Impractical Jokers: The Complete First Season DVD Review

Number of discs: 2
Rated: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Warner Home Video
DVD Release Date: November 26, 2013
Run Time: 374 minutes

 

 

        I was a bit of a troublemaker when I was younger, mostly due to my overactive imagination and the inability to remain bored. When my physical situation is dull, I find my mind compensating with creative inspiration of endless amusement and less than traditional amusement. In other words, I would have fit right in with the guys of Impractical Jokers, despite the fact that they are fully grown and still amusing themselves through immature methods. The adult in me is somewhat embarrassed for these four grown men, while the kid in me is simply jealous of their job.

 

        The premise of the show is creative and unique, but at its barest essence “Impractical Jokers” is simply a hidden camera show which cares much more about the embarrassment of those aware of the cameras than the revelation that these unsuspecting people are being filmed. There isn’t even a ‘reveal’ section of the show, where we would typically see the victim’s reactions when they discover that they are on a television show. The dynamic lies far more with the four friends participating.

 

        What makes this show so engaging is the relationship between these four friends, who clearly did this kind of stuff long before there were cameras around to capture it. They provide challenges and dares for each other, all leading to some hilariously awkward social encounters. At the end of each episode a loser is chosen to complete one last embarrassing task. Some of the gags/tasks repeat throughout the season, but the hilarity varies with each unpredictable and unsuspecting participant pulled off the street. Sometimes it is as simple as a survey with embarrassing questions, and other times they are forced to get more hands on and sneaky. One of my favorite of the gags has the guys trying to take things from people’s carts at the grocery store.

 

        All seventeen season one episodes from this truTV hidden camera show are fit onto two DVDs, along with a surprising amount of extras. There are bonus skits and deleted scenes from the ones aired, along with plenty of behind-the-scenes footage. There is a featurette introducing the guys from the show, as well as a behind-the-scenes featurette and commentary tracks on five of the episodes.  

       

       

Entertainment Value: 10/10

Quality of Filmmaking: 7.5/10

Historical Significance: 7/10

Disc Features: 8/10