Saturday Night Live - The Best of Tom Hanks

Starring:Saturday Night Live
Studio: Lions Gate
Product Type: DVD

Product Description

The Best of Tom Hanks includes all of Tom Hanks' top appearances on the show throughout the years. Undoubtedly one of SNL's favorite hosts, Tom Hanks has starred in some of the show's most memorable sketches. Grab your robe and see Hanks get inducted into the exclusive "Five Timers Club" with other legendary hosts Steve Martin, Paul Simon and Elliott Gould. From playing a string of original characters like a roadie on "Wayne's World" and Mr. Short-Term Memory, to lampooning his own movies like Big and Cast Away, Hanks' characters continue to run the spectrum, with each one seemingly funnier than the last.

Format: DVD MOVIE

Customer Reviews:

I agree with "Who chose these...?!!!".......2007-04-14

Look, Tom Hanks is a gifted comedic actor who must have done more on SNL than this DVD represents. As previously stated, the chosen skits are worth an occasional chuckle at best, and some feature very little of Mr. Hanks at all... This DVD was a major disappointment and a nearly-complete waste of money to me. I liked the "Best of Steve Martin" significantly better, and this DVD doesn't even hold a candle to "The Best of Alec Baldwin"... Having purchased those two DVDs prior to this one, and based on the reviews, I was expecting so much more, but obviously some people are more easily amused than I am...

Who Chose These???.......2005-07-11

Tom Hanks is by far one of the funniest hosts of the program. There is so much material that they could choose from for a "Best Of SNL" and I'm shocked that was what they chose. What gives?!?!??

For one thing, there were three skits (Wayne's World Aerosmith,
Spartan Cheerleaders, and Wilson the Volleyball) where Hanks is hardly even a part of the skit. In fact, in the Wilson one he doesn't even have a line. And many of the other skits had Tom Hanks as a small role.

What I was hopeful of seeing was "Mr. Short-Term Memory," which I think is one of his best reoccurring roles, but the one they chose was not his best one. How disappointing! Are his other ones being saved for another DVD?

Anyways, most (not all) of the skits are fun and original. Unfortunately, some of them are real duds. I just wish they would choose better skits. Better yet, let the fans of SNL choose for them. Then we'd be getting better "Best Of..." DVDs.

My top three favorites are:
1) The Bean Cafe. This was very creative. And what makes it so funny is that not a single joke is told.
2) The movie, Big, before some script changes were made. There is one scene that shows several takes that is just plain hilarious.
3) Mr. Belvedere Fan Club. You might think you love Mr. Belvedere, but here are some people who are a little too obsessive about him.

If you love Tom Hanks, you still need to check this DVD out. The funny moments are worth it.

Meh..........2005-06-25

Some pretty weak stuff, along with some absolute classics. The out-takes from BIG are the funniest thing on this DVD. Im saddened by the choices of sketches that they put on these SNL DVD's. They left off the "Drunken Asses" sketch, and the Mr Short term memory with Tony Randall, along with many other classic Hanks moments. Its almost as tragic as leaving off the "Get off the shed" sketch on the Will Ferrel DVD's. Thumbs down to the SNL family, as the show itself is now unwatchable, and they cant even do the right thing for the older cast members (you know the ones from when the show was actually funny) on the DVD. Wait for the price to come down on this one...

Truly Deserving Of Five Timers Status.......2005-06-18

Tom Hanks is one of "Saturday Night's Live's" most beloved and talented hosts. Each of his seven episodes have produced a lot of classic moments, most if not all of which are included on the dvd "The Best Of Tom Hanks".

This dvd contains sketches from all seven of his hosting gigs between 1985 and 1996, as well as his appearance at the show's 25th anniversary special and a 2001 cameo special. The majority of the sketches are extremely funny. I especially enjoyed the Five Timers Club sketch and my personal favorite "Mr. Short Term Memory", which also featured a great performance by Phil Hartman. In fact, I enjoyed almost all of the sketches except for "Tales Of Ribaldry" and the one where he fantasises about his wife dying. I also agree that the Spartan Cheerleaders sketch was definitely a starring vehicle for Will Ferrell and Cheri Oteri, but it's suffice to say that Hanks makes the most of his screen time.

However, the funniest sketch is the dress rehearsal sketch is the funniest thing on the entire dvd. It's the "Nude Beach" sketch with the "Penis Song". The aired version with Matthew Broderick is slightly funnier than the one on here, but this one is still very funny.

While it isn't perfect, this dvd is an excellent addition to the "SNL" catalogue. I would definitely recommend it.

Brocktoon!.......2005-06-08

A great collection of skits! Although I must say, this dvd differs from the usual "Best of..." collection. While Hanks does have a lot of funny characters here, I'd say a good chunk of the stuff is just Hanks being funny in an ensemble piece. For example, this dvd includes the Waynes World skit with Aerosmith. A classic sketch, but not one that shows off Hanks at all. Jew, Not a Jew, is another good example. It's just a funny sketch, but not because of Tom Hanks' acting.

So I'm not really complaining. This is a solid solid collection of great sketches.

Run down of what is included:
1. Tom Hanks as the cowboy ice-skater in the '88 Olympics
2. The 5-timers Club with Mr. Steve Martin
3. Waynes World with Aerosmith
4. Mr. Short-term memory - the restaurant one, not the one with Tony Randall
5. Spartan Cheerleaders - not sure why this is on here. Its a funny sketch but it barely features Hanks.
6. Tales of Ribaldry - again, not sure why this is here because it is mainly a skit to laugh at Jon Lovitz, Hanks just plays a straight forward character.
7. Wilson the Volleyball on Update - This also does not belong on here. It is a Will Ferrell piece that features a Hanks cameo right at the end
8. The Losers - on the street corner picking up ladies
9. Big the movie outtakes. Not hilarious, but good.
10. Roxbury guys
11. The Guy Who Played Mr. Belvedere Fan Club - Brocktoon! I was very happy to see this sketch!
12. The Stand Up Comedians Backstage
13. Sabra Price is Right
14. Hanks confessing to his wife (Joan Cusack)how he fantasizes her death.
15. Jew, Not a Jew gameshow
16. Bean Cafe - hilarious skit with all fart jokes.
17. 25th Anniversary piece - Another bit that features Hanks, but the punchlines belong to Chris Walken, Jon Lovitz, etc.

Also, the dvd features 2 dress rehearsal sketches. My mind has drawn a blank with one of them, but the other one is the CLASSIC Nude Beach sketch that aired on the Mathew Broderick episode in 1988. Apparently they had tried this with Hanks when he hosted the week before, but it was cut. I think the Broderick version might be a little better, but I am SOOO glad to have this sketch immortalized on dvd.

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