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PLEASE NOTE: Michael D's is currently in READ ONLY MODE. Anything submitted will simply not be written to the database.
Lots of stuff is still broken, but at least reviews can now be looked up and read.
Glass House, The-Best of 2002-2006 (2002)

Glass House, The-Best of 2002-2006 (2002)

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Released 1-Nov-2006

Cover Art

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Details At A Glance

General Extras
Category Comedy Menu Audio
Booklet
Featurette-Tough Questions
Easter Egg-3
Featurette-Random Headline Generator
Rating Rated M
Year Of Production 2002
Running Time 176:42 (Case: 205)
RSDL / Flipper Dual Layered Cast & Crew
Start Up Menu
Region Coding 2,4 Directed By None Given
Studio
Distributor

Roadshow Home Entertainment
Starring None Given
Case Amaray-Transparent-Secure Clip
RPI $24.95 Music None Given


Video Audio
Pan & Scan/Full Frame None English Dolby Digital 2.0 (192Kb/s)
Widescreen Aspect Ratio 1.75:1
16x9 Enhancement
16x9 Enhanced
Video Format 576i (PAL)
Original Aspect Ratio 1.75:1 Miscellaneous
Jacket Pictures No
Subtitles English for the Hearing Impaired Smoking No
Annoying Product Placement No
Action In or After Credits Yes

NOTE: The Profanity Filter is ON. Turn it off here.

Plot Synopsis

    One of the best and edgiest comedy shows of the last few years has been The Glass House on the ABC. Recently, after a change of leadership, the ABC decided to cancel it after being on air since 2002. This is a great shame and another step backward for the ABC. However, we can console ourselves somewhat with this excellent release of The Glass House on DVD.

    The format of the show is a a discussion panel made up of three permanent members, Wil Anderson (who hosts), Corinne Grant and Dave Hughes, plus two guests. All three regulars are funny and quick witted people who seem to come up with quite a bit of their humour on the spur of the moment. There is obviously a plan and some sections are pre-written, however, improvisation plays a key part in the formula. The guests obviously vary in quality and level of humourousness, but most of those included in these highlights of the show are certainly high quality. Some of the standouts include Pia Miranda, Andrew Denton, Adam Hills, Molly Meldrum and Bill Bailey.

    The disc itself includes four main sections which are various 'best of' shows from the years the program was on television. Each is separately selected from the menu. They are

    All four programs contain some great comedy moments as well as a few that don't hit the mark quite so well, but this is to be expected. A lot of the humour is a little 'blue', which may offend some viewers, but if you watched the show, you will know that already. Obviously, this is not suitable for younger viewers and the disc has been rated M by the OFLC.

    Highly recommended for fans of the show and anyone who enjoys Australian comedy or just a good laugh.

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Transfer Quality

Video

    The video quality is very good with no major issues. There is some light grain throughout. Sharpness and clarity are very good. Colour was also very good. The shows are presented in a 1.75:1 aspect ratio 16x9 enhanced which is the original aspect ratio.

    There are subtitles in English for the Hearing Impaired which are clear and easy to read.

Video Ratings Summary
Sharpness
Shadow Detail
Colour
Grain/Pixelization
Film-To-Video Artefacts
Film Artefacts
Overall

Audio

    The audio quality is very good.

    This DVD contains an English Dolby Digital 2.0 stereo soundtrack encoded at 192 Kb/s.

    Dialogue was clear and easy to understand which is the main consideration for a comedy show.

    The surround speakers and subwoofer were not used.

Audio Ratings Summary
Dialogue
Audio Sync
Clicks/Pops/Dropouts
Surround Channel Use
Subwoofer
Overall

Extras

   

Menu

    The menu is fairly simple, allowing you to choose the year and extras, however there was an option to turn off menu sound. Also see Easter Eggs below for a cool feature.

Booklet

    A booklet is included in the case entitled 'Life in The Glasshouse' and includes some amusing text and photos. Good addition.

Random Headline Generator

    This randomly provides a funny headline as used in the show. Amusing but it does repeat itself sometimes.

The Tough Questions (19:08)

    Recorded whilst they were rehearsing, this is a panel discussion by the stars and the two main writers about the history of the show, its format, specific moments they found amusing, and other topics. They also take the opportunity to answer some questions posed by viewers. This is very interesting, as they are relaxed and open about the show. Another quality extra.

Easter Egg 1

    (SPOILER ALERT: highlight with mouse to read) If you allow the menu to roll around a couple of times, then a fake FBI warning will roll. There is more than one of these and they are very funny.

Easter Egg 2 (2:04)

    (SPOILER ALERT: highlight with mouse to read) If you go left from Tough Questions then a short selection of snippets from the show will play. Funny stuff but the video quality is quite poor.

Easter Egg 3 (5:24)

    (SPOILER ALERT: highlight with mouse to read) If you go right from the menu item for 2006 - Erotic Buses & Penguin Love then a short and very weird segment of a show will play which I would guess was never shown on television as there are some naked male genitals involved. Surreal.

R4 vs R1

NOTE: To view non-R4 releases, your equipment needs to be multi-zone compatible and usually also NTSC compatible.

    This disc is not available in other regions.

Summary

    Three hours of a great comedy television show.

    The video quality is very good.

    The audio quality is very good.

    Nice collection of extras and some choice easter eggs.

Ratings (out of 5)

Video
Audio
Extras
Plot
Overall

© Daniel Bruce (Do you need a bio break?)
Monday, January 29, 2007
Review Equipment
DVDPioneer DV667A DVD-V DVD-A SACD, using Component output
DisplaySony FD Trinitron Wega KV-AR34M36 80cm. Calibrated with Digital Video Essentials (PAL). This display device is 16x9 capable. This display device has a maximum native resolution of 576i (PAL)/480i (NTSC).
Audio DecoderBuilt in to amplifier/receiver. Calibrated with Video Essentials.
AmplificationPioneer VSX-511
SpeakersMonitor Audio Bronze 2 (Front), Bronze Centre & Bronze FX (Rears) + Yamaha YST SW90 subwoofer

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