Andy Kaufman: The Midnight Special

Starring:Andy Kaufman, Slim Whitman
Studio: Sony
Product Type: DVD

Editorial Review:
Amazon.com
The big mystery about Andy Kaufman's work is in trying to figure out what's serious, what's an act, why he is doing what he's doing, and whether he even knows the differences himself. His performances are among those rare examples where you feel extremely uncomfortable watching them, but at the same time you can't pull yourself away because it's hysterical in a twisted and bizarre sort of way.

Amazon.com

The big mystery about Andy Kaufman's work is in trying to figure out what's serious, what's an act, why he is doing what he's doing, and whether he even knows the differences himself. His performances are among those rare examples where you feel extremely uncomfortable watching them, but at the same time you can't pull yourself away because it's hysterical in a twisted and bizarre sort of way.

Andy Kaufman's Midnight Special is an episode of Burt Sugarman's Midnight Special, hosted by Wolfman Jack, which aired on January 23, 1981. Even though this was filmed a few years before Kaufman's premature death in 1984, it's a retrospective of his work. Many of his better known characters and routines are featured, including "The Foreign Guy," Tony Clifton, "Ladies Wrestling," the ventriloquist act, and of course, Elvis. The highlight of this video is interview footage of Andy "explaining" his work. Is it real or an act? Was he a comic genius or an utter madman running loose on a TV stage? We may never know. --Rob Bracco

Customer Reviews:

The Best Kaufman DVD... So Far.......2000-08-09

It's a shame that Andy left us so soon, yet one rarely falls into the category of "legend" with out succumbing to mortality. Anybody interested enough in Andy to be reading this review probably recognizes at least a hint of his comic genius, therefore I will not expound on this subject.

This DVD is, beyond a doubt, the most comprehensive compendium of Andy Kaufman's acts yet availablke on this format, and it is all in one show. You get everything, as mentioned in the description up top and many other reviews. As a primer to Andy, this disc is well worth buying. As an adition to the collection of a long-time Kaufman plan, this DVD fits in perfectly with your collection.

A Real Familial Division Of Opinion.......2000-07-18

My husband Jim and I watched this together and we had very different reactions. Jim thought that actor Jim Carrey did a better job of playing Andy Kaufmann in the "Man In The Moon" movie than the real Andy K did doing his act. While Jim's busy rejecting the real thing, I am convulsed with laughter watching the tape, holding my sides! Perhaps one clip shows our division better than any other. There's Jim seriously watching Andy K talking to the interviewer about keeping his humility by working as a busboy, while being a big tv star, and there's me, absolutely incredulous that Jim can't see that Andy K is putting him/us on! Andy never breaks character and always comes across as wholly sincere and white, middle class while making the most outrageous claims. I'd give it a 5. I think Jim would give it a 2 but, since I'm filling this out, it gets a 4! Ok, maybe you do need an odd sense of humor to enjoy him but he was a hit in his day, wasn't he?

what a surprise...........2000-06-06

I got this on a whim, not sure if it would be good or not, and it turned out to be very good! Wide range of bits spanning Andy's heyday. I would have given it 5 stars if it weren't for Slim Whitman's cheesy lip-synch attempt. I could have done without that.

Andy's Greatest Hits.......2000-04-18

This sensational DVD, culled from a TV show I have cloudy memories of from my youth, presents Andy Kaufman in a way that surpasses the Milos Forman biopic (not to denigrate Jim Carrey's outstanding performance) and the A&E Biography. You get it all here, and it's mostly hilarious. Best of all is Mr. Kaufman's dead-on Elvis impersonation...his choice of songs is impeccable--"Too Much" is an Elvis hit that Mr. Presley seldom performed live. Great introduction (or reintroduction?) to this fascinating character.

A Good Look at a Comic Genius.......2000-02-05

If you've seen Man on the Moon and want to see some real Andy Kaufman, this is the video. It's Andy guest hosting a variety type show. Most of his comic performances are covered. Foreign man, Elvis, Tony Clifton, Latka on Taxi, Andy playing Bongo drums, Andy busing tables, and an hilarious ventriliquist act with Howdy Doody and Little Red Riding Hood. There are interview segments intertwined with the skits and two musical guests Freddy Cannon and Slim Whitman (watch Andy as Slim sings, er lip syncs his song). It's well worth the price for a peek into the highly crazy and complicated world of Andy Kaufman.

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