The Complete Series
- Comedy
- 2009
- Buy the DVD
Reviewed by Will Harris
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ome with us now on a journey through time and space, to the world of the Mighty Boosh.” So begins every episode of this British sitcom from the minds of Julian Barratt and Noel Fielding, but it’s less an offer than a warning. This is a trip which only those with highly skewed senses of humor should dare to embark upon. There aren’t many shows, either comedic or dramatic, which so require you to give yourself to the universe that they’ve established as “The Mighty Boosh” does. British comedy has always had a bit of an anarchic streak, but these guys regularly veer as far into left field as they can possible get away with – and beyond, if we’re being honest. This is one of those series where any review worth its salt must include assurances that no description can possibly do it justice and that it really must been seen to be appreciated. It may be a cop-out, but it’s true.
The lead characters of “The Mighty Boosh” are Howard Moon (Barratt) and Vince Noir (Fielding), but throughout the three seasons of the series, the show’s format changes, presumably to keep things from getting too formulaic – like there’s any chance in Hell that ever would’ve happened. Nevertheless, in Season One, they work in a rundown London zoo called The Zoo-niverse, Season Two finds the guys trying to make a go of it with their band, and Season Three features a bit more of that storyline, but it’s a bit more all-over-the-place with its premises. As the show progresses, you can see how it evolves from the rather strange into complete insanity, reaching a point where, no matter whether you think it’s funny, you appreciate its utter originality. It’s no wonder that “The Mighty Boosh” has found its way into the Adult Swim lineup, given that there are occasions when it bears a resemblance to “Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!” in its bizarre comedic sensibilities, if not its actual format, and the same could be said of “Mr. Show” as well. (For my part, I actually thought of the surreal sidebar sketches within “The Young Ones” while watching the show.)
Given that a complete series set of “The Mighty Boosh” is already on the schedule and set for release before Christmas, your best bet is to pick up Season One of the show and see how it grabs you. If you find yourself staring blankly at the screen more than laughing, then you needn’t worry about picking up the other two seasons. But if you find yourself slipping into hysterics, then perhaps consider saving your money and just buy the whole bloody lot at once. If you share the Barratt / Fielding comedic mindset, then you’ll want to take the journey to the world of “The Mighty Boosh” in its entirety.
Special Features: Each disc is loaded with bonus material, including audio commentaries from the guys, outtakes, featurettes, picture galleries, and the option to watch the songs from each disc. But, hey, when are we going to get a proper CD of the show’s incredible soundtrack?
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