The Drew Carey Show: The Complete Series
review by Bobby Blakey
While we still have plenty of TV sitcoms they don’t seem as dominant in the TV market as they were throughout the 70s-90s. Before taking on the full-time roll of host of the Price Is Right or hosting talk shows, Drew Carey and Craig Ferguson both starred in the hit series The Drew Carey Show that ran from 1995 to 2004. The series features a great cast including Diedrich Bader, Christa Miller, Ryan Stiles, Kathy Kinney, John Carroll Lynch, Cynthia Watros, and many more throughout its nine seasons. Now to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the series Warner Bros is bringing series home in an all-new box set.
The Drew Carey Show follows an average, single, every guy struggling to stay financially and romantically afloat in an unpredictable era. Whether he’s getting roped into a hilarious prank war with his buddies or trying to survive the outrageous of his nemesis, Mimi, Drew and his mishaps will keep you entertained. This average Joe’s life is anything but ordinary!
While I love this series I must admit I was late to the party. I never watched it during its original run but instead got locked into the reruns in syndication. I
used to watch it every day in the afternoon and still find myself watching it if I came across it channel surfing. (I know I am old) I am so glad to have this set now so I could sit down and hit the series from beginning to end as opposed to just random and all over the place as I had originally experienced it.
This show is still hilarious and one that I had a great time revisiting. I am glad that Carey decided to lose weight in his current role in the game show world, but his iconic look being hefty and the flat top is vintage to this series. It gave him character that stands out and made him memorable in a simple every man way. Surrounded by so many unique and fun characters made him stand out as the odd man despite this average persona which I think why this show worked so well.
It follows all the usual tropes of the sitcom, bringing the laughs and ridiculous storylines while also taking on real life issues at times which were always par for the course to these shows. There are numerous casting changes throughout the series, but it always seemed to find its footing to make it work. Filled with fun, laughs, silliness and a lot of make-up this is a classic TV series that easily stands the test of time as one of the greats to come out of the 90s.
While this collection does feature all the regular episodes from the nine seasons, it does not include 4 special episodes: Drew’s Dance Party Special, Drew Carey’s Back-to-School Rock ‘n’ Roll Comedy Hour – Parts 1 & 2 and What’s Love Got to Do with it? In addition, some musical compositions in certain episodes of this series have been replaced or altered from their original broadcast versions.
Whether you are new to the series or have been a fan since it first aired this is a must have collection for one of the most beloved sitcoms of its time. Grab your copy of The Drew Carrey Show: The Complete Series available now on DVD for the first time ever.
In addition to this release, they have officially launched the official Drew Carrey Show YouTube channel that you can check out here.