The Best Of Saturday Night Live – Alec Baldwin + David Spade
Picture: C+
Sound: C+ Extras: B Compilations: B
Though episodes of Saturday Night Live are constantly
playing on cable channels and NBC, they are popular enough to continue to spawn
a very successful series of Best Of DVD releases. The latest releases this time are from cast
regular David Spade and one of the few dedicated to a guest host: Alec
Baldwin. Yes, Baldwin has had such
a successful run that there are more great skits than will fit on one
disc. Both are solid compilations, with
a slight edge to Baldwin because he is not a regular.
Baldwin hits the bull’s eye with impersonations of Tony
Bennett, Charles Nelson Reilly and even Robert DeNiro, while coming up with
more outrageous characters who cannot seem to get away from sex and
homosexuality. Spade’s Hollywood gossip
segments are as gutsy as ever, while “total bastard airlines” (bah-bye) and the
smart-ass receptionist are as iconic.
His impersonations of Martha Stewart, Tom Petty, Bob Dylan and Owen
Wilson are a hoot. Both have other
highlights best left as a surprise, but you will not be disappointed in either
case.
The 1.33 X 1 image on both discs is good and clean for
professional NTSC analog videotapings, nicely edited, transferred and
presented. The Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo
has surrounds here and there, but plays best in two-channels in all cases. Extras include stills, dress rehearsal skits
not used and funny audio commentaries on both DVDs, while the Spade set has
outtakes and an appearance on Conan O’Brien’s show. That makes two more winners from this series.
- Nicholas Sheffo
