The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour: The Best of Season 3

It’s rare to hear a star expressing misgivings about his TV series on a DVD box set, but Tommy Smothers is quite honest in his audio-only comments here, noting that “I have trouble watching” the episodes and showing concerns that the shows are too slow and could use some editing. The last comment is curious, as most of the 11 episodes included here were already trimmed for 1992 re-airs on the E! Network. The set is still a good sampler for newbies and a nice refresher for those who remember, with the most significant inclusions being numerous outtakes, vintage promos and present-day interviews with the guests. To underscore the relevance of the show today, the fourth disc contains a 1968 mockumentary special, Pat Paulsen for President, and many clips of the Smothers’ perennial presidential hopeful.

Shelf Talk: Sixties pop-culture addicts have long been awaiting a release of the Smothers’ show. Though this set has a low episode count, it delivers not only in the comedy department, but also in what has driven sales of vintage variety shows on DVD: musical acts, with killer performances by the Doors, Mama Cass and Joan Baez and a brilliant social-protest turn (originally censored) from Harry Belafonte.