Each episode of this show takes a concept or object that is important to our everyday lives and focuses on it. These concepts include Power (not electricity), Safety, Brains, Games, Chairs, Timing and Coolness. After being introduced to the episode's important thing, Martin then emcee's everything from a series of sketches (both the drawing type and the one involving actors), stand-up comedy and even the occasional humorous song. If you've seen other works by Martin, then you should have a good idea of what to expect since each episode feels like a half-hour long stand-up act.
There are a few recurring sketches seen in this season. One is Da Mici, where Martin plays an inventor contemporary to DaVinci who is also ahead of his time inventing things like leather jackets, in-line roller blades and flight. Another recurring skit, "Two Men in a Dungeon," has Martin and another prisoner chatting about various things (sometimes its food, other times its what got them put in prison).
Important Things with Demetri Martin: Season One only really has a dozen or so deleted sketches as special features. Watching them is amusing, but they don't quite hold up to the quality of the rest of the show. What's funny is to see the interactions between Demetri and the audience in the sketches filmed in front of them. I especially liked the one involving Demetri trying to entertain the crowd by having a singing Q&A session while some technical difficulties get worked out behind stage. But other than these extra scenes and some commentaries, there really isn't anything extra offered here.
I enjoyed each of these episodes, and while I wish the season was longer, I wouldn't want it to be so at the expense of the comedy. If you've already been following this great comedian, then definitely pick up this DVD. Others might want to make sure they like his style before venturing to buy it, but I haven't really shown his work to someone yet and had them tell me they don't like it.
