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 There was an innocent time in television history before HBO ushered in a roster of sophisticated and adult original programming. Leading the charge to compete against the feature film industry, HBO became known as the network that dominated yearly critics’ polls and award shows with fare like The Sopranos, Deadwood, Rome, and The Wire. Now, with upstarts like Showtime and FX carrying the mantle of HBO’s legacy, I reflect on how we used to get our cutting-edge television. It’s a scary thought, but we actually relied on the broadcast networks—remember when there were only five, or four, or (if you’re really old) even three? Three or four networks responsible for 95% or more of original programming? Seems crazy in this day and age where almost every cable channel produces its own product.
Back in the mid-nineties, however, as FOX was still struggling to become a legitimate network, they did the unthinkable. They took some chances, they tried to distinguish themselves with originality. Of course, this was mainly manifested with crude sitcoms that America ate up! But in 1996, they dropped a corporate drama named Profit onto their schedule with much fanfare and critical acclaim. Unique, daring, and oh-so-edgy, Profit remained on the air for only four (yes, four) weeks. So much for originality! An amazing experience for its small fan base, Profit was not easily forgotten. Now, with Profit: The Complete Series on DVD, it’s easy to see what the problem was. It was simply ahead of its time! Produced for FX or HBO today, the allure of Profit would be hard to escape. The eight complete episodes (including the four that were never aired) seem as fresh, relevant, and wickedly entertaining as any Nip/Tuck—hell, more so! And a lot smarter, too!
Now might be a good time to introduce you to Jim Profit. Profit, played to oily perfection by Adrian Pasdar, is an enigma. Brilliant, suave, and attractive, Profit is also a true sociopath. With an unknown agenda and an unhealthy fixation on a multinational corporation called Gracen & Gracen, Profit seemingly appears out of nowhere to begin his ascent within the organization. Embraced by most as a golden boy, Profit’s machinations represent one of the more ruthless examples of climbing the corporate ladder ever put on film. Bribery, blackmail, naked greed, sexual manipulation, even murder—nothing is too foul for Profit to consider if it might hasten his agenda. Easily one of the most despicable lead characters on television, Profit still manages to be one charismatic son of a bitch!
 The only person who seems to have some grasp on the true Profit is his sexy step-mother. Part ally, part foil—Lisa Blount (An Officer and a Gentleman) imbues the role with much attitude and humor. Her conniving keeps Profit in check and their sexual liaison is as hot as it is shocking, especially in the context that most would consider it incest. Rounding out some of the major players—the show offers nice performances from Jane Darr, Scott Paulin, and Lisa Zane among many others. Darr plays Profit’s assistant, who is blackmailed to participate in his nefarious deeds. Resistant at first, it’s fascinating to see her evolve into a more complicit partner! Paulin, as the moral center of the piece, is the first corporate official to tangle with Profit. Joining forces with the firm’s Head of Security (Zane), the two try to discover Profit’s true motives and to uncover his misdeeds.
The show is not perfect. More than once, you might wonder how Zane stepped into the Security position she maintains. The way the character is written, it’s hard to imagine her being a true threat for someone as cunning as Profit. Also, some of the virtual reality graphics that are employed seem dated, mostly because they are. But the show’s good points far outweigh any minor quibble. The main story line is smart, uncompromising, and even brave in its ruthlessness. Then there’s Adrian Pasdar! In a killer performance, Pasdar conveys every level of Profit’s complicated personality. Men want to befriend him and women want to fuck him, his magnetism is undeniable. But most importantly, the viewer wants to see him succeed at any cost! Pasdar is getting a lot of notice in NBC’s Heroes, but for some—he will always be Jim Profit.
Disc Presentation
I credit Anchor Bay with reviving Profit, but the episodes appear as one would expect them to. There are no upgrades to sound or picture quality from the show’s original presentation. Still, being relatively modern, this was not an issue. The program comes across crisp andpolished, and the DVD presentation does nothing to diminish the show’s overall impact.  Being from the nineties, the episodes are shown in the full screen format—but again, this is just as one would anticipate.
Disc Extras
If you are not as greedy as Jim Profit, the few quality features should be more than enough to satisfy your hunger for Profit enlightenment. Considering that the show only aired for four weeks, the features are an adequate and insightful extension to the actual program—and well worth it for anyone who has fallen in love with Profit. The best feature of all is getting to see the previously unaired episodes, though! As the creators were aware they were taking a risk with Profit, they did provide some closure with the final episode—so don’t worry, you won’t be left completely hanging.
Four of the episodes are provided with a Commentary feature, including the Pilot as well as the last show. The primary contributors are David Greenwalt and John McNamara, the writers who devised the concept of Profit. Full of enthusiasm and an obvious passion for the show, they can seem a bit self-congratulatory with how “daring” their program was—but that’s alright, they’ve  earned it. Reflecting about how almost everything was as they envisioned it, it seemed an ideal shoot. But they began to understand after the show’s inauspicious debut that their days were numbered. Adrian Pasdar also sits on the Commentary tracks, but he provides less insight as he can’t seem to get the other two to shut up!
There is also a nifty featurette Greed Kills. Clocking in at over an hour, this interview format provides entertainment and information. Contributions from Greenwalt and McNamara are enhanced by additional reflection from producer Stephen J. Cannell and stars Pasdar, Blount and Zane. The program tracks the history of Profit and is loaded with great insider stories. But be warned, the clip-filled retrospective should not be enjoyed until after you have watched the series. Otherwise, you’re likely to get a head full of spoilers!
Bottom Line
Profit is a program that seduces the viewer. Pasdar begins and ends each episode by breaking the fourth wall and talking directly to the audience. In other programs, this may appear to be somewhat indulgent, but it is actually a  strong dramatic asset for Profit. It is in these moments that Jim Profit makes the viewer complicit with his crimes—it’s like he’s sharing his secrets. You may want to hate this slimy bastard, but you just can’t do it. Rooting for the villain isn’t a new thing, but Profit takes it to soaring heights! The writing is sharp and clever, the plotting fun and adventurous—but the story succeeds with our willingness to appreciate Profit’s ruthlessness. One of televisions most underappreciated antiheros, it’s a shame Jim Profit didn’t turn up a few years later. In a different TV climate, we might have had more than 8 episodes in which to devour his wicked ways—and he might have had more time to corrupt our innocent souls!
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