Dilbert

Stars: Daniel Stern as Dilbert. Chris Elliot as Dogbert. Kathy Griffin as Alice. Gordon Hunt as Wally. Larry Miller as the Boss. Jackie Hoffman as Dilmom. Tom Kenny as Ratbert and Ashook. Jim Wise as Loud Howard. Jason Alexander as Catbert. Maurice La Marche as the Trash Man.

This was one of those gem shows that for some reason only picked up a select cult audience. Because of that it was canceled, even though it was a great show. It was about workaholic Dilbert and his life in his cubicle. His closest friends are Dogbert, his talking pet dog that's smarter than him, Alice and Wally, his buddies from work and the mysterious trashman who always disappears after giving advice. I highly recommend you buy the DVD because this was a great show, and its a shame only 2 seasons were produced.

My rating: 9 out of 10. 30 episodes. TV PG.

This is a great, hilarious riot of an animated series. It's a shame that it got canceled after only two seasons, though. That's mighty unfair, I think. Although I don't have a lot of things in common with my father, one thing I do have in common with him is that I often love the same movies/TV shows he does - Clint Eastwood movies (he likes the westerns while I like his more modern-day urban stuff like "Dirty Harry"), "The Simpsons," "Family Guy," "King of the Hill," and this show are a few examples. "Dilbert," based on the popular satirical comic strip by Scott Adams, centers on the titular character, a stereotypical office drone and his bizarre and/or annoying co-workers. This same set-up may or may not have been influenced the popular comic strip "Milton," which in turn inspired the cult Mike Judge movie "Office Space" (1999). Have a laugh on "Dilbert." You won't regret it.

The attractiveness and charm of the Dilbert comic lies in the ability of the white collar masses to relate to everything that goes on. As absurd as Dilbert's life at work is, it's often not far from the truth.

That said, it made a very amusing and underrated animated TV show. The people chosen to do voice overs for the characters were absolutely perfect: I can think of nobody better to voice the pointy haired boss than Larry Miller.

It seems that most people have a love/hate relationship with this series. I suspect that there is something lost between the comic strip and the show: most of the fans of the comic strip like it because they can relate to it, not because it's universally entertaining, like Popeye or Peanuts. That said, the movie is almost never as good as the book, so many people may feel the same in this case. For years, I hated the Dilbert comic strip. But after I finished college and got a white collar job very much like Dilbert's, in an office very much like the one on the comic, I finally "got it" and haven't stopped laughing.

The show was perhaps meant to be a bit more mainstream? Who knows. I thought it was very entertaining and deserved a longer life than it got.

People this show must be the most overlooked, under-rated show ever. It had no exposure. It was on UPN! Think about it: no one watches UPN for intelligent comedy gems do they? or wait -- for anything.

Dilbert, the TV-series, stays almost *perfectly* true to the comic and the voice actors are superb. When you hear the voice for Dilbert and Dogbert on the first episode you'll go "Wow". Right on the button.

Dilbert only lasted two seasons, contained 30 episodes, and was cancelled in 2000. It features celebrity voice talent such as; Jerry Seinfeld, Andy Dick, Tom Green, etc.

DVD includes (some) special features (better than nothing). A "Makeing Dilbert Work" (which it does) featurette, and clip complimations. Also includes some trailers and interactive menus, and is closed captioned. Audio is English.

When you watch this DVD, I'll be honest, it will take about two episodes to get used to it's type of comedy. After that you'll enjoy about 94% of the rest.

I think you'll agree if "Comedy Central" or even "Fox" picked this up, it would probably go a lot longer than two years. IF marketed correctly.

However, some people simply hate this show. I don't know exactly why. Some say it's boring, but I counter with "maybe a short attention span finds it boring". Some say the comic is better. I personally think the TV-show is the same, maybe alittle better.

Overall this DVD is the favourite in *my* collection. I hope it is at least one of *your* favourites.

HUMOR: 8/10 stays true to Dilbert's "wacky" yet "relatable" feeling

PICTURE / SOUND: 8/10 animation and picture is pretty much the same as a coloured comic but much more detailed. Which is good. Dilbert's mouth only moves when he's talking (same as Dogbert's). Animation is better than shows such as "Family Guy" to give you an idea. Voice acting has simply no faults what-so-ever, and the music is very good (although it could have more). As for quality of sound, it's standard.

STORY: 10/10 Some shows really have bad story lines which ruin everything (family guy, anyone?). Dilbert however has good storyline for almost all the episodes and it runs smoothly throughout the length of the series. I'de say it's perfect in a humane way (EVERYTHING has little faults).

OVERALL: 9.5/10 (not an average) Overall it's almost perfect. Add commentary and more episodes (although that cant be helped) and it would be perfect.

WORTH IT? I can't possibly recommend a DVD more than I recommend this one.

A clever and imaginative cartoon based on the popular comic strip, Dilbert was aimed at an educated adult audience. That's why it failed: Most people who would have enjoyed it probably never saw it. After all it's ratings, not quality which keep a show running. Unfortunately so, because Dilbert is not your mindless everyday sitcom stultification.