Available at Amazon.com
Creators:
Chris Rock
Ali LeRoi
Cast:
Tyler James Williams ………. Chris Rock
Terry Crews ………. Julius Rock
Tichina Arnold ………. Rochelle Rock
Tequan Richmond ………. Drew Rock
Imani Hakim ………. Tanya Rock
Vincent Martella ………. Greg Wuliger
Chris Rock ………. Himself/Narrator
The Show
These days the popularity of television shows is often skewed one way or another depending on what network it’s on. If a show is good, it will find a “cult following” no matter what. People will watch any show they like, wherever it airs, once they see it for the first time. However, finding good shows can certainly be a process. It’s a lot easier if they happen to be on the four major networks of ABC, NBC, CBS, and FOX. Some may argue that The CW is the fifth “major network”. Yet the ratings that the shows on The CW get are FAR less than the ones on the other major networks. Thus, some quality shows on The CW get lost in the shuffle. One such show is Everybody Hates Chris.
The series is inspired by the childhood experiences of Chris Rock. Chris Rock narrates this story of a teenager growing up as the oldest of three children in Brooklyn, NY, in the 1980’s. Filled with dreams of being a cool teenager, Chris (Tyler James Williams) moves with his family from the projects to the “Bed-Stuy: Do or Die” neighborhood. As the family’s emergency adult while his parents are working, he’s responsible for taking care of his younger brother Drew (Tequan Richmond), who’s taller and more confident than Chris, and sister Tonya (Imani Hakim), who gets all the parents’ attention. Chris’s rough, cost-conscious father Julius (Terry Crews) works numerous jobs to properly support his family. Sassy mom Rochelle (Tichina Arnold) runs the household on a tight budget, is very strict, and works part-time in a small real estate office. With his mom determined to see him in a good school, though Drew and Tonya go to the same school in their old neighborhood, Chris reluctantly faces multiple bus transfers every day to attend Corleone Junior High in the fiercely Italian neighborhood, South Shore. Despite being an immediate target for bullies, Chris’ innate charm and sharp wit enable him to make new friends, like Greg (Vincent Martella), another smart, nice kid, who can’t fight.
Once again the acting in this series is flawless. Taking a page from The Cosby Show, this is a real family comedy. From top to bottom, Chris Rock couldn’t have picked any better actors playing his family as a kid. They even brought in some great guest stars this season including Wayne Brady and Jason Alexander, among others.
The second season storylines are very similar to the first season. Not much has changed in the life of Chris. He is just another year older, but still goes to school at Corleone Junior High. With that being said that, they don’t really repeat anything from the first season. There are new situations and topics to explore during this season. It’s also interesting to continue to see Chris’ journey into the world of comedy. Storylines from one episode to the next also carry over more often this season.
Not enough people are watching Everybody Hates Chris. There is not a whole lot to dislike about this series. It is a throwback to classic “family sitcoms”. It’s funny and entertaining for the whole family, but yet not cheesy. Chris Rock fans will no doubt love this show. The second season is more of the same quality stuff you saw in the first season. Everyone should give this show a chance, because you don’t know what you are missing.
Episodes:
Disc One:
Episode 1 – Everybody Hates Rejection
After Julius’ truck is stolen Rochelle decides to get involved with a neighborhood watch group, but instead ends up in a competition with new neighbor Louise (Whoopi Goldberg). Chris asks out a new girl in the neighborhood hoping not to get rejected again. Drew has the girls all over him when he volunteers to be a crossing guard.
Episode 2 – Everybody Hates the Class President
Chris runs for class president, with his friend Greg as running mate. When a poll reveals that Chris has no chance of winning, he drops Greg for someone more popular. Julius is diagnosed with high blood pressure and Rochelle decides he must reduce the stress in his life.
Episode 3 – Everybody Hates Elections
Chris knows the only way to win the election is by giving the best speech ever but when his speech is stolen by Caruso, he knows he has to do something drastic. Rochelle rents the upstairs apartment to Mr. Omar, the local funeral director. Drew finds and spends the ten dollars that Rochelle lost.
Episode 4 – Everybody Hates a Liar
Chris gets the everyone in the neighborhood to believe that he is dating Tasha. That doesn’t set well with Tasha’s grandmother Louise and she makes sure that Rochelle knows about it. Julius must redeem all of the trading stamps he’s been saving. Drew thinks that Rochelle is paying more attention to Chris and Tonya than to him.
Episode 5 – Everybody Hates Malvo
Chris loses his job when he refuses to tell Doc who robbed the store while Chris was in charge of the cash register. Julius brings home an old Betamax machine.
Episode 6 – Everybody Hates The Buddy System
The new principal, Mr. Edwards, decides that the best way to solve the issues between Chris and Caruso is to have them become buddies on a school field trip. When Rochelle’s favorite earrings are missing Tanya is the prime suspect. Julius tries to find a Wayne Gretzky jersey for Drew.
Disc Two:
Episode 7 – Everybody Hates Promises
Chris faces an impeachment hearing. Rochelle’s brother moves in after being kicked out by their mother, but it’s more than Julius can take. Tonya asks Drew to show her how to “Double Dutch.”
Episode 8 – Everybody Hates Thanksgiving
Guest star Wayne Brady play Julius’ successful younger brother. Julius tries to impress him with the perfect Thanksgiving dinner, but things don’t go smoothly.
Episode 9 – Everybody Hates Superstition
Everything goes right for Chris when Julius loans him his lucky socks. Drew and Tonya play Julius and Rochelle against each other to get what they want. Drew enters the talent show at school but nobody wants to tell him he can’t sing.
Episode 10 – Everybody Hates Kris
In order to make some extra money, Julius and Chris take a job at a department store as Santa and an elf. Things don’t go well when Julius is fired and Chris ends up in the hospital.
Episode 11 – Everybody Hates Eggs
For a lesson on parenting skills Chris is given an egg to take care of as if it were his child. When the electricity bill is over budget, Julius decides to figure out why. Drew a werewolf? That’s what Tanya thinks so she’s afraid to sleep.
Episode 12 – Everybody Hates Hall Monitors
Chris gets no respect when he has hall monitor duty. Greg tells him to “step up his game” but the power goes to Chris’ head and he could lose Greg as his friend. Tonya finds out her popularity is because the girls want to get close to Drew.
Disc Three:
Episode 13 – Everybody Hates Snow Day
When school is closed for a snow day, Chris is the only one that shows up, so he has to spend the day with Principal Edwards until they get get in touch with his parents. When Julius realizes that Chris isn’t around he goes to find him, and Rochelle is a robbed on the subway.
Episode 14 – Everybody Hates The Substitute
The substitute teacher expects more from Chris which is making things very hard for him. Tanya figures out if she accuses Drew of hitting her things go her way.
Episode 15 – Everybody Hates Cutting School
When Ms. Morello is off of school for the day, Chris and Greg cut school to go see Ghostbusters. Drew and Tonya aren’t happy that Rochelle is going to help out at their school. Julius renews his license at DMV.
Episode 16 – Everybody Hates Chain Snatching
When Chris ruins Malvo’s plans to steal Vanessa’s gold chain, he must figure out a way to replace it or pay the price to Malvo. Rochelle finds out that Julius has kept a credit card secret from her for over 15 years. Tonya tries to win Billy Ocean concert tickets from a radio station.
Episode 17 – Everybody Hates DJ’s
Chris is a hit as a DJ after the neighborhood DJ gets arrested during a party. Chris has a problem when he scratches Rochelle’s James Brown album. Julius passes out when he sees a rabbit at a magic show he takes Drew to.
Episode 18 – Everybody Hates Baseball
Chris must decide between going to a baseball game with his Dad and brother, or going to the movies with Tasha. Rochelle forgets to mail Tonya’s letter to the Billy Ocean fan club. Rochelle’s brother asks her hairdresser out on a date.
Disc Four:
Episode 19 – Everybody Hates Gambling
Doc discovers that Chris is a natural at picking the game winners, making Chris everyone’s favorite odds-maker. Things change when Paulie the local bookie shows up to see Chris. Tonya tries to beat Drew at checkers.
Episode 20 – Everybody Hates Dirty Jokes
When Chris secretly listens to his parents’ comedy albums, he discovers that telling dirty jokes to his classmates is the key to popularity. Drew has to deal with an unwanted admirer in the neighborhood; and Rochelle decides to find her mother a man.
Episode 21 – Everybody Hates Math
Rochelle decides to help tutor Chris for a math competition in algebra. When Chris doesn’t think she’s helping he turns to his grandmother Maxine for help. Tonya blackmails Drew when she takes the blame for breaking Julius’ favorite chair for Drew.
Episode 22 – Everybody Hates the Last Day
Chris plays a prank on Caruso on the last day of school.
The Video:
The video is given in widescreen color with an aspect ratio of 1.78:1. It is enhanced for 16×9 TVs. Transfer is good with minimal distortion. There are no problems at all here.
The Audio:
The audio included is available in English Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround sound or English Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround sound. Again, it’s pretty standard quality for a TV show. The dialogue comes out crisp and clear.
The Extras:
Cast and Crew Audio Commentaries –
There are commentaries from the cast and crew on select episodes of this season. Ali LeRoi (co-creator) and Jerry Levine (director) comment on the “Everybody Hates the Class President” episode. Imani Hakim, Tequan Richmond, Tyler James Williams, and Vincent Martella comment on “Everybody Hates the Class President” episode as well. Just a different take on this episode. Tichina Arnold and Terry Crews comment on the “Everybody Hates Thanksgiving” and the “Everybody Hates Chain Snatching” episodes. These are all entertaining, so check them out after you watch the actual episodes.
“Everybody Hates the Cast and Crew Again” Featurette –
This runs about 20 minutes and the cast and crew talk about the second season and how it’s different from the first season, experiences shooting the second season, etc. Pretty informative stuff.
“Everybody Hates a Day in the Life of Tyler James Williams” Featurette –
This runs about five minutes and takes you into a day in the life of Tyler James Williams on set, shooting an episode of the show. It’s short, but it’s still entertaining. Could have been longer, though.
“Everybody Hates Mr. Omar’s Women” Featurette –
Another short four-minute featurette all about the character of Mr. Omar played by Ernest Thomas. If you like this character, you like learning more about him from the person who plays him.
“Everybody Hates Vincent’s School Tour” Featurette –
Vincent Martella, who plays Greg on the show, takes you on a tour of the “school room” on the set of the show. These kids still have to go to school while they act. This is three minutes long, but still fairly informative.
“Everybody Hates Stand-Ins” Featurette –
These featurettes get shorter and shorter as we go. This is a two minute long scene that features Tequan Richmond, who plays Drew, and the other cast “stand-ins”. It’s a rehearsal scene, followed by the real scene. It’s neat to see the difference between the rehearsal scene and the real scene.
“Everybody Hates Caruso-isms” Featurette –
This runs three minutes and it basically throws out scenes where Caruso, the bully, calls Chris a nickname and then a voice-over explains what those nicknames mean. This is pretty funny stuff.
“Everybody Hates Mrs. Morello’s Racism” Featurette –
This runs 2 and 1/2 minutes and it’s all about the racist teacher character of Mrs. Morello, played by Jacqueline Mazarella. Jacqueline gives us more information on the character and what’s it like playing her. Very intriguing as this character is pretty blunt and offensive. But it’s all in good spirit.
“Everybody Hates Wardrobe” Featurette –
This runs 6 minutes and it’s all about the wardrobe used on the show, of course. Darryle Johnson, the costume designer, tells you all about the clothes that the cast wears. Also, the process of putting outfits together, etc. Fairly interesting.
Gag Reel –
A short collection of funny moments and bloopers that occurred during this second season of the show. This should have been longer, but it’s mostly funny.
Deleted Scenes –
The usual one or two scenes that were cut from certain episodes can be found here. Not every episode has deleted scenes, but there are a lot of them. Some are quite funny, so check them out.
Webisodes –
These are short, two-minute segments with various directors of various episodes this season. Each director talks more about the episode they directed. The webisodes include Debbie Allen talking about the “Everybody Hates Malvo” episode, Jerry Levine talking about the “Everybody Hates Eggs” episode, Lev L. Spiro talking about the “Everybody Hates Chain Snatching” episode, Ali LeRoi talking about the “Everybody Hates Baseball” episode, Jason Alexander talking about “Everybody Hates Gambling” episode, and Kelsey Grammer talking about the “Everybody Hates the Last Day” episode. This are short, but it’s nice to hear from some of these directors about the episodes they directed.
If you are a fan of Chris Rock and haven’t seen this show, what are you waiting for? You have to get this series on DVD. If you are not Chris Rock fan, you should still rent this show if you haven’t seen it already. You are more than likely going to buy this DVD set if you like comedy at all.
Everybody Hates Chris: The Second Season |
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