Thursday, October 10, 2019

ROBIN WILLIAMS: COMIC GENIUS (5-DISC SET) -- DVD Review by Porfle




Having never been a fan of Robin Williams' stand-up act, talk show appearances, or hit ABC television series "Mork and Mindy", it might be surprising to find that I'm recommending ROBIN WILLIAMS: COMIC GENIUS (Time-Life), a 5-disc chronicle of his astounding stand-up comedy career.

I recommend it mainly to his many, many fans, who should find this collection a treasure chest of joy and laughter along with a bittersweet mixture of other emotions. 

And for those who, like me, never warmed up to his comedy style, it's a fascinating look at a man who gave happiness to others even though his lifelong struggle to find it for himself eventually proved too much for him to bear.


Disc 1 begins with Robin already a known and very popular commodity with HBO's "On Location--Off the Wall" (1978), then shows us how he got to that point in the featurette "Robin Williams--The Early Years." Then follows some of Robin's early TV stand-up performances, his "Dick Cavett Show" appearance, Robin's brief encounter with Frank Sinatra on "Laugh-In", and an interview with Robin's manager, David Steinberg.

Disc 2 features "An Evening With Robin Williams" (1983) along with a variety of featurettes including various stand-up appearances and his stirring patriotic routine "I Love Liberty."

Disc 3 gives us "Robin Williams: An Evening at the Met", one of the most glittering and prestigious showcases of his talent, along with several other featurettes.

Disc 4's highlight is "Robin Williams: Live on Broadway", followed by promos and interviews.


Disc 5 concludes the collection with the 2009 comedy special, "Robin Williams: Weapons of Self-Destruction", which showcases Robin at the height of his comedic powers before a wildly appreciative audience. Finishing off the disc is a selection of featurettes including People's Choice Awards presentations, a taping of "Shakespeare: The Animated Tales", and other items.

Through it all, we see hours upon hours of Robin Williams performing at a lightning-fast pace with comic improvisations pouring from his imagination, his frenetic style both profane and childlike, as his audiences respond with utter delight and affection. 

ROBIN WILLIAMS: COMIC GENIUS gives us this utterly unique, once-in-a-lifetime comic superstar at his most happy and content, onstage and basking in the shared experience that only charged him to go farther, faster, and funnier.


Also available in 12 and 22 disc sets

(Portions of this review appeared in our look at the 12-disc version as seen HERE)



Disc 1: Off The Wall


    HBO On Location: Robin Williams—Off the Wall
    Original Air Date: October 27, 1978

    Featurette: Robin Williams—The Early Years

    The Second Annual HBO Young Comedians Show
    Original Air Date: September 24, 1977

    The Great American Laugh-Off
    Original Air Date: October 22, 1977

    Robin Meets Mr. Sinatra
    Original Air Date: November 2, 1977

    The Dick Cavett Show
    Original Air Dates: May 16 and 17, 1979
    
    Interview with David Steinberg, Robin’s Manager


Disc 2: An Evening with Robin Williams


    An Evening with Robin Williams
    Original Air Date: March 12, 1983
    
    Featurette: San Francisco—Where It All Began
    
    Director Howard Storm Demo Taping with Robin
    Taped 1982
    
    Comedy Celebration Day
    San Francisco: 1982, 1984, 1990

    I Love Liberty
    Original Air Date: March 21, 1982

    Catch a Rising Star’s 10th Anniversary
    Original Air Date: September 30, 1982

    The Comedy Store 10th 11th Anniversary
    Original Air Date: July 17, 1983
    
    The Comedy Store 15th Year Class Reunion
    Original Air Date: November 23, 1988

    Robin Remembers the Comedy Store
    Taped 2001


Disc 3: An Evening at the Met


    Robin Williams: An Evening at the Met
    With Introduction by Lewis Black
    Original Air Date: October 11, 1986

        HBO Press Interview
    
        Promo Taping
    
    “Beverly Hills Blues” with Bobby McFerrin
    Taped March 4, 1986
    
    The Young Comedians All-Star Reunion
    Original Air Date: November 15, 1986
    
    Superstars and Their Moms
    Original Air Date: May 3, 1987
    
    Interview with David Steinberg, Robin’s Manager
    
    Interview with Lewis Black


Disc 4: Live on Broadway

    Robin Williams: Live on Broadway
    With Introduction by David Steinberg, Robin’s Manager
    Original Air Date: July 14, 2002

        Interview with Robin and Director Marty Callner
    
        Noises
    
        Explicit Language
    
        HBO Promos
    
        HBO Promos Rough Cuts
    
        Robin’s Promo Riff
    
    E! Press Room after Robin’s LIVE 2002 Grammy Win
    Original Air Date: February 23, 2003


Disc 5: Weapons of Self Destruction



    Robin Williams: Weapons of Self Destruction
    With Introduction by Lewis Black
    Original Air Date: December 6, 2009
    
        A Backstage Pass
    
        A View from the Director’s Chair
    
        Local Highlights
    
    Mrs. Doubtfire Toasts Richard Pryor
    Taped 1993
    
    People’s Choice Award for Favorite Actor in a Comedy Motion Picture
    Original Air Date: March 8, 1994
    
    People’s Choice Award for Favorite Comedy Motion Picture
    Original Air Date: March 8, 1994
    
    E! Press Room after Robin’s People’s Choice Wins
    Original Air Date: March 8, 1994
    
    Shakespeare: The Animated Tales—HBO Promos
    Taped August 25, 1995

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