A relatively minor standup comic brought to national attention as a result of his association with “redneck” Jeff Foxworthy and the Blue Collar Comedy Tour, Bill Engvall is an amiable performer who delivers dialogue well and has an easygoing charm that's perfect for sitcoms. Still, it's hard to understand the success of The Bill Engvall Show, which premiered on TBS during the summer of 2007, became a surprise hit, and was renewed for a second season starting this fall. A thoroughly conventional comedy, no better or worse than dozens of others that have come down the pike over the last decade, the series features Engvall as Denver-based counselor Bill Pearson, who works with dysfunctional families all day long and wants no drama from his own tribe once he goes home. But, of course, wife Susan (Nancy Travis) and children Lauren (Jennifer Lawrence), Trent (Graham Patrick Martin), and Bryan (Skyler Gisondo) take their turns creating complications for Bill, whose exasperation is never so intense that he's at a loss for delivering snappy ripostes. Engvall and Travis work well together, but most of the situations in these eight episodes have a very familiar ring—not that it would matter if to Engvall fans. DVD extras include a series overview featurette, cast interviews, a set tour, and Engvall answering fan mail. Optional. (E. Hulse)
The Bill Engvall Show: The Complete First Season
Warner, 2 discs, 176 min., not rated, DVD: $19.98 August 4, 2008
The Bill Engvall Show: The Complete First Season
Star Ratings
As of March 2022, Video Librarian has changed from a four-star rating system to a five-star one. This change allows our reviewers to have a wider range of critical viewpoints, as well as to synchronize with Google’s rating structure. This change affects all reviews from March 2022 onwards. All reviews from before this period will still retain their original rating. Future film submissions will be considered our new 1-5 star criteria.
Order From Your Favorite Distributor Today: