The Show
While CBS remains the network for programming aimed at the older crowd with a dozen versions of "CSI" and staples such as "60 Minutes," the network has attempted to attract the younger crowd with more risqué sitcoms. And with "Two & a Half Men" showing its age (not to mention a high-profile cast member change), the so-called Tiffany Network offered an equally risqué female version in "2 Broke Girls."
And whereas many New York-based sitcoms feature "friends" living and hanging in Manhattan, this one is set in Brooklyn - albeit the hipster center of the known universe (for which many jokes are built around). This female buddy comedy tells the struggles of slacker Max (Kat Dennings) and formerly rich girl Caroline (Beth Behrs) as they look to start a cupcake business while working as waitresses in a lowbrow diner.
As with many freshman sitcoms the first few episodes set the stage, test the waters and see what works. The twist in this one is that Caroline is struggling with losing everything after her father was arrested for operating a Bernard Madoff-esque Ponzi scheme, and this sets up the usual "fish out of water" scenario where the once rich bitch has to learn how to function in the real world. As a premise that might have worn thin quickly, but Caroline is well paired with foul-mouthed and streetwise Max.
The first season is thus reminiscent of classic sitcoms such as The Odd Couple and I Love Lucy with contrasting archetypes playing off each other while getting into various misadventures. Being that it set in now hip Williamsburg in Brooklyn, the show's supporting cast is rounded out with a Korean diner owner, a perverted Ukrainian cook, an aged black jazz musician who is now the cashier at the diner and a Polish cleaning business owner who acts as the girls' surrogate mother. With a support network like that these girls should feel quite rich.
The Picture
The picture in this TV sitcom certainly isn't broke! As with most sitcoms on network TV it is presented in 1.78:1 widescreen and offers excellent colors, is generally free of any noise or visual compression issues. The black levels are decent as well. If there are any complaints it is a generalization that TV sets look all the less convincing in HD, especially as this Blu-ray actually improves on the broadcast version.
The Sound
The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 channel lossless soundtrack delivers pretty much what you'd expect from a sitcom shot on a soundstage. The audio isn't bombastic, but the show's producers have managed to fill in the usual ambient sounds of life in the city while musical cues (that will surely date this sitcom as time passes) come through with excellent clarity.
The Extras
The two-disc package isn't exactly loaded with extras but it isn't completely dead broke either. It includes a few alternate jokes that have been removed from a few episodes, along with the featurette "2 Girls Going 4 Broke," which chronicles details about the development and creation of the show.
Final Thoughts
While not exactly the most cutting edge sitcom, "2 Broke Girls" isn't the most typical either. It is a bit risqué - even a tad raunchy at times - and it certainly builds on typical stereotypes. But yet as sitcoms go this one shows that if two BFFs stick together they can make their dreams come true. What more can you expect from a sitcom?
Product Details
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