The turbulent lives of two handsome and high-priced Miami plastic surgeons may be one of the more unusual premises for a television series, but the FX Channel's Nip/Tuck combines sudsy sex and biting wit with the emotional quandaries involved in body modification in a way that makes for an engrossing--and occasionally gross--hourlong drama. The show benefits greatly from its two leads--Dylan Walsh as the troubled "good" surgeon and Julian McMahon as his predatory (but equally troubled) "bad" partner--as well as Joely Richardson as Walsh's wife and Roma Maffia as the surgeons' nurse. If Nip/Tuck does have a stumbling point, it's in its occasionally glib dialogue (series creator Ryan Murphy was a writer for the verbally flashy high school series Popular), which can clash with an episode's more dramatic and poignant moments. The show also doesn't shy away from showing the more gruesome aspects of plastic surgery, but viewers can often see more stomach-churning images on the top-rated CSI. But the strength of the performances and the originality of the premise make these rough spots manageable for viewers looking for an interesting spin on the usual "doctor show." The five-DVD set offers an extended version of the pilot and all 12 episodes of the first season as well as a trio of documentaries (one on the show itself, another on its special effects, and a third, "Realistic Expectations," on real-life plastic surgeons). A gag reel (amusingly titled "Severed Parts"), a selection of deleted scenes for most episodes, and a music video for the title theme ("A Perfect Lie" by the Engine Room) round out the box. --Paul Gaita

We only watched the first episode and were extremely disappointed. Right from the first few seconds it contained extremely unpleasant scenes. It continued with unnecessary graphic details and gratuitous violence throughout. The characters are unpleasant and the whole thing is designed to shock rather than entertain.

It IS possible to show medical details without being unpleasant - just look at Grey's Anatomy or House for excellent programmes that don't rely on shocking you.

Even though my wife had her eyes closed for quite a lot of the program she is still disturbed by some of the scenes she did see.

Powerful, heartwrenching, emotional, at times hilarious, and not at all tacky. Everything a quality drama should be. I was blown away by the characters and the stories in this first season. A must see, absolutely first class in every way.

This show is the best drama series on television. Forget those desperate housewives and that six feet under guff, this is the real deal. Engaging characters, brilliantly depicted by the cast. Fantastic storyline, a plot with more twists than than a big twisty thing. A must have, believe me. You need to see to fully believe this review.

NIP/TUCK ia a real face lift for dramas.

After seeing 3 weeks of advertisement of the new dark comedy drama NIP/TUCK on SKYONE, i was getting exited. But did i know that having watched the first episode i was completly hooked on the series and finding myself mentally attached to the characters as if i knew them. The storyline is superbly written having the characters portraited perfectly as the series starts of with a exiting pilot and carries the exitement beyond the last episode leaving me counting the days of almost a year for the second series' launch last week.

Not just a new drama but a whole new face lift for dramas!
A++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Half way through watching the first episode I said to my wife: "Two partners, one extrovert, the other a bit of a geek. Both working in an unusual industry and not quite getting on. This is just 'Six Feet Under' but sunnier!". Fortunately by the end of the first episode I was happily proved wrong. Even though the premise of the program is similar-ish this programme goes into a whole darker side than Six Feet Under ever did.

The programme purposely goes out of its way to shock. There is sex, violence, death and graphic depictions of operations. Saying all that, this is a very entertaining program. The characters are likeable, we have the hapless family man Dr McNamara (Walsh) who tries his best to be a good father and husband but some how manages to go a bit wrong. And then we have the voracious Dr Troy (a brilliant McMahon), the smooth operator who reminds me of an evil cousin of Dr Doug Ross from Chicago! Both lead characters work very well with each other. Never quite getting on one hundred percent but never quite falling out enough. This tempestuous partnership manages to give us some very good television entertainment.

The supporting cast is also very good, Dr McNamara's wife (Richardson) and son (Hensley) are particularly worthy and provide some of the most interesting storylines.

I must mention the soundtrack to the program. Its fantastic, a mix of oldies and new stuff all played quite loudly but never seems out of place or intrusive. It is very, very good. Also I have just noticed the soundtrack CD is available from Amazon too.

All in all, a fantastic program with believable characters, great actors and fine plots. Do not let the graphic surgery scenes put you off as they are really not that long. It is worth watching through to see the last five minutes. I am not going to give anything away, it's a bit contrived but clever.