NORM SHOW, THE (TV SERIES) - DVD review

After a successful career in stand-up, Norm Macdonald received his biggest exposure as a cast member on "Saturday Night Live." He performed impressions of Burt Reynolds and Bob Dole, but his most memorable contribution was an anchor for "Weekend Update." His tenure was not without controversy when NBC executive Don Ohlmeyer removed Macdonald from the position after four seasons.

Following his departure from "SNL," Macdonald teamed with Bruce Helford, co-creator of "The Drew Carey Show" to create a new sitcom. Both men had previously worked together as part of the writing staff for "Roseanne." "The Norm Show" debuted on ABC in the fall of 1999.

Macdonald played Norm Henderson, a second-rate hockey player who was booted out of the NHL for gambling and tax evasion. To avoid a prison term, Norm is sentenced to community service as a social worker. You'd think he would have learned his lesson, but Norm is generally lazy, unmotivated, deceptive, and a little incompetent. When he's not hitting on female co-workers, Norm is usually forced to fix the various screw-ups he is responsible for.

The "Roseanne" connection continues with the presence of Laurie Metcalf as long-time social worker Laurie Freeman. She's generally the straight man (err…woman) who is constantly exasperated by Norm's behavior. The supporting cast also included: Danny Sanchez (Ian Gomez, now on "Cougar Town"), a competent worker who is sometimes pulled into Norm's schemes; Taylor Clayton (Nikki Cox), a former prostitute who is rescued by Norm; and the office supervisor Max Denby (Max Wright from "ALF").

Norm's original boss, Mr. Curtis (Bruce Jarchow), only lasted a handful of episodes while the series was still trying to get its feet wet. As the overly nebbish and neurotic Denby, Wright made the perfect foil for Norm and his constant bombardment of insults and pranks. The second season introduced Faith Ford as Shelley, Norm's parole officer and love interest, and Artie Lang as Norm's shifty half-brother.

"Norm" was also host to a cavalcade of guest-stars usually appearing in cameo roles as clients. Among those guest-stars include: Tom Arnold, Arsenio Hall, Dennis Miller, Bob Saget, and Andrea Martin.

This 8-disc DVD set features the entire run of "Norm." The episodes included are:

-Disc 1-
"Norm and the Prototype" – Norm is off to a rocky start when one of his teenaged clients turns out to be working as a prostitute.

"Norm Dates a Client" – Norm refuses to listen to Laurie when he dates one of her clients.

"Norm Dates Danny's Dad" – Jack Warden guest-stars as Danny's overly masculine father who is secretly gay…and develops a fondness for Norm.

"While You Weren't Sleeping" – Laurie seeks Norm's help when she can't fall asleep with her new boyfriend.

"My Name is Norm" – Norm discovers he's able to get out of work by pretending to be an alcoholic.

-Disc 2-
"The New Boss" – After chasing away the old boss, Norm is shocked when the new boss, Mr. Denby, tells him to do nothing at all.

"Denby's Son" – Mr. Denby takes offense when Norm gives his son advice contrary to his wishes.

"Drive, Norm Said" – Norm gets drunk and mistakenly sleeps with an irritating co-worker.

"Norm, Crusading Social Worker" – To win favor with the NHL, Norm takes in an elderly man played by Abe Vigoda.

"Norm's Coach" – While getting in shape for a charity game, Norm seeks help from his old coach who has ballooned in weight.

-Disc 3-
"Norm vs. Love" – The second season opener finds Norm falling for his beautiful new probation officer.

"Norm Pimps Wiener Dog" – Needing rent money, Norm hires out his wiener dog as a stud to purebred dachshunds.

"Artie Comes to Town" – Norm finds himself shown up by his half-brother, Artie, who used to be a total screw-up.

"Norm vs. Death" – Norm is forced to confront his fear of death when Danny's father passes away.

"Norm and Shelley in Love" – Norm and Shelley take their relationship to the next level while Laurie attempts a video dating service.

"Laurie Runs for Office" – Laurie runs for city council against a crooked politician looking to shut down much of her charitable programs.

"Norm and Shelley Break Up" – Just when things are heating up between Norm and Shelley, she decides to take a new job out of state.

-Disc 4-
"Gambling Man" – Norm tries to help a man deal with his gambling addiction, but winds up relapsing himself. Episode guest-stars: Drew Carey, Ryan Stiles, and Diedrich Bader though not as their "Drew Carey Show" characters.

"Norm vs. Norm" – Artie gets thrown into jail because of Norm, who makes matters worse when he gambles away Artie's bail money. Garry Marshall guest-stars as Norm's bookie.

"Norm vs. Denby" – Sally Kellerman guest-stars as a new waitress who attracts the attentions of both Norm and a newly-divorced Denby.

"Norm vs. The Boxer" – Norm sponsors a troubled youth by entering him into an amateur boxing league. The episode features Richard Pryor in his last role before his death.

"Norm vs. Christmas" – Norm and Artie try to show Laurie the spirit of Christmas with disastrous results while Danny takes the first step in wooing Taylor.

"Norm vs. The Evil Twin" – Norm meets Laurie's slutty and sexy twin sister.

"Norm vs. The Oldest Profession" – In desperate need of rent money, Norm finds himself in the fast moving world of male prostitution. His first client: Cloris Leachman.

-Disc 5-
"Norm vs. Jenny" – Norm reluctantly agrees to be hooked up with Laurie's friend, Jenny, (played by Kate Walsh) and flips head over heels for her.

"Norm vs. Fitz" – Norm attempts to sabotage Jenny's relationship with her millionaire fiancée by giving her bad advice.

"Norm vs. The Wedding" – When Norm blows it with Jenny, he rushes off to stop her wedding.

"Norm vs. Fear" – The gang have to help Norm overcome his fear of doctors after he injures his back.

"Retribution" – Jenny's fiancée uses his power and influence to destroy Norm.

"Laurie Loses It" – Laurie feels all her years of work have gone unappreciated while Danny becomes jealous of Taylor's handsome friend.

-Disc 6-
"Norm vs. The Sacrifice" – In the season 3 opener, Norm is forced to make nice with Denby after he threatens to fire all his friends.

"I've Got a Crush on You" – Shelley returns to town while Norm learns someone has secretive feelings for him.

"Taylor Leaves" – Taylor has a tough decision dealing with Danny's marriage proposal and her unrequited feelings for Norm.

"The Norm Law" – Norm outdoes himself when he causes a riot at a center for juvenile teenagers.

"Norm vs. Halloween" – Norm must decide between spending Halloween with underprivileged kids or partying with Shelley.

"Norm vs. The Hopeless Cause" – Norm tries to win over Laurie's lesbian friend.

"Norm vs. Youth Part 1" – Norm decides to try dating a younger woman after Laurie begins dating a younger man (played by "Roseanne" co-star Johnny Galecki).

"Norm vs. Youth Part 2" – When dating a younger woman doesn't work out, Norm tries dating an older woman.

-Disc 7-
"Norm vs. Tennis" – Norm takes up tennis in order to spend time with Shelley.

"Norm vs. The Kid" – Norm is placed in charge of a troubled teenager until a proper foster home can be found for him.

"Norm vs. Schoolin'" – Norm can't handle that Denby is doing better in the social work classes they are attending.

"Norm vs. Freud" – Norm attends group therapy sessions with Dr. Phil and realizes he has unresolved issues with his father.

"Norm vs. Dad" – In order for Norm to work out his problems, he's forced to confront his crude father played by Tommy Smothers.

"Denby Quits" – When Denby quits after another one of Norm's pranks, Laurie gets her long-awaited promotion, but finds the position overwhelming.

"Norm Lets Go" – Danny and Shelley begin dating while Denby takes dance lessons from Laurie.

"Norm vs. Danny & Shelley" – Things get awkward around the office when Taylor returns and begins dating Norm.

-Disc 8-
"Norm and Wiener Dog vs. Fatherhood" – When Wiener Dog fathers a litter of puppies with Denby's poodle, Norm & Denby battle for custody.

"Norm vs. Homelessness" – Norm's social life takes a turn for the worse when he's kicked out of his apartment.

"Norm is Fat" – After Norm and Denby are evicted from their apartments, they are forced to live with Laurie.

"Norm vs. Deception" – Norm and Laurie pretend to be a couple so he can receive medical insurance from the county.

"Norm vs. Cuba" – Norm helps take care of an orphan boy from Cuba in this episode originally produced for season 2.

"Norm's Free" – To the shock of everyone, Norm and Denby put aside their differences and become great friends.

"Norm Comes Back" – Norm's community service is finally over, but he's drawn back when a former client has his benefits cut.

"Norm vs. Shelley's Old Flame" – An accident with his VCR gives Norm the power to hear other men's thoughts.

VIDEO:
The video is presented in its original fullscreen aspect ratio. Picture quality looks really good. It may be far from reference quality, but the transfer is clean.

AUDIO:
The audio is presented in Dolby Digital 2.0 stereo. Your sound system won't get a work out, but the audio works just fine for this sitcom.

EXTRAS:
Select episodes on discs 1, 3, and 4 feature audio commentary tracks with Norm Macdonald and Bruce Helford. The commentary isn't as lively as you'd expect. The participants are very laid back and don't have much to add to the proceedings.

FILM VALUE:
Norm Macdonald's sarcastic wit and dry delivery makes "Norm" a notch above the usual drivel polluting primetime television. The humor isn't always on the mark, but it's certainly more irreverent than what you'd generally find from the traditional sitcom.