Shout! Factory and SOFA Entertainment release over six hours of Steve Martin’s rare stand-up appearances, television specials, guest appearances and more in a collectible three-disc box set!
In the 1970s, Steve Martin exploded onto the national scene with a brand of comedy that was so anti-hip it was über hip. But before he turned into a movie star, he’d cemented his legend as a television star and stand-up comedian. Now, for the first time, Martin’s long in-demand television specials and stand-up comedy performances — along with a 24-page booklet and bonus features — will have you laughing all over again!
Los Angeles, CA — Steve Martin is one of the most beloved and iconic talents in American comedy. Until now, however, his body of work on television has been largely unavailable on DVD. That all changes on September 18, 2012, with the release of Steve Martin: The Television Stuff from Shout! Factory and SOFA Entertainment. From the stand-up act that made him a comedy rock star (of which only two complete performances were ever recorded, both included in this set) to his four joyfully twisted NBC sketch comedy specials, his Oscar®-nominated short film and a jewel box of additional comic bits, The Television Stuff finally delivers one of the most unique and treasured eras in Steve Martin’s celebrated career. The set was made in collaboration with the celebrated actor, comedian, author, playwright, producer and musician, and will feature never-before seen videos.
Shout! Factory has announced an exclusive offer for The Television Stuff. The first 100 copies ordered from ShoutFactory.com will be autographed by Steve Martin! Pre-orders can be placed at http://www.shoutfactorystore.com/prod.aspx?pfid=5257874.
A highlight of the collection will be Homage to Steve, which includes his Oscar®-nominated short film The Absent-Minded Waiter and boasts the only footage of Martin’s 1970s legendary stand-up acts with his LIVE 1979 show at Los Angeles ‘ Universal Amphitheatre. Also included in the collection are the 1976 HBO television special On Location: Steve Martin, vintage NBC Specials Steve Martin: A Wild and Crazy Guy, Steve Martin: Comedy Is Not Pretty, All Commercials … A Steve Martin Special and Steve Martin’s Best Show Ever. The box set features special guest appearances by Dan Aykroyd, Laraine Newman, Lauren Hutton, John Belushi, Bill Murray, Lynn Redgrave, Paul Simon, David Letterman, Carl Reiner and Johnny Cash. Bonus features include a new interview with Martin and a 24-page booklet with an essay by author Adam Gopnik, liner notes and rare photographs.
There’s an old saying that some people are born to entertain. That describes Steve Martin to a “T.” Growing up in Southern California — the heartland of American entertainment — Martin was a cheerleader in high school, worked at Disneyland during the summer, and, at the ripe old age of 15, got a job performing magic tricks at the theme park’s Main Street Magic shop. While at college he began acting in comedy productions, joined a comedy troupe at Knott’s Berry Farm, and, by the late 60s was doing stand-up in the L.A. area, finally then segueing to writing for The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, where he won an Emmy Award. By the mid-seventies he was making appearances on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, The Gong Show, HBO’s On Location and Saturday Night Live (which he hosted 15 times). By the end of the decade he co-wrote and starred in his first full-length movie, The Jerk, directed by Carl Reiner. From there, Martin’s star has never dimmed, with eight albums (both comedy and banjo), more than four dozen films, and enough awards to make anyone’s mantle sag under their weight.
Writer, critic, film editor John Delia, Sr. has been on all sides of the movie business from publications to film making. He has worked as a film critic with ACED Magazine for more than 20 years and other publications for a total of 40 years. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Florida. John is a member of the Southeastern Film Critics Association and Critics Association of Central Florida Send John a message at jdelia@acedmagazine.com
