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.
STEVE MARTIN: THE TELEVISION STUFF DISC 1
On Location With Steve Martin (1976)
Steve Martin’s HBO special was recorded as one of the network’s “On Location” series of stand-up comedy specials. Taped on October 31, 1976, at the Troubadour in Los Angeles, this previously unreleased show provides a rare and uncensored look at Martin’s early act.
Steve Martin: A Wild And Crazy Guy (1978)
Steve Martin’s first network special for NBC originally featured a mix of comedy sketches and concert footage shot at the Universal Amphitheatre in Los Angeles. Because that concert is included in its entirety on Disc 2, most of it was edited out of this program. Sketches include: Martin as “Turtle Boy,” rodeo-riding a giant turtle; Martin hosting a variety show on which Johnny Cash discusses his research in astronomy; and Martin five years later as a drunken bum.
Steve Martin: Comedy Is Not Pretty (1980)
Steve Martin’s second NBC special was made up entirely of sketches. Highlights include: Marty Robbins’ “El Paso” with monkeys; “The Death of Socrates”; and “Bizarre Oddities of the World.” With Special Appearances by Marty Allen, Richard Deacon, Joyce DeWitt, Phil Foster, Peter Graves, Werner Klemperer, Meredith MacRae, Gary Mule Deer, Louis Nye, Regis Philbin, Carl Reiner and Dick Schaap.
Bonus Feature: Comments From Steve
Program Running Time: +/- 153 minutes
STEVE MARTIN: THE TELEVISION STUFF DISC 2
All Commercials . . . A Steve Martin Special (1980)
Steve Martin’s third NBC special serves as a salute to 1970s television commercials. Taking shots at everything from “Suzy Chapstick” to Palmolive to advertising agencies, this special showcased Martin’s genius for physical comedy. Guest stars include Julie McWhirter Dees, Antonio Fargas, Julann Griffin, Anne Lockhart, Louis Nye; Pat Proft, Paul Reubens, The Dirt Band and Robert Klein.
Steve Martin’s Best Show Ever (1981)
Steve Martin’s fourth NBC special was in the spirit of his previous association with Saturday Night Live. It was broadcast live from Studio 8H, produced by Lorne Michaels and featured some original cast members of the show. With special appearances by Dan Aykroyd, John Belushi, Gregory Hines, Laraine Newman, Lynn Redgrave, Lauren Hutton, Bill Murray and Paul Shaffer.
Homage To Steve (1984)
Originally released in 1984 but never appearing before on DVD, this show features Martin’s full LIVE performance at the Universal Amphitheatre from September 28, 1979, marking the only video footage that exists of his mature stage act from the late 70s. The show also includes his Oscar®-nominated short The Absent-Minded Waiter (with Terri Garr, 1977), and “The Comedians Segment” with Paul Simon, David Letterman, Alan King and Henny Youngman.
Bonus Feature: Comments From Steve
Program Running Time: +/- 170 minutes
STEVE MARTIN: THE TELEVISION STUFF DISC 3
Bits And Pieces (1966-2005)
A collection of Steve’s television guest appearances, speeches and music videos.
- Steve’s Lifetime Achievement Acceptance Speech The American Comedy Awards (2000)
- Steve Plays the Banjo in his 1st Television appearance – Dusty’s Attic (1966)
- Music Video: “What I Believe” from The Steve Martin Brothers Album (1981)
- Music Video: “Freddie’s Lilt” from The Steve Martin Brothers Album (1981)
- Las Vegas Act Parody The Tonight Show With Johnny Carson (9/19/74)
- Jean-Pierre Louey: The French Johnny Cash The Johnny Cash Christmas Special (1978)
- Steve Martin’s Holiday Wishes Saturday Night Live (12/6/86)
- Ode to a Loved One Saturday Night Live (5/20/89)
- Steve’s Penis Beauty Créme Saturday Night Live (9/24/94)
- Steve’s Tribute to Gene Kelly AFI Lifetime Achievement: A Tribute To Gene Kelly (1985)
- Best Actor In A Comedy Acceptance Speech The People’s Choice Awards (1992)
- The Great Flydini The Tonight Show With Johnny Carson (5/6/92)
- Steve’s Paul Simon Tribute The Kennedy Center Honors (2002)
- The Making of The Steve Martin Appearance The Late Show With David Letterman (12/1/95)
- Steve’s Acceptance Speech The Mark Twain Prize For American Humor (2005)
Bonus Feature: Comments From Steve
Program Running Time: +/- 72 minutes
