Rules of Engagement: The Complete First Season

Despite the presence of two enormously likable performers—Patrick Warburton and Megyn Price—this relationship-oriented sitcom never realizes its potential, preferring instead to go for the cheap, easy laughs. The setup is deceptively simple: two couples (Warburton and Price, Oliver Hudson and Bianca Kajlich) and their single friend (David Spade) are always being thrown together in situations that bring up issues related to marriage, commitment, and various domestic rituals. The older couple is somewhat more jaded than the younger, while the inveterate bachelor constantly taunts them both. Only seven 2007 episodes are collected on this single overpriced disc, but after just two I was already sick of Spade, whose smutty, smarmy character trolled incessantly for below-the-belt gags. Rules of Engagement is a bit too by-the-book, mining obvious humor and always resolving situations in a predictable manner. DVD extras include a behind-the-scenes featurette, a blooper reel, and a tour of the set with Hudson (son of Goldie Hawn). Not a necessary purchase. (E. Hulse)