Greg the Bunny - The Complete Series
Cheers to Fox for even puttingGreg the Bunnyon the air, and jeers to Fox for yanking it after a mere season (an ignominious fate it shared withThe Ben Stiller ShowandAndy Richter Controls the Universe). Ripe for discovery, this cult-worthy 2002 series took its cue fromWho Framed Roger Rabbit, and anticipated the subversive Tony Award-winning Muppet spoofAvenue Qby imagining a world in which puppets (or, to be more PC: "fabricated Americans") live amongst humans. Greg, a sweet-natured bunny, lives with his best friend Jimmy (Seth Green), a slacker whose father, Gil (the inestimable Eugene Levy), is the director of the "struggling," "low-rated" children's showSweetknuckle Junction. Greg prevails upon Jimmy to get him a job on the show, but Greg inadvertently finds himself replacing the star. the washed-up Rochester Rabbit. Jimmy signs on as the production assistant to watch over Greg, and to pursue the icy network executive, Alison (comedy siren Sarah Silverman). Rounding out the human cast is gun nut Junction Jack (Bob Gunton) and ditzy, puppet-loving (and we mean that literally) Dottie (Dina Walters).The puppet ensemble is no less impressive than the "fleshies." There's Count Blah, a vampire with aSesame Streetcomplex and a penchant for punctuating his sentences with "blah"; Warren "Professor Ape" Demontague, a soused monkey with thespian pretensions (and an ongoing feud with neighbor Corey Feldman); Tardy Turtle, an appellation which, unfortunately, does not just refer to his lack of speed, and Susan, a monster who makes Janet Reno look like Salma Hayek. Profanity and crude behavior emanating from puppets is certainly good for some easy laughs (prepare for the worst when adorable laundry icon Snuggles enters a bathroom stall in the episode "Father & Son Reunion"). ButGreg the Bunnyplays it smart as well, with sly in-jokes and movie references (catch theKing Konghomage when an enraged Demontague jumps on Gil's shoulders in "Blah Bawls"). The show only got better and funnier as its lone season unfolded, making its cancellation that much more keenly felt. AFamily Guy-type resurrection seems unlikely, but what about a Count Blah spinoff? Until then, this features-stuffed two-disc set, complete with clips from Greg's humble public-access beginnings, cast and in-character commentaries, behind-the-scenes segments, and a new Tardy featurette, will really sock it to you.--Donald Liebenson