The DVD Dissection: My Name is Earl – Season Three
Posted by Chad Webb on 10.22.2008
With Earl behind bars, how is the quality of season three affected?
Earl Hickey: Jason Lee
Randy Hickey: Ethan Suplee
Jaime Pressly: Joy Turner
Nadine Velazquez: Catalina
Eddie Steeples: Darnell Turner
Louis T. Moyle: Dodge
Trey Carlisle: Earl Jr.
Noah Crawford: Young Earl
Beau Bridges: Carl Hickey
Nancy Lenehan: Kay Hickey
Created By: Gregory Thomas Garcia
Series Directed By: Marc Buckland, Eyal Gordin, and others
Series Written By: Gregory Thomas Garcia, and others
DVD Release Date: September 30, 2008
DVD Running Time: 462 minutes
Not Rated
The Show
My Name is Earl is an American sitcom that stemmed from the brain of Greg Garcia. While it is produced by 20th Century Fox, it airs on NBC on Thursday evenings. The show is currently running its fourth season.
The premise of the show begins with Earl Hickey as a paltry crook who has had sporadic encounters with the police. He wins $100,000 on a lottery ticket, but is promptly hit by a car, and loses it. While lying in bed, he is introduced to the concept of karma by watching Last Call with Carson Daly. Earl decides he wants to turn his life around, so he makes a list of all the bad things he has done, and proceeds to cross them off one by one. Following his first good deed, he finds his lottery ticket, and sees this as a sign he is doing correctly.
The main characters obviously begin with Earl, the protagonist and narrator. His brother Randy is always tagging along with him. Randy is a dimwitted, but sweet person. Joy Turner is Earl’s aggressive ex-wife. She has been pregnant 3 times during the show. She is now married to Crabman, a.k.a. Darnell Turner, a.k.a Harry Monroe. He is a smart, yet calm person that works at the Crab Shack. He arrived at Camden by accident through the Witness Protection Program. Last but not least is Catalina, the attractive Latin American immigrant who is employed as a maid at the hotel Earl and Randy live at, plus as a stripper at Club Chubby.
At the end of the first season Earl tackles #1 on his list, which involved $10 he stole from a guy at the Camden market. Camden is the fictional town the show takes place in by the way. He used that money to buy his lottery ticket. In season two, Joy steals a delivery truck, and Earl helps her get rid of it. She is caught, and her punishment drags on for the rest of the season. Other significant moments have Catalina, getting deported South. Earl and Randy rescue her, which ends with Randy marrying her for a green card back to the States. Earl then tries to 1) get his G.E.D., 2) get a real job, and 3) get a real place to live in. He accomplishes these items, but at the end of the season falsely confesses his guilt to Joy’s crime so she can raise her children.
I have been a casual fan of My Name is Earl since the pilot advertisements started. Granted, I do not watch television religiously each week, but I do catch up on DVD. The plot immediately grabbed my attention, not to mention the fact that Jason Lee was the star. I had been a loyal follower of his during all of his Kevin Smith films, and was happy to see him on a hit series. The same goes for Ethan Suplee, a gifted actor that no one bothered to notice until his role as Randy. For Jaime Pressly, it was the big break she needed to prove her talents above Poison Ivy: The New Seduction.
As for praise, the characters are brilliantly crafted, and the plot of the show remains true to the original concept, yet switches gears when it is necessary. Plus, the humor ranges from many different types. The slapstick is hilarious, but the subtle references in many of the lines are terrific as well. It is mature comedy, but I do think kids at a certain age could watch and not be corrupted by some of the more adult jokes. While some episodes are marvelous in terms of uniqueness, others go overboard with the silliness. That is a minor flaw though. The main one rests with the pacing and arc of the seasons. I fully believe that the writers have a set outline for the season, but when it comes time to elaborate on the details, they discover gaps that need filled. We then receive storylines that are stretched out to maximum length, or ones that are noticeably filler as a bridge to the next storyline. I’ll point out those episodes in this season.
I did not foresee the conclusion of this third season. It was pleasantly creative. Another aspect that Earl flourishes at is the guest stars (with 1 exception). Most sitcoms have guests, but the majority uses them just because they can. Earl acquires performers that fit the universe, and this augments the quality of the episodes. For instance, Ben Foster appears in the pilot of season 3, and he was perfect for his role, as were Giovanni Ribisi, and D.J. Qualls. Overall, season three is fantastic, aside from “The Hickey’s” segments which are simply irritating and pointless excess.
The Episodes
DISC 1
My Name is Inmate #28301-016 (Parts 1 & 2) - Earl learns that prison life is going to be difficult. Meanwhile Randy is having trouble getting along without Earl, so Joy and Darnell take him in. Earl then encounters one of the people on his list, Glen. He was a boy scout, and Earl ruined that, so now he must help him get his badges back. The invisible trick was funny, as were the various shivs, and Ben Foster was outstanding as Glen. Excellent opener. 8/10
Gangs of Camden County - Earl meets the Warden (Craig T. Nelson), who recruits Earl as a peacekeeper between two rival gangs. Earl finds out the leaders are lovers. At the same time, Randy finds ways to break into prison with Earl. Craig T. Nelson was priceless in his episodes. The hidden homosexuality was just funny as hell here also. 7.5/10
The Frank Factor - Earl reunites with an old friend named Frank (Michael Rapaport). While reminiscing, they recall how Joy, Earl, and Randy met. It also shows how Darnell and Catalina came to Camden. Michael Rapaport was another spot-on guest star. The story of Earl and Randy sleeping in his kitchen was great, as was Frank hosing his “sweet spots” with the kitchen sink water. This had some intriguing prequel tales to make for a solid episode. 8/10
Creative Writing - The prison holds a creative writing class, and Earl can’t think of anything to write. Everyone else can though, and we watch the realization of Randy, Joy, Darnell, and Catalina’s writing. This was comical, but an obvious filler episode, so that was a tad annoying. 7/10
Frank’s Girl - Before Frank can make it to a conjugal visit with his girlfriend Billie (Alyssa Milano), he gets punished. When Earl relays the message, Billie breaks up with Frank, and Earl feels guilty. Alyssa Milano, looking sexy as ever in that cop outfit, was another superb guest. This was the first flawless episode of the season. The Warden’s conjugal poster was uproarious, as were the online dates, and the naked billboard pic. 10/10
DISC 2
Our Other Cops is On! (Parts 1 & 2) - During Randy’s guard duties, an episode of Cops airs involving himself and Earl. Kenny’s hatred of Earl is caught on camera. The first stab at this premise was hilarious, but this was overkill, particularly because it was unnecessarily stretched into two parts. The cops provided some humor, but this was the weakest of the season. 6.5/10
Randy in Charge (…Of Our Days and Our Nights) - Earl thinks Randy is not right for the job of prison guard. This causes them to fight over who is in charge while Earl is locked up. Meanwhile, one convict escapes when Randy takes a group of them out for ice cream. We see Randy with a mustache in this episode, which is worth the time alone. 9/10
Midnight Bun - Joy has grown impatient with the birth of her baby, and asks Darnell to help the process. At the same time, Frank remains on the run searching for his hidden loot, and Catalina plays babysitter to Joy’s kids. This is just a brilliant episode from start to finish with great bits involving a bean bag gun and Crabman’s labor induced drug. 10/10
Burn Victim - Earl has helped the Warden with numerous tasks, which has resulted with Earl having only 6 months left in his sentence. The Warden recruits Earl to assist with a program that mediates the situation between an inmate and their victim. Earl chooses someone who ran a meth lab, which burned down his parents’ house. This has Shawn Hatosy as a guest, and he was pretty fair. Joy’s prom, the Warden’s hijincks, and so on make this another marvelous 22 minutes. 9/10
Early Release - Earl finally cashes in on all his certificates worth months off his sentence. This is the day he gets out, but unfortunately the Warden has destroyed all of his certificates. This makes Earl angry, so the Warden puts him in solitary confinement. I never could have anticipated this ending, and what a shame that it was Craig T. Nelson’s last episode. Also, Randy’s slow-motion hug made me laugh till my sides hurt. 9/10
DISC 3
Bad Earl - The things Earl witnessed in prison has him holding a grudge against karma. He reverts back to his old ways, and grows more frustrated when he sees Ralph living wonderfully due to conning an old lady. This is one of those storylines that is funny on paper, but translates as somewhat silly on screen. This was a good episode, and I thought it was smart to have karma confuse Earl, but this has some eye-rolling moments. 8/10
I Won’t Die with a Little Help from My Friends (Parts 1 & 2) - After Earl is hit by Billie’s car, she is then hit as well. Both end up in a coma with Earl entering an alternate reality in his head as a sitcom entitled “The Hickey’s.” In real life, the doctor rejects Earl, causing Randy, Joy, and Darnell to steal an ambulance in an effort to transport him to the hospital. Earl’s stretcher is then bumped to the front of a lady’s (Jane Lynch) 18 wheeler. After he eventually arrives at the hospital, Randy brings in a healing boy in hopes that Earl will magically awaken. A lot happens in this two-parter, but this was a good idea taken and abused until it became a bad idea. The dream sitcom was just stupid. Why? Because it meant nothing. It wasn’t funny. It was just there. It didn’t even have a storyline that made you wait for the next segment. Also, the healing boy and the truck driver were exaggerated characters that seemed odd even in Camden. Paris Hilton also popped in to deliver a one word line? Nevertheless, I still found ways to semi-enjoy myself. 6.0/10
Stole a Motorcycle - Randy realizes that each attempt to cross an item off Earl’s list makes his health improve. He picks one concerning a stolen motorcycle from the American Chopper guys. The way they retraced Randy and Earl’s steps made this tolerable. Plus Randy creates the word “terrhurtsible.” Otherwise, this coma storyline continues to be stretched out to exhaustion. 7/10
No Heads and a Duffle Bag - Randy and Joy continue tackling items on Earl’s list. They come to one where Earl’s parents try to go on vacation, but can’t due to an airport delay. When they return to the house, they discover a bag of marijuana. The drug dealer tracks them down and holds them at gunpoint. This has a few comical moments, but was below average overall. 6.5/10
Killerball - Randy decides long-term care is not the answer, so he chooses to take responsibility of Earl himself, much to the chagrin of Joy and Darnell. Randy and Earl then go to another list item. The wet willy trick was funny, and the kids who had the best vacations were interesting, but again this was average, and thankfully ended Earl’s coma. 7.5/10
DISC 4
Love Octagon - With Earl awake from his coma, he knows that he must find Billie, but his only source to locate her is Frank. Meanwhile, Billie is being shipped around by the same ex-cop who struck her. Also, Joy and Darnell move into the Crabshack because their trailer is still turned on its side from the events in "Bad Earl." This was like a mini There’s Something About Mary, but it worked, and the ending was satisfying. 9/10
Girl Earl - Earl and Billie begin their new relationship, so Billie creates a list of her own (on pink paper). Both have the same grocery bagger (Jon Heder) they previously stole from. While attempting to make up for the deed, Earl notices a different side of Billie. Jon Heder was actually very funny in this episode, but by this point, you sense that Billie will not be around forever. 8.5/10
The Camdenites (Parts 1 & 2) - Earl wants his relationship with Billie to work, so he follows his father’s way and spends as much time working as possible so he doesn’t have to see her. Sadly, Billie grows annoyed with Earl’s list work, and forces him to choose between her and the list. As Earl discovers that he must work on the items involving females for karma to put Billie in a good mood, Billie starts undoing all of Earl’s finished list numbers. This was unpredictable, but not the conclusion I would have wanted. I enjoyed Alyssa Milano’s stint on the series, in addition to her chemistry with Jason Lee. She should have stayed on. It is worth mentioning that her character should have been defined better. When the writers wanted us to like her, she was pretty and nice, but then suddenly, she becomes a criminal and is controlling. Still, Milano heals the wounds from the writing staff with her charm. 8.5/10
The Video
Luckily, the episodes in Camden are almost always bright, sunny, and colorful. My Name is Earl has a lot offer in terms of visuals because you never know what you will see in the trailer park, the Crabshack, or in this case, the prison. I detected very few visual defects such as grain soft spots, or any derivation thereof. But as I’ve stated before, this is a television DVD, and no one buys it for the picture quality. As long as it is sufficiently clear, we are golden. The anamorphic 1.78:1 transfer is exceptional and sharp.
The Audio
The sound department is adequate. What more can I really say? You won’t have lots of explosions to give the speakers a workout, but the music utilized resonates warmly with strong bass. All the characters were perfectly understandable and lucid with no distortion. This set includes an English Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround audio with subtitles in English, Spanish, and French.
The Packaging
My Name is Earl – Season 3 is distributed in a cardboard box with two slim holding cases inside that house 2 discs each. This means they are not sturdily kept in there. A sheet of paper, advertising other Fox DVD sets is inserted. The menus are clips from various episodes, not always on that specific disc, but whatever. They are super easy to navigate.
The Extras
Deleted Scenes (9:44) - These scenes come from all four discs. They are the only extras available on the first 3 discs. The scenes are from the following episodes: “Frank’s Girl”, “Our Other Cops is On!”, “I Won’t Die with a Little Help from My Friends”, “Stole a Motorcycle”, “No Heads and a Duffle Bag”, “Killerball”, and “Girl Earl.” The best scene has Joy yelling “Germans!” at an old guy. Otherwise they were excluded for obvious reasons.
Those Guys from Those Episodes: Creating the Characters (14:03) – Basically this is a short featurette on the supporting to minor characters within Earl’s universe and the town of Camden. People such as One-Eyed Willie the Mailman (Ethan Suplee's father), Iqball, Tim Stack, Nescobar, and Didi are discussed. I would have to say Tim Stack is my favorite only because I used to watch his late night shows all the time.
Under the Shell: The Mr. Turtle Commentary (19:15) – This is Darnell’s turtle giving us voice-over commentary on every scene he is in from the first season. That’s right, and it lasts nearly 20 minutes. I’m sorry. I like this show, but this was the most worthless pile of garbage bonus feature I have ever watched.
Gag Reel (7:42) – Gotta love these. They always provide entertainment.
The Show: 8.0/10.0
The Episodes: 7.5/10.0
The Video: 8.5/10.0
The Audio: 8.0/10.0
The Packaging: 7.5/10.0
The Extras: 5.5/10.0
The 411: I had been trying to allocate time to catch up on My Name is Earl for awhile now, and this gave the shove I needed. I enjoy this show immensely. It is very adeptly constructed in so many ways, yet so sloppily executed in others. This season is a superb example of both. The guest stars, with the exception of Paris Hilton, were integrated wonderfully. The storylines began strong, but quickly took a nosedive during Earl’s coma. Had they thought of ways to fill the gaps other than the ridiculous “Hickey’s” sitcom lampoon, the season might have been better. Overall though, this is an outstanding form of escapist TV entertainment. You know you’ll receive a laugh or two when you watch this show. The technical specifications are passable, but the extras section is lacking for sure. Not one commentary is given compared to the previous season sets. My advice is to rent this, unless you are a hardcore Earl fan. If you are, you’ve already bought this anyway.
