Cheap 30 Days - Season 1 (DVD) Price

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Customer Reviews of 30 Days - Season 1

Mostly excellent, but questions arise...
Like most people, I first encountered Morgan Spurlock through his hit documentary, "Super Size Me," in which he goes on an all-McDonald's diet for a full month to see what would happen to his health. It was a brilliant conceit, even if some of his conclusions were questionable (one anti-Spurlock viewer staged a similar stunt, except he kept up his exercise routine during his "diet," with no ill effect on his health, showing it's americans lack of exercise that's causing the obesity epidemic more than fast food. Nevertheless, SSM was an effective piece of agitprop, so not wanting to abandon a good idea, his show for the FX network, "30 Days," assigns various people "life experiments" for a full month to observe waht might happent to them. While it's mostly fascinating, funny and even educational, you may find yourself asking some overlooked questions. <
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>In the pilot episode, Spurlock himself, along with his long-suffering fiance, attempt to live for a full month making minimum wage. Between the two of them, they barely scrape by, and they don't even have children to feed. His attempt to highlight the plight of the working poor (in an infotational manner) is often very moving, even angering. To think that Congress continues to vote themselves raises while the minimum wage hasn't been raised in almost ten years! After letting it sink in, however, questions arise. Aren't there many public assistance programs designed to help the working poor? Spurlock doesn't even mention this. <
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>In another episode, an average--i.e. somewhat flabby--American has a complete lifestyle change. He goes on a combination of steroids and so-called Human Growth Hormone, along with a strict diet and exercise regime, to see if he can find the fountain of youth. It's not giving anything away to report that he doesn't, although he does lose some weight. It's eye-opening, but Spurlock never mentions what any reputable doctor could tell you: that simply having a better diet and more exercise can greatly improve your health, drug-free. <
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>Some of the other of these initial six episodes involve a Christian living with a Muslim family, and another Christian vecoming the houseguest of a gay man. These are more successful, if only to show just how ignorant these average men of faith are about some of their fellow Americans. In the end, they soften their opinions even if their lives aren't changed. <
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>After watching the shows (or listening the optional commentaries), you can decide for yourselves what, if any,questions need to be asked. For myself, I admire Spurlock's attempt to treat sometimes divisive topics with humanity and an abundant sense of humor (there are many laugh-out-loud moments to be found here). Still, like many of the participants, while I was enlightened a bit, my life was unchanged. Those nagging questions could make a heck of a conversation (and argument) starter, though.

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Entertaining and enjoyable
All of six of the episodes are very good. The two I enjoyed the most was about learning about different cultures. The Christian who went to Dearborn, Michigan to live with Muslims and the Christian straight man who went to live with a gay man in San Francisco. I think about the saying "Walk in another person's shoes before you make a judgment". Meeting people you don't understand can make a big difference in how you perceive them. I found it powerful to see these men change their hearts and minds even if they still disagreed with some of their beliefs. <
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>I highly recommend watching this series.

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Morgan Spurlock is my hero.
Watch this dvd and expand your views of the world. It offers you a thrilling insight into the lives of different people such as illegal immigrants, people living on minimum wage, Jesus freaks.............