The Girls Next Door – Season One (Reality TV/Playboy Magazine)
Picture:
C+ Sound: C+ Extras: B- Episodes:
B
There is
not much to say about Playboy Magazine, Hugh Hefner and the legacy of sexy,
pretty and beautiful women like nothing the world had ever seen before, but despite
attacks by the politically extreme Right in the 1980s and beyond, Hugh is still
standing and The Girls Next Door –
Season One is the latest record of the lifestyle and dynasty that remains
represented by the famous bunny logo.
This 3
DVD, 15 episode set focuses on several of “Hef’s
Angels” with Holly, Kendra and Bridget becoming the focus. No matter how explicit XXX materials have
become or the sex in films, advertising and music have become, the classiest
ladies tend to still land up at the mansion.
Though the ladies are the main focus and for good reason, the wealth,
innerworkings and power of the mansion and company are like a great subplot and
the pet dogs and cats all around often steal the show. That all makes for an unusual look at the
Hefner Empire that exceeds the intent of the show. Minus commercials and with bonus features,
this is the best way to watch the show.
With the women who are hanging around, it will forever remain the
reality TV show that is easiest on the eyes.
The 1.33
X 1 image is among the last “reality TV” series to be shot on analog NTSC
professional video, with some slight digititis in this case on these DVDs, but
nothing too awful. The amusing thing
about the Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo is that it is actually available in censored
and uncensored versions, which will make fans of the magazine happy. Extras include 200+ stills, personality tests
for the main girlfriends, “sexy” deleted scenes, promos for the show,
never-before-seen pilot and commentaries on all 15 shows. This will fit just fine next to Playboy Video
titles on fans’ shelves, but is certainly above other such current TV shows and
continues the magazine’s exceptional use of the television medium as they have
been for a half-century.
- Nicholas Sheffo
