While Steve Martin's career took off—as he became one of the most popular standup comedians and a big-screen star of such hits as The Jerk and Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid—he also wrote and starred in a series of cable and network TV specials. Collecting all six, Steve Martin: The Television Stuff kicks off with 1976's On Location with Steve Martin, recorded live at the Troubadour in Los Angeles, and ends with 1984's Homage to Steve, featuring his Oscar-nominated short film The Absent-Minded Waiter (co-starring Buck Henry and Teri Garr) and a 1979 standup performance. The four NBC specials in between—Steve Martin: A Wild and Crazy Guy (1978), Steve Martin: Comedy Is Not Pretty (1980), All Commercials…A Steve Martin Special (1980), and Steve Martin's Best Show Ever (1981)—follow a variety-show format, filled with gags, skits, and wacky production numbers, with occasional nuggets of comedy gold, such as Marty Robbins' “El Paso,” performed with a cast of monkeys and elephants. Also included are Martin's appearances on other programs—The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, Saturday Night Live, The Late Show with David Letterman, and select awards shows—many unseen since their original broadcast. Shot on videotape, this looks about as good as can be expected from the era. Extras include a new interview with Martin, and a booklet. Presenting a snapshot of American pop culture—and Martin-mania at its height—this is a wonderful companion piece to Martin's movies and his memoir, Born Standing Up. Recommended. (S. Axmaker)
Steve Martin: The Television Stuff
Shout! Factory, 3 discs, 390 min., not rated, DVD: $34.95 Volume 27, Issue 6
Steve Martin: The Television Stuff
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