ROWAN & MARTIN'S LAUGH-IN: THE COMPLETE SERIES

Article first published as DVD Review: 'Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In: The Complete Series' on Blogcritics.

Before there was Saturday Night Live, there was Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In. Hilarious, topical, sometimes controversial, the comedy program began as a one-time special, and eventually racked up a six season run. Starring an eclectic group of individuals, some of whom built memorable careers, and featuring a bevy of terrific guest stars, recurring sketches and one-liners filled the 140 episodes, some of which did not air until well after cancellation. Now, the entire Emmy- and Golden Globe-winning series is available on DVD from Time Life, and most of the episodes getting their first-ever home release.

Launching as a series in January 1968, Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In was over long before I was born, fifteen years later. But the reputation and jokes lived on, permeating pop culture. Of course I’d seen the clips of Richard Nixon calling out “Sock it to me,” Goldie Hawn go-go dancing, and Lily Tomlin’s Ernestine, the annoying telephone operator. Having long been a fan of late-night comedy, this was a series I was very curious about, but never sure where to get a hold of it until this set came along.

The number of talented people the series attracted is amazing. Besides Hawn (The First Wives Club) and Tomlin (Grace & Frankie), regulars included Larry Hovis (Hogan’s Heroes), Eileen Brennan (Clue), Richard Dawson (Hogan’s Heroes), Henry Gibson (Boston Legal), Dave Madden (The Partridge Family), and Johnny Brown (Good Times). Perhaps more impressive were the guests stars, with Flip Wilson, John Wayne, Debbie Reynolds, Johnny Carson, Jack Benny, Peter Lawford, Cher, Zsa Zsa Gabor, Carol Channing, Sammy Davis Jr., Rock Hudson, Dinah Shore, Tim Conway, James Garner, Vincent Price, Buddy Hackett, Michael Caine, Charles Nelson Reilly, Don Rickles, Phyllis Diller, Bob Hope, Rod Serling, Liberace, and Lena Horne being just some of the folks who returned multiple times for guest spots.

As much as it’s fun to watch a bunch of familiar, famous faces parade through the series, Laugh In‘s  real staying power is in the writing. Dan Rowan’s straight man to Dick Martin goofy comic inhabit first segment, leading to mod dance parties, “Laugh-In Looks at the News” (a predecessor of Weekend Update), and though to applause at the end that extends long into the closing credits.

The series has a very specific, signature style with regular inserts and asides. Some strong, some less so, they impart a unique comic tone to the series. Characters like Wolfgang the German Soldier, Gladys Ormphby, Edith Ann, the sock-it-to-me girl, Uncle Al, and more, are memorable to anyone who has seen them. Yes, it is absolutely a product of its era, and the hippie, zany sensibilities are ever-present. But it’s also genuinely funny something that can still make us laugh many decades later. Whether you were a fan back then, or just have an interest in classic television, this is a good DVD set.

The just-released box contains thirty-eight discs, including the pilot special and all the regular episodes, complete and uncut. The show has been remastered, and while it shows its age, it looks pretty good, much better than any clip I’ve seen from it. It’s certainly not high-def ready, but what do you expect from a show so old? The point is, there isn’t the graininess that distracts, and it’s OK if Laugh-In shows its age a little. It’s earned it.

Six hours of bonus features round out the set. The most sizable are a 25th anniversary cast reunion (filmed way back in 2001) and a booklet full of some of the best quotes from the show. There are interviews, bloopers (which aren’t always as funny as the written jokes, but still good to include), a tribute to producer George Schlatter (the late clapper), Schlatter’s Emmy speech, and more. About 100 minutes of it are on a special bonus DVD, while the rest (mainly cast interviews) are scattered among the various season sets, each packaged separately in the larger box.

Personally, I find this DVD set right up my alley, and I enjoyed it immensely. I know it’s not for everyone, but if you like classic or late night comedy, it’s a must-see. And I suspect a great many other people, who aren’t particularly into those things, would find it entertaining, too. Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In, available now from Time Life, comes with my highest recommendation.

THE HEE HAW COLLECTION DVD Review

Article first published as DVD Review: 'The Hee Haw Collection' on Blogcritics.

I wasn’t yet born when Hee Haw had its heyday (hehe). But, of course, so far-reaching was its influence and reputation that I’d heard of it, even if I didn’t exactly know what it was. So when Time Life offered me the chance to review The Hee Haw Collection, a three disc DVD set featuring five early episodes that have rarely been seen, I figured now would be a perfect opportunity to check it out and educate myself on a vital part of TV history.

For those unfamiliar with Hee Haw, it was created as a folksy answer to Rowan and Martin’s Laugh-In. Full of overalls and cartoon pigs, it was an hour-long program of corny jokes and country music performances, complete with the small-town feel of a bygone era. It ran for over twenty years, despite an early attempt by CBS to get away from country-themed programming, and remains important to this day.

Viewing Hee Haw is an interesting experience. I doubt I would have watched this thing week after week for multiple decades, but it’s cool to get a glimpse of the past. The jokes told are almost all groaners, but they were never meant to be clever. The down-home sensibility is maintained pretty consistently, and it’s style is charming. I can’t say that I was riveted through all five hours, but there is enough here, especially if you didn’t watch the show before, to get a taste of what this program is about, and appreciate it for what it was. And if you were a fan, the nostalgia at seeing the characters and personalities again, especially if you remember these episodes (all from the first few seasons of the series) that haven’t been widely available, is sure to make it an even better experience.

For me, the best part of Hee Haw is the musical performances. While not a big fan of country music as a genre, the performers of this era are quite impressive, and it’s great to get to watch them do their thing, displaying their talent in this format. This DVD set includes Tammy Wynette doing “Ways to Love a Man,” Merle Haggard with “Okie from Muskogee” and “Today I Started Loving You Again,” Loretta Lynn singing “I Wanna Be Free,” Conway Twitty performing “Hello Darlin’,” and many more. This is music my father loved (probably still loves), and I remember it fondly.

Besides the five full episodes, there are special features totaling more than an hour, which seems an appropriate amount for this size set. There are comedy selections and classic sketches from other episodes of the show, including Archie Campbell’s “Rindercella,” Junior Samples struggling with “Trigonometry,” and a couple of Cornfield segments. “Hee Haw Laffs” is actually a pretty great compilation of pieces, giving viewers just the best stuff cherry-picked from installments, without the weaker bits you’d get watching an episode in its entirety (think a Best Of Saturday Night Live release). An interview with Roy Clark is insightful and grounds the show in a good way. Several other interviews add to the depth, and I think most people will come away feeling like they have a pretty good understanding of Hee Haw, even if this DVD is their only exposure to it.

I won’t say The Hee Haw Collection made me a fan who will run out and buy the bigger sets being released right now, in which you can get many, many more hours of the show. However, this three-disc set is a valued addition to my television collection, and the perfect entry point for those just wanting to tip their toe into the water and find out what Hee Haw is. For that purpose, I definitely recommend this release. If you’re a fan, go for the bigger sets, which will include these items, as well as quite a bit more.

The Hee Haw Collection (this one and larger sets) are available now from Time Life and in stores.

DVD Review: ‘The Wonder Years: Complete Series’

Article first published as DVD Review: ‘The Wonder Years: Complete Series’ on Blogcritics.

While there are many classic TV shows one will remember with fond nostalgia, few are as precious as The Wonder Years. The coming-of-age sitcom, which aired from 1988-1993, is set in the late 1960s, during the Vietnam era and after the run of assassinations. It simultaneously ushers a boy through puberty and documents a transitional time in American history, as concerned (if not more so) with emotion and context than being funny. The laughs tend to come from authentic situations, rather than goofy gags, and the characters are realistic and loveable. Finally, this complete series is available on DVD from StarVista/Time Life.

As the story begins, Kevin Arnold (Fred Savage, The Princess Bride) is starting junior high school alongside his best friend, Paul Pfeiffer (Josh Saviano). They may be a bit dweebish, but Kevin still catches the eye of the beautiful girl-next-door, Winnie Cooper (Danica McKellar, Young Justice). If Kevin should ever get a little full of himself, though, he has jerk older brother Wayne (Jason Hervey), stoic dad Jack (Dan Lauria, Sullivan & Son), not-quite-understanding mom Norma (Alley Mills, The Bold and the Beautiful), and peacenik sister Karen (Olivia d’Abo, Law & Order: Criminal Intent) to ground him. Viewers are privy to Kevin’s thoughts via narration by Daniel Stern (Manhattan, Home Alone).

The Wonder Years ran for six seasons and received numerous accolades. Premiering in the prime post-Super Bowl slot, it won the Outstanding Comedy Series Emmy for its very first, six-episode season and Savage became the youngest-ever Emmy nominee for Oustanding Lead Actor for a Comedy Series. These were only the beginning of a run that would score many trophies, pushing the boundaries of its genre and production. While it does feel, at times, like an after-school special, it takes that format and deepens it in such a way to move anyone that views it, leaving the cheese out, for the most part.

Sadly, the series finale is not what many would have liked. Mired in struggle between the network and the producers, who wanted to mature the material along with Kevin (something ABC resisted mightily in a family-friendly program) the show came to an abrupt end after season six. The writers only had Stern’s narration with which to craft a true ending, no more opportunity for filming existing. This set contains the originally-broadcast version of the hour-long finale, as well as the edited-down, two half-hour editions. Those involved did a terrific job, considering, and the somewhat unsatisfying ending is realistic. Still, even with the rough stop, The Wonder Years remains an important body of work, remembered fondly for good reason, and is well worth the time it takes to relive it.

Part of the reason why The Wonder Years may have taken so long to get to disc is because is has a phenomenal soundtrack, with literally hundreds of classic songs featuring the likes of Simon & Garfunkel, Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan, Carole King, and more. These are integral to the story, and the show would really be missing something without them. I do not know if every track has been retained, but the press materials report that over three-hundred numbers from the original broadcasts have been licensed for the DVD, so the vast majority, at least, are present and accounted for, which matters a lot in this release.

The picture and audio quality in this DVD release do not appear to have been updated. However, The Wonder Years had a dated look even for its time, so the production fits the style of the piece. It isn’t distracting enough to pull one out of the story.

Whatever efforts were not put into updating the video presentation are more than made up for in the quality of everything else. Should you choose to obtain the complete set, it comes with 26 discs packaged in binders replicating Kevin and Winnie’s school tomes, each with a helpful book that has notes and episode descriptions. They sit alongside a really cool yearbook, full of photos and information about the show, in an actual metal locker (which comes with series-themed magnets to decorate it with). There are a couple of different limited editions of this set that have even more inclusions, so the really die-hard fans may want to check those out, too.

The Wonder Years Complete Series has a TON of extras. Over 23 hours of bonus features boast lots of new featurettes and fresh interviews with many of the key people that made the series a reality. All seven of the show’s leads are among the participants, as well as several notable guest stars. There are outtakes galore (including of Winnie and Kevin’s first kiss), a cast reunion, a look at the teachers on the series, and so much more. I cannot stress enough how much is here, and it will take days, if not weeks, for most people to sift through it all.

The Wonder Years Complete Series isn’t perfect, but it’s darn close. It was certainly well worth the wait, one of the coolest series sets I’ve seen. As a fan myself, I’m super excited to dig even further into this than I’ve had time to do so far. The Complete Series is available now, and individual seasons will start being released this week.

Land At China Beach

Article first published as DVD Review: China Beach: The Complete Series on Blogcritics.

There are some shows that fans wait years and years for, desperately hoping they will eventually be released on DVD so their favorite episodes can be relived, but are consistently disappointed. One such beloved, critically-acclaimed series is China Beach, the four-season Vietnam War drama that broke new ground by approaching the conflict from a perspective other than male-domination, and is one of the most-requested shows. Finally, China Beach arrives, the complete series being released by Time Life.

China Beach is set at an Evacuation Hospital in Vietnam, and follows the adventures of the women serving our armed forces, as well as those on the civilian side of things. This isn't a softer tact, per se, but it does give us something other than what we are used to seeing from a war drama, meaning feelings are allowed to be explored, as well as the mental and emotional scarring that can occur from such locals and experiences, often ignored when the focus is on violence and bloodshed.

Portraying women is not the only way that China Beach sets itself apart. It really gets into the characters' heads, even following them home from time to time. Animated sequences allow the viewers to better understand the people and what they are thinking, and real interviews with real veterans keep the show grounded in gritty reality, even as it tells a compelling fictional story. China Beach is a bit like an intentionally less-funny version of M*A*S*H, with a comparable originality and risk-taking approach, but containing more depth.

The heroine of the piece is First Lieutenant Colleen McMurphy (Dana Delany, Body of Proof), who not only stands strong, but also faces her own limitations and emotional wounds. She's a very striking woman, hailing from Kansas, who puts others first. Delany brilliantly and boldly tackles the role with gusto and talent, winning two well-deserved Emmys during the series' run.

Among the familiar faces co-starring are: Michael Boatman (Spin City) as Samuel Beckett, an unpopular Graves Registration man; Marg Helgenberger (CSI) as K.C., the fortune-hungry prostitute; Robert Picardo (Star Trek: Voyager) as Dr. Dick Richard, surgeon, womanizer, and occasional purveyor of wisdom; Concetta Tomei (Providence) as Major Lila Garreau, the commanding officer; Jeff Kober (Sons of Anarchy) as Dodger, the quiet warrior of the jungle; Brian Wimmer (Flipper) as Boonie the lifeguard; and Troy Evans (ER) as Bob Pepper, motor pool manager, among others.

Many of these names will sound familiar, and if not, then their faces will likely be recognizable. These are performers who are mostly at the beginning of their careers in China Beach but have continued to thrive in the industry. What this means is that the show is stocked with a solid cast that is excellent at making you care for their complex characters and root for their survival.

Not everyone stays around for the duration of the show, despite its short run, and cast members enter and exit with some frequency, in both guest parts and recurring capacities. However, that only adds to the realism of the series, as in a war-time environment, this is a part of life.

All sixty-two episodes are included on this twenty-one disc set. Relive the helicopter crash, suicide bomber, romance, drug abuse, prom night, leopard cub, race relations, kidnapping, parasite, betrayal, reporters, rogue Santa, a mixed-race baby, pirate radio, deaths, stand-up comedy, PTSD, a trip to the Vietnam Wall, and so much more. For those who already love the show, it's a pleasurable stroll down memory lane, and a chance to possibly fill in some gaps, since it aired in the days before DVR. For new fans, such as myself, it's a wonderful complete saga primed to dive into and fall in love with.

One of the hallmarks of China Beach is its fantastic music, pivotal to the way the stories are told. It is because of the problems in securing home video release rights of all of these songs that China Beach has proven so difficult to get released on DVD before now. However, the press materials report 268 songs have been cleared, an average of more than 4 per episode, so the soundtrack will be mostly intact in this release.

Not only that, but Time Life has given us a wealth of extras to complement the run, around ten hours in all. There are featurettes, interviews, deleted scenes, commentaries for the premiere and finale, and a gag reel, all spread across the four seasons, each packaged separately within the larger set. There are also two discs dedicated solely to bonus features, with a focus on last December's 25th Anniversary reunion of the cast.

It's great to see what the performers thought of the show, and their experiences filming it, all of these years later. Most of the principal players participate, including those who currently have busy careers. There should be plenty here to satisfy any fan.

The packaging itself is pretty cool, too. While the DVD cases are basic, they are housed in a beautiful wrap-around box, with magnetic closure. There's a thirty-six page booklet with notes and images from the show, and you even get a pair of China Beach dog tags. Not shabby at all!

A Limited Edition version is available with signed scripts and cast photos. This is not the edition I got, so I cannot speak to the value of the extra materials, but they look cool in the picture posted online!

If there's one complaint I have it's that there doesn't seem to be much effort put into restoring picture or audio quality. China Beach hails from before the days of high definition, but it isn't that old, and other aged series have been restored before release. This one has not been, or not much anyway, and the presentation is not nearly as good as it should be, though it's not the worst I've ever seen, either.

Overall, despite the visual problems, I find it easy to recommend this set. There's a lot here, both in terms of story-telling and performance, as well as bonus features. It's a compelling, dramatic series that will make you cry and think. I wish it had run longer, but I'm grateful there are as many installments as there are.

China Beach: The Complete Series is available now, exclusively online.