Profit Comp Series

I'll never forget watching the first episode of this series during its initial run on FOX. I think I knew, even as the episode unspooled, that Jim Profit and his co-workers wouldn't be long for this world. The end came too soon, and was a loss for anyone who looks for intriguing, intelligent, thought-provoking and conversation-stirring entertainment. As is all-too often the case, a network refused to stand behind a show and give it the necessary time to find an audience. Truth be told, I think Profit would be a much better fit on today's television landscape, where many cable outlets are able to survive - and thrive - with smaller audiences, such as those for programs like The 4400, Rescue Me and Nip/Tuck.

Profit is a show you won't soon forget, with imagry that will burn itself into your mind. It is also a show that won't leave viewers with mixed emotions... they will either love or hate it, as was the case during its original run. Those who fall in warped, twisted love with the series will find themselves wanting to defend their show voraciously. Those who loath it will argue just as loudly.

But honestly... when was the last time a network television show inspired such intense feelings - good or bad - in an audience? Those looking to see just how good television can be when it thinks outside the box - ironic, considering a classic scene in the series involves the lead character sitting inside one - will not want to pass up the opportunity to add this DVD to their collection.

Wow! From the opening moments until the final shocking image two hours later, Profit had an amazing pilot. The show was too bizarre for its time, but now its time has come! Now we can see the COMPLETE series, including the 4 shows that Fox never showed in its original run. While the show is a five star show, I've got to give this collection 4 stars for minor flaws. The shows are not divided into chapters. If you want to see the ending of the pilot again, you've got to fast forward through the show by, well, fast forwarding like a video tape. Also, there are no subtitles or foreign languages offered. There are a couple shows that have commentary tracks, however, which offer some insight into the construction and development of the show.

Profit was one of the best and one of the darkest shows to ever grace television. It was a show where you actually root for the bad guy...even though you know you shouldn't. I was so upset when this show was cancelled after just a handful of episodes. The debut is still to this day the singular best debut that I ever seen for a television show, and not many shows can boast the caliber of acting that Profit displayed. Even with so few broadcasted episodes, this show made such an impression on me that it is to this day one of my top five favorite television shows ever. I was so excited to see it become available on DVD. I never thought it would since it didn't even last one half a season before the network yanked it. It's so sad how networks yank truly great shows before they've even had a chance to build an audience. I had thought Fox would have kept the show considering they kept The X-Files on even after less than stellar ratings the first couple years. That show eventually became their flagship show because they allowed it to build it's audience over time. Too bad they didn't allow Profit the same chance. The X-Files is my all-time favorite show, but I have a feeling had Profit lasted, it would have usurped The X-Files in that number one spot. Sadly, it was never given the chance to do that.

Anyway, Profit was ahead of its time by about 8 years. I think had the show debuted today it would be given a chance to prove itself. Dark shows like Profit are much more common today then they were in the mid-ninties. If you like shows with a dark premise that has great acting, then you are sure to like Profit. The main character Profit is probably the darkest character, human or otherwise, that I have ever seen on television. He's a total sociopath who will do whatever it takes to get ahead whether it be through manipulation, seduction, murder. The audience, however, has seen via flashbacks the horrific childhood that Profit lead. He suffered the worst kind of abuse possible by being locked up in a box like an animal and his only contact with the outside world being a small TV set...through which he learned everything. Those flashbacks allow the audience to connect to the character and even in some cases root for him to succeed in his diabolical schemes. Profit reminds me very much of Hannibal Lecter from the movie Silence of the Lambs. They are both sociopathic geniuses who excel in manipulating people to their own ends. The only differences being that Profit isn't a cannibal(at least not that we know of) and Profit hasn't been caught...yet.

This was one of the most gripping shows I have ever seen. And I am sure that had it lasted it would have swept the Emmys for best drama show and best actor. However, we'll never know. I'm just glad to see it out on DVD with some never-aired episodes to boot. So all in all, I'm pretty happy.

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