Product Description

'LIFE AS WE KNOW IT' DEFINES THE SPIRIT OF LIFE THROUGH THE EYES OF TEENAGERS DINO, BEN, JONATHON, JACKIE, DEBORAH & SUE. THIS COMING-OF-AGE STORY IS NOT JUST ABOUT SEX, LOVE, FRIENDSHIP & FAMILY, BUT HOW THE PRESSURES OF GROWING UP AFFECT THEIR ATTITUDES TOWARD THE THINGS & PEOPLE THEY LOVE.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #28181 in DVD
• Brand: BUENA VISTA HOME VIDEO
• Released on: 2005-08-23
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Box set, Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 3
• Running time: 558 minutes

Amazon.com
Based on the controversial British novel, Doing It by Melvin Burgess, this edgy teen drama follows the friendships of three coming-of-age boys through the angst of adolescence--and does so with candor, humor, and occasionally eloquence. The three-disc set includes 11 one-hour episodes from the show's only season (2004-2005), two unaired episodes ("Friends Don't Let Friends Drive Junk," and "Papa Wheelie"), and a bevy of bonus features including deleted scenes, audio commentaries, and a gag reel. Set in Seattle, Dino, Ben, and Jonathan are a trio of hormonally charged high schoolers trying to navigate through the confusion of girls, broken families, and their never-satiated sexual appetites. They, along with their girlfriends, frequently step out from the story's action to narrate their inner thoughts--not an original idea, but effective. While the "Pilot" and "Pilot Junior" episodes are overtly sexual, the series quickly becomes more multi-dimensional, artfully exploring complex issues of identity, popularity, body image, trust, and the consequences of irresponsible behavior. As the boys' emotions are unveiled, their personal predicaments become the show's primary focus; their sexual exploits secondary. Funny, frank, and smart, the writing refrains from moralizing nor stoops to a soap-fest, making this a stand out among similar dramas (with producers from Freaks and Geeks and My So Called Life). The male protagonists are decent actors in endearing roles, yet one of the show's strongest performances is from Kelly Osbourne who plays Jonathan's sometimes girlfriend, Deborah. The series is not without flaws, which include some cliché plotlines involving illicit affairs between teacher/student and mother/coach. Sexuality, profanity, and mature themes. (Ages 12 and older) Lynn Gibson

Customer Reviews

Smart, Witty, an A++ New Millennium Teen Series
This is really, really the best teen coming of age series I have seen in ages. "Life As We Know It," is another series produced by the producers of "Freaks and Geeks." They really got it right with this show but unfortunately like "Freaks and Geeks," and "Undeclared," "Life As We Know It," only lasted one season and on top of that ABC didn't even air the final two episodes of the show. "Life As We Know It," is about three male high school best friends. Dino is the very popular one, at least that is how it seems. He is very handsome and looks like a young Tom Cruise. His life isn't perfect though. He has a girlfriend who he wants to have sex with and he is taken aback when he finds out his mother is having an affair with his coach. Ben, I'm guessing is the nerd. He has a major crush on his young teacher. She pushes things to the limit flirting back and taking chances with her career it seems. Jonathan is the third friend. In the pilot episode his relationship with the character portrayed by Kelly Osbourne takes off. Her weight is a written into the storyline as Jonathan has qualms about dating a "big girl." In another twist, the three girl characters in the show who are tied to the girls also happen to be friends and can be seen talking in various scenes. I like the way the show is written as in certain cut screens the main characters talk to the audience. It's a great show, it's hip, it's fly and manages to have the right blend of comedy and drama. The kids seem more mature than the Canadian gang on "Degrassi The Next Generation," and they seem more authentic and everyday like than the gang on "90210" or "The OC." It's a great show that didn't last. The DVD box set is very slim and features 3 colorful DVDs. The bonus features include two never before episodes (total episodes on the set is 13), audio commentaries, Life as We Blow It (outakes), deleted scenes and producers photo gallery. Dino's parents get a good amount of screen time but not enough to make younger viewers lose interest. If you didn't catch this show during it's original run you might want to pick up the DVD box set. It's a really great show that hopefully will come back.

Life as we know it
One the outside "Life as we Know it" look like another Beverly Hills 90210/One Tree Hill rip off. But in reality that cannot be further form the truth. With producers from "Freaks and Geeks" and "My So Called Life," LAWKI was a realistic look on what it is like to be a teenage boy in high school right now. Guys watched it because the main male characters were always having a crisis that comes right out of any high school in america (thats probably why many guys at my school watched it, but never told anyone). And Girls enjoyed it because although the main characters are the three guys, there are three extremly charming and intelligent girls that help make up the cast.

Eventhough many critics enjoyed the show, the show still had many problems facing it. The show was based on the English novel "doing it" and which you can guess from the title was very frank and had more sexual stuff in it than your normal teen fair. The show (although toned down a little) still keeps that prospective of teenagers, and sicne was bashed by the FCC (in post-Janet Jackson days and several Parent groups).

Since I had previously read the book I was extremly excited when I first heard about this show. When the pilot aired surprisingly enough I was not dissapointed, the show took the essance of the book, added a few american twists and ran with it. Although the ratings never went higher than 5 million viewers, the show quickly became my favorite show on the air.

The show is about three teenage boys who happen to be best friends (one is a Jock, one is a Nerd, and the Other just exsist). All three of these boys are in different areas of growing up (mentally speaking) and they are always having problems with their respected female counterparts (The Jock, the Freak, and the Brain). But that just the outside. On the outside the show was the most realistic look at what High School life is like in the post 2000 years, that rivals "My So Called Life" in the amount of depth is put onto screen.

This is show is a must for anyone that enjoyed "My so called life" and "Freaks and Geeks." But I must warn you if your looking of "The OC" I suggest "Beverly Hills 90210" (which is a good show in its own right when there where in high school).

A Show Gone Too Soon
This was a wonderful show that depicts the everyday lives of high schoolers. It was a fun, witty, charming and realistic look at teenagers today. It was wonderfully made, and the actors who portrayed the main characters and best friends did excellent. This was a great show that was gone way too soon. All I can say is that the show just fell victim to being put up against tv heavyweights such as 'Survivor' and 'The O.C.' It never had a chance.

To those who haven't seen the show, but are thinking about purchasing it...here is a brief synopsis. I hope it gives you a better picture. The show is based around 3 male best friends, Dino, the hockey player; Ben, the intellectual; and Jonathan, the photographer. They live out their everyday lives and go through all the trials and tribulations of being a teenager today. Along with their 3 girlfriends...sometimes girlfriends...sometimes just girls who are friends. Jackie, the soccer player/student council president who is harboring the secret that her father is a drunk; Sue, the one who always has to be perfect; and Deborah, formally the best friend, who now wants more.

This show does have some unrealistic points, such as a sexual relationship with a teacher...but other then that, the show is very much like high school life in the here and now. All I can say is that if you were a fan of 'My So-Called Life' (another show that was cancelled long before its time) then you will definitely love this show and I suggest you buy it. I know I will.