Mini-DVD Review: The Best of The Flip Wilson Show (Feb. 27)

Saturday, February 24, 2007

Mini-DVD Review: The Best of The Flip Wilson Show (Feb. 27)

Welcome to another edition of mini-DVD reviews! Today we take a look at Rhino's The Best of The Flip Wilson Show. The Flip Wilson Show of course was the popular '70s variety show that was both funny and entertaining. There were tons of guests and music, but the comedy was the main draw. See skees53's mini-DVD review of The Best of The Flip Wilson Show:

The Best of The Flip Wilson Show (Rhino, $49.98) contains 6 full episodes of Flip Wilson's variety show from the 1970s along with plenty of bonus features to go along with it. These aren't those lame 22 minute excuses of an episode that you'll see running on TV Land every once in a while, but instead the whole 50 minute episodes as they originally aired (though one runs at 44 minutes, leading me to think this one COULD be a syndicated version, but I have nothing to support that claim), complete with all of the skits and the music in every episode as originally intended. On Disc 1, we get to see a 1972 episode with George Carlin reciting his "Hair Poem" (don't worry, there is much more excitement than this in the episode) and another 1972 episode featuring legendary musician Johnny Cash as well as June Carter Cash. On Disc 2, we have a 1973 episode featuring Ray Charles (he actually performs on the episode as shown on DVD!) and Phyllis Diller (the episode even has an introduction by Diller, who looks much better these days than she did back in the 1970s!) as well as a 1973 episode featuring Redd Foxx, Helen Reddy, and Joan Rivers. Finally, on Disc 3, we have a 1973 episode featuring Richard Pryor and Tim Conway (with an episode introduction by Tim Conway), as well as a 1974 episode with Tony Randall and Lena Horne.
One of the best parts of the set is the special features, and there are plenty of them to go around. on Disc 1, you'll find an interview with Bob Henry, producer of the show, as well as a very weird cartoon special, "Clerow Wilson and the Miracle of P.S. 14." On Disc 2, you'll find another of the animated special featuring Flip's Clerow Wilson character, "Clerow Wilson's Great Escape" as well as a Photo Gallery that has many snapshots from episodes, including one of Geraldine with Muhammad Ali (that would have been a good episode to include on this set but I guess just because the "greatest" is in the episode doesn't make the episode the greatest). Disc 3 has a bonus feature that sounds promising but is really a letdown--a special feature called "Flip Wilson: Portrait of an Artist." This isn't much more than just an all text biography that you have to read yourself. Oh well. To be honest, the price is a bit steep for just six episodes, but considering the quality of the episodes and the special features, you may be pick this one up... the devil will make you do it.
-- Reviewed by skees53

(4.5/5 stars)

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Related links:
SitcomsOnline.com Full DVD Reviews Page
The Flip Wilson Show TV.com Page

Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

Tuesday, February 25

St. Denis Medical - "Some Famous Internet Guy" (NBC, 8:00PM ET/PT)
When a famous musician's performance at the hospital is delayed, Joyce throws an impromptu talent show with the St. Denis staff; Alex attempts to connect with her daughter, Ella.

Night Court - "Abracadabra Alaka-Dan" (NBC, 8:30PM ET/PT)
Harry's old magician's assistant appears in the courthouse and puts Dan and Abby in a tough position; Gurgs, Flobert and Julianne are determined to fire up Wyatt's lukewarm life.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of February 24)

Tuesday, February 25

Kate Hudson (Running Point) - Catch Kate on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC. She also talks about Running Point on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am. Kate, Drew Tarver and Scott MacArthur will be on ABC's GMA 3: What You Need to Know at 1pm.
Jennifer Coolidge (2 Broke Girls/Joey) - Jennifer appears on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
Nick Kroll (Big Mouth/The League/Cavemen) - Nick is a guest on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
Britt Lower (Ghosted/Man Seeking Woman/Big Lake) - Britt appears on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
Kumail Nanjiani (Bless the Harts/Silicon Valley) - Kumail is a guest on After Midnight at 12:37am on CBS.
Wendi McLendon-Covey (St. Denis Medical/The Goldbergs/Rules of Engagement/Reno 911!) - Wendi appears on Comedy Central's The Daily Show at 11pm.
Jennifer Tilly (Out of Practice) - Jennifer stops by Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen at 3:30am on Bravo.
Keanu Reeves (Swedish Dicks) and Chris Pratt (Parks and Recreation) - E! News has interviews with Keanu and Chris at 11pm on E!.
Simu Liu (Kim's Convenience) - NBC's Today catches up with Simu in the 9am hour.
Jay Ellis (Running Point/Insecure/The Game) - Jay talks about Running Point on NBC's Today in the 10am hour.
Chelsea Handler (Are You There, Chelsea?) - Chelsea talks about I'll Have What She's Having on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am and on Live with Kelly and Mark, so check your local listings.
Brenda Song (Running Point/Dollface/Dads/The Suite Life on Deck/The Suite Life of Zack & Cody) - Brenda discusses Running Point on Live with Kelly and Mark, so check your local listings.
Valerie Bertinelli (Hot in Cleveland/Café Americain/Sydney/One Day at a Time) - Valerie and Drew are talking all things moisturizers and hydration with board certified dermatologist and TikTok sensation Dr. Shereene Idriss on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
Phil Dunster (Surface) - Phil talks about the new season of Surface on Apple TV+ on Sherri, so check your local listings.