They
were at one point the Bill Paxton and Bill Pullman of erstwhile chesty
blonde Playmates — two separate and distinct individuals still bound
together by public confusion over exactly who was whom. A decade
removed, the fog of mistaken identity has lifted (hey, marrying a
crusty nonagenarian and throwing on a hundred-plus pounds will do that
for you), but the difference between Anna Nicole Smith and Pamela
Anderson (below, for the record) can still be measured most acutely in one hyphenated word:
self-awareness. The latter has it in spades, as the DVD release of VIP: The Complete First Season amply demonstrates; the former, well, she might be able to spell it.
Natalie Raitano),
perpetually nonplussed Kay (Leah Lail) and the muscle, Quick (Shaun
Baker) — to guard high-strung actresses, centerfold models, talk-radio
stars, basketball prospects and more.
Tone is everything for a syndicated romp like this, and VIP
has the smarts not to take itself at all seriously. It’s also rather
ingenious in its construction, the manner in which the parties truly
need each other in order to succeed. Tasha may register continued
exasperation with Vallery — especially for her serial fashion
indulgence — but the latter’s lack of prescribed experience always
lends itself to some outside-of-the-box thinking that proves helpful.
Likewise, Quick and the others provide the practical know-how to
implement Vallery’s schemes and plans. Anderson’s off-screen
likeability is further evidenced by a wide-ranging roster of guest
stars that includes Jay Leno, Morgan Fairchild, Jerry Springer, Sherman
Hemsley, Pauly Shore, Robin Leach, Marie Osmond and magicians Penn and
Teller. While it’s definitely not re-inventing the wheel, there’s
enough campy and lightweight fun here to qualify the show for a look
for those looking to shake some of the sand from Baywatch out of their trunks.
All 22 episodes of VIP’s 1998 inaugural sashay are included
here, in 1.78:1 anamorphic widescreen format with an English stereo
audio mix. Spread out over five discs housed in three slimline cases in
turn stored in a single cardboard slipcase, supplemental extras include
a trivia track on the series pilot and audio commentary on the season
finale, “Val the Hard Way,” with executive producers Jonathan Lawton
and Morgan Gendel, actress Raitano and writer Steve Kirozere. There’s
also a brief behind-the-scenes featurette and a selection of cheeky,
newly filmed cast introductions to three episodes. More with Anderson
would certainly be welcome, but VIP has the smarts to leave you wanting more. B- (Show) C+ (Disc)