Directed by Michael Patrick Jann, Thomas Lennon, Robert Ben Garant,
Starring Thomas Lennon, Robert Ben Garant, Niecy Nash, Kerri Kenney, Cedric Yarbrough, Carlos Alazraqui, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Mary Birdsong
Okay, I have loved this show of bumbling cops in Reno, Nevada since it began in 2003. Comedy Central recently released Reno 911: The Complete Fifth Season Uncensored and I gave it a spin.
The Series
If you are not familiar with this show, let me catch you up to speed. Reno 911 is filmed in the style of COPS and covers the dimwitted antics of Deputy Raineesha Williams (Niecy Nash), Deputy Trudy Wiegel (Kerry Kenney), Deputy James Garcia (Carlos Alazraqui), Deputy Jones (Cedric Yarbrough), Deputy Travis Junior (Robert Ben Garant), Deputy Clementine Johnson (Wency McLendon-Covey), Deputy Cheresa Kimball (Mary Birdsong) and Lieutenant Jim Dangle (Thomas Lennon).
This team is not the “thin blue line” keeping Reno safe. They, in fact, make Reno much more unsafe and chaotic due to their shenanigans.
The episodes included in this release are Did Garcia Steal Dangle’s Husband?, Bounty Hunter Tommy Hawk, Super Knockers!, Mayor Hernandez, Coconut Nut Clusters!, Dangle’s Secret Family, Undercover at the Burger Cousin, The Wall, Death of a Pickle Thrower, Baghdad 911, The Tanning Booth Incident, Strong Sister, Wiegel’s Dad Returns, Junior Runs for Office, Undercover Acting Coach and the season finale, The Parade.
While all of them have hysterical moments, I have my favorites from among the 16 offered this season. And, they are all uncensored.
The season starts off with a bang with “Did Garcia steal Dangle’s Husband” and fans of the show find out who the father of Trudy Wiegel’s baby and what her plans are after she gives birth. It is pure Trudy and fans will not be disappointed.
“Coconut Nut Clusters!” Finds the men and women of Reno selling candy and the pressure to sell these chocolaty treats has some very bittersweet affects on certain deputies.
Okay, fans, “Death of the Pickle Thrower” is going to be one of your favorites. If you are like me and love the character of Jackie, the crazy prostitute, played hilariously by Kerri Kenney, you are going to love this episode. Is Jackie really checking out?
“The Tanning Bed Incident” finds Dangle disabled and completely red all over after a nasty tanning bed accident. Dangle finds out who his real friends area and some deputies are enjoying his discomfort a little too much.
This is just a few of my favorites out of another strong season of this great show. The cliffhanger in the season finale is going to get fans chomping at the bit for the sixth season. The cast’s chemistry and ability to bounce one liners and adlibbed lines off of each other just keeps on getting better and better.
While other shows descend into mediocrity over time, Reno 911 continues to be sharply written and performed and you are guaranteed laughs in each episode. No sickly laugh tracks needed here.
8/10
The Video
Reno 911: The Complete Fifth Season Uncensored is presented in the original full frame aspect ratio. This transfer features some nice definition and a nice level of clarity and vibrant colors.
7/10
The Audio
Reno 911: The Complete Fifth Season Uncensored is presented in Dolby Digital 2.0. The dialogue is clear and easily understood.
6/10
The Packaging and Bonus Features
Reno 911: The Complete Fifth Season Uncensored is presented in 3 discs encased in a cardboard slipcover with Deputy Williams looking sassy on the cover.
Commentaries with cast and crew are available on “Undercover at the Burger Cousin”, “Death of a Pickle Thrower”, “Baghdad 911” and “Undercover Acting Coach”. These continue to be entertaining and definitely worth your time.
There are several deleted scenes and a fun featurette entitled “Cop Psychology: Inside the Minds of Reno’s Deputies”.
All things considered, a nice assortment of bonus features to accompany this season of episodes.
7/10
Overall ( Not an Average) 8/10
The Series 8/10
The Video 7/10
The Audio 6/10
The Packaging and Bonus Features 7/10
Overall (Not an Average) 8/10