Punk'd: Complete First Season
Paramount Home Entertainment   -   2003   -   157 minutes

Reviewed by Jacob van Lingen

Review Date: June 11, 2004

FOR STARTERS

PHOTO GALLERY Title Sequence

What do you get when you give Demi Moore cradle-robbee Ashton Kutcher (That 70�s Show) his own hidden camera TV show on MTV? That�s right, you get Punk�d. The first season of this celebrity-pranking show was a huge hit for MTV, and made Ashton Kutcher every 16 year old girl�s poster-boy. A show designed solely to humiliate celebrities and catch them at their weakest moments. What more could you ask for?

Being the youngest staffer for TheBoxSet.com, this disc undoubtedly came into my possession, as I still fit the MTV demographic. While filled with a great deal of sophomoric humor, and an even greater deal of foul language (there is a reason the DVD is unrated), Punk�d: The Complete First Season is an entertaining way to spend a couple of hours laughing at people who make more money than we can even comprehend.

� Episode 101:
My Assistant: Frankie Muniz (Malcolm in the Middle) is led to believe that his car was stolen from the valet.
Repossessed: Justin Timberlake is duped into thinking his home has been repossessed for back taxes.
VH1 Big in 2002 Awards: Ryan Pinkston asks rude questions to celebrities on the red carpet. Featuring Kid Rock, Pamela Anderson, Ray Liotta, Christina Aguilera, Denise Richards (Wild Things), Tori Amos, Christina Applegate, Eddie Griffin (Undercover Brother), Jonathan Schaech (The Sweetest Thing), Pierce Brosnan, and Lifehouse.
� Episode 102:
Shopping Spree: Eliza Dushku (Bring it On) thinks she is being framed for shoplifting.
Crib Crashers: Mandy Moore is misled when she believes that she caused a person�s home to be destroyed.
He Got Game: A guy believes that he will be going up against Oscar De La Hoya in the boxing ring.
� Episode 103:
Naked Shopper: Jessica Alba is tormented by a naked shopper.
Winner�s Car: Thinking that the SUV belongs to Ashton, a jealous boyfriend in a love triangle feud destroys Wilmer Valderrama�s (That 70�s Show) SUV.
Housesitter: Tom Arnold drops off his brat kid with Ashton�s newly hired assistant.
� Episode 104:
Diesel Red Carpet: Ryan Pinkston asks rude questions to celebrities on the red carpet. Featuring Danny Masterson, Erika Christiensen (Traffic), Jon Abrahms (Boston Public), Eric Balfour (Six Feet Under), Christina Della Rose (Shallow Hal), Pauly Shore, Wilmer Valderrama, Dominic Monaghan (Lord of the Rings), Billy Boyd (Lord of the Rings), Lacey Chabert (Party of Five), and Brett Scallions (Fuel).
Wag the Dog: Kelly Osbourne is given advice on how to improve her image.
Locksmith Larceny: Three locksmiths are conned into thinking that they are being framed for burglary when they unlock a store.

� Episode 105:
Metal Detector Part 1: Celebrities are treated rudely by MTV security. Featuring Kevin Richardson (Backstreet Boys), Trishelle (The Real World: Las Vegas), and Kory Bassett.
Craps Game: Seth Green (Austin Powers) is set up for blame when their craps game is raided by the authorities.
Tattoo You: A guy is tormented when the tattoo artist continuously hits on his girlfriend.
� Episode 106:
Watch My Kid: Charges are threatened on unsuspecting Jessica Biel (7th Heaven) when she agrees to watch a fan�s kid.
RV Park: Jessica Simpson�s long-lost relatives show up on her doorstep asking for money.
No Keys For You: Two customers are treated badly by valets when they come to pick up their cars.
� Episode 107:
Metal Detector Part II: Jason �Wee Man� Acuna (Jackass) and Jack Osbourne (The Osbournes) are given a hard time by MTV security.
Pinching Pink: Pink thinks she is being framed by her boyfriend, Carey Hart (Motor-cross athlete), for running a motorcycle �chop shop�.
Drinking Games: Stephen Dorff (Blade) is set up to get stuck with an $8,000 bar tab.
� Episode 108:
Hit & Run: Rosario Dawson (25th Hour) is taken for a ride when she is duped into thinking that her limo hit a pedestrian (stuntman).
Britney Spears: Britney Spears and Ashton turn the tables on the Punk�d crew.
NFL Challenge: The Punk�d crew is rude to NFL players during a golf tournament. Featuring Jerome Bettis, Jeff Garcia, and Rod Smith.

VIDEO

When most of the cameras are hiding behind two-way mirrors or sitting in hidden devices and this being the first season of a low-budget MTV show, you�d expect low quality video. However, Punk�d comes through with surprisingly good quality in the video department. With the exception of one episode (in which it looks like one camera was bad), the video was very good quality. Lighting was never too dark or too bright. While not feature film quality, I was impressed.

AUDIO

Being listed as 2.0 Dolby Digital, Punk'd performs as such. The rear speakers were a non-factor, as were the front surrounds for the most part. The center channel did a good job of presenting the dialogue clearly, and the sound levels were even throughout. The soundtrack was the sole contributer to the subwoofer and front surround speakers, which put a little boom in my Punk�d experience. This is one of those titles in which the surround sound button could have stayed in the off position and made no difference at all. But what were you looking for? Microphones need to hide, too.

SUPPLEMENTS

This disc is far from being loaded down with extras, but there are a few supplements included. The commentary track is funny only because Ashton and a couple of the other guys are just talking trash about each other the entire time, which was indeed amusing. But I don�t really think the show or any behind the scenes info was talked about for more than 5 minutes, which was not so amusing. There were a couple of never before seen segments that were funny, but nothing that had my side splitting or anything. While not the biggest highlight on the disc, I was neither impressed nor disappointed with the extras.

THE BOTTOM LINE

If you love seeing celebrities break down and cry (Justin Timberlake), get completely uncomfortable around a naked man dancing in a clothing store (Jessica Alba), or simply get furious (Pink), this disc is a relaxing way to hang out after a hard day of actually working.