Men Behaving Badly - The Complete Series
Retrosexuals are back, baby, and between "Man Laws" and Rob Schneider's unaccountably successful film career, this short-lived 1996 Americanized remake of thepopular Britcomshould behave much better on DVD than it did in the Nielsen ratings. Schneider stars with Ron Eldard (ER) as Jamie and Kevin, childhood friends and roommates. Jamie puts the "id" in idiot with his Kramer-like body spasms and double takes whenever in the presence of a hot babe. He's the slacker type who uses underpants as a coffee filter and endangers an impending job interview so he can surreptitiously rummage through the belongings of his beautiful new neighbor who has unwisely given him her keys. "First impressions can be unfair," she tells him, "but you really seem like a jerk." That's an understatement. Kevin has a slightly more evolved attitude toward women (in the first episode, he queries whether sex is still consensual if his partner falls asleep during it). He at least has a girlfriend, Sarah (Justine Bateman ofFamily Ties). While the pathetic Jamie struggles just to get to first base, Kevin wrestles with his commitment issues. The situations are predictable (in one episode, Jamie pretends to have a child so he can date a single mother) as are many of the jokes. "They're tire models," Jamie states in one episode during a disastrous double date. "They're used to being rotated."). But you've got to admire Schneider's steadfast commitment to his rude muse without regard for audience empathy.Eldard and Bateman departed after the end of the first season, but hold those jumping sharks. Schneider took top billing and welcomed a new and equally stunted roommate, Steve (Ken Marino). Both were well matched with female foils. Dina Spybey, who has a young Goldie Hawn's ditzy charm, enjoys an expanded role as Jamie's neighbor, Brenda; Jenica Bergere is Steve's new girlfriend, Katie.Men Behaving Badlymay not rank in the "Must-See" pantheon, but especially for Schneider fans, it makes for great boys' night in viewing. Beer, chips, and supermodels not included.--Donald Liebenson