Product Description The hit comedy show from Spike TV has taken the concept of reality programming and given it a men's network twist! Special Features: 8 Outrageous episodes with over 10 hours of content. Uncensored & blurred; Includes the much-talked about, mind-blowing finale in which Matt finally discovers "the truth"; Full Frame format. Language: English Runtime: 440 minutes. .com Spike TV's first season of The Joe Schmo Show is a real-life variation on the Jim Carrey comedy The Truman Show, in which Carrey played a man unaware he is the star of a television series, living on an enormous set and surrounded by actors playing family, co-workers, neighbors, etc. Joe Schmo fools a gregarious, likable 27-year-old fellow, Matt Kennedy Gould, into believing he's part of the cast of a reality-TV program called Lap of Luxury, competing for a $100,000 prize by surviving humiliating trials and those inevitable, once-per-week evictions of unlucky contestants. What Gould doesn't know is that his competitors--all living in the same house under the watchful eye of an ubiquitous production crew--are all actors playing sundry reality-TV stereotypes: the token gay guy, the good-looking sweetheart, the good-looking bitch, the clown, Mr. Macho, the borderline-pariah, etc. The eight episodes in The Joe Schmo Show: Season One Uncensored look and sound like any other reality gimmick, though part of what makes the series fun are little risk elements that threaten to blow open the whole scheme or at least create suspicion in Gould's mind. There are several occasions in which one or another actor gets confused about a character detail and Gould wonders about apparent contradictions; once or twice, actors have to leave a situation because they are close to cracking up. For the most part, however, the tall, gullible, good-natured hero bonds with his "housemates" and keeps a smile on while participating in underwear-swapping contests, gross-out meals, and tense elimination rituals. The final episode, in which Gould is told the truth, is surprisingly moving. This DVD set includes extensive supplementary material, including Gould's after-the-fact, mixed responses to many of his experiences. --Tom Keogh
S**E
Such an underrated show
The aforementioned reality television program stands out as the sole instance of its kind that I have found to be enjoyable. The humor and character development were both exceptional, and I express my desire for the production of a subsequent season.
A**R
Welcome, to the Lap of Luxury...
When this show aired in the Fall of 2003 I was totally there every week. Truly inventive in the sea of "reality" shows, this one poked fun at all of them. Having one real person in the midst of a cast of loonies was quite simply, brilliant. This show definitely offers one of the best casts of actors assembled in awhile, and they all perform wonderfully in their assigned "reality" roles. From the "Rich Bitch," to the "Gay Guy" (Kip, who is hilarious and more sweet than offensive--thankfully), to the crusty military Veteran, the actors continuously provide hilarity with their take on cliched reality show contestants and situations.The one character that stands out most is the Real World III inspired, Puck wannabe "The Hutch" who picks his nose, burps at the table, doesn't shower, and "tells it like it is." He delivers some of the best lines, including one on how he "respected" another cast member. However, the real star of this piece is a real, nice guy by the name of Matt Kennedy Gould. The creators, once again, struck gold in their casting. Always trying to do the right thing, he offers sometimes touching moments that are quite surprising for such a silly, sometimes raunchy show. His reaction upon learning the truth provides the biggest of these moments and wonderfully closes the show with some class.Even if you aren't a "reality" show type of person (such as myself) I do believe you'll get a good time out of the show. I personally have only watched The Real World 1-3 (before it turned into softcore porn), and parts of other shows (like Fear Factor), and I got what was being ripped on here. Sadly, there aren't too many extras--a full commentary from the entire cast would have been something, as would additional commentary from Matt, along with more footage of what the actors were doing while Matt wasn't there, but the show itself is worth viewing. Some have commented on the censorship and sadly it is in some places, but there was one part that needed to be. According to a now gone tv database website, the character of Kip was not actually naked during one of the games. This show was re-aired under the name "Mo'Joe Schmo" (why wasn't that included?), where there was pop-up text pieces written by Matt where he revealed that Kip was wearing something, so they covered him with the pixels to give the impression he was actually naked. I hope things like this don't detour you from viewing this excellent show, as you can hear and see what's censored in other entertainment (Is it really that hard to see nudity?). The stuff surrounding is what really matters--and it's pretty damn good.
L**T
Where to begin?
I loved every whacky moment of this darling show.This has got to be the silliest, smartest parody on "reality" type shows that has been produced. Everything that goes into making a great production is in this series.The writing, (much of which had to have been added once filming was done), is clever and on target every episode.The cast of characters is right on point and could have been plucked from any number of "reality" shows. But what brought them to the point of brilliance is the creative acting of the cast. Literally a laugh a minute. I wonder how the actors managed to keep straight faces.....most of the time. The asides to the viewer serve as extra ticklers to the funny bone. OMG! Whoever thought up "The man pouch"? ..... Or the ventriloquist dummy who is a dead ringer for ....well.....I can't give it all away. Hilarious!The set is bawdy, outrageous and tacky to the extreme. Just the ticket for a show that is also all of those things.The crew of writers and producers make appearances during the show to bring the viewer into the joke by commenting on what is happening In the moment. The viewer quickly buys into the need to keep the "Shmo" from figuring out that it's all a huge "put-on". Can they make it to the final episode without him realizing what's really going on?Anyone who has ever watched an episode of any one of the "Survivor" series will immediately recognize the elimination ceremony. . . taken to the extreme. Then there's Chase (poor Chase) who is taking all the shenanigans with the utmost seriousness. He desperately wants to win. Throughout each episode, he appears on camera to share his take on the "competition" . His commentary on events is made ever more hilarious because he is the only one who is not in on the joke. Chase has to be one of the sweetest, gentle hearted, good natured innocents on planet earth. How could he not figure it out? As a viewer, I cannot help but wonder if he isn't just too good. If the whole Thing isn't just one huge joke on the viewer? Hmmmm....if it is, it's one darned funny joke.
W**.
best show in the world! (and Joe Schmo 2 & 3)
I wish they would make another Joe Schmo!The second season is like a bachelor dating show and is my fav!Season 1 is awesome!season 3 is a bounty hunter one and has Lorenzo Llamas
J**R
Great idea, a pretty good show.
Bought this on the back of a trailer on a Ren and Stimpy Dvd I own.It's basically like Big Brother, but with all contestants apart from one being actors.What an amazing idea!!!I love it.The series runs 8 parts - I did enjoy it a lot and I guess 3/5 is a little middle, it could have been better imo.There are a couple of nutty bits, but a little bit tame for my liking overall.Part 8 is mostly a recap episode - which is okay, but when you binge watch, as I did, is a mostly repetitive eppy.The end is a bit more syrupy than I like.However, it's definetly an entertaining enough programme overall - If your going to buy it, try and get it as cheap as you can- if your paying around £30 for it, I personally think that's too much for the entertainment you'll get.Half that and it's worth a spin.I'll give this show a 6/10.Note: Having finished this Season, I still ordered Season 2. Which is testament that it is a decent show.
C**A
Second time ordering
Previously bought this as a gift for a friend and decided to buy a copy for myself as well. If you didn't see the show when it aired, buy it! And if you, buy it anyway! Worth the re-watch.
C**N
Still enjoy the show 17 years later
A show I haven’t seen in 17 years. Still enjoy it. Cast includes Kristen Wiig before SNL fame.
D**S
Brilliant!
JUST BUY IT! Get a group of friends together and laugh your asses off! It’s as good as you remember!
Trustpilot
1 month ago
1 month ago
