A great show makes for a great DVD compilation.

In case you missed Family Guy the first time around on it's relatively short run on TV, you can catch it now on DVD, as the first two seasons have been released in a box set. The show, which lasted for three seasons on Fox and is now featured on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim, follows the life of Peter Griffin and his family. There's Peter, the heavy, loudmouthed, clumsy, but ultimately good-natured father, Lois, his loving, patient wife, Meg, the typical dumpy teenage daughter, Chris, the immature, trusting 13 year old, and Stewie, the hyperintelligent talking baby with plans for world domination. Of course, the family also has a dog named Brian, who speaks, is very well-read, and has a fondness for martinis.

This DVD set contains all 28 episodes of the first two seasons. Several of these episodes include commentary from the producers, writers, and voice actors behind the show. This commentary can, at times, be as funny as the show itself. There are also short promotional bits included, as well as a behind-the-scenes featurette.

The show's strength lies in its writing, which is almost always fresh and smart. The characters are well defined and compliment each other very well. (I especially enjoy the back and forth repartee between Stewie and Brian) In the end, you end up caring for the characters because they are so well written, if a little two-dimensional.

The episodes follow the Griffins through a variety of situations, much like a normal sit-com. The situations themselves are funny enough (Peter kidnaps the Pope to impress his dad, Brian the dog falls in love with Lois, etc,) but the true comedy is found in the various flashback sequences that each character has, which usually involve a quick gag or a play on words. The plot almost never drags due to the prevalence of these hilarious flashbacks, and the show thus gains a distinct vitality.

The humor contained in these episodes is unpredictable and almost always brilliantly executed. Numerous references to familiar TV shows of the 70's and 80's abound in many episodes.

Naturally, comparisons to The Simpsons often arise when discussing this show since Family Guy also revolves around an animated family with a buffoonish father. However, I find that the writing for Family Guy is better executed than that of the latest seasons of the Simpsons, which has grown stale over the years.

Almost every episode contained on this DVD is a winner, (With the exception of "Road to Rhode Island," which is somewhat of a comedic bellyflop) so even casual fans will appreciate it. If you aren't already a fan of the show, go ahead and watch a couple of episodes on the Cartoon Network, and if it tickles your fancy, I would recommend buying this collection. It's well worth it.