Customer Reviews

Profit - The Complete Series

5 star:		(55)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I'll never forget watching the first episode of this series during its initial run on FOX. I think I knew, even as the episode unspooled, that Jim Profit and his co-workers wouldn't be long for this world. The end came too soon, and was a loss for anyone who looks for intriguing, intelligent, thought-provoking and conversation-stirring entertainment. As is all-too often the case, a network refused to stand behind a show and give it the necessary time to find an audience. Truth be told, I think Profit would be a much better fit on today's television landscape, where many cable outlets are able to survive - and thrive - with smaller audiences, such as those for programs like The 4400, Rescue Me and Nip/Tuck.

Profit is a show you won't soon forget, with imagry that will burn itself into your mind. It is also a show that won't leave viewers with mixed emotions... they will either love or hate it, as was the case during its original run. Those who fall in warped, twisted love with the series will find themselves wanting to defend their show voraciously. Those who loath it will argue just as loudly.

But honestly... when was the last time a network television show inspired such intense feelings - good or bad - in an audience? Those looking to see just how good television can be when it thinks outside the box - ironic, considering a classic scene in the series involves the lead character sitting inside one - will not want to pass up the opportunity to add this DVD to their collection.

Wow! From the opening moments until the final shocking image two hours later, Profit had an amazing pilot. The show was too bizarre for its time, but now its time has come! Now we can see the COMPLETE series, including the 4 shows that Fox never showed in its original run. While the show is a five star show, I've got to give this collection 4 stars for minor flaws. The shows are not divided into chapters. If you want to see the ending of the pilot again, you've got to fast forward through the show by, well, fast forwarding like a video tape. Also, there are no subtitles or foreign languages offered. There are a couple shows that have commentary tracks, however, which offer some insight into the construction and development of the show.

Profit was one of the best and one of the darkest shows to ever grace television. It was a show where you actually root for the bad guy...even though you know you shouldn't. I was so upset when this show was cancelled after just a handful of episodes. The debut is still to this day the singular best debut that I ever seen for a television show, and not many shows can boast the caliber of acting that Profit displayed. Even with so few broadcasted episodes, this show made such an impression on me that it is to this day one of my top five favorite television shows ever. I was so excited to see it become available on DVD. I never thought it would since it didn't even last one half a season before the network yanked it. It's so sad how networks yank truly great shows before they've even had a chance to build an audience. I had thought Fox would have kept the show considering they kept The X-Files on even after less than stellar ratings the first couple years. That show eventually became their flagship show because they allowed it to build it's audience over time. Too bad they didn't allow Profit the same chance. The X-Files is my all-time favorite show, but I have a feeling had Profit lasted, it would have usurped The X-Files in that number one spot. Sadly, it was never given the chance to do that.

Anyway, Profit was ahead of its time by about 8 years. I think had the show debuted today it would be given a chance to prove itself. Dark shows like Profit are much more common today then they were in the mid-ninties. If you like shows with a dark premise that has great acting, then you are sure to like Profit. The main character Profit is probably the darkest character, human or otherwise, that I have ever seen on television. He's a total sociopath who will do whatever it takes to get ahead whether it be through manipulation, seduction, murder. The audience, however, has seen via flashbacks the horrific childhood that Profit lead. He suffered the worst kind of abuse possible by being locked up in a box like an animal and his only contact with the outside world being a small TV set...through which he learned everything. Those flashbacks allow the audience to connect to the character and even in some cases root for him to succeed in his diabolical schemes. Profit reminds me very much of Hannibal Lecter from the movie Silence of the Lambs. They are both sociopathic geniuses who excel in manipulating people to their own ends. The only differences being that Profit isn't a cannibal(at least not that we know of) and Profit hasn't been caught...yet.

This was one of the most gripping shows I have ever seen. And I am sure that had it lasted it would have swept the Emmys for best drama show and best actor. However, we'll never know. I'm just glad to see it out on DVD with some never-aired episodes to boot. So all in all, I'm pretty happy.

I have been on a mission for months. As someone who appreciated "Profit" on its short and glorious run ten years ago, I purchased this DVD on the first day it came out. In the last year, not only have I watched and re-watched it with several friends (it's a lot of fun to view with beer or cocktails)--but I've loaned it to many people who have simply never heard of it. To me, there are two types of people in this world: You're either or "Profit" person or not! And, trust me, if you don't see the appeal in "Profit"--you aren't invited to my party.

"Profit" is a show that was simply a few years ahead of its time. The primary character is one of TV's suavest villains and the show was bold, merciless, ruthless and wickedly funny. We weren't ready for an antihero--someone with no moral code other than greed and manipulation. Many people have astutely referred to this show as something that might be made for the FX network today. I think this is a fair statement--but many of those shows try so hard to be provocative, it's just something that felt more natural with "Profit."

Adrian Pasdar is phenomenal as Jim Profit. Psychologically damaged as a child, he sleeps naked in a cardboard box at night and ruthlessly attempts to take over a business empire by day. His performance is deadly smooth, compelling, dangerous, but very very charming. It's a tremendous performance in a fantastic role. It's great to see Pasdar again in the current "Heroes"--he has a unique presence. But of course, any villain needs a partner in crime. So here we get Lisa Blount as Profit's amoral stepmother. And if the thought of a sexual liaison between a guy and his stepmother seems too racy, this might not be the program for you.

Not everything in "Profit" is perfect. Some of the computer virtual reality scenes are dated. I'm not in love with every performance in the supporting cast--Lisa Zane, in particular, strikes a few false notes as the most incompetent head of security you're likely to see in the corporate world. But luckily this show knows what its ACE is---a sociopath named Profit. Sharp, smart and daring--this is TV outside of the box. KGHarris, 10/06.

I can't recommend this show highly enough. It was extraordinary television that was, unfortunately, too smart for the average viewer in 1996. There still hasn't been anything like it since. The protagonist of the show, Jim Profit, is also the villain. Watch things from his perspective as he lies, cheats, steals, and kills his way through a cutthroat corporate world in the best series that never got its chance.

But Sleep in a Box...That's the main thing I remember about this show...that he was this brilliant psychopathic capitalist bastard, but he would go home alone and sleep like a dog, naked, in a refrigerator box. Brilliant! And of course the series was cancelled by FOX, the serial killer of great shows (e.g. "Firefly")...C'est la vie.

Its pretty much par for the course that a show like this didn't make it. Amazing writing, unbelievable acting, original plotlines, critical acclaim...horrible time-slot, destined for cancellation.

In a nutshell, Adrian Pasdar is the most convincing satan-incarnate I've ever seen. Cold, ruthless, calculating, yet very likeable. Isnt that really the dilemma of evil?

This show was, frankly, years ahead of its time. It has HBO Original Series written all over it. Release this in 2006, with full license for language, nudity, and themes, and it would be a home run. If there is any negatives about it, its that the show is hindered by it required network censorship. Imagine Tony Soprano unable to swear.

Like so many shows of the past, you'll feel genuine loss when the final credits roll, because tv like this doesn't come along often.

PROFIT only lasted a handful episodes on Fox. But it still sticks in my head like a malevolent ichor almost 10 years later. A dark dramady with the viciousness of THE SOPRANOS and the twisted humor of BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER or ANGEL.

Premise: Jim Profit (Adrian Pasdar) is a young executive on the rise in a megacorporation. He will do anything to get ahead and killing is the least of it. Why? To punish the company he blames for his "troubled" childhood.... maybe. Or he just might be evil incarnate.

(It totally tickled my funny bone when Adrian Pasdar popped up as the miracle seeker on MYSTERIOUS WAYS.)

At the time, the only way I could describe PROFIT was a TV show with all villians. There are *NO* good guys. Everyone is evil, just in different ways with Jim Profit as demonic chaos in the middle.

(Since the DVD set hasn't actually been released, I can't comment on how it will turnout. But I will say Anchor Bay did a nice job with HEATHERS after it wallowed for years in DVD limbo.)

I've been waiting for this series to be available for many years. My tapes of the few aired episodes were in poor shape, and I've wanted to see the unaired ones forever. The series is wonderfully dark and was unfortunately a bit early for it's time - the things it got canceled for probably wouldn't make anyone blink today. The unaired episodes were as good as I hoped, and they managed to bring the series to an acceptable ending - you want more, but can be satisfied with where it leaves off. I highly recommend it.

Wow, I can't believe "the powers that be" have put this twisted little gem on dvd. It gives me hope that other short-lived but equally deserving shows will make it too. It's not going to be to everyone's taste but I knew I was hooked the minute Jim Profit walked into his apartment and passionately kissed a blonde haired woman then pulled away and said, "Hi Mom." This show is daring and perverse and I loved it!! If you want to see something out of the ordinary with a wicked sense of humor then give Profit a try. You can't beat the price.

Update - I think it worth adding that Showtime's amazing hit, Dexter, owes some nods to this series. Having a psychopath as the lead character was quite a shocker when this series was made and in the end may have led to it's early demise as audiences just weren't ready to accept such a concept.

The setting is completely different as Profit is a corporate shark (ala American Psycho) where Dexter is a crime drama but the similarities are striking, right down to the character's internal monolog used as a voice-over. Though Dexter (despite the fact that he's an outright serial killer) is a bit more sympathetic than Profit who has no qualms about what he does to the innocent. Each are fascinating characters in their own right.

So if you're a Dexter fan, you might want to give Jim Profit a try.