Customer Reviews

Keen Eddie - The Complete Series

5 star:		(46)
4 star:		(17)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

First, let me start off by saying that I love Keen Eddie. When this show debuted on Fox, I taped it from the start because I thought it looked cool and edgy, and that usually is the kiss of death for most network shows. Sure enough, it got the axe, but Bravo was kind enough to air the episodes and give Eddie some new viewers.

When this box set was announced, I literally jumped for joy that I could disgard my VHS tapes for a nice DVD set. I've been counting the days, and my set arrived today. I just started watching the Pilot episode when I noticed the absence of the Specials song, "Message to you, Rudy." Then during the big chase scene, Madness' "One Step Beyond" was removed as well. I just shut off the DVD, and now feel a bit cheated. My old VHS tapes will have to hold out.

I've heard rumors that studios replace music in tv box sets to keep costs down, but one of the "keenest" parts of Keen Eddie was the wicked soundtrack. The music wasn't simply generic teen pop overlayed behind your typical WB teen drama. The music on Keen Eddie often fit the scenes perfectly, and became as important as the actors themselves. I haven't watched the rest of the set, but the packaging does state, in tiny print on the inside(and bottom of the box...who reads that?), that "the music has been replaced for this Home Entertainment version."

Newer viewers won't know it's missing, but the show lost some of it's manic edge with the bland techno in place of Madness. The music was often timed with particular scenes so it would cut away in synch to the next scene. The missing music is a huge loss. Mark Valley is still brilliant, but I can't stand that the studio decided to release a watered down version of a show that deserved better. If only it had aired on the FX network instead...they seem more tolerant of unique programming.

So, please watch, but, if you love the music like me, don't get rid of those VHS episodes just yet. Keen Eddie must be jinxed. First it got a bum rap from Fox, then a raw deal on DVD. I would have paid more for the complete episodes with all of the original music. Maybe Paramount will release a better volume in the future? We can only hope. I guess this will have to do for now.

5 Stars for the Original Series, 2 Stars for this Edited version.

Keen Eddie is such a great show that it's really a shame that Fox cancelled it (more like their fault for being stupid and airing it out of order like they did with Firefly and airing it in the summer doldrums). I give this show 5 stars.

Now, for the DVD, it's just a really really bad set of DVDs. You know who does great DVDs? FOX Home Studio. This DVD set (might) just have been done by Paramount alone without the help of J Wyman, Simon West, or the cast. They didn't even spend money for licensed music, replacing music aired on tv. There are no extras (unless you count the 5.1 audio), no commentaries. I hope if this set at least gets popular they'll re-released another set with extras. I give the DVDs 3. Great transfer of video and 5.1 audio is also a plus otherwise I would have given it a 2.

Shame on you Paramount. As someone already said, yeah, IT IS an insult.

Screwed up episode order?
- Not unheard of. Warner Home Video did the same with the "Crusade" DVD set. That's in TNT's moronic airing order.

Absence of original music?
- How much extra could it have cost for a 13 episode disc set WITH the original music? Come on suits, WISE UP!

The reason for both of these problems is that accountants/MBAs are in charge, and no amount of profit is EVER enough. The execs don't understand what people want, and WILL PAY FOR. Sad. I hope they do a correct set in the future, but I REALLY doubt it. They'll probably learn the WRONG lesson if this DVD set suffers low sales, and think that people just don't like the show. Good grief, if there's a way to screw up, suits will find it, AND usually on the first try.

5 stars for the show, and 2 stars for this DVD set.

Here's hoping that same thing isn't done if Warner Home Video ever decides to release "Brimstone" on DVD (another excellent 13 episode set). NO SUBSTITUTIONS IN PLACE OF THE ORIGINAL MUSIC! Got that, suits?

As far as I can tell, at least a few songs per episode have been changed to generic techno, undoubtedly because Paramount was too cheap to pay the licensing fees and instead commissioned much cheaper trash.

I love Keen Eddie. It's one of the best productions to ever have come out of American TV. I'll also never touch this insulting release for as long as I live, much less pay money for it.

My advice to anyone who purchased this is to return it as soon as possible and complain to Paramount that they'd have your money if they'd had the sense to release the original versions of the series, much less add extras. As to how to do this, I can't offer any advice as Paramount's site seems to be an impentrable wall of byzantine customer 'appreciation.' Hopefuly, someone else here can offer some insight.

This was an inspired cop/action/comedy show that premiered on the Fox network in the summer of '03. It quickly became a critical favourite, but it was cancelled due to low ratings and the stupid Fox network shuffling it around and not giving it enough exposure.

Mark Valley plays Det. Eddie Arlette, a New York City cop sent to London, England to correct a botched drug bust. The flat he was supposed to be renting is still occupied by the owner's daughter, Fiona Bickerton. Fiona adamantly refuses to let Eddie stay and pretty much dislikes him from the first moment. However, she must let Eddie stay because her mother -- the owner -- is still under the impression that Fiona is at university and Fiona has failed to mention that she has dropped out of school. As soon as Eddie's case is solved, he is offered a position within Scotland Yard. Eddie's new associates include:

* Inspector Monty Pippin, his sex-obsessed but stylish and well-dressed partner.
* Superintendant Nathaniel Johnson, his humourless superior who is "not sure he likes Eddie but he likes results."
* Carol Ross, Nathaniel's secretary who appears quiet but wields a secret sexy power over Eddie.
* And of course, Pete. Eddie's tough dog who enjoys biting Eddie's hands, menacing strangers, and shagging Fiona's cat.

This show was repeated on Bravo earlier this year, along with 6 episodes that had been previously unaired on Fox. All episodes should be available on this DVD set.

The show contains a lively and diverse soundtrack of techno, rock, rap, etc. Flashbacks, flights of fancy, fast-paced camera movements are part of what makes this show interesting and entertaining. Eddie's interactions with Fiona, Pippin and especially Carol are what makes this show enjoyable. Fiona resents having him live with her; they both hate each other, but you can tell they've secretly become fond of each other. Pippin is an unrepentent skirt-chaser; Eddie's concern for how his lifestyle might get him into trouble is sweet, but the two respect each other. And Carol... No, I won't spoil anything; you have to watch it. ;-)

I strongly recommend this show.

And shame on Amazon! My other review was removed!

For over two years I had a review up scolding Paramount for this insulting release of a unbeliveably wonderful show! I even got thank you emails for it for my list of the episode order as is should have been (since Fox and bravo aired it out of correct order and the DVDS are not in the right order either.)

I dunno what happened to my review, I didn't take it off certainly, but gone it is. So - here's the gist of it again.

The show is brilliantly funny beyond words. These dvds blow chunks. The original music has been removed and replaced with a fast and awful synth job. It doens't fit at all. It's jarring how bad the music is.

Okay with that all said again... paramount should be ashamed of itself for releasing such a subpar product. There's not even a single bonus feature.

So here's the valueable part of my pervious review since it was removed for some ungodly reason.

For the interested the correct viewing order of the episodes on the dvd are ou of correct intended viewing order

They are on the dvd in this stupid order:
101, 102, 109, 112, 106, 110, 107, 111, 108, 105, 104, 103, 113

The episode titles in the correct intended "production" order are:
101. "Pilot"
102. "Horse Heir"
103. "Keeping Up Appearances"
104. "Citizen Cecil"
105. "Who Wants to Be in a Club That Would Have Me as a Member?"
106. "Sucker Punch"
107. "Black Like Me"
108. "Inciting Incident"
109. "Achtung Baby"
110. "The Amazing Larry Dunn"
110. "Sticky Fingers"
112. "Eddie Loves Baseball"
113. "Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité"

It makes more sense to watch it in the correct order, you won't get so confused why she breaks up with her snively posh boyfriend and then he comes back, then is gone again. As well as why the matchbooks dissappear and reappear on the map.

Feel free to contact me again at jen at verybigdesign dot com, and I'll replace my original review if I can find it again in the internet wayback machine.

For my two cents worth, Keen Eddie was the best US made show on regular TV for at least a decade. Humor - check. Drama/action - check. Romance - check. Something for everyone, and yet it never seemed forced. I admit, I missed it on Fox, but stayed up religously to watch it on Bravo at 2am, converting my brothers and several friends into Eddie fans along the way. I love Guy Ritchie's non-Madonna starring movies, and that style really gave the show its edge. Further, the cast was amazing. I recognized Pippin from other British series, and the Inspector from the recent James Bond movies, but couldn't have expected the quality from them, or Mark Valley. Give that man another show somebody. Oh, and that suddenly popular Sienna Miller? Eddie fans had her on radar months ago.

Still, the DVDs (which just last spring were apparantly not even on the idea block)ruin a good thing. Every show has bloopers or cut scenes, so where were they? Aslo, as I looked at the amount of episodes, I distinctly remembered 12 of them from TV, so the whole thing about new ones is crap. Finally, the proverbial camel breaking straw, the music. When you watch a show from 2am to 3am and then crawl into bed, but it takes a minute to get to sleep because the kick (...) sound track is running through your head, you realize how important it is to the whole project.

All I can add is my hope that Showtime or HBO listens to fans and picks it up. I don't get either right now, but it'd be worth it for another season or five of Eddie.

I would gladly pay the extra cash for a version of this Box Set with the music that was originally part of this AMAZING series (How I wish it was not cancelled). That being said, Keen Eddie without the great music is better than no Keen Eddie Box Set at all. Thats why I still give it 3 stars because you still get the great writing, acting, and editing which makes up most of the show. If you have not seen the show, buy this set and you will not be disappointed. If anyone knows if there is a chance that a version with the music will be released please let me know.

Such an excellent show - it's got a great mix of both British and American-style humor, an absolutely kicking techno soundtrack (by Orbital), a yummy-looking cast of both sexes, always-twisting storylines, and lots of fabulous chemistry and charisma from the cast. Definitely one to own, keep, and mourn the lost potential.

First of all, Keen Eddie was an incredible show that - like a lot of great shows - was pulled was too early. The storylines are great, the actors are fantastic and there is just the right amount of wit and edge to the production.

The fact the episodes have been released to DVD is great, but, as with most things related to Keen Eddie, the studios seems to be out to screw it up at every turn...

My only complaint: WHO made the decision to not use the original music/soundtrack? When the episodes originally aired, a big part of the impact and hook to the show was the music... and sadly, someone made the call (probably to save a few royalty bucks) to not use the original music. A real missed opportunity.

Otherwise, it's the same Keen Eddie we all know and love... and hopefully will be picked up by an enligntened network at some point in the not too distant future.