[.ca] Best/Muppet Show P.Sellers

From Amazon.com:
This delightful collection of episodes from The Muppet Show celebrates three British comic giants who rose to fame in the 1960s and early '70s. Peter Sellers is right at home immersing himself in layers of costumes and accents, portraying a gypsy violinist getting heckled by his kin and a sadistic orthopedist (with Hitler mustache) tying patients into knots. (During Kermit's ritual interview with a guest, Sellers says, "I do not exist. I had myself surgically removed.") While actor-musician Dudley Moore's guest shot never quite gets traction--the script is dominated by lame jokes about a music-making machine threatening the jobs of the Muppets' house band--there's a funny jam session featuring Moore on piano in a crumbling set. The John Cleese show is best, with the lanky Monty Python genius outraged about having to work with pigs and refusing to participate in cheesy Wagnerian opera. --Tom Keogh

Peter Sellers Right At Home With the Muppets.:
It's astonishing to see Peter Sellers, arguably one of the best actors of all time, working so gamely with the Muppets. Like the chameleon that he is, Sellers throws himself into each sketch that he performs, be it as Boris the beleaguered gypsy musician, a Strangelove-esque masseuse who leaves Link Hogthrob tied up in knots, or even as himself, whispering quietly to Kermit that he has had the real himself surgically removed, then playing a pair of tuned chickens under his armpits while reciting the "winter of discontent" speech from Richard III. Positively fascinating. Cleese, too, is a scream, especially as a sea pirate who has lost his way on "Pigs In Space." Moore's show is apparently trying to send a message that was crucial at the time, but those not in on the joke are not going to get it as well. It's fun to watch Dudley at odds with Animal, though. And in "Muppet Extras," be sure to click on "Movie Mania," for a \otake-off\c of "The Godfather" that is a sight to behold.

Pretty good shows, but a skimpy, cheap dvd.:
I hadn't seen the muppet show in years when I came across this ... I thought I'd give it a try. The shows are pleasantly off-beat and so 70's. In this volume you get to see two fantastic british comic actors at totally opposite ends of the spectrum, and once you adjust to the mood of the show, although not laugh out loud funny, its really intriguing to watch these actors, more intimate and disarmed by the muppets. You also get to see another british comic actor, dudley moore, in a far more personal interesting guise. His copious musical numbers are SO cool. My problem with this DVD is the production values. First and foremost, there is barely anything ON this disc. I couldn't remember how long the shows were, since I hadn't seen them in so long, but much to my dismay, I found that they are only about 25 minutes long, and that is INCLUDING the ONLY real bonus feature on this disc, which are small scenes that were cut for tv. The only other thing on this disc are some 2 or 3 minute introductions to each episode by brian henson, which aren't very interesting, and in one spot I think he said something that wasn't even in the show, I don't think they even watched these shows before filming the intros, they just shoved a cue card in his face and rolled tape. So the total running time of this disc is approx 80 minutes, shorter than just about any feature length film. Besides the lack of bonus material, and the short running time, the audio is pretty bad. I don't know if they had to work with decrepit recordings or what, but I would assume with a little restoration work and some decent mixing, these episodes would sound pretty good. What you get here is some inconsistent sound, often muddled, especially when there is music involved. This disc is fine, but you don't get much more than you would if you just recorded them off of television (if any station still runs these). When I can get lots of really great brand new feature films, often films that include a second bonus disc of material for the same price as I bought this DVD, I would have expected one more episode, or some substantial bonus material. The studios are just rolling in money for stuff that is twenty years old, without even bothering to do some restoration or scratch up some bonus stuff, oh well, its just the muppet show right? :-p Still definately worth watching if you can get it used/cheaper or if you have money to burn.

Great shows, poor quality DVD:
Since Childhood I have loved the Muppet Show (never missed one!) so I was very excited to start my daughter on the show. The material of Jim Henson can't be matched but I was SO dissappointed with the Quality of the DVD. I can barely get the thing to play, and when it does play there are several skips and digital "mess ups" throughout the DVD. I thought it was just a bad copy so I bought another brand new one only to experience the same problems, next time I'll go back to good ole video!

An excellent DVD:
I own four Best of the Muppet Show. There's always an episode that you semi liked or just didn't like and the rest were wonderful. This DVD was all wonderful. The three actors were funny, even Dudley Moore and I'm not too fond of him. Peter Sellers was the best, he is an outstanding comedian who fits in so well with the spirit and humor of the muppets. From being a gypsy to a singing preacher it was great. John Cleese is always funny, his skit in Pigs in Space as a pirate from the 1600's with a jealous parrot always nagging him as he tries to take over the Swinetrek is a hoot. Dudley Moore's was the least outrageous but it had it's moments. Especially when the Muppet band was out for blood when Dudley brings in a mechanical music replacment for them. I really enjoy the episode. This is so worth 5 stars. I will enjoy it a lot.

A great sell for Sellers alone:
Cheesy title, I know, but the aforementioned poor audio quality and lack of special features simply don't take away from the biggest selling feature of this DVD: Peter Sellers. I love John Cleese, and Dudley Moore is also talented man, but of the 3 episodes on here, Peter Sellers simply shines. Must be seen.