Let me say, right off the bat, that I hate reality television. In fact, I've never watched a complete episode of a true reality show since the first season of "The Real World" (though I did watch "Meet the Marks," which was faked as well.) I tend to feel like there's no reason to watch wanna-be actors live their so-called "real" lives, when I haven't lived my life fully yet. But I try to keep my knowledge of pop culture up-to-date, and I know how you get voted off the Island and why you get "fired." So though I put this DVD set through its paces with my bias against reality TV in tact, I know where "Joe Schmo" is coming from.

So when, within the first 10 minutes, I found my eyes locked on the TV, I was pretty surprised. The premise is simple: an average guy is selected to compete against a group of people on the reality show "Lap of Luxury," with the chance to win $100,000. But everyone on the show, outside of the star, is an actor, with every bit of the show staged and manipulated. But as the story progresses, the real behavior of the star, in his successes and failures, influences the ad-libbing of the actors, and in turn everything becomes more "real." Of course, the whole thing could be a scam on the audience, which also works.

The idea is terrific, with opportunities for comedy and drama all over the place, and the format is perfect. The show is well-edited, melding the behind-the-scenes footage, actor interviews and "the show" seamlessly. Of course, it wouldn't work without a star that people can like. Matt Kennedy Gould is that man. Though it's obvious this law-school dropout has seen quite a few reality shows and plays his "part" following the usual reality TV script, his unguarded reactions and actions are genuine, and his "confessionals" are honest and priceless. Pretty much anyone could be a friend of Matt's. He's just a good guy.

As you watch each episode, the rigged challenges Matt goes through make it easier and easier to empathize with him, while the ways in which the actors nearly blow their cover raise the stakes. It's hard for an actor to stay in character for a single taping, but to do so 24 hours a day is nearly impossible. But each one has their stereotypical character, from the gay guy, to the virgin, to the schemer, and though it's obviously over the top, they also do a great job keeping their gamefaces on. As they get to know Matt better, though, it gets harder for them to lie to him (unless that's an act too.) It's ironic that a faked show can produce such seemingly real moments.

Eliminations take place, the challenges get crazier and Matt's sanity becomes frayed. During the eliminations, he looks like he's going to suffer a breakdown, with red, teary eyes and a quivering lip. There's only eight episodes, but the story is interesting, and doesn't drag on too long. My biggest problem with it was when it went too deep into "the show," taking the story seriously. When "Joe Schmo" is at its best, it focuses on fooling Matt, which fortunately, it does most of the time. And while the ending has been criticized, even by the show's creator, it's appropriate when you consider the star of the show.

This was one of SpikeTV's biggest hits, and the "First Network for Men" has its fingerprints all over it, with bikinis, topless ladies and the challenge known as "Hands on a High-Priced Hooker." But though this is the "uncensored" version of the show, it's not entirely uncut. Male nudity (including some tiny ass snapshots) is blurred and pixelated, and there's some unexplained bleeping. Breasts though are fair game (except for those belonging to the main actresses (and one actor), as is faux lesbianism, so the tit-ilation is high throughout. If you're looking for a cheap thrill, there's plenty here, including a chocolate-covered model lick-off (just picture it). (Note: Despite the focus on T&A, this is not a show just for guys. My wife walked through the room as I was reviewing, and she got hooked immediately, and watched an entire episode, even though she was heading to bed.)

With the show's popularity, a second season was created, though it's questionable if a second go-round can be as interesting, a problem most reality shows face. The same thing goes for the DVDs. Once you watch the whole first season, and you see all the twists and know how it ends, will you want to watch it again? It's definitely entertaining, but this is likely a one-watch wonder, unless you really enjoyed the show (or the nudity.)

THE DVDS

This three-disc set comes packaged in three clear ThinPak cases, housed inside a cardboard slipcase. This is my preferred packaging, as it allows the designer to really use each case's insert to its highest impact. Each case features three cast member mini-bios on the outside, and episode descriptions on the inside.

The first disc opens with a Paramount DVD menu, that allows you to either view the disc's preview (for Comedy Central's "Reno 911"), or go to the main menu. Going to the animated menu (which is designed around the show's TV logo), you can choose an episode, and then choose from either 12 (on the premiere and finale) or 6 chapter stops. A Play All option is also available on the first two discs. The third disc's menu includes the show's signature line over an animation of the mansion.

The eight episodes come spaced out over three discs, with three on the first, four on the second and the finale on the third (along with the extras). The premiere and finale are two hours each, while the remaining six are an hour long each. There's no subtitles available, and each episode has only a stereo soundtrack. The presentation of each episode of the show is very nice, with all bumpers left in tact, and complete credits included.

THE QUALITY

These episodes are presented in their original full-screen format, with bright colors and clean video. For a basic cable TV show, you couldn't ask more from these DVDs. Flesh tones are dead-on...its very impressive work. Sure, they saturate each and every room with lamps and overhead lights, but that only goes so far. These discs go the extra mile. When blown up on big screen TVs, it's no less fantastic. There are some scenes where the video is either grainy or blurry, but that's due to the source footage, which was captured on different cameras and in different settings.

The sound, done in simple broadcast stereo, does the job, with the audio mix handling music and dialogue well. Occasionally, blasts of noise occur, due to the microphones on each actor getting hit or brushed against. Otherwise, it's all good.

THE EXTRAS

The bonus features for "The Joe Schmo Show" are saved for the final disc, with a decent amount for a show of its popularity. The final episode is like a special feature section unto itself, as it includes tons of behind the scenes footage, including info on the casting process. But as far as the true bonus features go, they kick off with an audio commentary on (half of) the finale, featuring show creator Rhett Reese and star Matt Kennedy Gould.

For a pseudo-reality TV show, the commentary is surprisingly in-depth, touching on topics as diverse as the guilt the creators felt while making the show to feeling like an idiot while watching it to dating one's co-stars. Reese acts as an unofficial moderator for the track, prodding Gould for information, while throwing in his own memories and thoughts as well. There are some quiet moments, as Reese files through his brain for things to talk about, but as a whole it's an entertaining track, especially for Reese's insights into the morals of reality television and Gould's thoughts on being played for a fool on national TV. Fortunately, instead of stretching things out, and talking about the same topics covered in the "aftermath" half of the finale, they end when the "show" ends.

An extended and uncensored behind-the-scenes portion from episode five's "Chocolate Sauce on Models" sequence presents some of the most boring nudity ever committed to videotape, while we also get a deeper look at the preparation of the gross food challenge from the sixth episode. During the commentary, Reese alludes to the unglamorous nature of TV production, and the chocolate scene confirms it. The painting of these girls goes on forever, and despite the models' attempts to sex it up, it's not all that interesting.

The gross food segment, despite a distinct lack of nudity, is much more entertaining, though definitely short. The crew behind the disgusting entrees explains how each plate was created, from the whale blubber to the testicles to the "canine feces." Interviews with the cast about the food would have been a nice touch.

Five uncensored deleted scenes are included as well, along with footage from the eviction ceremonies that was not shown on TV, each with a Play All option. Among the excised scenes are a comedic breakdown by Gould, a planning session on how the Virgin should lose her virginity, a badly faked fish story by the gay guy, a tale of mall security, and a silly theme song created by two of the characters. Gould's freak-out is the best of the bunch, though each has its charm.

The eviction footage includes a post-vote interview with the actor, getting their real thoughts on the show and their storyline, and a message from Gould to the evicted, which shows just how deep into the game he was. Some of the interview footage was incorporated into the finale, but its all worth a look. The only downside is the studio logos that play at the end of each segment. It's extremely repetitive and unnecessary.

THE WRAP-UP

Though it gets viewed by many in the same way some of SpikeTV's lesser projects do, this show is one of the best-executed ideas on TV. And now, as the first output from SpikeTV DVD (why not SpikeDVD?), "The Joe Schmo Show" gets the line off to a good start. People who skipped this show because of it's "man ghetto" location on the channel line-up, would be well served to check this set out. Watching the show in an uncut version, without commercials and in its best possible quality, can only increase your enjoyment of this original show. If you enjoyed it on TV, it's worth picking up on DVD. For the rest of you, a rental isn't a bad way to get to know "Joe," unless you can find it for well below the $50 suggested retail price.

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*The Reviewer's Bias section is an attempt to help readers use the review to its best effect. By knowing where the reviewer's biases lie on the film's subject matter, one can read the review with the right mindset.