Andy Kaufman: The Midnight Special

With Jim Carrey currently starring as Andy Kaufman in the bio film Man on the Moon, Kaufman fans might like to catch another glimpse of the real thing on video. Andy Kaufman: The Midnight Special is a video release of an episode of Midnight Special which Kaufman hosted in 1981, just a few years before his death at age 35. Kaufman weirdness showcased here includes his closely-observed Elvis impersonation, some wrestling clips (Kaufman, of course, was very much into wrestling women, in deadly earnest, to the delight of some and the utter dismay of his agent), and a few interview bites. Kaufman also inflicts singers Freddie Cannon and Slim Whitman on his audience, which are thoroughly forgettable moments that do not pass quickly enough. And we get a dose of Kaufman's ...discovery...the alleged lounge comedian Tony Clifton. Recommended for those who enjoyed Kaufman's unique brand of humor, this is sure to be a popular tie-in to the Milos Forman film. Aud: P. (P. Van Vleck)