Rules of Engagement is a television situational comedy (sitcom) about five friends: one married couple, one engaged couple, and their bachelor friend. The show focuses on their daily lives, as they go through common sitcom scenarios dealing with relationships, single life, marital problems, and job related issues. The series was a mid-season replacement with seven episodes in its first season. Season two has fifteen episodes, which was shortened because of the Writers' Guild Strike. For more details about this series, please refer to DVD Talk's reviews of season one and season two.

For a sitcom, Rules of Engagement brings nothing new to the table. However, it is still a grade above the rest. What makes it such a compelling sitcom is the cast. Notably, it stars David Spade, Patrick Warburton, and Megyn Price. Spade plays the perverted bachelor-for-life Russell. Spade is great in his role and fits the character almost too perfectly. He brings a lot of silly potty- and sex-oriented humor to the show. Warburton and Price make for a perfect married couple, Jeff and Audrey. Price is exceptional as a married woman who has been through a lot with her manly husband. The other two main cast members Oliver Hudson and Bianca Kajlich as Adam and Jennifer are decent. They help to balance out the rest of the cast as the young, recently engaged couple. Nevertheless, Rules of Engagement is an enjoyable sitcom with laughs at every corner.

In season two, the cast gets into some pretty fun situations. The season kicks off with "Flirting with Disaster". While at the local diner, Russell hits on the new waitress. Unfortunately, his advances are spurned when Adam flirts with her. Adam is convinced he still has the right stuff to attract pretty girls. The situation turns hairy when Adam gets in over his head and thinks she might be a little too fond of him. "Audrey's Sister" is another fun episode, which sets a nice storyline involving Russell and Audrey's sister Barbara (guest star Heather Locklear). Barbara is having marital problems and Audrey fears Russell is getting too close to her. This fun storyline concludes in "Fix Ups & Downs", which has a shocking development for Russell -- real feelings.

In "Time Share", Jeff gets a great deal on a vacation. The catch is that it is at a time share property. He invites Adam and Jennifer; hiding the facts it is a time share and he gets in free for bringing them. When the truth comes out, Jeff is faced with paying the full fare for the weekend when Adam refuses to go to the sales pitch. It is a goofy episode with Jeff against Audrey, Adam, and Jennifer. "Mr. Fix It" is another episode worth mentioning. Adam and Jennifer make a sex tape, which goes horribly wrong. While I am not too fond of them as characters, they give excellent performances putting together and watching their sex tape.

As for the rest of the season, there remaining episodes are also very entertaining. Each episode offers hilarity with Spade, Wartburn, and Price at the top of their game. These three performers are exceptionally funny and carry each joke with grace. When it boils down to is that Rules of Engagement's second season should not be missed. If you enjoy solid humor with potty- and sex-oriented jokes, this relationship-focused drama will be right up your alley. The only negative about the season is the short bill of fifteen episodes. Nevertheless, it is very entertaining and worth every minute.

Episode Guide

1. Flirting With Disaster: Adam tries to out flirt Russell with the sexy waitress at the diner and Jennifer finds out. Jeff's snoring pushes him to the guest bedroom, which he turns into a college dorm.
2. Audrey's Sister: Audrey's sister Barbara is having marriage problems and during her visit enjoys Russell's sexual advances, to Audrey's disgust.
3. Mr. Fix It: When Jeff tries to fix Audrey's problem with a neighbor, he gets into more trouble. Jennifer and Adam's homemade sex tape proves disastrous.
4. Guy Code: Audrey convinces Jeff to make new friends and then learns about "guy code" when Jeff reveals a dirty little secret.
5. Bag Ladies: Jeff's interest in a spicier sex life excites Audrey. Adam is given a new "handbag" from Jennifer. Russell finds out his new girlfriend's secret.
6. Old School Jeff: Jeff and Adam get a free night out while the ladies attend a wedding. It'll be an old school night to remember!
7. Engagement Party: Jennifer and Adam trick Audrey into throwing them a party so they can get new gifts for their apartment. Russell sees Barbara again, who's single and ready to mingle.
8. Fix Ups & Downs: "Matchmakers" Audrey and Jennifer fix up a friend, and it affects Adam and Jeff. Russell won't leave the building now that he's fallen in love with a gorgeous stranger who may live there.
9. A Visit From Fay: Jennifer learns a little too much about her soon-to-be mother-in-law when she visits. When the cable TV goes out, Jeff and Audrey have to actually relate to each other.
10. Time Share: Jeff convinces Audrey to take a "cheap" vacation. When Adam and Jennifer join them for the weekend, they find out why they were really invited.
11.Jen At Work: Jennifer gets a freelance gig designing an ad campaign for Adam. Russell and Jeff warn him that it's a bad idea. Jeff has to deal with fertility issues after Audrey tells everybody.
12. Optimal Male: To qualify for a better life insurance rate, Jeff needs to lose ten pounds. When Adam runs into an ex-girlfriend, Jennifer gets angry and then tries to make him jealous.
13. Russell's Father's Son: Russell's father and boss visits the office and has Adam "play" Russell for a promotional video. Jeff and Audrey become upset with Adam and Jen when they share their bathroom once too often.
14. Buyer's Remorse: Jeff and Audrey try to recommend Adam and Jennifer to the board when an apartment in their building becomes available. Jeff's co-worker's kids won't leave him alone. Russell's one-night-stand is now working at the diner.
15. Pimp My Bride: Russell loans out his apartment to Audrey for a wedding photo shoot and gets to pick the bride. Jeff buys a really cool car and cruises with Jennifer.

The DVD

Video:
The video in this release is given in an anamorphic 1.78:1 ratio widescreen color format. The picture quality is quite good. It suffers from a slight grain, but detail remains to be sharp and clear. However, there are moments when the picture suffers noticeable compression artifacts. Overall, the picture is relatively clean and should look good on big screen televisions.

Audio:
The audio in this release is given in English 5.1 Dolby digital surround sound. Overall, the sound quality is very good, providing an audible and clean audio track. The majority of activity is in the forward channels. There is support for closed captioning.

Extras:

• Bloopers (4:15): are included that features the cast messing up during filming and acting goofy.
• Minispodes: are condensed version of television episodes. Two are included for NewsRadio "Look Who's Talking" and Diff'rent Strokes "Short But Sweet".

Final Thoughts:
Rules of Engagement is a sitcom about five individuals, their relationships, and a little professionalism. The sitcom deals offers nothing new in terms of content, as the situations the cast typically gets into is common to other shows, but the cast has three exceptional individuals. These individuals provide the show with rich comedy that will leave you laughing and wanting more. Overall, Rules of Engagement's second season is solid and worth watching.