User Reviews

Profit was simply AMAZING! I never saw this show when it first came out years ago but I recently got a hold of all the eps and I LOVED IT!! The first thing that came to my mind was that it was ahead of its time. I guess back in 96 or 97, the country just wasn't into this show. But if this show were released today, it would just blow your mind! I would hope some network (how about the original network, FOX?) picks it up and continues it as it relates to today's world? How can people not get this show even if you're not the corporate type? If a show like Desperate Housewives can become a huge hit today, I don't see why this show cannot! I hope somebody consequential reads all these comments from "Profit" fans and picks up this show! Jim Profit is the ultimate antagonist and I for one, would watch this show regularly to the end! LET IT LIVE, DAMMIT!

Caught this series for the first time after waiting for it to be rerun, and could not believe a show of this calibre was killed. Adrian Pasdar's performance as lethal executive Jim Profit is magnificent evil and carnal lust in a polished, yuppie, corporate mode. Each of the nine episodes brings Profit closer to a one man corporate take-over the old fashioned way, by killing off the competition and climbing the upwardly mobile ladder corpse by corpse. Black humor abounds.

Outstanding performances by entire supporting cast, but it's Pasdar's show, esp. at the end of the day as Profit climbs back into a Grayson and Grayson box after a hard day at the office...chilling and adult. Definitely not what the networks wanted. Offensive to the maudlin tastes of mainstream TV viewers, nevertheless this is one program that was just too good for the masses.

Could PROFIT be the greatest TV series ever made? I think it comes close. This series is Machiavelli brought to life in the corporate world of today. Great acting, great story lines, great production values made this a TV series that is unparalleled. Made in 1996, before the rise of internet entrepreneurs, before the last leg of the bull market, before the BBC caught on that there was something brewing in Silicon Valley, this series was years ahead of it's time.

There are detective series with less complex story lines than any of the six episodes that were made for this gem. This series stood out because of the total lack of remorse from the lead character, his cunning and intelligence and his single minded ambition. At the heart of it, there is the fantastic looking Adrian Pasdar (Near Dark) as Jim Profit, the ultimate psychopath/sociopath and extremely ambitious yuppie, but Lisa Zane, Sherman Augustus, Allison Hossack, Lisa Blount as Profit's breathless secretary and Keith Szarabajka (Mickey from The Equalizer) all more than hold up their ends. I wish they would pick up this series again, especially after the late nineties era with Enron, Worldcom, etc. As it was only made 7 years ago, the cast couldn't have aged that much.

Profit poses many interesting questions, even before you watch the series. It was applauded by critics and failed when broadcast, so who got it wrong? The critics, the network, or perhaps it was the audience?

After watching the DVD, I'm convinced. This time the critics were spot on.

The creators looked to the corporate world and brought a complete sociopath into it, then layered style galore, and managed to keep the costs down and still produce some excellent drama which, although slightly dated in looks, could compete well with today's programming with its dark and edgy feel.

Series The series opens strongly in the first few episodes, the dating is apparent more in the quality of picture than anything else although some hairstyles do give away the years quite effectively as well as the phones they use, other than that you'd be forgiven for mistaking the release date.

There's a great sense of direction early on in the series and a real sense of Profit controlling and just how truly amoral he really is. The character is crafted so well and the events of each episode carefully orchestrated to show his slight and careful manipulation of other characters in order to manoeuvre them to his needs and his ultimate goal.

Unfortunately the careful crafting of the episode and the power of the character of Profit seems to dull towards the end of the series. His involvement in events becomes more direct, more obvious, much less clever. He actually feels much more like a henchman running to keep up with events around him than the opening sociopath.

That said, the first half of the series really does keep the focus on his power and manipulation, and to great effect. The whole premise of the show is superb, concentrating on the truly driven character at the centre, a character with no morals at all.

The episodes are multi-layered and complex, weaving multiple threads of the storyline together building them to a strong and very satisfying conclusion. They are dark and edgy yet it's not all serious and there is a far bit of comic value in the series ranging from the darkly comic to the odd moment of silliness. Neither overpowers the main feel of the movie though and these moments are well woven into the series.

One of the main devices used throughout the series is the voice-over of Profit, this is used to open and close each episode as well as providing insight throughout and some further exposition. Surprisingly this works really well as it does make you feel as though Profit is leading you through this journey as he does so many characters in the series. It's not so much used to say "Here's what's happening" but more "Here's what I'm going to make happen", it takes you right into his world from the opening moment.

Pasdar is superb as Profit, as is Szarabajka who plays the MD of G&G, there are some really strong performances from secondary characters throughout the series.

The two man team of David Greenwalt and John McNamara have done a wonderful job of developing this character and threading together the episodes, as well as the threads within each episode.

Sound: DDStereo The audio was clear and a very good soundtrack carried through the series. There was no real need for anything over Digital Stereo as there aren't any moments of loud action or explosions. The contrast of levels between shouts and whispers were good so that no volume adjustments were required.

Picture: 1.33:1 You can tell from the film style that this is from the nineties, it lacks the crispness of today's television, yet that's not a distraction. The picture does look really good, even on the then futuristic computer animation. The picture is good and clear with great colours and lighting particularly when visiting Profit's own private home. There's not an abundance of camera work and hand-held here, but there are some excellently filmed and framed scenes, with great use of crane and dolly shots.

Extras: Seven episodes including two hour pilot, Featurette with interviews and discussion from the creator and stars, Audio Commentaries on some episodes with Pasdar, Greenwalt and McNamara.

The Commentaries are interesting and entertaining, but perhaps the strongest and most revealing is that of the Pilot where the creators and main star give away most of the information you'll hear later on.

There's a lot of insightful discussion into the creation and development of the show and of the Profit character, as well as the story behind the sell of the series. It really does sound as though the show was developed around the character.

The discussions give us an impression of how much the actor was involved, how deep the character development of the series was, and how the relationships between the characters and the people on set developed and grew.

There's not many commentaries I can say this about, but this one really gets you excited about the show, the filming and the acting. Their passion for the character and the series really does get under your skin.

This passion extends into the other commentaries, all except the final episode which is surprisingly disappointing after the bar being raised so high on the first. There's little incisive examination of the episode, what was going to happen, and what could have been.

The featurette takes off where the commentaries left and builds more on the relationships of the characters and crew, as well as delving further into the darkness of Profit the series and the character.

Overall Profit is clever, sharp and superbly directed. It's a very clever and complex tale which when watched now, really does show that it heralded the dark and edgy television which we are now craving more and more of today. Who would have thought that watching someone this evil would be so enjoyable?

I have seen this show when I was about 14 and absolutely loved it. Jim Profit is perhaps the most brutal yet extremely likable psychopath in television history, and he's the lead!!! It is unfortunate that the show was cancelled perhaps because the premise and the show's intelligence never appealed to people back in 1996. The Profit DVD is coming out in August 2005 and I've never been more excited over a DVD release since the X-Files sets. I have watched this show in a cranky 14 inch set over aerial antennae when I was a kid and have been looking for this show for years and now it's comin' out! Do yourself a favor and check this one out...

I'm right in the middle of downloading all of the "Profit" episodes from the net and nostalgia just came pouring back into my mind. I was a kid then, but that first episode I saw really changed my life. I remember hearing the coolest theme I have ever heard, and a slick, cool and rich businessman that was kind of taking everyone else for a ride while at the same time having fun and "entertainment" with each of them. An above our world kind of guy, Jim Profit instantly became my role model. No wonder I now love morbid stuff as much as I do, "Profit" was dark and definitely for acquired tastes only, but hey, all of you "Profit"'s out there have more of it than the rest of the world:) I have to admit I don't remember much from the shows, but I was in fact one of the lucky ones who got to see all of the episodes, so I'm looking forward to each and every one of them.

Still: DVD's, DVD's, DVD's, DVD's, DVD's, DVD's, DVD's. DVD's, DVD's, DVD's...

I remember how amazed I was at its wit & originality. It was so damned sharp! It had just the right balance of gut fun, intelligence & surrealism. Pasdar was perfect in the Kafkan lead. What would it take to resurrect it. Or maybe get it produced in the UK & export it here. What a loss!

I remember this show when it first aired. I was impressed then and just as impressed since it's current release on DVD. This show holds up well. What a great premise! An amoral character who will stop at nothing to achieve his own ends. And yet;..You can't help but like him! There is very little arrogance in what he does. He simply goes about his business like the Grim Reaper outsmarting everyone. Very few sympathetic characters in this series. Everyone has skeletons in there closet and somewhat deserving of what happens to them. Ahead of it's time. Would most certainly be better received today. Am I alone in this assessment? Hauptamt

You've never seen anything like it, I can promise you that. This show let's you see a glimpse of the dark side in everyone. Scheming and manipulating people to reach personal goals is the goal for Jim Profit played by the wonderful Adrian Pasdar. He is so slick and so smart with an appearance you can't help but to like until he crosses you. It's hard to find the words to describe the greatness of this one season wonder, which should never have been put off air. This show aired in 1996 but it is still in 2007 just as revolutionary as ever. Everything in this show is top quality from actors to scripts to production etc. Just simply an unbelievably great show and I urge everyone to watch it as it grabs a hold of you. If you give it your little finger ... you'll lose your whole hand.

What can I say about _Profit_ that hasn't been said before? "Brilliant", "Ahead of it's time", "Unforgettable", "Perhaps one of the best television shows of all time". How about maybe "Dayyum, Adrian Pasdar looks great in a suit!"? It's all true. I'm sure Pasdar has a long career still ahead of him, but when all is said and done, Jim Profit may be the defining role of his life. Which is not a bad thing.

It was pure random dumb luck that I encountered _Profit_'s premiere on FOX, and I was instantly riveted -- and subsequently stunned by the series cancellation. It's easy to see I'm not alone, however, and the image of Jim Profit -- dark, manipulative, and not amoral but obviously running on a moral code all his own -- has been burned into the brains of everyone who saw this show: I'll bet even the people who supposedly called FOX to complain about _Profit_ still remember his devilishly seductive charm. It probably scares the hell out of them.

It's March, 2011, and I've just watched all 9 hours of _Profit_ on DVD, and I'm happy to report that time has been good to _Profit_: 15 years later, the dark wit and intrigue still ring true -- even more-so given recent events in US corporate culture. It's a (darkly) magical thing to watch Jim Profit work his influence upon others. Not just to make them do the things he wants them to do, but to _change_ them into different people. For instance, at the end of the episode titled _Chinese Box_, he tells his loyal but conflicted secretary Gail: "Revenge is pointless. It's a tool for the weak. And you're not weak ... not anymore."

I hate it when brilliant shows are canceled: for a brief moment in time, all of the right writers, actors, directors, and producers are working together to make something wonderful -- and then it's all smashed asunder like HumptyDumpty -- the group, the synergy, are gone forever. The only positive thing I can say is that, whether by luck or by planning, the show ends well. You definitely want _more_ -- but in their own odd way, those 8 episodes are remarkably self-contained and satisfying.

Dumb, but I can't give up hope ... someone else commented about how _Profit_ would be killer on HBO, and while I cannot think of anyone would could replace young Adrian Pasdar, still ... the thought of a new generation of _Profit_, without the restrictions of network television ... well, I can dream.

In the words of Jim Profit: "Goodnight".

Naturally, since this was the best TV series ever to air in the US, it was cancelled after 6 episodes. What more is there to say, except to go on and on, railing and ranting at the blindness of American TV executives. Instead of being able to watch groundbreaking TV like 'Profit', we're spoonfed the mediocre tripe that the powers that be think is suitable for us.

Like another commenter wrote, this show was way ahead of its time. It was the best thing on TV, and my wife and I had never seen anything like it; we were stunned when it suddenly stopped airing, with no warning or explanation.

One thing I disagree with is the notion of Profit being evil. The show didn't stay on the air long enough for us to find out what he was. The end of Profit was much like when Twin Peaks ended after the second season, leaving many questions unanswered, but in this case we were justing starting to find out what the questions were. Oh, well. I guess we'll just never know.

Back in 1996 when Fox was not picking up further episodes, I called programming and pleaded with them to reconsider. I have never done that with any show before or since. Profit was by far the most entertaining and compelling drama, ever. Homicide Life on the Street was a close second but lacked the dark intrigue of Profit. The end of each episode always left one awe struck and wanting more. In an era of mind-numbing reality shows who's only virtue is that it's cheap to produce, network prime time is becoming a complete wasteland; pushing even more viewers to cable. Any network picking up the rights and reintroducing this show will have a major hit on their hands.

I was a fan of this series when it was shown here in Norway, and I agree with the other comment before this saying it was sad it got canceled. I also would like to see new episodes, picking up from where it left, 10 years ago. Or perhaps even better, a new script with the same lead character now 10 years older, talking about what took place, summing-up the old plot, and later start a new plot, more up to date.

I also agree that the reason why it was taken off, is probably due to the rather uncommon plot/story - where the lead role act out a darker side than normal. I esp. liked the fact that he crawled to sleep inside a cardboard box, instead of a nice bed with a standard to his wealthy income. I guess, he could not forget his past, more difficult, life? I feel like "profit" could have been directed by David Lynch, it somehow fall into his style of making TV series (Twin Peaks, etc).

Found PROFIT via comments/suggestions from DEXTER fans. Watched the DVDs from Netflix and had to order my own set. This is a series to watch over and over! It can't be said enough: PROFIT was WAY ahead of its time. Although some styles or technical elements may be out of date, the series is still VERY cutting-edge in 2009. I second the motion to bring back PROFIT, preferably on cable, where it would flourish in today's environment. There is a growing interest in sociopaths/psychopaths in everyday life; for true-life stories, check out the book, "Snakes in Suits: When Psychopaths Go to Work." Adrian Pasdar was very modest in the commentary about the show. He brings Jim Profit to life in a brilliant, breath-taking characterization. All of the actors are superb, the scripts both funny and suspenseful, the directing and editing pull it all together wonderfully.

What would it take to bring back PROFIT? Inquiring minds want to know!

This show has since I saw it for the first time (around 96' in Denmark) been a benchmark to thought provoking TV. Somehow "Profit" has lived with me in my own philosophical speculations on morals. It shows a heritage to great literary classics such as Machiavelli's "Il Principe", Thomas Mann's "Felix Krull" and probably many others daring to question our modern framework of thought. This show could inspire interesting discussions at dinner tables around 3 continents I lived in since 96'. Somehow all the cool people I have met in the age group exposed to the show "PROFIT" (I feel compelled to use capital letters), has had an impression of the show that gave occasion to a most inspiring discussion. In summary I will use this show as a beacon for achievement in television history. I know it will not be revived, but I have a dream, that someday a studio executive will have an epiphany and Adrian Pasdar etc. will be brought back to life on world wide television audience, because it will be worth it.

I still feel sad thinking about how my favorite tv show got the shaft so soon. Any show where the main character sleeps in a cardboard box should get an Emmy immediately.

Thank goodness they released the unaired episodes. This show deserved a longer run and with the recent success of the Netflix show "You" and previous series like breaking bad and dexter it's crazy it hasnt been rebooted aleady.

My husband and I remember this series. It was a show that we both enjoyed and were looking forward to watching each week. We were so disappointed when we found out it was canceled. I felt there was a lot to be told about Jim Profit and that the telling would be both suspenseful and entertaining. I also think that it was ahead of its time but now would be a great time for a reboot and a continuing of the series. There are so many places that it could find a home at Netflix, Hulu or Amazon without having to deal with network television, which I rarely watch myself anymore.

2nd only to JR, if you love Dallas.

For all those blaming lack of audience etc., a behind the scenes commentary on it was, it was cancelled because TV networks saw too much of themselves in it. No, I don't understand that, but that is what I heard. Profit has to be one of the best villains ever. The end of every episode still in 2020 makes me cheer for it's excellence! Adrian was perfect, and this was probably the best character he's ever done. It's really too bad this never succeeded, all you need to do is look at Dexter to see that there was an audience. Other than this, and probably 2 or 3 other things since the 80's, there has never been a more interesting villain than Profit. You can shove the rest of the crap people are mooning over, it's boring compared to this.

People often go on about the death of network television and wonder why networks like HBO are simply crushing network TV, and I can point to Profit and say here is a primary example of why Networks can't compete.

This show is simply shocking, revolving around perhaps one of the most evil main characters to grace network TV, with a very dark past, and an even darker present. Fox simply got cold feet because it was just too much for 1996 and the majority of the Bible Belt went nuts over the concepts in this show and just crushed it. It was too smart for Fox which is really unfortunate, but if it had been on HBO two or three years later and they would have been allowed to truly get into the dark angle of this show that only cable networks seem to be able to do, we would be discussing how many Emmy's Adrian Pasdar had won.

I never watched it on TV, and the DVD was my first chance to really get a look at it, and it was simply light years ahead of its time.

-Z

Absolutely incredible TV-series, unfortunately abandoned too soon because of political and moral reasons. A regard without complaisance and so right about American society, based on the cult of... profit and dollar-king ! Beside Jim Profit, J.R. Ewing is a priest asking for money at the church. Almost all of the characters are full out of morality. They don't care about the "collateral damages" they do, their only preoccupation, their only goal is the race to power and money. Incest, drug and sex addiction, parricide, betrayal are the digest of that jewel. And perhaps also Jim Profit search what he never had : A family to love and to be loved by. To be seen in the context of the 90'

This is the kind of show that they should have renewed but didn't. It's way ahead of its time, at least it was in 1996, in my personal opinion if you re-released this show in 2012 it would be a instant hit. Jim Profit is a psychopath who was raised with the idea that the best cooperation in the world was G&G, having been tortured relentlessly by his father in his childhood he grew up with a very different view of the world. Fast forward to 15 years later and he's positioned himself as the head of the acquisition department at G&G. Now that he's gone this far his goal is to go straight to the top but there are people who stand in his way. He devises and executes many a plan to get them out of the way.

This show is the epitome of good writing, perfect cast great plot lines, unbelievable twists and turns. If you ever wanted to see a great show that was just a little too intelligent for its time this is it. 10/10.