Knight at HOME at the Movies
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TV or Not TV...
...that is the question and the answer, as these new TV on DVD releases attests, is mostly definitely "YES!"
...that is the question and the answer, as these new TV on DVD releases attests, is mostly definitely "YES!"
Dick Cavett is back – both literally and on DVD. The sophisticated late night
alternative to Johnny and Joey in the late 60s and early 70s, Cavett’s talk show,
which featured his quick wit and in-depth interviews, was THE place to watch him and
his guests engage in “the lively art” of conversation. Now he’s conducted a new
interview with Mel Brooks for TCM as part of a month long celebration of a new DVD
set focusing on his chats with Hollywood legends. The Dick Cavett Show:
Hollywood Greats, a four-disc set just out from Shout Factory contains some of
the most requested Cavett interviews. These include the raconteur’s legendary
encounter with Katharine Hepburn – unseen since its first airing (in two parts) in the
early 70s. Other legends include Bette Davis, Marlon Brando, Fred Astaire, Orson
Welles, Alfred Hitchcock, Kirk Douglas, Robert Mitchum, Frank Capra, John Huston,
and the odd pairing of Groucho Marx and Debbie Reynolds.
Cavett had the ability to make even the most camera shy subject feel at ease and
open up in part because he had guests on who had no picture to plug, no book or
TV show to push. He simply wanted to find out what made these legends tick and
he knew that his audience would gladly go along for the ride. And unlike other
celebrity interviewers of the time, Cavett didn’t gush or seem to have an agenda.
He just wanted to explore whatever subject his famous guests had on their brilliant
minds. The result was often a true picture of his guest’s personalities. For those
reasons, these interviews seem as fresh today as they were when first broadcast
back in the early 70s. These are fascinating, rare artifacts that I never expected to
see again and my teenage schoolboy crush on Cavett, something I'd also forgotten,
has returned in full force. Boy was he cute and sexy -- which certainly didn't hurt!
The one on one banter sessions are given new introductions from Cavett and the
interviewer finds himself interviewed by another master of the craft, TCM’s Robert
Osborne. There’s even the completed, unedited footage of Hepburn to savor. 14
hours of movie star heaven.
Just in time for the third season kick off, Buena Vista Home Entertainment has
released the whopping six-disc Desperate Housewives – The Complete
Second Season. The first five discs are set aside for all 24 of the show’s
episodes. Though not quite as scintillating as the show’s first year which featured
lots and lots of male eye candy amidst the comedy and melodrama, season two had
its own compensations. For gay audiences, Andrew, Bree’s truly twisted teenage son
with all his machinations is of obvious interest (along with his onscreen smooch fests
with his hot boyfriend) and there’s also Susan’s reunion with hunky ex-husband Carl
in the midst of her romance with the sexy Doctor. The soap opera conventions of
the show really showed in the ridiculous plotline involving the black guy locked up in
the basement, however, and criminally wasted acting powerhouse Alfre Woodward in
the process. But on the other hand Gabby’s onscreen fight with the nun was a hoot
as was the bitch match between Lynette and her nasty boss, played by Joely Fisher.
The show seemed to be limping along by the season finale, however and it will be
interesting to see what gay writer and show creator Mark Cherry has come up with the
draw back in audiences. A murder and lots of T&A courtesy of a hunky lawn boy like
Jesse Metcalfe wouldn’t hurt!
The sixth disc is set aside for extra material, much of it created especially for this
set. There’s a lot of Cherry – he comments on his favorites moments from the
season, does an on-camera interview with his own mother (and reveals where some
of his inspiration has come from), and comments on the deleted scenes and a
couple of storylines that were also left out. For real fans of the show, there’s also a
complete walk through of an episode from script to final editing, a nice featurette
with the show’s costume designer (and let’s face it, the clothes ala "Dynasty" are
part of the reason for the show’s popularity). My favorite extra, however, is a nice
little segment in which other famous TV suburban moms have been rounded up to
talk about their favorite “Desperate Housewives” characters. Everyone from “Father’s
Knows Best” mother Jane Wyatt to “The Partridge Family’s” Shirley Jones are
included.
I watched the two-disc Commander in Chief – The Inaugural Edition, Part
2 (Episodes 11-8) also out from Buena Vista Home Entertainment with a sigh. What
a shame that ABC couldn’t seem to allow this wonderful show in which Geena Davis
played the first female President to find its footing. Initial high ratings and a
rapturous critical reception, however, were washed away when the show was put up
against the juggernaut known as “American Idol.” ABC wisely moved the drama to
another night but then pulled it off the schedule and brought it back where it limped
along until they axed it. The show, which many have dubbed – wrongly I think –
“West Wing Lite” – gave Davis the best acting showcase she’d had in years. It also
offered juicy supporting roles to Donald Sutherland, Natasha Henstridge, Polly
Bergen (yes, Polly Bergen) and a crop of rising young actors. Though some of the
plot lines at time ventured into silly areas this was still a compelling drama that
should have been given another round by the network. Extras include deleted
scenes, a blooper reel, a brief interview with Davis, and excellent commentary by
show creator Rod Lurie. A stand alone TV movie or two are being talked about and
after watching the episodes here (along with those of Part 1), it would be a shame to
allow Davis’ President Mackenzie Allen and company to fade into oblivion. Unlike
the fate I’d wish on a certain real-life President and his cronies!
alternative to Johnny and Joey in the late 60s and early 70s, Cavett’s talk show,
which featured his quick wit and in-depth interviews, was THE place to watch him and
his guests engage in “the lively art” of conversation. Now he’s conducted a new
interview with Mel Brooks for TCM as part of a month long celebration of a new DVD
set focusing on his chats with Hollywood legends. The Dick Cavett Show:
Hollywood Greats, a four-disc set just out from Shout Factory contains some of
the most requested Cavett interviews. These include the raconteur’s legendary
encounter with Katharine Hepburn – unseen since its first airing (in two parts) in the
early 70s. Other legends include Bette Davis, Marlon Brando, Fred Astaire, Orson
Welles, Alfred Hitchcock, Kirk Douglas, Robert Mitchum, Frank Capra, John Huston,
and the odd pairing of Groucho Marx and Debbie Reynolds.
Cavett had the ability to make even the most camera shy subject feel at ease and
open up in part because he had guests on who had no picture to plug, no book or
TV show to push. He simply wanted to find out what made these legends tick and
he knew that his audience would gladly go along for the ride. And unlike other
celebrity interviewers of the time, Cavett didn’t gush or seem to have an agenda.
He just wanted to explore whatever subject his famous guests had on their brilliant
minds. The result was often a true picture of his guest’s personalities. For those
reasons, these interviews seem as fresh today as they were when first broadcast
back in the early 70s. These are fascinating, rare artifacts that I never expected to
see again and my teenage schoolboy crush on Cavett, something I'd also forgotten,
has returned in full force. Boy was he cute and sexy -- which certainly didn't hurt!
The one on one banter sessions are given new introductions from Cavett and the
interviewer finds himself interviewed by another master of the craft, TCM’s Robert
Osborne. There’s even the completed, unedited footage of Hepburn to savor. 14
hours of movie star heaven.
Just in time for the third season kick off, Buena Vista Home Entertainment has
released the whopping six-disc Desperate Housewives – The Complete
Second Season. The first five discs are set aside for all 24 of the show’s
episodes. Though not quite as scintillating as the show’s first year which featured
lots and lots of male eye candy amidst the comedy and melodrama, season two had
its own compensations. For gay audiences, Andrew, Bree’s truly twisted teenage son
with all his machinations is of obvious interest (along with his onscreen smooch fests
with his hot boyfriend) and there’s also Susan’s reunion with hunky ex-husband Carl
in the midst of her romance with the sexy Doctor. The soap opera conventions of
the show really showed in the ridiculous plotline involving the black guy locked up in
the basement, however, and criminally wasted acting powerhouse Alfre Woodward in
the process. But on the other hand Gabby’s onscreen fight with the nun was a hoot
as was the bitch match between Lynette and her nasty boss, played by Joely Fisher.
The show seemed to be limping along by the season finale, however and it will be
interesting to see what gay writer and show creator Mark Cherry has come up with the
draw back in audiences. A murder and lots of T&A courtesy of a hunky lawn boy like
Jesse Metcalfe wouldn’t hurt!
The sixth disc is set aside for extra material, much of it created especially for this
set. There’s a lot of Cherry – he comments on his favorites moments from the
season, does an on-camera interview with his own mother (and reveals where some
of his inspiration has come from), and comments on the deleted scenes and a
couple of storylines that were also left out. For real fans of the show, there’s also a
complete walk through of an episode from script to final editing, a nice featurette
with the show’s costume designer (and let’s face it, the clothes ala "Dynasty" are
part of the reason for the show’s popularity). My favorite extra, however, is a nice
little segment in which other famous TV suburban moms have been rounded up to
talk about their favorite “Desperate Housewives” characters. Everyone from “Father’s
Knows Best” mother Jane Wyatt to “The Partridge Family’s” Shirley Jones are
included.
I watched the two-disc Commander in Chief – The Inaugural Edition, Part
2 (Episodes 11-8) also out from Buena Vista Home Entertainment with a sigh. What
a shame that ABC couldn’t seem to allow this wonderful show in which Geena Davis
played the first female President to find its footing. Initial high ratings and a
rapturous critical reception, however, were washed away when the show was put up
against the juggernaut known as “American Idol.” ABC wisely moved the drama to
another night but then pulled it off the schedule and brought it back where it limped
along until they axed it. The show, which many have dubbed – wrongly I think –
“West Wing Lite” – gave Davis the best acting showcase she’d had in years. It also
offered juicy supporting roles to Donald Sutherland, Natasha Henstridge, Polly
Bergen (yes, Polly Bergen) and a crop of rising young actors. Though some of the
plot lines at time ventured into silly areas this was still a compelling drama that
should have been given another round by the network. Extras include deleted
scenes, a blooper reel, a brief interview with Davis, and excellent commentary by
show creator Rod Lurie. A stand alone TV movie or two are being talked about and
after watching the episodes here (along with those of Part 1), it would be a shame to
allow Davis’ President Mackenzie Allen and company to fade into oblivion. Unlike
the fate I’d wish on a certain real-life President and his cronies!
