Reviews

Having seen Elephant Parts in the early 80's, I looked forward to Nesmith's Television Parts as an NBC summer replacement program in 1986. Far removed from the usual style of comedy at the the time, Nesmith would introduce the program in a tongue in cheek manner and that would be followed by a series of comedy vignettes and original, well produced music videos.

One of the things I liked best about the programs was the mixing of familiar with up and coming comedians. Martin Mull would do a brilliant music video to be followed by a young Gary Shandling in a hilarious monologue, fully acted out, about the problem of owning a sports car. In fact, I can't remember one normal stand-up routine; the old single mike, brick background style. Each segment was performed sketch style, including the music videos. I especially enjoyed Whoopi Goldberg's Surfer chick routine, which I had never seen before. In fact, I don't remember Whoopi in anything before these shows.

Mr. Nesmith created a compilation video from these shows called "Doctor Ducks Super Secret All Purpose Sauce" which is somewhat of a *Best Of* that I highly recommend.

So it's 7am and I'm barely awake on a Monday morning and just flipping through the channels, minding my own business, when along comes this short that put me in the best frame of mind for the week. No spoilers, but I loved the turn-about on the old peep show theme. I was wondering how it would end and the surprise is definitely worth the nine minutes, but the entire short is hilarious. Check Cinemax listings for showing in August and September of 2000. Do not miss taping this one.

This is the movie that made the Starz Networks what they are: the place where bad movies come home to roost. I can't believe I wasted an hour of my life watching this film, rather than learning how dairy products are made and marketed. Avoid at all costs and rent "Caddyshack".

I was flipping channels and happened upon this little gem of a film. Paul Rodriguez gives a great performance, portraying a house painter who runs for City Council and gets a real taste of the political world. His opponent, CCH Pounder, is marvelous as a former radical turned world weary politician. Una Damon is great as the campaign manager and Cliff Robertson really gives a down to earth, understated performance as the retiring councilman Rodriguez and Pounder hope to replace. One note; when I saw the listing for this film it was titled "The Race".