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DVD Review: “Dorm Life: Semester 1”

By Saba Mohtasham

Nov. 23, 2009 9:00 p.m.

Four months ago, our favorite 5 Southers moved out of their dorms ““ and consequently our lives ““ on the hit Web series “Dorm Life.” Created by seven Bruins, college mockumentary “Dorm Life” aired its first episode in February 2008 and continues to be one of the most popular Web shows on Hulu. As fans continue to hope for a third season, they can get their “Dorm Life” fix with the first season on DVD, which becomes available on Nov. 25 through Amazon for $19.95. Since you can still watch all the episodes on Hulu, YouTube and the show’s own Web site, dishing out the cash comes down to the bonus features. Here’s a breakdown of just a sample of the extras.

Commentaries

The creators and cast provide commentary for four episodes, both in and out of character. They disclose a handful of interesting details: Is the actor who played Mike’s younger brother really creator and actor Chris Smith’s brother? Where were the creators when they decided on episode titles? A Jacuzzi, perhaps? And who actually won the flag football game?

You get to hear from creator and director Mark Stewart Iverson, who spent most of the series behind the camera, about experiences such as shooting Brian Singleton, who plays the hilariously intense Resident Assistant Marshall Adams I, with his non-existent twin brother in the same frame.

But for half of the commentary, they tend to talk over each other, making it hard to follow.

Resident Interviews

The 10 floormates are interviewed about their experiences in the dorms. While some characters don’t really offer anything new in this segment, others answer some burning questions. I for one had always wondered why exactly Steph (Jessie Gaskell) couldn’t hold down a roommate before conservative farm girl Abigail (Anne Lane). Her uber-eccentric personality is a given, but she finally dishes out some specifics as Abby clenches in silence.

Marshall and Courtney (Nora Kirkpatrick) steal the bit with their respective singing. Courtney’s tune will definitely leave you wanting to revisit “Four Leaf Clover.” But it’s Marshall’s a capella solo that proves these guys have an endless supply of funny up their sleeves ““ and why you can’t have an a capella solo.

Date Party Rules

Party boy Gopher, played by creator and actor Jim Brandon, bestows some advice that is truly as relevant as it is funny. His list of dos and don’ts when attending a date party reminds us that this series is based on the creators’ time at UCLA.

Anyone who’s ever been or plans on going to a date party may want to pick this up for some tips. Some rules are definitely more obvious than others ““ take a shot, bump before grinding. But then there’s the gem piece of advice: Request “˜Shout’ by the Isley Brothers.

Now that’s a party.

Blooper Reel

It’s great to see some of the actors break out of character with a case of the giggles, primarily Singleton and creator and actor Jordan Riggs, who plays strictly studious Danny B. Both of their characters go through most of the series with very straight faces, so the laughter in the bloopers is certainly contagious. Then there are the scenes that shocked their way into the reel. The resident soulful artist Josh (Zachary Morris Maze) bravely dons a pair of very small, very nude underwear and nothing else. Like the true artist that he is, he bares his soul ““ and so much more.

All in all, this two-disc set (both discs have the same picture of Marshall on them by the way, which is kind of weird. It’s also the picture that’s towering over everyone else on the cover) delivers what its audience wants ““ more “Dorm Life.”

““ Saba Mohtasham

E-mail Mohtasham at [email protected].

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