"The Big Bang Theory: Season 1" Reviewed
Packaging & Design
The set comes with a thin box covering the keep case which holds the 3 discs, both have the same design so the box really seems rather pointless. The one upside of the box is that the show's name has been embossed on the side and on the front, but other than that it doesn't serve much of a purpose. The front cover features the show's name, some science symbols in the background and a groupshot of Penny, Leonard and Sheldon. The rear case also features the science symbols in the background, but this time it has 4 shots from the show along with a picture of Leonard & Sheldon without their pants! Then the obligatory show synopsis, special feature list and cast/copyright/DVD information.
The keep case itself is fine, and Warner Bros. deserve marks for giving each disc an individual pane thus meaning discs aren't covering each other up. The keep case houses a little booklet which follows the same design as the set, it contains some photos from the show and an episode guide. The episode guide is quite informative, rather than just giving you the episode name & disc, it also includes the writers & directors of the episodes along with the original airdate. The back of the booklet has the cast names along with a picture of the 4 guys in their Halloween costumes.
The Discs are white coloured with science symbols in the background as well, and feature a member of the cast. Disc 1 has Sheldon/Jim Parsons, Disc 2 has Penny/Kaley Cuoco & Disc 3 has Leonard/Johnny Galecki.
Once you pop the disc in to your DVD player there is the usual FBI copyright warning followed by the Warner Bros. logo & tune. Disc 1 features trailers with an anti-piracy message also. The menu is, like the rest of the set, white with science symbols in the background and has the same picture from the case cover of Leonard, Penny & Sheldon. In the background the theme tune plays. It is a shame that it is only the 20 second theme tune that airs with the show and not the full length version, considering it loops it would have been much better to have a longer song. The menu features a Play (All) button, an Episode button & a Languages button.
Rating 4/5.
Picture/Sound Quality
The picture quality on this set is extremely good, as you would expect for a show that has just aired. The Pilot episode is a little worse than the other episodes, presumably down to the differences in filming, but the rest of the season is in fantastic shape. The episodes are presented in widescreen, as they were aired, and with Dolby 5.1 surround sound. The sound is as good as you'd expect from a sitcom, sitcoms don't make much use of surround sound.
Rating 5/5.
Bonus Features
Now here is where Warner Bros. really let the set down, bonus features. This set does have 1 featurette "The Qauntam Mechanics of The Big Bang Theory", in which the cast & crew talk about the show, but commentaries and a blooper reel would have really added something to the set. The interview is interesting, but the cast interviews atleast aren't particularly revealing for the simple fact they were filmed at the same time as the pilot episode. It seems that the creators, Chuck Lorre & Bill Prady, did have another interview after the show had aired as there seem to be clips from 2 interviews with them. The featurette runs for 17 minutes.
Hopefully next season will see some more bonus features.
Rating 1.5/5.
Overall
This will most certainly please fans of The Big Bang Theory, and those who are only sampling the show. The set doesn't give much to complain of, but does show room for improvement. Warner Bros. have done a good job with this set but they might be able to do better next season.
Overall Rating 4/5.
-Reviewed by The Big Bang Theory Site on September 5th 2008.