Saturday, April 07, 2007
Mini-DVD Review: Not Just the Best of the Larry Sanders Show (April 17)
Not Just the Best of the Larry Sanders Show (Sony, $49.95) is a "Best of" compilation of 24 of the best episodes of The Larry Sanders Show, plus more special/extra features on the set than I think I have seen in every other Sony set I have ever reviewed, combined. The show stars comedian Garry Shandling as Larry Sanders, the vain and neurotic host of a Tonight Show-esque talk show entitled The Larry Sanders Show. The comedy would run on HBO for 6 years (1992–1998), then would enjoy a few years in syndication – where *I* was first exposed to this wonderful show.
This set is a sort of "appeasement" -- some factor, probably sales figures, caused Sony to decide not to release season sets of the show, so they threw together a couple dozen episodes and features to try to at least give the fans *something*. This is, however, a problem, as the people who this set is targeted toward definitely prefer season sets, and aren't just happy with "best of" releases. I myself used to have this "all or nothing" mentality as well, but I realized one day that I'm probably NEVER going to see complete season/series sets of several of my favorite shows on DVD, ever. While in some cases it's just the studios thinking with their wallets, as is the apparent case with Larry Sanders not getting season sets -- in several cases, including The Price is Right, The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, etc., -- there are just too many episodes. Realizing that fact helped me come to appreciate *any* DVD release -– at least of newly-released episodes –- that gets put out, even if it's not the way I want it. It may not be exactly what fans were hoping for, but do you see even a best of set for a show as widely popular as, say, Family Matters? I think not.
Also impressing me with this set is the absolute glut of special features. Most episodes included have deleted scenes. FOUR episodes have audio commentary -- a feature I'm used to only seeing on Seinfeld and NewsRadio. There are video interviews with stacks and stacks of people, including Alec Baldwin, Ellen Degeneres, David Duchovny, and more. The final disc has even MORE, including a feature-length documentary, "The Making of the Larry Sanders Show," more interviews, Rip Torn and Jeffrey Tambor visiting Garry in his living room, etc.
The episodes themselves look fairly nice, if a bit compressed. The colors for the most part are bright and solid, without being overpowering. The audio is fine -- no problems or defects, the vocals are crisp and clear -- it is all good. My one and only problem with this set are the menus. For all the effort that went into every last facet of this release, the menus are abhorrent. The options appear as a text list -- a platinum color in front of a black background -- and that's it. It doesn't fit the style of the rest of the release, and looks remarkably simple. This is the only detraction form the release, though.
There are going to be some folks who are quite displeased the show is not getting a full series set, at least not immediately. Nothing I can say, aside from gushing into next Wednesday's blog entry about the special features, is going to change your minds -- but DO consider this set. What is here is wonderful, truly wonderful, and strong sales numbers -- or some kind-hearted folks at Sony -- could lead us to seeing the rest of the series on DVD down the run after all.
-- Reviewed by Seth Thrasher
(4/5 stars)
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Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows
Wednesday, April 17
The Conners - "Toilet Hacks and the Management Track" (ABC, 8:00PM ET/PT)
After feeling the cafeteria staff could use some organization, Darlene seeks to be manager of food services at Mark’s college. Elsewhere, Dan teaches housewives the basics of DIY home projects to make some extra money toward paying off the house.
Not Dead Yet - "Not You Yet" (ABC, 8:30PM ET/PT)
Nell, Lexi and Cricket take Sam out on a "divorce day" to celebrate her singlehood, while Nell makes plans for her future.
Abbott Elementary - "2 Ava 2 Fest" (ABC, 9:00PM ET/PT)
Ava Fest is back, and with the help of the teachers, Ava’s set on outdoing last year by any means necessary. After Janine accepts the offer for a full-time position at the district, she just has to check off one last thing to make it official.
Animal Control - "Bunnies and Veggies" (Fox, 9:00PM ET/PT)
When Frank gets frustrated trying to meet women on dating apps, he asks Emily to set him up on an old-fashioned meet-in-person date; Shred and Patel decide to start renovations on their investment property themselves.
Family Guy - "Faith No More" (Fox, 9:30PM ET/PT)
When Brian becomes romantically interested in someone and it inspires him to use Stewie's time machine, strange consequences result from their journey.
Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of April 15)
Wednesday, April 17
- Rob McElhenney (Mythic Quest/It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia) - Watch Rob on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
- John Lithgow (Trial & Error/Twenty Good Years/3rd Rock from the Sun) - John appears on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
- Betsy Sodaro (Ghosts/Duncanville/Disjointed) and Utkarsh Ambudkar (Ghosts/White Famous) - Betsy and Utkarsh are guests on After Midnight at 12:37am on CBS.
- Max Greenfield (The Neighborhood/New Girl) - Max appears on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen at 10:15pm on Bravo.
- Pam Grier (Bless This Mess) - Pam is a guest on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen at 10:15pm on Bravo.
- Dulcé Sloan (The Great North) - Dulcé hosts Comedy Central's The Daily Show at 11pm.
- Zendaya (K.C. Undercover/Shake It Up) and Idris Elba (Turn Up Charlie) - Zendaya and Idris are guests on E! News at 11pm on E!.
- Nicole Richie (Great News) - Nicole is chatting with Drew about her new nephew, being a mom to a teenage girl and being a huge fan of the original film she's now starring in on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
- Candace Cameron Bure (Fuller House/Full House) - Candace discusses her new film Unsung Hero on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.
- George Takei (Supah Ninjas) - George talks about My Lost Freedom on ABC's GMA 3: What You Need to Know at 1pm.
- The Cast of A Different World - ABC's The View has the 35th-anniversary reunion with the cast of A Different World, including Jasmine Guy, Kadeem Hardison, Dawnn Lewis, Cree Summer, Darryl Bell and Debbie Allen at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
New on DVD/Blu-ray
12/05 - Father Knows Best - The Complete Series
12/05 - The Odd Couple - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
12/12 - The Dick Van Dyke Show - The Complete Series
12/12 - Looney Tunes Collector's Choice - Volume 2 (Blu-ray)
12/12 - That Girl - The Complete Series
12/15 - Letterkenny - Season 11
12/19 - The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet - The Official Restored Complete Series
12/22 - Three's Company - The Official 40th Anniversary Collection (includes The Ropers and Three's a Crowd)
01/09 - South Park - Seasons 11-15 (Blu-ray)
01/16 - Ghosts (UK) - Season Five
02/13 - Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
02/27 - The Really Loud House - Season One
03/12 - Ghosts (UK) - The Complete Series
03/12 - Looney Tunes Collector's Choice - Volume 3 (Blu-ray)
03/12 - Rick and Morty - Season 7 (Blu-ray Steelbook) (Blu-ray) (DVD)
04/03 - Too Close for Comfort - The Complete Series (VEI)
04/08 - Check It Out! - The Complete Series (VEI)
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