When Reno 911! debuted in 2003 it was one of the funniest shows on television. Spoofing the immensely popular Cops reality show, it features a cast of miscreant police officers from the Reno Sheriff’s Department that don’t really understand the law, much less enforce it properly. Much like the South park series, Reno 911! features edgy humor that has gone from somewhat restrained to all out crude over the course of its run this far, and this DVD collection provides ample evidence in all its uncensored glory.
Honestly, this show has always repeated itself a lot and there’s not much new in The Complete Sixth Season. After Season Three it seems like the show hit a dry spell that its still trying to fight its way out of. The cruder it gets the less funny it becomes and this season is by far the crudest, featuring Wiegel and Rizzo’s intimate relations, ridding ladies of the night from the Reno Mayor’s room, and a raunchy extradition “vacation” to Thailand. There are some funny moments, specifically the episode where the crew look back on their lives as officers and the two-part episode where Lt. Dangle hosts a murder mystery party. For the most part though, this season falls really short of the others.
Die hard fans of the show will be glad to know that there are tons of audio commentaries from the cast included. Additionally there are some extended scenes and outtakes that are fine once through, and profiles of Deputy Frank Rizzo and Sergeant Jack Declan, which are the highlights of this collection. If you are a fan of the show then it doesn’t matter what I say here, you’ll want to get this. If you are just working your way in though, I’d suggest starting with season’s two or three and coming to this one way later.
Reviewed by Mark Fisher
