Friends - The Complete Seventh Season (DVD)

With the "Friends" series ending only days ago, these DVD sets are sure to fly off the shelf, but I am here to review it for you any way, and let you know what exactly you can expect from the seventh season of "Friends" and if what is on the discs is any good.

Season seven follows the friends as Rachel dates Tag, everyone turns 30, Ross gives Ben a visit from the Holiday Armadillo, Rachel kisses Winona Ryder, Kathleen Turner debuts as Chandlers father and finally Monica and Chandler are engaged and get married. Along with the already mentioned guest appearances this season also includes visits from Susan Sarandon, Kristin Davis, Gary Oldman, Denise Richards and more. Packed with all 23 episodes from the seventh season, commercial free and including never-before-seen footage, as well as commentary on three episodes, a gag reel and trivia.

So now you know what is there, but is it worth knowing?

First of all, I think these "Friends" seasons on DVD are great, primarily because while I am working or doing something else they are great to have on in the background, just as well, when I am in the mood to sit down and watch a sitcom I don't have to be bombarded with commercials, plus the never-before-seen footage is often times quite amusing. For example two new scenes you will see in season seven include Chandler watching an ad for a topless car wash, and Joey saying, "Does a bear shit in the woods?" when Ross asks if he's hungry. Obviously the word "shit" won't make it on American TV so it is apparent why it is cut, but it does add a laugh.

As for the special features, I can quickly tell you that I was bored stiff listening to the three commentaries by the creators/producers Marta Kaufman and Kevin Bright along with producer David Crane. They are totally lifeless and unnecessary.

A couple of other special features I also didn't care for too much were the "Friends of Friends II" segment as it contained interviews with Morgan Fairchild (Nora Bing), Alexandra Holden (Ross' young girlfriend Elizabeth Stevens), Eddie Cahill (Tag Jones), Cole Sprouse (Ben) and Paget Brewster (Kathy). Two of the characters weren't even involved in the seventh season, and I think if anyone wanted to hear any of the actors talk, it would be the "Friends" themselves.

The second feature that just ended up running too long was "Monica's Wedding Book Challenge" which is a trivia quiz with multiple choice questions pertaining to the Gellar-Bing wedding plans. After each question you are forced to watch a clip detailing the answer, which you cannot fast-forward over even if you wanted to.

The one feature that I did enjoy is the Gag Reel, which has been excellent on all the "Friends" discs that have had them as it features a ton of bloopers and mishaps caught on tape. It is always good for a laugh, even on repeated viewings.

Overall, this season is just as good a buy as the rest. Despite the fact that the special features were not the best I do believe that a true die-hard "Friends" fan would find them much more interesting than I did.