Roseanne Barr: Blonde and Bitchin'

In an era when female comedians believe they have to be lewd and crude to compete with their male counterparts, Roseanne Barr stands out as a beacon of vulgarity and tastelessness (the fact that she is occasionally funny can be attributed to the same cosmic force that ensures a broken clock will tell the correct time twice each day). Roseanne has turned anger, resentment, and jealousy into a cottage industry, and during this HBO special (taped live at Los Angeles' famous Comedy Store) she spews a nonstop barrage of labored, unfunny insults directed at people and institutions alike: President Bush, Oprah, organized religion, pharmaceutical companies, bigots, and media moguls; in fact, Barr makes it pretty clear that she has contempt for just about everyone other than herself. Granted, there are a few genuinely funny lines scattered throughout the show, but on the whole Blonde and Bitchin' is unnecessarily coarse and tiresome. DVD extras include a trio of behind-the-scenes featurettes, an interview with Barr, and a photo gallery. Not recommended. Aud: P. (E. Hulse)