Stella - Season One

This show earns the highest possible praise for a comedy series: it compares favorably with "Red Dwarf." Of course it's conceivable (though just barely) that not everyone considers "Red Dwarf" the standard against which all other comedys are to be judged. So if you don't count "Red Dwarf," then "Stella" becomes the gold standard of comedy. The fact that it only lasted one season of ten episodes pretty much proves that Comedy Central is to comedy as SyFy is to science fiction - and believe me, that's no compliment. The show isn't just funny (almost any show can be funny); it's surreal, whimsical and absolutely absurd all at the same time. "Stella" is definitely not for those who want their comedy doggedly "true to life" so they can glean little snippets of everyday wisdom from the situations presented while they laugh at the all-too-obvious story line; in a word, it's not a show to guide you through life's perils. Just the opposite: it creates an endless array of perils for the characters where there needed to be none at all. And, best of all, there's no way on earth you can guess how everything resolves. By far your biggest challenge watching the series is deciding which episode is your favorite; it seems almost obscene to call any one episode better than the rest. Even so, I'm going to stick my neck out and call "Vegetables" my favorite. It took all the magic of the show to an even higher plateau - which I wouldn't have thought possible. "Stella" is to American comedy as "Red Dwarf" is to British comedy. And that's as good as it gets.

Stella is a quirky, eccentric show that ran for one season on Comedy Central. It combined the talents of David Wain, Michael Showalter, and the incomparable Michael Ian Black. While it was technically a show about three guys who live together in an apartment, the comedy displayed in the show has never been done before in any setting. It is difficult to find words to describe it, but I found it consistently laugh-out-loud funny, but in an intelligent fashion. The three men are veterans of the comedy troupe "The State", and "Stella" is one of the progeny of that late, very lamented entity (along with other children "Reno 911", "Viva Variety", and "Wet Hot American Summer". They bring a sophistication and intelligence to their craft that is all too rare in these days of Larry the Cable Guy. Unfortunately, this show brought with it only cult interest, and as a result, was not renewed for another season. The rumor has it that Comedy Central may make a Season Two should this DVD sell well (along the Family Guy model.) As a result, I am very much hoping that this becomes a sensation; in this frequently depressing world, 'Stella' represents a product that is always innovative and frequently hilarious. My fondest recommendations.

I've been following Stella from afar for a few years now. I live in England, I'm English and sometimes comedy doesn't translate well across the pond. But this is probably one of the funniest things I've ever seen. I love comedy, and have a broad range of tastes, so maybe that's why I lapped up every ounce of hilarity to be squeezed from this glorious show. But you have to give it a chance, you can't watch a single episode in isolation and dismiss it. Sure, there's more than a hint of self-indulgence and a great measure of self-gratification evident in the antics of our 3 heros and their alter-egos. But that's what makes it funny. Maybe some people don't like to invest their time in their entertainment any more, maybe they can't be bothered to get to know the perfomers and their scope and multi-talented endeavours. Well that's their loss, because that's why this nugget of comedy gold shines out like a beacon in a river of dross. Put in some groundwork people, don't be lazy. Fast food is one thing, but that kind of instant gratification doesn't apply here. Stella needs to enjoyed like a gourmet dinner. And best of all, it's calorie free.

Anyone who rates Stella down is missing the point: Stella is most definitely not for everyone. But what is? If we're going to even pretend to be objective about art, we have to ask how well it accomplishes its goals. Stella's goal is to be the antithesis of traditional comedy, the height of absurdity, and the goal could not possibly be more successfully achieved. 5 stars for Stella, the show. And this DVD release is perfectly done. The picture and sound are first rate, and every special feature imaginable has been included. Every single episode has a commentary track featuring all three members of Stella, and the history feature -- nearly an hour long -- is fascinating. You get Stella's half-hour Comedy Central Presents stand up show, and blooper reels as well as deleted scenes and extended takes. There's also reportedly an easter egg -- a Stella short that's never seen the light of day (i.e. on CollegeHumor)! What more could anyone possibly ask from a DVD release? 5 stars once again.

Show is very conceptual. Smart and dumb at the same time, definitely not for everyone.