Alfresco
(1982 – 4/U.K. TV Sketch Comedy/Acorn Media DVD)
Picture:
C Sound: C+ Extras: C Episodes: C+
In a skit
comedy show that helped to launch so many great British actors, Alfresco and the pilot show that
launched it, are now on DV from Acorn Media.
Stephen Fry, Hugh Laurie, Emma Thompson, Ben Elton, Robbie Coltrane,
Siobhan Redmond and Paul Shearer pushed what were the limits of broadcast TV in
the U.K. just before cable, satellite and home video set in for good, creating
what is a curio at the least.
What does
work (as it did later on the series A
Bit Of Fry & Laurie, reviewed elsewhere on this site)
is the chemistry and energy that keeps the show moving and is always
interesting, with far more hits than misses in the comedy itself. The launching show was called There’s Nothing To Worry About! running
three episodes, followed by two season/series of this show. The talent is inarguable and the shows have
aged very well, except that some of the jokes are lost to the time period. As well, this was not as outright funny as I
had hoped. However, it is a solid double
set and if you like the actors and/or British humor, you need to see it once
for yourself to enjoy it.
The 1.33
X 1 aspect ratio is a little softer than expected, originating on older PAL
videotape, even if some of the outdoor footage/segments might be shot in 16mm
film. However, color can still be good
and some footage looks better than average.
The Dolby Digital 2.0 sound is better, though shows its age and is
slightly boosted mono sound. Extras include
the three-episode pilot program we wonder if we should include as an extra or
not, text bio/filmographies of the cast and a featurette about the alternate
comedy boom that 1980s British TV had while U.S. TV comedy went down the drain.
- Nicholas Sheffo
