The Ernie Kovacs Collection

The astonishing artistry of TV pioneer Ernie Kovacs—a man way ahead of his time, who consistently defied expectations with the use of primitive blue- and split-screen effects, other editing surprises, and audience interaction—is showcased in this six-disc collection presenting material spanning his entire body of television work. Included are selections from the various morning, afternoon, and evening talk and variety shows Kovacs hosted for NBC beginning in 1951; specials that Kovacs and his cast (including singer/dancer/comedienne Edie Adams, who became his wife) performed live on NBC during the 1950s; and his final productions for ABC in 1961–62, when the new medium of videotape gave him even more creative tools. These last programs—including one performed entirely without dialogue—were the apex of Kovacs' too-short career (he died before the last telecast). From the freewheeling host ad-libbing while talking directly to home viewers, to the goofball character actor slipping through a series of personas (such as poet Percy Dovetonsils), to the madcap adman turning cigar commercials into high-concept comedy pieces (he won a Clio award for one), the cumulative effect here shows that Kovacs' creative genius ranks beside that of the Monty Python troupe in terms of innovation. DVD extras include additional excerpts, skit highlights, behind-the-scenes footage, home movies, commercials, and a booklet. Highly recommended. (S. Axmaker)