In times of economic uncertainty, you do what you have to do to get your finances together. While the main character of HBO’s Hung may have to scrimp and save to stay afloat, at least the entertainment outlet that broadcasts him can’t be accused of being too thrifty.

The DVD and Blu-ray release of Hung: The Complete Second Season comes fully packed with special features. Considering the physical proportions of the show’s protagonist, having a lot to offer is something that happens in both the fictional and real world.

Ever since hitting a streak of bad luck, Detroit high school teacher and coach Ray Drecker (Thomas Jane) has had to go into a new line of work — the world’s oldest profession. After struggling to get his services as a gigolo off the ground with the help of friend and first-time pimp Tanya (Jane Adams), things are finally looking up for Ray with the business prowess of Tanya’s rival, Lenore (Rebecca Creskoff), who’s looking to keep Ray all to herself. Meanwhile, Tanya isn’t allowing Lenore to edge her out so easily. Likewise, Ray’s ex-wife (Anne Heche) and kids (Sianoa Smit-McPhee, Charlie Saxton) have their own troubles finding happiness.

Jane is better than ever in the second season as the former baseball star, who’s never been very bright and has always gotten by on his hunky good looks and his big — ahem — ego. But, he’s a caring stud, at least when he’s not forced to choose between big bucks and friendship. Adams fares spectacularly as quirky, quizzical Tanya, unable to get her own life together let alone manage someone else’s, especially when compared to professional, polished, and vicious Lenore. As for the third woman in Ray’s life, Heche gets more attention this season as his ex, Jessica, pondering her choice to leave him and remarry, and questioning her parenting skills as teenage twins Damon and Darby hit some choppy water. Gregg Henry joins the regular cast as Ray’s co-worker Mike, who gets roped into Tanya’s stable without even realizing it.

There have been enough cable TV shows lately about ordinary folks embarking on an illegal lifestyle to make ends meet to declare it a genre unto itself. Somehow, Hung has never caught on fire the same way Weeds and Breaking Bad have, but give it some time. There’s no telling what direction the show will go in or whether or not it will become quite the powerhouse as features like these, but what Hung lacks in dangerous situations and drug cartels, it makes up for in realistic, light-hearted drama. Its second season has no less of a sitcom feel than the first, but when it’s done right, what’s wrong with that?

What’s more, the new DVD set doesn’t lack the vital features needed to make it fully rounded and complete. A behind-the-scenes featurette gives a glimpse into the thought process behind the series, while several audio commentaries add to that insight and a handful of deleted scenes finish the job of giving us everything we could want.

Hung: The Complete Second Season comes just in time for the start of the third season, which premieres Oct. 2 on HBO. And, as if Lenore hasn’t caused enough trouble, it looks like Ray might have some competition. May the best man win!

 Show rating: 3 out of 4 stars
 DVD rating: 3 out of 4 stars

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