H. R. Pufnstuf: Live at the Hollywood Bowl

Forget Bigfoot, Loch Ness, and Area 51, here's a genuine mystery: What possessed Rhino to release this "live concert" featuring the largely forgotten (and deservedly so) cast of H. R. Pufnstuf, along with special guest stars Johnny Whitaker (speaking of forgotten) and the Brady Bunch Kids (who butcher "Proud Mary")? This massively untalented variety show sports lame skits, atrocious singing and shots of an audience that seems more intent on eating than watching the stage. And I'm not just saying this because I was tortured from 1969-1971 (the span of H.R. Pufnstuf's short TV life) with Jack Wild's cockney pabulum coming from my sister's room (which I, in turn, strove to drown out with the more refined sound of Grand Funk Railroad). Nosiree. After much honest reflection, in my objective critical opinion, this...really bites. Not recommended. Aud: P. (R. Pitman)