DVD/TV Series Review: 3 Broke Girls Season 5

 

The 22-episode fifth season of 2 Broke Girls aired during the 2015/2016 TV season. It was much the same as the prior seasons in that it mainly used a story-of-the-week format that would put the girls into some situation that they had to get out of or resolve by the end of the show, mixed with a couple of larger story arcs that would play out throughout the season. An example of the latter is Sophie and Oleg's attempt to have a baby.

The show was definitely one of those sitcoms that found what worked for it and did not deviate much, if at all, from that format. The jokes this season were just as dirty (if not more so at times) than they were in prior seasons. I do not get offended by sex/drug comedy, but I have been amazed at what they were able to get past the censors for a show that aired in primetime on network television. If you do not like that kind of humor, though, this show is definitely not for you.

The DVD set is a three-disc set. The extras are similar to what was included in the previous couple of seasons' DVD releases. The extras include deleted scenes (about 10 minutes worth) and a short (five-minute) gag reel. All the extras are included on the final disc. Overall, I would say that if you are a fan of the prior seasons, then you will probably like this one. If, however, you did not like the earlier seasons, then nothing about this one will likely convert you.

DVD/TV Series Review: 2 Broke Girls Season 4

 

The 22-episode fourth season of 2 Broke Girls aired during the 2014/2015 TV season. It does a good job balancing the overall storyline of Max and Caroline trying to "make it" with their cupcake business with the procedural stories of the week to keep the series from getting too stale. The main, non-cupcake business" theme of the season is Oleg and Sophie's relationship. That, and yet another "side business" for the girls, this time working at an upscale dessert shop in Manhattan (which sees the return of Big John from the pastry school) and includes Sandra Bernhardt as a multi-episode guest star. There is also a hilarious "relationship" for Max toward the end of the season and an episode in which several Victoria's Secret supermodels rent out Max and Caroline's apartment through Airbnb.

The series' humor is very much like the first three seasons, very adult (it is still amazing that they got away with some of the jokes they did) with a mix of physical comedy from almost every cast member at one point or another. Unlike past seasons, there are no Han or Earl-centric episodes, but they each have good moments throughout the season.

The DVD set is a three-disc set. For those who get the DVD set, the only extras are seven minutes of deleted scenes, and a five-minute gag reel, both included on the final disc. There are no behind-the-scenes material, cast interviews, or commentary tracks. Overall, if you are a fan of adult humor (there are tons of sex and drug references) or at least not bothered by that type of humor, and have liked the prior seasons, chances are you will like this one. Even though it is a raunchier comedy than many sitcoms on network TV, the characters are still likable and care about each other. The actors seemingly have great chemistry and enjoy being around each other (or fake it well). If you liked the prior seasons, you will probably like this one. On the other hand, if you are not a fan of the prior seasons, nothing about this one will likely convert you.

DVD/Movie Review: 2 Broke Girls Season 3

 

The 24-episode third season of 2 Broke Girls aired during the 2013/2014 TV season. It continues to mix a story-of-the-week format with longer story arcs. This season, Max and Caroline open their new cupcake shop in the back of the diner (where they work before and after their diner shifts), and Max enrolls in pastry school. It also introduces new love interests for both Max and Caroline in the form of Eric Andre, who plays Deke, a student at the pastry school with Max, and Gilles Marini, who plays the Chef and instructor at the pastry school. This season also included guest stars such as Mary Lynn Rajskub, Lindsay Lohan, and Federico Dordei, who plays the hilarious day waiter at the diner who lusts after Oleg.

The season is a little lighter on character development this season, although we do get to meet Han's mother in a hilarious episode. The season focuses mainly on the relationship between Max and Caroline and their various trials and obstacles as they try to make the cupcake business successful. The other characters are mostly there for comic relief.

The DVD set is a three-disc set. The extras are all included on the final disc and are comprised of 18 minutes of deleted/extended/alternate scenes and a seven-minute gag reel. There are no making-of features, cast interviews, or the like as there were in the first two seasons. Overall, the show follows pretty much the same format as the first two seasons and definitely pushes boundaries with the sexual humor. It is not a show that will appeal to everyone, but if you are a fan of the first two seasons, you will likely enjoy this one as well.

DVD/TV Series Review: 2 Broke Girls Season 2

 

The 24-episode second season of 2 Broke Girls aired during the 2012/2-13 TV season. The show continues to develop not only the main characters of Max and Caroline (played by Kat Dennings and Beth Behrs) but also gives expanded storylines and character development for the supporting characters Earl, Oleg, Han, and Sophie (Garrett Morris, Jonathan Kite, Matthew Moy, and Jennifer Coolidge). It continues to be a story-of-the-week sitcom, with the girls navigating some kind of obstacle, a funny situation, a fortuitous event, or the like blended with the larger story of working toward their dream cupcake business, which encounters a lot of twists and turns.

The comedy in the show is much like it was in season one, with many sex jokes and a lot of sarcastic humor. They also amped up the physical comedy this season, mostly involving the character of Caroline, after discovering that Beth Behrs is not only a great physical comedian but is not afraid of looking silly to get a great laugh. The show also introduces a love interest for Caroline, in the form of a candy store owner named Andy (played by Ryan Hansen). There are a ton of great moments in the season including finally meeting Caroline's father (Steven Webber) whom Max totally has a crush on, Earl's estranged son, a horrible stand-up comic (played by Cedric The Entertainer), Oleg's apartment, and two Amish boys on Rumspringa.

The DVD set is a three-disc set. The extras include a panel discussion with the cast and showrunner from one of the film fests, deleted scenes, a featurette on the character of Sophie, a gag reel, and a making-of feature on the second season. All in all, probably around an hour's worth of extras, give-or-take.

Overall, if you liked season one, you will probably like or love season two. On the other hand, if you did not like the first season, there is probably nothing about this season that will appeal to you. If you are looking for a good sitcom, assuming you enjoy the kind of humor in it, it is definitely worth watching.

DVD/TV Series Review: 2 Broke Girls Season 1

 

2 Broke Girls is a very funny sitcom starring Kat Dennings and Beth Behrs that aired for six seasons from 2012 to 2017. The 24-episode first season aired during the 2012/2013 TV season. The premise of the series is that a former New York City socialite named Caroline Channing (played by Beth Behrs) ends up without any money after her father is busted running a Bernie Madoff-like Ponzi scheme, and the family's money is frozen by the government. She ends up working as a waitress at a diner in Brooklyn, where a waitress named Max Black (played by Kat Dennings) also sells her homemade cupcakes on the side.. Max takes pity on Caroline and lets Caroline move into her apartment, and Caroline hatches a plan to make enough money to start a cupcake business. 

While the show is very funny, it is definitely an adult comedy that can get quite raunchy. They really pushed the envelope with sexual innuendo and jokes about drug use, and it is, quite frankly, amazing what they were able to get away with on network TV. Honestly, had the show started a few years later as the "me too" movement got started, some of the jokes, especially those involving Oleg, the cook in the diner (played hilariously by Jonathan Kite), probably never would have been cleared. The other series regulars in season one included original SNL cast member Garrett Morris as Earl, the cashier at the diner, Matthew Moy as Han, the vertically challenged owner of the diner, and later in the season, Jennifer Coolidge (best known for playing Stifler's mom in American Pie, and her role in Legally Blonde) as Sophie, the upstairs neighbor of Max and Caroline.

The first season's main theme is the various ways that Max and Caroline attempt to earn money for the cupcake business. At the end of each episode, there is a running balance that goes up or down as they earn or spend the cupcake money throughout the episode. The acting in the show is excellent. Both Dennings and Behrs, as co-leads, play their roles as sarcastic, jaded, trust very few and see where life takes you kind of person, and stuck-up but recently humbled ex-socialite very well. The show is no-holds-barred on the jokes and will make fun of anything.

The DVD set is a three-disc set. The extras include a short making-of/behind-the-scenes featurette and an alternate jokes reel. What was included is good but not extensive. Overall, it is a comedy that will not appeal to everyone, so know that going in, if you get offended by raunchier jokes, you definitely will want to skip this. Also, it is recorded in front of an audience and buffered by a laugh track for the on-location scenes. If you hate those kinds of sitcoms, then you will definitely want to skip this, too. But, if those things do not bother you, it is definitely worth checking out.