The Abbott and Costello Show: The Complete Series

Stars of stage, movies, and radio, Bud Abbott and Lou Costello took their vaudeville comedy act to the small screen in 1952, essentially transplanting their hit radio series to television during the first season, with the boys stepping out from behind a theatrical curtain to host each episode and then slipping into the story for the week: an extended skit invariably centering on the perpetually broke and unemployed titular duo's efforts to land a job or make a little money, which also incorporated at least one of their trademark routines (such as “Who's on First” or “Slowly I Turned …”). Essentially, The Abbott and Costello Show offers clean vaudeville in a TV format with a laugh track and recurring characters, including Sid Fields (who wrote most of the episodes) playing the lads' apoplectic landlord (and dozens of other bit parts), and Joe Besser (a former member of The Three Stooges) as overgrown child Stinky. The second season jettisoned the introductions, as well as many of the secondary roles, to adopt a more conventional sitcom approach. The complete run of 52 episodes (looking fine if not stellar) are collected in this nine-disc boxed set featuring a host of fine DVD extras, including a collection of classic routines, interviews with Costello's daughters Chris and Paddy, home movies, the 1948 short 10,000 Kids and a Cop (promoting Costello's youth charity), and the 1978 TV tribute “Hey Abbott,” composed mainly of clips from the TV show coupled with comments by Milton Berle, Steve Allen, and Joe Besser. Rounding out this solid package is a booklet with essays, stills, and an episode guide. Recommended. (S. Axmaker)