That The Girls Next Door managed to squeeze thirty five hours of Hugh Hefner's bunny squad chatter and scuffle is an achievement - but what viewer valuing their time would buy this set and why? If you are a fan of the show, perhaps this sizable paperweight will do you go, but otherwise, who would revisit six seasons and 91 episodes when the high points feature soft-core nudity that is exhibited freely on the web? Questions to ponder as I dive into this, a review of the complete series.
What started out as a focus on Holly Madison, Bridget Marquardt and Kendra Wilkinson (and naturally Hugh Hefner), soon shifted to Crystal Harris and twins Kristina and Karissa Shannon. Despite the girls taking center stage, this is very much Hefner's show and his persona is infinitely more interesting, with a crew for every conceivable beck and call. I wish I could say the ladies summoned up something other than a prurient interest, but outside of terrifically stupid behavior that pops its head up every few episodes, this is E-grade drama, with rivalries and arguments that come off as fake even for reality TV.
Credit to the crew behind the show since the pacing at least manages not to draw out the pain of watching - seasons are light on their feet and the production value is certainly solid, Hef's mansion and the various trips abroad rendered via capable hands. As an extension of the Playboy media empire, this is a wise move but it still doesn't explain how the show kept big numbers enthralled - is it the magic combination of bottom barrel humor and a hint of nudity? Is it the wealth on display giving rise to wishful thinking? I can understand the latter as a formerly regular viewer of "Entourage," but that show had a steady grasp of characterization in its earlier seasons. Girls Next Door is for purists only - what's pure about it is up for debate.
The show looks decent on DVD (is there a petition for a Blu-ray release somewhere on the interwebs?), with consistent colors and occasional nightime grain. The first five seasons are presented in full screen while the six is widescreen. Sound is 2.0 and is a clear mix that doesn't pull any punches.
DVD Bonus Features:
Unsurprisingly packed with empty calorie extras - audio commentaries are featured with most episodes, as well episode promos, deleted scenes, a photo gallery, the original pilot episode ("Hef's World") and another that didn't make it ("Transitions"), a pilot for "The Bunny House," and two featurettes, "All About the Girls" and "Bedtime Stories: The Best of the Girls Next Door." Also included are some more extraneous promos, like one with the girls wishing Hefner a happy birthday. Joy.
"The Girls Next Door: The Complete Collection" is on sale November 29, 2011 and is not rated. Comedy, Television. Written and directed by Various. Starring Crystal Harris, Holly Madison, Karissa Shannon, Kristina Shannon, Kendra Wilkinson, Bridget Marquardt.
