TV Shows on DVD Reviewed
The best of television on DVD reviewed for you!
by Billy Ingram
Take a proven winner of a concept, pair that with one of the best casts a TV show ever had - including Harvey Keitel and an almost unrecognizable (except for that distinctive voice) Michael Imperioli - and what do you get? A flopping fish gasping for air on the shore.
The problem? The UK version of Life on Mars effortlessly integrates the time travel / fish out of water idea but the American version uses the concept as a pretense to hang the weekly storyline on. Trouble is, the crimes that make up each episode are just not that interesting.
The guest stars on each episode are tip top, with some of my favorite actors from The Wire and Rescue Me appearing, but without inventive scripts the whole affair is an exercise in futility. The only elements that worked here were lifted directly from the British version.
Part way through the season the producers started adding some Lost-like music cues to give you the idea that more is going on there really is.
Life on Mars is a leaden, dead-weight of a show that ignores 1973 consciousness in favor of top 40 tunes and the less flamboyant fashions of the time.
A Black liberation group kidnaps two NYC police officers, lets them go and there's no retaliation? This is the era of counterintelpro, where even peaceful Black Panther leaders were killed in their beds by cops, I don't think so! A pirate radio station operating within the city confines and it can't be found? Right.
Watching the British version, I couldn't find one discrepancy - maybe that's because I didn't grow up there (I did live there for a while) but even the 1970's decor doesn't feel right here. Whereas the BBC series has a ring of truth to it, right down to the wallpaper and drapes, the yankee production looks like it was shot in a New Jersey thrift store.
I mean, if Mad Men can get the sixties right the seventies should be easy peasy. Then again, Mad Men works because the specificity of the year they're operating in is baked into the cake not smeared across the top; 1973 seems to be an afterthought on Life on Mars.
I say this with a heavy heart because I was really looking forward to this DVD release, I love almost any movie or TV series that concerns time travel. Thank goodness a working version of Life on Mars lives on in Great Britain.
Paul
Lynde Halloween Special
This was one of the most anticipated DVD releases in a long time for fans of 1970's variety shows (of which I'm one) and fans of early KISS (count me in once again).
The master quipper from Hollywood Squares was one of America's favorite comedians 30 years ago, this 1977 holiday themed hour was a star-studded affair with Paul Lynde and some of the greatest stars of that era.
The immortal Margaret Hamilton reprises her role as the Wicked Witch of the West from the Wizard of Oz and things really get rolling when they're joined by Witchiepoo from H.R. Pufnstuf (Billie Hayes) and the diminutive Billy Barty. Nothing matches the joy of seeing Margaret Hamilton and Billie Hayes with a large role to play in a musical comedy setting; when they are on the screen it's magnetic, two artists at the peak of their craft.
Also on hand are Betty White, Florence Henderson, Tim Conway and Pinky Tuscadero (Roz Kelly) who was enjoying a fleeting fame as Fonzie's short term girlfriend.
Most of the jokes are standard 1970's variety show which means occasionally they're actually funny. At the time Paul was appearing on the Donny & Marie program (they make a cameo here) so naturally there are the silly, arbitrary comedy sketches (like Paul picking up truckers with his CB Radio) and requisite disco-ed up dance numbers to contend with but that's part of the charm of shows like this.
All else aside, this special is the Holy Grail for KISS fans.
The Paul Lynde Halloween Special was the first prime time appearance of KISS and it's an auspicious debut, they rock out on three explosive numbers - 'Detroit Rock City, 'King of the Night Time World,' and 'Beth' which was climbing the charts at the time. Great stuff, especially 'Beth' (all numbers were lip-synced) which gets the full-on variety show musical number treatment, it could easily have been Cher or Dinah Shore in the same setting.
This was the first exposure of this seminal band to most teens; they had only been on national TV twice, once in the afternoon and once late at night. This was a revelation for fans of the band, by the next year KISS was the hottest group in the nation and I was bored to death with them.
The source tape for this special wasn't in the best of condition (it's a miracle it survived at all) but the DVD looks pretty much like the program did when it was first broadcast, so I'm not complaining.
Another great feature is the bonus audio interview with Peter Marshall, in it he reminisces about Paul in a very frank and revealing chat. He has some delightful stories to tell.
Quite frankly, I can't think of anything better to pop into the DVD player this Halloween, it's kitschy, campy fun that will undoubtedly rocket you back 3 decades in time.
TV SHOWS ON DVD REVIEWS: Mary Tyler Moore Show / Paul Lynde Halloween Special / Life on Mars / Sheriff
of Cochise / U.S. Marshall / Bing Crosby Specials
TV Shows on DVD Reviewed -
some of the more obscure TV on DVD
releases you might have missed!
TV SHOWS ON DVD REVIEWS: Mary Tyler Moore Show / Paul Lynde Halloween Special / Life on Mars / Sheriff of Cochise / U.S. Marshall / Bing Crosby Specials
 |
Television's Greatest - local & national TV kid shows
Best of TV Blog - past TV Blog postings
