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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