And there is more to it than just showing clips, of course. There is also a segment titled "Web Redemption," in which Daniel Tosh meets with someone featured in a video and gives that person a chance to make it all better. One of the things I like about Tosh.O is that the host pokes fun at himself and at his show. In the second episode he says, "We are so much more than a clips show. Let's roll the first clip." It's that sense of fun about itself that keeps it from being annoying. Also, there are guests (via web camera, not in the studio), and these keep the series from being mere exploitation of the mass of idiots online. Special guests include folks like Tommy Chong, Fred Willard and Andy Dick.
This two-disc DVD set contains the first ten episodes from the first season. It's titled "Hoodies" because Daniel Tosh wears a hoodie in each episode. Yup, it's that simple. The second disc contains bonus footage, including extended segments from these episodes.
I don't know how often people will want to revisit these episodes, but there is plenty to laugh at at least the first time through. I like that Daniel Tosh fearlessly, shamelessly rips on Australians, Asians, NASCAR fans, and of course the state of Alabama (as well as others). Why is it that racist comments now seem almost refreshing? (I truly loved the bit in the fifth episode when he made fun of black people with giant gold chains for being poor tippers.) He also doesn't shy away from abortion jokes or other touchy topics.
However, for those who don't spend a lot of time on the internet or watching the E channel (does the E channel still exist?), there will be a lot of references that will mean nothing. Daniel Tosh was poking fun at a couple for being famous, and I had absolutely no idea who they were. Viewers over the age of twenty-five could use a bit of grounding now and again. Generally, Daniel doesn't explain references or give background information - he simply makes the reference, and you either get it or you don't. Often I don't. Who are Heidi and Spencer? What the hell is salvia? I'm going to stick with good ol' fashioned mushrooms, thank you very much.
But even so, there was plenty that made me laugh. The flower shop video is great in the third episode. The rubber cat suit fetish shot at the beginning of Episode 4 cracked me up. The old woman running her motorcycle into an even older lady on a wheelchair is great (yes, I admit that made me burst out laughing - maybe I'm a horrible person). And stamping out the oriental crotch fire in the tenth episode also made me burst out laughing. But the best thing by far in that episode (and possibly in the entire two-disc set) is his list of what women can't do as well as men. I watched it several times in a row, and it cracked me up each time. Also, the monkey peeing into its own mouth was wonderful, and introduced me to my new favorite hobby.
Should making fun of people be considered entertainment? Of course. So much of comedy has always come from making fun of others. And there are so many people who deserve our ridicule. Scientologists, for example. My friend says that this show represents the lowest point of our culture, but I say we still have a long way to go before we hit bottom. Certainly we've made giant leaps in that direction since the so-called "reality television" programs became prevalent. And women who wear pants that say "PINK" across the ass (or even worse, "JUICY") clearly are an indication that we're sinking fast. And I'm still not quite sure what Paris Hilton's function is on the planet. But the bottom? Nope, not yet.
And when we do hit bottom, certainly there will be people there to film it and post those videos online. And I hope Daniel Tosh will include those videos on his show.
Tosh.O: Hoodies was released on June 12, 2012 on DVD and Blu-ray.
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