Release Date: 9/4/07

The Show

I don’t know how David Spade does it. Between all the movies, the television series, and women, there always seems to always be some studio executive that thinks they need to shove him down our throats every other year. Now don’t get me wrong, I occasionally enjoy his work, but how the Hell does the smarmy little bastard keep landing leading roles? CBS’s Rules of Engagement is the latest to showcase Spade and his more than recognizable persona.

The series follows the everyday happenings of 2 couples and their chronically single friend, Russell (Spade). Of course, this is a sitcom, and you’re going to get both ends of the spectrums as far as the couples are concerned. Adam (Oliver Hudson) and Jennifer (Bianca Kajlich) are the newly engaged couple that is blind in love. Jeff (Patrick Warburton) and Audrey (Megyn Price) are the grizzled married couple that have a much more sinister take on the vows of marriage.

Like any other sitcom out there these days, the debut season of this series isn’t exactly ushering in anything new. However, it does make it up in the on screen chemistry department. Spade does his best to reprieve his nonchalant and self-deprecating role while I’m a fan of anything Warburton does in Television.

The DVD includes all 7 episodes from the first season with a Play All option found on each disc.
Disc 1
1. Pilot
2. The Birthday Deal
3. The Young and the Restless
4. Game On
5. Kids
6. Hard Day’s Night
7. Jeff’s Wooby

The DVD

The main menu looks nice with animated backgrounds and music. Submenus include silent stills.

The video is presented in 1.78:1 Anamorphic Widescreen Format. It may not be the best print out there, but it is definitely a step up from the original broadcast. The colors are vibrant and video errors are few and far between.

The audio is offered in English Dolby Digital 5.1. The rear speakers are very rarely used, but the dialogue comes off very clean from the center channel. Overall, this is a serviceable track.

The Extras

From Table Reading to Taping runs about 12-minutes and offers an interesting piece that splits the screen between the first cast read-through and the actual taping.

Set Tour with Oliver Hudson offers a quick 2-minute look backstage.

The bonus options round out with a 5-minute reel of Bloopers.

Final Thoughts

Rules of Engagement – The Complete First Season was entertaining, albeit a bit on the short side. However, all things considered, this DVD whets my palette very nicely for a second season. A rental will do you nicely because of the short season.

- Morris Tang