HBO presents

Jeff Foxworthy: Totally Committed (1998)

"In marriage you just need to learn the rules. And rule number one is if she ain't happy, you ain't happy."- Jeff Foxworthy

Stars: Jeff Foxworthy
Director: unknown

Manufacturer: WAMO
MPAA Rating: Not Rated for nothing offensive
Run Time: 00h:56m:34s
Release Date: 2002-08-20
Genre: comedy

Style Grade	Substance Grade	Image Transfer Grade	Audio Transfer Grade	Extras Grade
C	B-	B+	B+	D+

 

DVD Review

I view performing stand up comedy as the equivalent of standing in front of a group of people who dislike you with a large bulls eye painted on your chest. In perhaps no other arena is the need to constantly keep the audience entertained and laughing, the need to provide fresh and funny material quite so urgent. Jeff Foxworthy, who made a career in the mid-1990s with his now trademark "You might be a redneck if…", understands this, as is evidenced in his 1998 special Jeff Foxworthy: Totally Committed, a look throughout this skewed mind as he tackles the issues of dating, sex and of course, rednecks.

Thankfully, Foxworthy avoids the trappings of reverting back to his meal ticket and only touches on the redneck topic at the start of the performance, allowing his act to grow and expand on more everyday topics. Generally, the comedian plays it safe and discusses the typical problems that plague most Americans, including why men just don't listen, as well as other differences that separate men from the rest of society. The best moments stem from Foxworthy relaying the details of his personal life, including his take on what his wife might do to a home intruder if she ever got a chance, are genuinely funny though others seem painfully familiar.

Foxworthy may not be the world's most original comedian—some may say that his material is too reminiscent of what other comedians have done in the past—but his style is often lighthearted enough to make the lack of originality enjoyable. His topics which, as mentioned above, include the bafflement of women in a man's mind and the striking contrasts between the life of a single man and that of a married one have, admittedly, been done countless times before by better comedians; however, those looking for a "safe" alternative to more adult comedy may find Jeff Foxworthy: Totally Committed the perfect solution.

Rating for Style: C
Rating for Substance: B-

 

Image Transfer

	One
Aspect Ratio	1.33:1 - Full Frame
Original Aspect Ratio	yes
Anamorphic	no

Image Transfer Review: Presented in a full-frame transfer Jeff Foxworthy: Totally Committed looks fine with no real quality issues. The brightly colored backdrop that surrounds Foxworthy comes off looking nice and fleshtones look terrific. Perhaps the greatest sign that this is a top-notch transfer is that the light shade of blue on Foxworthy’s boots is as crisp and clear as one can imagine.

Image Transfer Grade: B+
 

Audio Transfer

	Language	Remote Access
DS 2.0	English	yes

Audio Transfer Review: Like the video transfer, the soundtrack is of a more reserved variety. Dialogue sounds fine from the center channel, while the laughter and applause of the crowd sound rich and close up, making the entire mix a nice re-creation of the original setting.

Audio Transfer Grade: B+ 

Disc Extras

Static menu
Scene Access with 8 cues and remote access
Packaging: Snapper
Picture Disc
1 Disc
1-Sided disc(s)
Layers: single

Extras Review: Eight chapter stops are accessible via static menu pages.

Extras Grade: D+
 

Final Comments

Overall, I enjoyed this, and for someone who counts Jon Stewart and Dave Attell as his favorite comedic performers, that is saying something. The material, though overdone, takes on a refreshing tone when delivered by Foxworthy.

Kevin Clemons 2002-08-28