TV on DVD

British TV's The IT Crowd tinkers with computer nerds

The IT Crowd, complete series
The IT Crowd, complete series

What is it? The IT Crowd, complete series, 25 episodes on five discs from MPI Home Video

When? Now

How much? $59.98

"It crowd" as in popular? No. IT as in information technology. And at Britain's Reynholm Industries, the technical support department is relegated to a dark, dingy, windowless basement. Not exactly popular.

But, really, that suits the computer guys just fine. Moss (Richard Ayoade) is brilliant when it comes to technology, but he's also incredibly stiff and as socially awkward as they come. And Roy (Chris O'Dowd) is a lazy slacker who can't be bothered to hide his exasperation or disdain for people who want him to solve their problems or do actual work.

Their boss, Jen (Katherine Parkinson), is far better when it comes to people skills and is eager to connect with the rest of the company. But she also lied on her resume and knows absolutely nothing about computers, which can lead to complications.

For the most part, the three, along with the occasionally appearing, vampire-like Richmond (Noel Fielding), stay down in their hole where they discuss their problems and occasionally venture out to go on the rare date, attend a class reunion or take a disastrous shopping trip. Company founder Denholm Reynholm (Chris Morris) and his borderline-psychotic son Douglas (Matt Berry) show up every now and then to make IT's lives more interesting (or more miserable).

What does Reynholm Industries do? Good question. No one seems to know.

How is the show? Very funny. Of course, it helps to appreciate the British sense of humor.

It is a combination of hilariously on-point (the byzantine and nonsensical workings of a big corporation) and cartoonish (Moss accidentally taking a cooking class with a German cannibal).

Any extras? Bloopers, commentary tracks, a short piece that shows how episodes were shot, a joke technology-based infomercial, behind-the-scenes features, interviews, set tour, piece on location shooting. And the DVD's animated menu screens are actually pretty fun to watch.

Like the series itself, most of the bonus features are presented in a wacky, clever, joking manner.

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Style on 12/04/2016

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