTRAS
There are a ton. I didn't really feel like watching them. I fast-forwarded through the making of. It looks pretty interesting for anyone interested in the workings of the show. It did teach me that Greg the Bunny first appeared as a mascot in interstitials for the Independent Film Channel, along with Warren Demontague.
The eight-minute piece on Tardy the Turtle is pretty funny, but that's about all I could hack through. There are enough deleted scenes (some running longer than the episode they belong too) and separated episode commentaries (with everyone involved except Eugene Levy; some of the puppets appearing in character) to chock a horse. Here is the full list of extras:
Disc 1
"Welcome to Sweetknuckle Junction" Commentary by creator Dan Milano, production designer Jim Dultz, music supervisor Howard Paar, and property master Brad Elliot.
"Sock Like Me" Commentary by Creator Dan Milano, Seth Green, Bob Gunton, Drew Massey, Victor Yerrid and James Murray.
"Piddler on the Roof" Commentary by creator Dan Milano, Seth Green, Sarah Silverman, Dina Waters, Drew Massey, Victor Yerrid and James Massey.
"Rabbit Redux" Commentary by creator Dan Milano, director/editor Brent Carpenter, writer Bill Frieberger and James Murray.
Featurette: The Humans Behind the Fabricated Americans (30:00).
Deleted and extended scenes with optional commentary by Dan Milano (18:00).
Featurette: Puppet Auditions (6:14).
Conceptual artwork (32 stills).
Easter Egg: Warren's Play - Dailies (2:00).
Disc 2
"Jimmy Drives Gil Crazy" Commentary by Greg the Bunny, Seth Green, Bob Gunton, Warren Demontague, Tardy the Turtle, count Blah, Rochester Rabbit, Susan the Monster and more...
"The Singing Mailman" Commentary by Greg the Bunny, Seth Green, Bob Gunton, Warren Demontague, Tardy the Turtle, Count Blah, Rochester Rabbit, Susan the Monster and more...
Deleted scenes with optional commentary by Dan Milano (2:40).
Director's storyboard - "Jimmy Drives Gil Crazy" (90 stills).
"Tardy Delivery" with optional commentary (approx 8 min).
Puppet porn (5 stills).
IFC Presents: Greg the Bunny Show (TBD).
Wrap Reel (6:25).
Behind the scenes stills (20 stills).
Publicity Gallery: Promos.
Publicity Stills (40 stills).
Greg and Seth interview (8 min).
Easter Egg: (7:02) Dina Cracks Up. Greg Tries to Exit door. Cast and Puppeteers singing on set. Warren and Seth. Turkey Dance. Sarah Silverman does stand-up. Dog bites Rochester. Sarah walks by. Seth and Greg do Willy and Alf.
Cripes! How the Hell am I supposed to get through all that? Either you'll watch it or you wont. Me, I don't have the time...
The eight-minute piece on Tardy the Turtle is pretty funny, but that's about all I could hack through. There are enough deleted scenes (some running longer than the episode they belong too) and separated episode commentaries (with everyone involved except Eugene Levy; some of the puppets appearing in character) to chock a horse. Here is the full list of extras:
Disc 1
"Welcome to Sweetknuckle Junction" Commentary by creator Dan Milano, production designer Jim Dultz, music supervisor Howard Paar, and property master Brad Elliot.
"Sock Like Me" Commentary by Creator Dan Milano, Seth Green, Bob Gunton, Drew Massey, Victor Yerrid and James Murray.
"Piddler on the Roof" Commentary by creator Dan Milano, Seth Green, Sarah Silverman, Dina Waters, Drew Massey, Victor Yerrid and James Massey.
"Rabbit Redux" Commentary by creator Dan Milano, director/editor Brent Carpenter, writer Bill Frieberger and James Murray.
Featurette: The Humans Behind the Fabricated Americans (30:00).
Deleted and extended scenes with optional commentary by Dan Milano (18:00).
Featurette: Puppet Auditions (6:14).
Conceptual artwork (32 stills).
Easter Egg: Warren's Play - Dailies (2:00).
Disc 2
"Jimmy Drives Gil Crazy" Commentary by Greg the Bunny, Seth Green, Bob Gunton, Warren Demontague, Tardy the Turtle, count Blah, Rochester Rabbit, Susan the Monster and more...
"The Singing Mailman" Commentary by Greg the Bunny, Seth Green, Bob Gunton, Warren Demontague, Tardy the Turtle, Count Blah, Rochester Rabbit, Susan the Monster and more...
Deleted scenes with optional commentary by Dan Milano (2:40).
Director's storyboard - "Jimmy Drives Gil Crazy" (90 stills).
"Tardy Delivery" with optional commentary (approx 8 min).
Puppet porn (5 stills).
IFC Presents: Greg the Bunny Show (TBD).
Wrap Reel (6:25).
Behind the scenes stills (20 stills).
Publicity Gallery: Promos.
Publicity Stills (40 stills).
Greg and Seth interview (8 min).
Easter Egg: (7:02) Dina Cracks Up. Greg Tries to Exit door. Cast and Puppeteers singing on set. Warren and Seth. Turkey Dance. Sarah Silverman does stand-up. Dog bites Rochester. Sarah walks by. Seth and Greg do Willy and Alf.
Cripes! How the Hell am I supposed to get through all that? Either you'll watch it or you wont. Me, I don't have the time...
THE VIDEO
Pretty sharp. It was shot on film, so it looks a little better than your average sit-com.
THE AUDIO
Like a TV show that's in stereo.
THE FINAL WORD
This is a great opportunity to see this show that would have otherwise, without the invention of DVD, gone forgotten. Greg the Bunny is not a perfect sit-com, but as it wears on, it becomes quite addictive. It's oddly charming and worth the sit time. Check it out, and enjoy...
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