Wahlburgers: The Complete First Season

Aired on A&E, this 2014 first season follows the ins and outs of a Boston-area family restaurant. But what sets this apart from other “reality” series' is the fact that the business owners include actors Mark and Donnie Wahlberg. The former Marky Mark and New Kid on the Block pop up in various episodes, but the glue that holds the family business together is friendly busybody matriarch Alma, along with another brother, nice guy main chef Paul. A lot of the “action” revolves around everyone teasing good-natured Paul, including a prank where the brothers pretend to be working on a theme song: Mark enlists the help of Johnny “Drama” Alves (the real-life counterpart on which the Entourage character was based) for a terrible rap tune, while Donnie phones in a favor from New Kid Joey McIntrye for a schmaltzy version that leaves poor Paul looking mystified. Also featured in this 2014 nine-episode first season set are actress Jenny McCarthy (now Donnie's wife), childhood friend “Nacho” (whom Mark especially seems to enjoy bullying into eating random stuff), and Jacques Pepin, one of Paul's heroes. Extras include bonus featurettes. A silly but also entertaining show, this is recommended. (J. Williams-Wood)