Digital Digest: DVD Updates for The Cleveland Show and The Middle; The Client List - The Complete First Season DVD Review

Saturday, March 02, 2013

Digital Digest: DVD Updates for The Cleveland Show and The Middle; The Client List - The Complete First Season DVD Review

Welcome to Digital Digest! This week, in addition to our news and regular features, we have a review of The Client List - The Complete First Season. Let's get going!

DIGITAL NEWS

The Cleveland Show didn't see a DVD release of the 2011-2012 season in the late summer as most series do, but it appears that fans can see such a release... perhaps right now! The Cleveland Show - The Complete Third Season is currently available to order from amazon.com, as a CreateSpace MOD item, but the information provided seems to indicate that it is actually already shipping. So we'd suggest that fans head on over today and order it. Even if it isn't shipping yet (and we believe that it is), you can still lock in a pre-order.

Another series that didn't see a DVD release of the previous season is The Middle... but according to TVShowsOnDVD.com, we'll be seeing that at some point in time. As for when, we don't know. Another article was posted today on the website indicating an October 1 release date, which may or may not be correct (it could be earlier than that).

UPCOMING WEEK PREVIEW

Tuesday (March 5) brings more "Payne" to DVD with Lionsgate's release of House of Payne - Volume 10. We hope to have a review of this set soon.

BLOG FEATURE REVIEW

Blog DVD Review: The Client List - The Complete First Season (Sony, $45.99)

by Pavan

The Client List, Sony Pictures Television's break-out dramatic series based on the highly popular 20120 Lifetime original movie, is now on DVD with the complete first season! All 10 episodes on a 3-disc DVD set, as well as outtakes and deleted scenes. Jennifer Love Hewitt stars in her sexiest role ever as Samantha Horton, a former Texas Homecoming Queen who always relied on her beauty and charm to navigate life, something her beautician mother Cassie (Golden Globe award winner Cybill Shepherd) taught her. But when the Horton family finds itself facing financial ruin, Samantha must take a job at a local massage parlor, only to discover it's a front for a high-end call girl operation - one so lucrative, she can't afford to turn it down. But when the parlor is raided, Samantha must either cooperate with police and give up her clients' identities, or lose everything she tried so hard to save. The Client List is an unforgettable descent into sex, seduction and a scandal that would change the lives of one small Texas town forever. In addition to Hewitt and Shepherd, the series also stars Loretta Devine, Colin Egglesfield, and Rebecca Field.

This is a great show with twists and turns. It's really not the same as the 2010 TV movie, but it is loosely based on it. The season has only 10 episodes and since it is serialized,you'll have to watch them all in order. Among the best episodes of the ten, is the series premiere "The Rub of Sugarland," where Riley Parks, a single mom from Texas, is left alone with her children after her husband Kyle abruptly leaves, so in financial trouble and desperate for a job, Riley gets hired at a massage parlor called The Rub and it's not long before she discovers that The Rub has a client list concerning men who expect "extras". In the very next episode, "Turn the Page," Riley finds the phone number of a woman from Kyle's past and begins to investigate her with the help of Lacey, meanwhile at the massage parlor, Riley meets an interesting client nicknamed The Camel, while Georgia takes all the girls out for drinks, where Riley discovers the fun side of her new job. In "The Cold Hard Truth," Georgia is worried that the police will raid the parlor, while Lacey finds out about what Riley really has been doing at the parlor and does not take the news well. In "Acting Up," Riley goes on her first date with Mark, while Dee Ann's relationship with a councilman gets her in hot water with Georgia, so she is then fired and Katie runs away while Riley is on her date and the episode ends with a shocker. In the season finale, "Past Is Prologue," Kyle returns home, but his homecoming is anything but warm, while Georgia goes on vacation and leaves Riley in charge of the parlor, which doesn't sit well with Selena, as Riley re-hires Dee Ann.

Guest stars include Brian Hallisay, Elisabeth Röhm, Sam Page, Greg Grunberg, Eric Mabius, Paul Dooley and Betty White. The episodes are all unedited as they were last season on Lifetime. Runtimes are as follows:

Disc 1:

1. "The Rub of Sugarland" (42:28)

2. "Turn the Page" (40:37)

3. "Tough Love" (41:59)

4. "Ring True" (41:37)

Disc 2:

5. "Try, Try Again" (42:11)

6. "The Cold Hard Truth" (41:50)

7. "Life of Riley" (41:05)

Disc 3:
8. "Games People Play" (40:59)
9. "Acting Up" (42:43)
10. "Past Is Prologue" (41:05)

The packaging for this set has a thin outer box holding a case. The cover art features Jennifer Love Hewitt in the famous shot of her in black lingerie in a black background. The Complete First Season mention is all thew way on the top, while Jennifer Love Hewitt The Client List logo is next to her image. The back has five episodic photos, including a big one of Jennifer giving a massage. There is also a synopsis of the series and DVD, along with a list of special features. The case has the same cover art and back as the box. Inside the case there is no artwork, just plain black. We have an insert on the right panel, with the same image of Jennifer in the black lingerie, saying for more information go to MyLifetime.com. The back of the insert has info on other Sony Pictures DVDs like Pan Am and Happy Endings. Anyway, back to the case, we have the discs all stacked up on the right panel. I'm not sure why Sony is stacking all the discs like this. They have done it lately on all of their DVDs it seems, like Happy Endings season two. It's easy to scratch or even break the disc when it is stacked. In fact, my Happy Endings disc three is messed up because of this. Each disc has the artwork of Hewitt in very sexy outfits, disc one has Hewitt in the black lingerie like the cover art, but I don't think anyone minds seeing this over and over again! Disc two has her even in a more seductive lingerie as she is lying down. And disc three has her in a nice grey outfit. Each disc has the series logo, the complete first season mention, disc number and what episode numbers on the disc.

The menus for this set are also seductive. The main menu has the same shot of Hewitt in that black lingerie in black background. No music is playing in the background, unfortunately. The options are: Play All Episodes, Episode Selections, Languages, and Special Features. For Languages, we have audio in English and Spanish, while you can also have subtitles in English, English SDH, French, Portuguese and Spanish. Special Features lists the extras available for each disc. And Episode Selections lists the episode titles available for each disc. For every episode except the premiere, you are sent to an episode menu where you can play the episode or play the episode with a recap. So essentially you can skip the 30-90 second or so recap before each episode. Each submenu has nice promotional photos and/or episodic photos. There are no scene selection menus, but we have chapter stops and there are about 7 (8 if you include the recap chapter) for each episode.

The video and audio quality on the set is obviously outstanding. We are presented the video in 1.78:1 Anamorphic Widescreen and the audio on 5.1 Dolby Digital. It's not Blu-ray quality of course, but this is a DVD set not Blu-ray. There is nothing to complain about at all here and fans will love watching 'Love' in all of the stunning outfits on DVD. We even have the closing credits on this set with the closing theme, as on Lifetime we didn't get that since they had promos during the credits. As mentioned, we have chapter stops for each episode.

The set includes all deleted scenes and outtakes. On disc one, we have seven Deleted Scenes (total of 5:58). You can play them all at once or select each individually. Unfortunately, there is no mention of what episodes the deleted scenes are from. The video quality obviously is not as good as the actual episode. They are fun to watch, of course, but I wish we knew exactly what episode they are form. For some of them, you can tell, though. On disc two, we have "Outtakes" (3:40). This is fun to watch! Also on disc two, we have four more Deleted Scenes (total of 2:47). And finally, on disc three, we have eight more Deleted Scenes (total of 9:53) and Previews of other Sony Pictures DVDs (all movies).

This is a great series and set. The set is not perfect, but the episodes and audio/video are. I wish we had more special features, like promos, interviews and audio commentary. Deleted scenes and outtakes are great, but I felt like we needed more than that. Even the 2010 TV movie would have been a nice special feature. Or just images of Jennifer Love Hewitt from this show would have been amazing. The packaging is good, I just wish the discs were not stacked up on each other (and has artwork inside the case). The menus were easy too navigate and the design was great. If you haven't watched this show, now is your chance. It's only 10 episodes and the series returns next Sunday (March 10) for a second season on Lifetime. This time, we will have 15 episodes! I have watched the season premiere screener already and it is great! We are filled with lots of twists and turns that you won't see coming regarding Riley and Kyle, Riley and Evan and Riley and the The Rub. You'll also have more sultry scenes with Jennifer Love Hewitt at The Rub. You don't need to be from Sugar Land or Texas to enjoy this series, so click below and order this DVD for a virtual rub!

(4/5 stars)

To purchase this DVD, click below and help support SitcomsOnline.com:
Amazon.com

Related links:
SitcomsOnline.com DVD Reviews Page
The Client List on TV.com

FOLLOW ME

Who to Follow: Drew Carey (Twitter), "Also, @TPIRHost for Price Is Right tweets"

Claim to Fame: While he started out as a standup comedian, Carey has had an interesting "golden road" (if you'll pardon the pun) to fame. In the '90s, he was the star of the ABC sitcom The Drew Carey Show, while also hosting the US version of Whose Line is it Anyway? Today, he continues his journey of success as the host of the long running CBS game show The Price is Right.

Why You Should Follow Him: Despite being the host of a game show... people who are often a bit corny... make no mistake: Drew is a comedian. Many sitcom fans grew to love him on his sitcom, and while that series has become somewhat a faded memory in light of his more recent successes, it was still a big part of who he is. Reading his Twitter feed brings out the comedian inside of him, which he has somewhat downplayed on The Price is Right. Simply put, comedians are the most fun to follow on Twitter, and Drew is no exception.

Pick of the Tweets: "I really have to question whether following sports is healthy for ones spirituality. Because lately it just makes me hate people." (November 18, 2012)

That's all for this week. Until next time, keep it digital!

Sitcoms Airing Tonight

Wednesday, September 18

The Goldbergs - "Breakin'" (ABC, 8:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
When Adam unintentionally lets it slip that Barry never completed his community service requirement, the brothers join together to throw the greatest breakdancing battle in the history of William Penn. Geoff’s stress levels are at an all-time high, so Erica makes an adult decision and plans for them to follow the Grateful Dead all summer. Finally, it’s the end of an era when the JTP graduates from high school.

Schooled - "Dr. Barry" (ABC, 8:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
After initially trying to sabotage him, CB works with Barry and the JTP to help him win back Lainey’s heart. Meanwhile, Glascott faces removal as principal after a prank damages William Penn Academy.

Modern Family - "A Year of Birthdays" (ABC, 9:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
As the birth of Haley and Dylan’s twins approaches, we take a look back at how each family member celebrated their birthdays this past year.

Single Parents - "Ketchup" (ABC, 9:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
After learning that Angie’s ex Derek (played by Adam Brody) lives near Space Camp, Will convinces Angie to confront him about leaving her when she was pregnant, which results in a rowdy and awkward encounter between the three of them. Meanwhile, Poppy internally struggles with who she truly has romantic feelings.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of September 16)

Wednesday, September 18

Zach Galifianakis (Baskets) - Watch Zach on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Lake Bell (Bless This Mess/Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp/How to Make It in America) - Lake drops by Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Nick Kroll (The League/Cavemen) - Nick is a guest on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
Billy Crystal (The Comedians/Soap) - Billy visits The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
Chelsea Handler (Are You There, Chelsea?) - Chelsea appears on Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC. She chats with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
Sara Gilbert (The Conners/Roseanne/Bad Teacher/Twins) - Sara is a guest on Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC. She also talks about The Conners on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9m, on LIVE! with Kelly and Ryan (check your listings), on the BUILD Series at 11:15am and on ABC's Strahan, Sara & Keke at 1pm.
Tracee Ellis Ross (black-ish/Girlfriends) - Tracee stops by A Little Late with Lilly Singh at 1:35am on NBC. She will also be on The Real, so check your local listings.
Jim Gaffigan (The Jim Gaffigan Show/My Boys/Welcome to New York) and Fred Armisen (Los Espookys/Forever) - Jim and Fred are panelists on Lights Out with David Spade at 11:30pm on Comedy Central.
Billy Gardell (Bob Hearts Abishola/Mike & Molly) and Folake Olowofoyeku (Bob Hearts Abishola) - Billy and Folake are guests on People Now at 12pm.
Sophia Bush (Partners) - Sophia talks about the and especially you podcast on Access Live, so check your local listings.
Sarah Jessica Parker (Divorce/Sex and the City/Square Pegs) - Sarah will be on NBC's Today in the 10am hour.
Jamie Lee Curtis (Scream Queens/Anything But Love) - Jamie Lee and the cast of Knives Out are guests on NBC's Today in the 10am hour.