The "It's Garry Shandling Show" box set. (Shout Factory)
It's a funny thing about comedy -- sometimes you try hard and it doesn't work. Other times, you let it flow naturally and it does.
That's the beautiful thing about "It's Garry Shandling's Show: The Complete Series," to be released by Shout Factory Oct. 20. Everything seemed to flow easily on the show.
And it worked very well.
It starts with Shandling, whose unassuming nature was the springboard for the half-hour series, which debuted in 1986 on Showtime. Shandling followed in the tradition of George Burns and talked to the home audience. The mix of self-deprecating humor and some fantastic writing made the show a well-deserved hit.
Shout Factory's set is a great tribute. The 16 DVDs all feature pictures of the show's sets on the inside of each of the disc covers. All episodes from the four seasons are included, plus bloopers. Additionally, Shandling and head writer Alan Zweibel add commentary to several episodes. The commentaries are like hearing a new show with the two men improvising (they are, aren't they?) the discussion about the particular episodes.
Guest stars abound, too, including Gilda Radner (her last TV appearance), Rob Reiner, Vanna White, Chevy Chase, Norm Crosby, Red Buttons, Martin Mull, Richard Bull (Mr. Oleson on "Little House on the Prairie"), Don Cornelius ("Soul Train"), Tom Petty and more. A 40-page book is also included.
A great tribute to a great show.
Comments
Funny show.
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