Plot: What’s it about?
What in the world did MTV get themselves into? With their creation of “The Real World” some ten years ago, I’m going to go ahead and say that they all but created “reality” TV. Yes, I know other shows like “Unsolved Mysteries” could be considered in that arena, but with the trend (will it ever die) lately, this is right up MTV’s alley. And with the aforementioned show (The Real World) still going strong, though more like a soap opera than a real show anymore, who knows what future shows lurk. The question we have to ask ourselves is this: Why do we care/want to watch these shows? Personally, I don’t know. Maybe it’s something to do while sleeping off a hangover or while you’re sick. But, the truth is that The Osbourne’s is MTV’s top-rated show of all time. Yes, really. Other networks quickly hopped on the bandwagon as well. Former Playmate of the Year, Anna Nicole Smith, has her own show and you literally get dumber the more you watch it. Is this the case with The Osbourne’s? Not really…
Unlike Anna Nicole’s show, the Osbourne’s are a real family. Sure, Ozzy has done more drugs than the city of Detroit, but it’s a family of four and like it or not, most of us are like them in more ways than not. Sharon, Ozzy’s wife is the real quot;brains” of the outfit as well as being loving, she’s also his manager. The kids, Jack and Kelly are essentially pretty normal (though they’re now as much of a celebrity as their dad ever was). Why we get sheer pleasure out of watching Mr. Osbourne argue with his neighbors/yell at his kids/clean up after his pets is pretty simple: they’re like us! The only difference between them and a normal family these days is the fact that they have money and notoriety, but what makes the show so popular is that people relate to it. I have to admit that I was rather hooked and now will probably make time to watch it when it airs on MTV (though ratings this season are down some 50%). In small doses, The Osbourne’s is fun; yet once you get over the initial shock of everything (much like the musician himself); it does start to get old. Ozzy was Ozzy before the show and he will be after it. F$#%in’ get over it.
Yes, I realize that this is the same description as the first season, but the show is the same so why shouldn’t the plot be?
Video: How does it look?
The show is broadcast on MTV in it’s proper aspect ratio of 1.33:1, or full-screen. The DVD re-creates this exactly and what we have is a very clean image most all the way through. Granted this transfer doesn’t benefit from anamorphic enhancement, but this isn’t something that you’d watch for “video quality”. If you liked what you saw when the show originally aired, then this will make you that much happier as it is a cut above what’s on the TV. There’s not a lot that can be said here, it looks great, just as it does via cable. What else do you want?
Audio: How does it sound?
As far as sound goes, this is a Dolby Surround mix. Yes, maybe a 5.1 mix could have added a bit of depth to the track, but our main focus should be trying to figure out what the hell Ozzy is saying (oddly enough, there is a feature that allows what he’s saying to appear as subtext on the screen, pretty nifty actually). The dialogue is very clean and most of what you’ll hear is in the front channels. Again, like the video quality, there isn’t a lot that can be said here. If you are satisfied with the way it sounds on TV, then you’ll be happy here as well.
Supplements: What are the extras?
The Osbourne’s comes to us with some pretty nifty features. First of all, there is a “Censored” and an “Uncensored” version out there. The discs reviewed here are the “Uncensored” version. Airing on MTV, all of the profanity (and there’s a lot) is bleeped out, here you have the option to listen to it as originally said. Most of the supplements are of the “Unaired” type. Too hot for TV, that sort of thing. A blooper reel is included entitled “Too Oz for TV” which is pretty self-explanatory. Some of the other unaired footage is interesting as well. Every episode, except for the last one, has an audio commentary. Like the show itself, it is a bit entertaining, but these can get pretty old pretty quick. The family seems to have a good time, but only true die-hard fans will really get a kick out of these tracks. “Ozzy’s Ten Commandments” is a nifty little feature that tells us how “the great one” (Ozzy) should run a family. I’m not sure I agree, but I’ve heard worse advice. Next up is the funniest supplement (and most useful) in an “Ozzy Translator”. This feature allows you to read what Ozzy is actually saying, and for those of you who have seen the show, you’ll be thankful for this. It’s quite bloody amazing to see what the guy actually says! Some “Set Top Games” are included, but it’s clear that DVD has a way to go before these features are really that cool. You can pick up the animal feces, edit a scene and make your own Osbourne’s show and play a game of Osbourne’s bingo. Original, but they get pretty old pretty quick. Some interviews round out the supplements and some pretty-intensive DVD-ROM supplements wrap up this first Season of The Osbourne’s. While not for everybody, this set should have all the little Ozzites (my new nickname for fans of the show) satisfied and wanting more.
