slaphappy5000

For relativelylate in the TPB game, this is pretty durn good.... all the movies are either good or very good, the specials run from very good to great (not the live stuff, which is tough after the first 30 mins. usually; but the filmed "bookends" w/the live stuff are always very good)

but i digress.... nice to see the boys in a different environment; the production values/film quality are high, and the story moves along at a nice clip. it has a slight "toned down" feel compared w/other more manic TPB stuff, but that doesn't really hurt it. some of the things towards the end don't make perfect sense - is ricky lobbying to legalize pot cuz it's "good," or not to, cuz it'll hurt his business? - and they wrap things up quickly w/randy oddly back in their good graces, but these are minor quibbles

if you're a fan, you'll love it, of course. if you're new to TPB, you could do worse than to start w/one of their movies, including this one

Depending on how much live TPB tv you've seen already (specials, etc.), you should see this, or some of it, just to get a feel for what the live show is like, to add to your love of the TPB phenomenon. is the live stuff as good as the scripted/tight/series stuff? no. are there some amusing things? yes. are parts of it kind of boring/amateur'ish? yep.

but it's fun to see the audience shower our gang w/love when they first appear, and the filmed bookend stuff at the front and back of the special(s) is usually good, as is the case here. but the stage show is really just a chance for fans to come out and see their beloved TPBs in person. it's not gonna be rip-roaring, tight hilarity. it is an oppty to see the boys and get a few laughs

despite what some reviewers mention, i'm sure the audience enjoys themselves, as evidenced by the applause and laughter. some of these earlier specials are actually superior to the borderline-awful later specials, out of the park, etc.

there's no doubt the show is at its best in series form. but experience a little of the other stuff (the movies are generally quite good, as is the xmas special). it is what it is (and the fans usually approve)

An 8, but a very solid 8! meaning very good! production values are high, and the story drags just a little in a couple of spots, but overall, it is quite a ride! when was the last time you saw bubbles w/a "love interest"? (never!) lots to enjoy here. lahey (and randy) have never been better. great to see jim in such a non-TPB locale at the beginning and end-the movie is structured very cleverly, bookends and throughout. you'll be entertained from the moment it starts, and doubly when you read "(just) one week earlier..." ; )