Steve Martin: The Television Stuff DVD Box Set Review

I grew up watching Steve Martin, enjoying his appearances on Saturday Night Live and other shows, and of course his movies. And though he's been in some bad films (Father Of The Bride Part II, Sgt. Bilko), he's always had this bright presence. His warmth and intelligence always come through, sometimes in spite of the material.  My favorite film of his is still probably L.A. Story, which I've watched a ridiculous number of times (other favorites include Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and Bowfinger).  But of course it was his television appearances that I saw first. And now Shout! Factory is releasing a three-disc box set of his television specials and other appearances. If you love Steve Martin the way I do, you're most likely going to buy this collection.  If you don't love him the way I do, watching this box set might very well be the thing that puts you on the right track.

This collection features his television specials from the 1970s and 1980s, as well as miscellaneous television appearances from 1966 to 2005.

Each disc has a comment section featuring new interviews with Steve Martin recorded for this box set. He comments on each of the specials, as well as on other elements of his career - how he got his start, how the props entered his act, writing for The Smothers Brothers, his influences, and so on.

Disc One

The first disc features a Steve Martin performance from October 31, 1976 at the Troubadour in West Hollywood.  I had seen portions of this performance before (because some of it has become insanely famous), like the happy feet bit, and the bit about the public having a short memory, and of course the "Do you mind if I smoke? No, do you mind if I fart" line. He plays the banjo, and of course he's actually a good banjo player. I also love when he's talking about not being into one-night stands, and he says, "I think a person should get to know someone and even be in love with them before you use and degrade them." By the way, Henry Winkler is in the audience, and near the end you can see him laughing.

Also on the first disc is Steve Martin: A Wild And Crazy Guy, a 1978 television special that is short sketches shot on location. It originally aired with some stand-up segments from a show at the Universal Amphitheatre, but that footage is cut because that entire performance is on the second disc.  Some of the stuff from this special I'd never seen before.  Some of it is great, like the money litter and the bit about saving the dump and the ballet parking.  Some is less effective, like the ski lesson and the scout leader bit.  I like the line, "Tennis court is now in session." And look for a brief appearance by Philip Baker Hall.

Comedy Is Not Pretty is also a special with different sketches, this one from 1980.  Any special that opens with Peter Graves attacking Igor with a whip is going to be awesome. He attacks Igor when Igor fails to get the Steve Martin script promptly. Igor then finds an evil replacement script in the laboratory and gives it to Peter Graves. This special also has the great "El Paso" sketch, where Steve Martin acts out the story of the song with monkeys. The monkeys are fantastic. And pay attention to the frightened monkey - Steve Martin talks about it in the comments section of the disc.  Steve also rides off on an elephant in that skit.  Comedy Is Not Pretty also has a haunted house sketch that is hilarious, as well a wonderful evangelist-as-dry cleaner sketch.  And even though in the comment section Steve Martin says that drunk driving is no longer funny, I have to disagree, especially when the drunk is driving a steam roller over a child.

Disc Two

The second disc has three specials.  The first is called All Commercials, the title being a hilarious joke at the time, though sadly not having the same punch now, as people tend to enjoy commercials these days. And there have been many actual shows featuring all commercials.  And of course there are idiots who watch the Super Bowl just for the commercials. But back when this special originally aired, the idea of a show of all commercials was ludicrous. This special is actually really funny. Yes, the opening song goes on a bit too long, but the bit with Paul Reubens blindfolded is great. Steve Martin comes out as a ketchup bottle and explains that the show is all commercials. He promises, "If you ever feel entertained while watching this show, it won't be for long." The used car dealer hooked to the lie detector is bloody brilliant. The bit where Steve Martin is at home and the commercials invade his life is wonderful, but if you weren't alive in 1980, you'll have no idea what's being made fun of here. If you were alive then, this will get your memory in gear. I couldn't believe how many of these commercials I could recall perfectly. A bit depressing, actually. And oddly, that's sort of the point.  And I love the commercial with John Cleese (I love everything with John Cleese).  And the Japanese soap commercial is... well, you just have to see it. I don't know if it's twisted, or if I'm twisted for thinking it's twisted. Please write to me and let me know what you think.  Also absolutely wonderful is the commercial for Truman Capote Jeans.

The second disc also features Steve Martin's Best Show Ever. This show was recorded live, and starts with a production number of "New York, New York."  Steve Martin talks about the show's title (he also talks about it in the comments section).  Several Saturday Night Live cast members appear in this special. Dan Aykroyd and Steve Martin do the "Two Wild And Crazy Guys" bit, and Laraine Newman and John Belushi are in this skit too. John's roving breasts are hilarious.  Other great guests include Gregory Hines (on the sucker game show and in a truly impressive dance number with Steve Martin), Eric Idle (in a funny bit about whether the dinosaurs built Stonehenge) and Bill Murray (in a sketch on the Elephant Man, where he does that sideways mouth thing he did in Caddyshack).  At the end of the special Steve Martin lists off some things he's thankful for: "I am thankful that my sex organs are in my pants and not on display at the Museum of Modern Art" and "I am thankful that small children don't burst into flames whenever you say the number four."

The 1984 special titled Homage To Steve includes the full performance of his 1979 show at the Universal Amphitheatre. But it begins with The Absent-Minded Waiter, a short film Steve Martin made in preparation for The Jerk (he talks about this briefly in the comments section).  The short also features Buck Henry and Teri Garr, and was directed by Carl Gottlieb.  It's actually really good, and one of the things that makes this box set really worth owning.  Then Steve Martin teaches comedy to Paul Simon, David Letterman, Alan King and Henny Youngman. Steve tells them, "Comedy is the ability to make people laugh without making them puke."  That leads to the 1979 performance. That performance has some of the same material as the 1976 performance, but of course it's not exactly the same. In the love god bit, he says, "I want to meet a girl with a head on her shoulders - I hate necks."  Also, in the special we learn the real reason why we need to protect the ozone layer.  The nonconformist oath bit reminds me of that great scene from Life Of Brian when Brian addresses the masses from his window.  And of course Steve Martin plays the banjo.  The encore is "King Tut," which is great. I had completely forgotten about this song. I used to listen to it a lot when I was a kid.  And what the hell is Henry Winkler doing on stage holding a prop?  Insane.

Disc Three

The third disc is a collection of short appearances, including Saturday Night Live appearances, as well as some stuff from The Late Show With David Letterman.  It's basically the bonus material.  In his acceptance speech for the lifetime achievement award, he says, "I would have preferred to have won a Golden Globe award, but frankly I couldn't afford it." Perfect.  There is also footage of Steve Martin playing the banjo on Dusty's Attic from 1966.  His appearance on The Tonight Show With Johnny Carson from 1974 is included, as are a few bits from his SNL appearances, including the ad for Penis Beauty Creme.  But the best thing on the third disc is The Great Flydini act, from an appearance on The Tonight Show in 1992.  Wonderful.

The box set also includes a short booklet with an essay by Adam Gopnik and several photographs. Steve Martin: The Television Stuff is scheduled to be released on September 18, 2012 through Shout! Factory.