Newlyweds - Nick & Jessica - The Complete Second and Third Seasons Reviews

MTV's reality series about the joys and challenges of juggling a relationship with rising celebrity kicks into a higher gear in seasons 2 and 3 now that Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey have a year of marriage under their belts. With both of them--separately and together--in heavy demand in Atlantic City, at photo shoots, surf meets, parades, football games, movie auditions, television and radio shows, and more, the couple have a hard time finding energy to be together. In the 20 episodes included in the Newlyweds: Nick & Jessica: The Complete Second and Third Seasons boxed set, there are several instances in which the pair go to some lengths to find private time: attending the Kentucky Derby, traveling to be with family over Christmas holidays, and taking a skiing trip that doesn't work out so well for poor Nick. Meanwhile, Nick and Jessica have to contend with aggressive paparazzi and fans, exhausting hours under hot lights, Jessica's pushy father-manager, and interpersonal conflicts when Jessica's best friend (and personal assistant) moves in with the couple. Compensating for all those trying times, however, is the duo's obvious devotion to one another, made clear through several elaborate, celebratory gestures each makes toward the other. Even if one doesn't find either Nick or Jessica to be particularly stimulating company, or find the process of turning somewhat talented people into larger-than-life celebrities to be interesting, the fly-on-the-wall documentary approach of Newlyweds quickly becomes irresistible to the voyeur in everyone. --Tom Keogh