The Jerry Lewis Show Collection

Presented in its original broadcast form, The Jerry Lewis Show, which aired from 1967 to 1969, would have been an iffy proposition (even for Jerry's staunchest defenders) with its old-school variety format, cheesy production numbers, canned laughter, and dated jokes about hippies. But this DVD release does not do the program any favors. The original opening and closing have been replaced, musical numbers have been cut (presumably due to prohibitively expensive rights), and the comedy sketches—a decidedly mixed bag—also appear to have been edited. Lewis appears as various characters, including the nebbishy Sidney Portnoy, the clueless Professor Frobisher, “Oriental criminologist” Sam Lichee, and Sergeant Goodguy of the Mounties, among others, while the guests include a broad spectrum of notables, including the Osmond Brothers, Flip Wilson, Don Rickles, Janet Leigh, Shirley Jones, Lynn Redgrave, Imogene Coca, Ben Gazzara, Frank Gorshin, and others (with several definitely plucked from the C-list). DVD extras include a photo gallery with behind-the-scenes and personal family photos. Despite occasional glimmers of Lewis' genius, even as a career curiosity this set is not recommended. (D. Liebenson)