Reality Shows

Survivor - The Complete First Season

Here's where it all began. The first season of Survivor dominated the ratings in the summer of 2000, helped spur the reality-TV craze, and inspired countless water-cooler jokes about getting voted off the island. The first season established the formula that would continue, with sometimes surprising variations, over numerous subsequent seasons: 16 people intended to represent the American mosaic are stranded far from civilization (in this case, the island of Pulau Tiga, off the coast of Borneo), struggle for food and shelter, compete in a series of physical and mental challenges, and at the end of each three-day episode vote out one of their fellow contestants. After 39 days, the one sole survivor who is able to outwit, outplay, and outlast the others wins a million-dollar prize. Because the Survivor craze preceded the craze for complete-season DVD boxed sets, the first season was represented on DVD and video by a 150-minute highlights package called Season One: The Greatest and Most Outrageous Moments. Now, all 13 episodes are available in a five-disc set (the fifth disc is ...Outrageous Moments) that contains every challenge, every political maneuver, every next-episode preview and previous-episode recap, every tribal council including the famous finale, and the reunion show. If you started watching Survivor in the Australian Outback or later, this is the perfect opportunity to see how host Jeff Probst, scheming Richard Hatch, tough truck driver Sue Hawk, ex-Navy SEAL Rudy Boesch, athletic Kelly Wiglesworth, and the others got the ball rolling. If you did watch the first season, here's your chance to relive it, and you also get an enthusiastic group commentary by host Jeff Probst (poking fun at himself) and contestants Hatch (talking the most, which should surprise no one), Boesch, and Gervase Peterson on the first and last episodes, plus some minor featurettes (seven minutes of footage of the contestants leaving L.A. for Borneo, David Letterman's Top 10 featuring the contestants, and 10 minutes of new interviews with Hatch, Boesch, and Peterson). Many reality shows have come and gone in the meantime, but in terms of staying fresh over a long run, Survivor has outwitted, outplayed, and outlasted them all. --David Horiuchi

Survivor - The Australian Outback: The Complete Second Season

Survivor Palau - The Complete Season

Twenty Americans are stranded in Palau the South Pacific paradise some call the 8th natural wonder of the world where colorful wildlife dense jungles and an underwater world beyond belief are haunted by the wreckage and remnants of World War II. From the beginning the game will be changed in a dramatic way: everything the Survivors have come to expect will be wiped out in the first 10 minutes. Who will outwit outplay and outlast all others in Palau?System Requirements:Runtime: 725 min.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: TELEVISION/REALITY UPC: 097368898943 Manufacturer No: 889894

Broadcast in early 2005, Survivor Palau was the tenth season of the kingpin reality show, and one of the best. The challenges were often brutal, and the cast was diverse and interesting: Tom, the NYC firefighter, one of the most dominating competitors in the history of the show; gangly dolphin trainer Ian; commanding Jolanda; tattooed fireball Angie; Southern gentleman Bobby Jon; towering Coby; redneck James; Vegas showgirl Janu; schoolteacher Wanda, who wrote her own lyrics for, and didn't stop singing, Survivor-themed songs; and arch-eyebrowed Stephenie. Before the season was over, there would be a setting of teams using a "schoolyard pick" system that eliminated two of the 20 contestants right off the bat, some romance, a shark kill, the first appearance of Exile Island (which would be a bigger factor in later seasons), a marathon final-three challenge with a surprising ending, and a contestant who some fans considered the best female competitor ever and others considered the most overrated.

Each season of Survivor has its signature moments, and in Palau two challenges stood out. One was the two tribes marching in a circle in the surf, each carrying weights while trying to catch up to the other tribe. The other was a slugfest in which contestants from the two tribes stood on a small platform and tried to knock each other into the water. Two of the contestants turned out to be popular enough to make a return appearance in a later season. On the DVDs are 45 minutes of featurettes with new interviews of Tom, Ian, Stephenie, Bobby Jon, Katie, Jen, Gregg, and Caryn remembering highlights of the season. The eight then broke into two groups of four to record spirited and nostalgic commentary tracks on a total of five episodes. In a well-meaning statement of the obvious, the menu warns against listening to the commentaries if you don't already know who won. --David Horiuchi

Survivor Vanuatu - The Complete Season

Producer/creator Mark Burnett unleashed a pop culture phenomenon--and changed the face of early-21st-century television--with his hugely popular reality series SURVIVOR. Singlehandedly ushering in the age of reality-television the action-adventure series more than lives up to its name as real-world contestants are divided into opposing teams and stranded in a remote location to compete in daredevil challenges in pursuit of a million-dollar prize. The team that wins each challenge earns either a prize or immunity while the losing team faces an elimination round where one member is ceremoniously dismissed. Adding a human element to the cutthroat competition are the personal interactions between team members which impact the game through strategic alliances--or dooming enmities. This collection presents every episode of the series' fascinating and highly watchable ninth season which takes place on the South Pacific archipelago of Vanuatu and includes such memorable survivors as Chris Scout Eliza and Sarge.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: TELEVISION/SERIES & SEQUELS Rating: UNRATED UPC: 097368873148 Manufacturer No: 887314

Against a backdrop of volcanoes and earthquakes, the ninth season of Survivor, called Vanuatu: Islands of Fire, got off to a rousing start at a native ritual ceremony full of spears, nasty drinks, a fertility idol, and a lot of sexist attitudes. When the natives divided the 18 Americans into groups of men and women, it stuck, and another battle of the sexes was on. Among the Lopevi members: Lea, the "Sarge" barking out orders; Travis, a.k.a. "Bubba," wearing his Bob Barker T-shirt; Brady, the FBI agent; Chris, whose struggles on the balance beam made him an early target; and outspoken Rory. Among the Yasur members: power broker Ami; big-eyed Eliza, whose motor mouth overshadowed a surprising resilience; acid-tongued Twila; and sheep farmer Dolly. Also on the teams were two players with physical impediments: Chad, with a prosthetic leg, and the spiritual Scout, whose artificial knee made her the most immobile Survivor contestant ever. Age lines were drawn as well, with one group dubbed the "Fat Five." But just when the tide seemed certain, a number of reversals, one infamous broken promise, plenty of tears, and host Jeff Probst's corniest-ever final entrance kept things interesting. Trivia: one contestant with a penchant for nude sunbathing ended up dating Probst after the season ended. Probst, Chris, Twila, Eliza, Chad, Scout, Julie, and Ami return for commentary on five episodes and 35 minutes of featurettes on the DVDs. --David Horiuchi

Survivor Pearl Islands - The Complete Seventh Season

The seventh season of Survivor made a legend out of Rupert Boneham, the most popular contestant in the history of the kingpin reality show. Was it because the giant bear of a man harbored a gentle personality, expressed in his job as a mentor for troubled teens? Was it his tie-dyed shirt and makeshift skirt? Or was it just good fortune that the season was set in the Pearl Islands of Panama, which allowed black-bearded Rupert, in the very first episode, to steal the opposing tribe's shoes, all in the name of the pirate theme?

But the season wasn't only about Rupert. It got off to an unusual start when the 16 castaways were tossed overboard wearing their street clothes and left to find supplies in a small village. There was Armani-suited attorney Andrew Savage straining to support a load of sand bags, muscular Osten Taylor making a surprising decision that inspired host Jeff Probst to alter his tag line, Sandra Diaz-Twine sneaking around in the bushes, tall blonde Christa Hastie in tears after being accused of throwing away fish, and Jon "Jonny Fairplay" Dalton pulling off a dirty trick and becoming one of the show's great villains. Other memorable contestants included athletic Burton Roberts, sexy mortician Darrah Johnson, and Scoutmaster Lillian Morris. Then when the 10 remaining people in the Drake and Morgan tribes expected a merge, an unprecedented twist prompted one castaway to declare, "Revenge, baby. It's all about revenge." Bonus features consist of commentary on two episodes by the team of Rupert, Sandra, and Christie, and on three episodes by Jon, Ryan Opray ("Ryan O."), Burton, and Andrew; a 29-minute season recap featuring new interviews with a number of contestants; and clips from each person's pre-game interview intercut with in-season footage that either supports or undercuts their plans. --David Horiuchi

Survivor's back and better than ever with the record-breaking seventh season, Survivor: Pearl Islands. Destined to be a gem in your Survivor collection, this special-edition DVD box set gives you many bonus features that allow you to enjoy the "full Survivor experience" - and try to outwit, outplay and outlast the crafty and scheming competition on Survivor: Pearl Islands.

Survivor All-Stars - The Complete Season

Billed as "the greatest Survivor ever" when it launched following the Super Bowl in January 2004, Survivor All-Stars broke new ground for the hit reality series by bringing back 18 of its most famous (and infamous) characters from the previous seven installments to battle it out in a quest for affirmation or redemption (and, of course, the million-dollar prize). Half the fun was seeing who was picked to return, and there were many tasty selections: original winner Richard (natch) from Borneo; Colby, Jerri, and Tina from the Australian Outback; Ethan, Lex, and Big Tom from Africa; and the newest alumnus, Rupert from the just-completed Pearl Islands. (There were, of course, many omissions, such as Mike Skupin, who deserved a second chance after falling into the fire in Australia.)

Right from the beginning, it was clear that this Survivor was going to be different. Because people now knew each other (from sharing a previous game, watching on TV, or mixing at Survivor-related functions), some of the schemers were quickly sniffed out and snuffed out, and players were more aggressive about creating alliances (which sometimes overlapped, but hey, it's only a problem if you get caught). In addition, because no one wanted to see someone win a second million dollars, previous champions found that they had targets on their backs. As a result, there was an entirely new wave of power players. Along the way there were some surprising and very emotional developments (which had the unfortunate side effect of killing some of the show's action) and the first on-screen Survivor romance. In the end, Survivor All-Stars didn't live up to its billing as the best ever (that title would remain with season 2 in the Australian Outback), but it did bring a new twist and some genuinely memorable moments to a long-running series.

The DVD set adds significant value to the season, including some welcome behind-the-scenes info on the series as a whole. The bonus footage consists of much longer versions of each member's "confessional" after being voted out, and 57 minutes of scenes that are edited and scored like the regular episodes. Among those scenes are a tribal council that was never seen on TV and Rob Cesternino's dead-on impression of host Jeff Probst at a mock tribal council, which was seen during the season as new footage in the midseason "recap" episode. That episode is the only one not included in the set, but with the above-mentioned moment preserved, only the most hardcore fan would object to the loss of this dead spot in every season. Three different quartets of cast members recorded commentary tracks on a total of 10 episodes, including the final four on the last episode and the first reunion (the second is also included). They provide a lot of insight and fun stories, though there's a bit too much yelling over each other. There are also featurettes that should appeal to all fans of the show: how the challenges are created and tested, the casting process, behind the scenes at the final show, and TV promos for the previous seven seasons. The individual profiles of all 16 All-Stars consist of footage of their original appearances, which may help remind you why they were picked to return, and interviews before the the season started. --David Horiuchi

Although these all-stars may be familiar with the show's premise, a few things have been changed for the show's eighth season in order to offer some change into the mix. Players were divided into three tribes named Chapera, Saboga and Mogo Mogo, and marooned on separate beaches off the Panama coast where they cope with the most unpredictable weather yet. Promising to be the most manipulative season yet, SURVIVOR: ALL-STARS would not be complete without a little conflict between the players, and this time around, there is plenty of that to go around.. Commentaries on 10 episodes by (variously) Rob Cesternino, Jenna Morasca, Rudy Boesch, Tina Wesson, Lex Van Den Berghe, Alicia Calaway, Kathy Vavrick-O'Brien, Shii Ann Huang, Rupert Boneham, Jenna Lewis, Amber Brkich and Rob Mariano

The Biggest Loser Workout, Vol. 1

As seen on TV these are the workouts that help the average Jane and Joe to shed pounds and get healthy in as little time as possible. Many people from the cast of THE BIGGEST LOSER as well as celebrity trainer Bob Harper appear in the six enjoyable highly effective routines presented here.System Requirements:Running Time 100 Mins.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: HEALTH/FITNESS Rating: NR UPC: 031398186724 Manufacturer No: 18672

The Girls Next Door - Season 2

The Girls Next Door: Season Two offers 16 more episodes of Holly, Bridget, and Kendra's pranks and party planning as Hef's main girls at the Playboy Mansion. Just like with Season One, watching Season Two is like eating junk food, so sensational and silly are the three ladies commenting on their glamorous day-to-day activities. Though the novelty of the show has worn off, more appearances by Hugh Hefner and a gained understanding of the trio's dynamics--equally friendly and competitive--helps the show transcend utter banality. In fact, the show feels more like Dynasty, now an intricate combination of reality television and soap opera. More shown aggravations amongst the ladies, and more glimpses of Hef's love for this unfolding drama in his own home, make the show a fine example of American sensationalism. Two episodes are dedicated to Hef's 80th birthday extravangaza, making it the most significant story in the second season. Wonderful footage of previous Hefner birthdays and previous playmates frolicking nearly nude adds heft to Playboy's historical significance. It's astonishing to think that this icon has enjoyed such a lifestyle for half a decade, and truly amazing to see Hefner now, on television, touring Europe in "I See London, I See France," dancing in nightclubs, or hosting a slumber party in "Sleepwear Optional." The girls, too, have seemingly settled into their careers when prepping to host their own exercise shows in "Mutiny On the Booty," during which Kendra, the biggest ditz of the three, shines with her martial arts demonstrations. As tempting as it is to choose favorites among the ladies in Season Two, one begins to realize that it's their metaphorical ménage-a-trois that keeps the show sexy, and that's what it's all about. —Trinie Dalton

The Girls Next Door - Season 1

Arguably the junkiest and most entertaining reality TV series to date, The Girls Next Door's sensationalism capitalizes on the public's desire to understand what really goes on inside the Playboy Mansion. Starring Hugh Hefner's three main girlfriends as themselves (Kendra Wilkinson, Bridget Marquardt, and "first girl" Holly Madison), the three women, over the course of 15 episodes, describe their daily lives, their feelings for Hef, and the life choices that have helped them to make their dreams come true. Glimpses into Hef's personal affairs, and even his living quarters, like his cluttered but regal office and his gigantic bed, surely satisfy our need to gawk at celebrity. But as episodes delve deeper into this family's unique lifestyle, showing the competitive stress induced by Hugh's ex Barbi Benton's arrival in "Fight Night," or in the mad rush for lingerie preceding the infamous annual summer party, in "Midsummer Night's Dream," the viewer realizes that looking like a Playboy model is a full-time job. Episodes like "Just Shoot Me" fascinate by showing how Playboy photo shoots unfold, while "Grape Expectations," about Bridget's road trip to her hometown, Lodi, give the girls a down-to-earth patina. In fact, the show saliently demystifies pornography by making the industry's stars into real characters. This three-disc set features commentary, the unaired pilot, "Hef's World," and deleted scenes. If one craves to see the ultimate bimbos seamlessly revealing the sweet and sexy, The Girls Next Door is a no-brainer. --Trinie Dalton

Welcome to the world's most famous and most glamorous bastion of hedonism, the Playboy Mansion! For the first time ever, The Girls Next Door takes you beyond the Mansion's gates and behind closed doors where you'll meet Holly, Kendra, and Bridget, just your average girls next door with one small difference...They're smoking hot! Join these lovely ladies for an uncensored view of their daily lives as they laugh, love, play, and party, and see why being Hugh Hefner's girlfriends definitely has its advantages! The Girls Next Door also features sexy, never-before-seen, unrated versions of episodes-- unbleeped, unblurred, and unbelievable!

The Girls Next Door - Season 3

Skeptics might suspect that this series would get stale due to so many episodes about party planning, modeling, and slumber parties, but The Girls Next Door grows more endearing as time progresses in the Playboy Mansion. Whereas Season Two revealed small doses of inner turmoil between Hef's three ladies, alongside some moments of grumpiness, stress, and anxiety, Season Three features Holly, Kendra, and Bridget as the trio comfortably settling in to their fairy-tale lives. Sure, we get the usual episodes detailing event plans for every holiday known to man ("Snow Place Like Home" and "Hearts Afire"), but some excellent shows about family excursions, such as "Snowboarded" in which Kendra pulls tricks with Shaun White, and "Surely You Joust" about the Renaissance Faire, show the viewer how close the family really is. Additionally, Hugh Hefner stars more heavily in this season. In episodes such as "Home, Sweet Suite," when the crew fly to Vegas to celebrate his birthday, one marvels at this man's empire and legions of fans. As the series progresses, in fact, one realizes how many girls not only long to participate with Playboy, but also idolize Holly, Kendra, and Bridget as career women who are sexy, silly, and fun. This DVD set also features a one-hour behind-the-scenes special, though the real treat, as always, is watching each episode to laugh with the girls' bubbly senses of humor, to gawk at their extremely charmed daily existence, and to live vicariously through the glamour. More hot tubs, more cocktails, more fluffy dogs—it's impossible to get enough. —Trinie Dalton