Call Me Fitz: The Complete First Season

Originally made for HBO Canada and shown in the U.S. on DirecTV, this original half-hour black comedy stars Jason Priestley as Richard “Fitz” Fitzpatrick, a womanizing, morally bankrupt used car salesman who seduces female clients, steals from his co-workers, and wallows in every available excess, using charm that he turns on like a light switch. The twist here is that his father (and boss) sells a piece of the business to nerdish do-gooder Larry (Ernie Grunwald), who knows far too much about Fitz's secret life. In fact, he claims to be Fitz's conscience made flesh, and he's arrived to make this unapologetic reprobate repent—or at least ease off on his worst instincts. Of course, this means war. Fitz's behavior is extreme, to say the least—in the first episode he puts a customer in a coma through reckless negligence and tries to cover his tracks and complete the sale at the same time. Priestley, once the nice-guy, pretty-boy star of Beverly Hills 90210, throws himself into the role with shameless gusto. Kathleen Munroe costars as Ali Devon, the lawyer working to get the goods on Fitz and make him pay. Serving up bad behavior in comic disguise, the hit-and-miss Call Me Fitz has become a cult hit in Canada. Compiling all 13 episodes from the 2010 debut season, DVD extras include two behind-the-scenes featurettes. A strong optional purchase. (S. Axmaker)