Dame Edna's Neighbourhood Watch

Starring:Barry Humphries, Emily Perry, Joan Harsant
Studio: Image Entertainment
Product Type: DVD

Editorial Review:
Amazon.com
For those who thought Dame Edna Everage was a cynically nihilistic '90s phenomenon with her popular '92 British game show, Dame Edna's Neighbourhood Watch, and her Broadway play, The Royal Tour, it might come as a surprise to learn she had a politically incorrect film career in Australia long before she became a "dame." In 1972, "Aunt" Edna had a prime role in Bruce Beresford's crudely observant "ocker" social comedy, The Adventures of Barry McKenzie and in its 1974 sequel, Barry McKenzie Holds His Own. In a sense, Edna Everage is a predecessor to other irreverent British comedy TV shows such as Absolutely Fabulous, French and Saunders, and (albeit obliquely) Rowan Atkinson's Black Adder and Mr. Bean. This DVD, which features six episodes of Dame Edna's Neighbourhood Watch is a hilarious if one-joke addition to the legacy of raucous Brit humor. "Nothing is too private or too sacred" on this game show, as hostess Edna innocently invites three members of the audience to take part in what might be the most embarrassing moment in their lives. Why? Edna's hidden camera has invaded the home of one of her guests. She not only digs up a little dirt, but dishes it too, in her quest for comedy at the contestant's expense. Though Dame Edna's Neighbourhood Watch is nastily funny, it loses some of its fresh appeal after three or four of the episodes because Edna's jokes and pokes are often repeated on each program. Additionally, the sound is garbled and it's hard to understand the words to the opening intro, talk-sung in Edna's high-pitched timbre, which is as shrill and tacky as her wild outfits and her outpouring of biting, witty insults. Still, if you're intent on sampling the best of British TV humor, you can't pass up the Dame. --Paula Nechak
Description
Is nothing too private or too sacred? "Welcome to the dame show that's a game show." With her familiar greeting of "Welcome, possums!!," Dame Edna uses her purple possum picker to find three contestants from an all-female audience. Unbeknownst to the three, a camera crew is poised in front of one of their homes, ready to invade her bedrooms and bathrooms, her drawers and cabinets. Dame Edna's camera crew peeps into every nook and cranny accompanied, of course, by her biting and witty commentary. Embarrassing? You bet!

Dame Edna's Neighbourhood Watch #2
Average customer rating:

Not as good as seeing her in person

A total riot!!!!!!!!!!!!

NW #2 is better than the first, Possums!!

Hilarious!

Possums, this dvd is Dame good!!

Dame Edna's Neighbourhood Watch #2
Starring: Barry Humphries , Emily Perry , and Joan Harsant
Manufacturer: Image Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video
General | Television | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video
General | Television | Genres | DVD | Video
General | British Cinema | By Country | Art House & International | Genres | DVD | Video
Humphries, Barry | ( H ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
General | British Cinema | Foreign & International | Stores | DVD | Video
Comedy | By Theme | Foreign & International | Stores | DVD | Video
( D ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

Dame Edna's Neighbourhood Watch

The Dame Edna Experience - The Complete Collection (Series 1/2 & Specials)

ASIN: 6305944237
Release Date: 2000-08-22

Description

Is nothing too private or to sacred? "Welcome to the dame show that's a game show." With her familiar greeting of "welcome possums!!" Dame Edna uses her purple possum picker to find three contestants from an all-female audience in this second volume of her hit game show. Unbeknownst to the three, a camera crew is poised in front of one of their homes ready to invade her bedrooms and bathrooms, her drawers and cabinets. Dame Edna's camera crew peeps into every nook and cranny accompanied of course by her biting and witty commentary. Embarrassing? You bet!

Customer Reviews:

Not as good as seeing her in person.......2004-02-13

Dame Edna is truly someone to be adored! I recently was fortunate enough to see her live in Atlanta. I can honestly say that I have never, in all my years, seen anything as funny or hilariously irreverant as Dame Edna. My 80 year old father said he thought he was going to pass out from laughter; that it was the funniest thing he'd ever seen!

All that said, this DVD is a compilation of Dame Edna's television series in Austrailia. It's hard to really put a classification on this show. It's a comedy, that's certain. However, beyond that, it is part Room Invaders and part game show. While each segment has a humorous moment or two, it is difficult to watch them back to back, because they are exceedingly similar. Edna makes similar jabs to each participant.
The premise is that someone from the studio audience is called forward to the stage and unbeknownst to them at the very same time a camera crew is going through that person's house - all the while Edna makes cutting, snide, and humorous remarks about the contents of the house and drawers of the person. In the US, this show would be produced to be very mean-spirited. In Austrailia, it is not; it is uncomfortably humorous.
Not as good as any of Edna's live shows, but maybe something to give yourself a few chuckles.

A total riot!!!!!!!!!!!!.......2003-12-20

Being from Melbourne like Dame Edna I have known her for as long as I can remember. And she had a winner with this game show as far as laughs are concerned. Well, the contestants thought it was a game show about houses, but it turned out to be about one contestant's house in particular. The poor lady of the house is subjected to a live TV camera going into the house when she is sitting in the studio. And that is when the shocks and embarrassment begin. Dame Edna stops at nothing, including opening any drawer and cupboard she wants to see what's inside. I won't tell you the things she uncovers and the howls of laughter from the audience that go with it.
The first DVD is very, very good but the second series has a few more surprises. At one time on the 2nd series Dame Edna was given a response that was so stupid (there is no other word for it) that even she, with all her composure and great performing abilities, was not able to keep control and broke up laughing.
If you can get both DVD's you will thank yourself. If not, I suggest this one (the second series) and you will find yourself inviting many friends over who must see it.
For your information, 6 shows on the DVD and countless laughs!

NW #2 is better than the first, Possums!!.......2003-10-14

"Say your prayers, cause we're going up your stairs!"

I'm not sure if this is an original concept, but it is a SCREAM nonetheless. Barry Humphries, Dame Edna, does a grand job with costume, wit, audience interaction, humor and even wrote the theme song. His facial expressions and comedic timing are unmatched!

He takes unsuspecting ladies from the audience, who think they are going to play a quiz show about houses, and actually takes the viewers on a LIVE TOUR of the interior of their homes. It's a riot!! The show gets permission from the "sneaky" husband and they film while the wife is away. All the dirty laundry, and YES, there is some of that, is aired!!

It's obvious they learned a LOT from the first season when they shot the second season. There are more hijinks, special moments and pranks played on the unsuspecting contestant than just going through their home. My friends and I were sick from laughing so hard!

Bottom line: $23.00 is a bit expensive for a DVD, but the comedic SHOCK value is priceless....and with six episodes for DVD, think of it as a little under four bucks a show...a good value for all the laughs!

Hilarious!.......2003-03-24

This is DAME EDNA at her unpredictable best... as she roots around in unsuspecting people's private homes. Far funnier, in my opinion, than her talk show. You won't be disappointed.

Possums, this dvd is Dame good!!.......2002-10-30

I recently bought a copy of this dvd and I'm so glad I did. I've been a fan of Dame Edna's for quite some time and have enjoyed her on TV (on Fox's "Ally McBeal" and her short lived show in the late 90s) and on the printed page (her autobiograpy is a hoot!). This dvd doesn't disappoint a true Dame Edna fan. This hilarious British game show puts the self appointed "spin doctor to the Queen of England" in her best element. Taking stunned housewives on a unexpected tour of their home while giving hilarious observations in her usual sharp tongue, this Dame delivers true comedy. Her "interesting" choices in fashion and her wonderful facial expressions only add to the fun. I'm definitely gonna get the 1st one too. If its half as funny as this one, it'll be worth the price.

Average customer rating:

We're going up your stairs!
More lunacy from the Mistress of Mayhem
An absolute scream!! A great bargain for nearly 3 hours..
She's a Real Scream!!!
Entertaining British game show starring Edna

Dame Edna's Neighbourhood Watch
Starring: Barry Humphries , Emily Perry , and Joan Harsant
Manufacturer: Image Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

( D ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

Dame Edna's Neighbourhood Watch #2
The Dame Edna Experience - The Complete Collection (Series 1/2 & Specials)

ASIN: B0000203YB
Release Date: 1999-11-02

Amazon.com

For those who thought Dame Edna Everage was a cynically nihilistic '90s phenomenon with her popular '92 British game show, Dame Edna's Neighbourhood Watch, and her Broadway play, The Royal Tour, it might come as a surprise to learn she had a politically incorrect film career in Australia long before she became a "dame." In 1972, "Aunt" Edna had a prime role in Bruce Beresford's crudely observant "ocker" social comedy, The Adventures of Barry McKenzie and in its 1974 sequel, Barry McKenzie Holds His Own. In a sense, Edna Everage is a predecessor to other irreverent British comedy TV shows such as Absolutely Fabulous, French and Saunders, and (albeit obliquely) Rowan Atkinson's Black Adder and Mr. Bean. This DVD, which features six episodes of Dame Edna's Neighbourhood Watch is a hilarious if one-joke addition to the legacy of raucous Brit humor. "Nothing is too private or too sacred" on this game show, as hostess Edna innocently invites three members of the audience to take part in what might be the most embarrassing moment in their lives. Why? Edna's hidden camera has invaded the home of one of her guests. She not only digs up a little dirt, but dishes it too, in her quest for comedy at the contestant's expense. Though Dame Edna's Neighbourhood Watch is nastily funny, it loses some of its fresh appeal after three or four of the episodes because Edna's jokes and pokes are often repeated on each program. Additionally, the sound is garbled and it's hard to understand the words to the opening intro, talk-sung in Edna's high-pitched timbre, which is as shrill and tacky as her wild outfits and her outpouring of biting, witty insults. Still, if you're intent on sampling the best of British TV humor, you can't pass up the Dame. --Paula Nechak

Description

Is nothing too private or too sacred? "Welcome to the dame show that's a game show." With her familiar greeting of "Welcome, possums!!," Dame Edna uses her purple possum picker to find three contestants from an all-female audience. Unbeknownst to the three, a camera crew is poised in front of one of their homes, ready to invade her bedrooms and bathrooms, her drawers and cabinets. Dame Edna's camera crew peeps into every nook and cranny accompanied, of course, by her biting and witty commentary. Embarrassing? You bet!

Customer Reviews:

We're going up your stairs!.......2005-09-18

This is a fun DVD collection of a gameshow "ish" programme that Dame Edna had in the early 90's on ITV/LWT. It is really an opportunity for the great Dame to poke fun at people, but in a honest and frank way.

Madge is here (remember madge "the badge madge")... And the poor people whose houses they go into have some good fun... Imagine going into your closet at home and finding all sorts of things?? Well, thats what happens here.

Great stuff.

More lunacy from the Mistress of Mayhem.......2004-05-27

Possibly the first "reality" television, Dame Edna re-invents the game show to do what no one else has previously dared do: reveal women's most closely-guarded secrets. No, not whether they are faithful wives, have a "checkered" past, or are stealing from their employers. This is small stuff compared to what Dame Edna uncovers. She goes straight for the most terror-inspiring act anyone can threaten your average middle-class housewife with: the revelation of how she REALLY keeps her house when no one's expected to visit! Is there a laundry pile larger than a small automobile? A toaster filled with enough crumbs to feed an entire Petting Zoo? A hidden stash of booze, or worse, chocolates and cookies? As the poor, unprepared "contestant" discovers, Trevor and his live camera are there at her house, ready to ring the bell. When they do, Madge, Dame Edna's brilliantly funny "bride's maid and travelling companion," answers the door and lets him in, and together they roam about the house uncovering bins, opening drawers, checking out what's under the bed, while the all-female, by-invitation-only audience howls with laughter and the horrified contestant watches in anguish. I, for one, have never understood this common fear amongst women, but it is real, and Dame Edna sends it up with glee, revelling in the absurdity of being upset at being discovered to be less than perfect. It's refreshing when the occasional contestant is actually amused herself (one of these has a house filled with erotic art from around the world, and has a great time watching Edna and Madge and the audience deal with that!)

Madge is the real treat in this series, which does become a bit repetitive--it was a weekly game-show, after all. Her behaviour becomes increasingly lunatic (imagine her in head-to-toe leather--on second thought, don't), and it is her facial expressions that provide the greatest humour as she silently censures the contestant's state of affairs. Emily Perry's Madge alternates between a quietly seething unexpressed rage and a tolerant, profound fatigue after 30+ years of living with Edna, her lovingly brutal mistress, and in this series she really shines.

Just as in her live shows, Dame Edna fulfills her mandate to treat ordinary people as stars, and vice versa. Her stars-for-a-night may be briefly horrified, but they get to fly off to Paris for a weekend with the "traitorous, treacherous, back-stabbing Rat" who let Dame Edna and her crew in. This person, by the way, is also known as the constestant's husband.

I found the first series to be consistently funnier than the second, though both Edna and Madge are in top form in both. If you have trouble enjoying them back-to-back, make the show a weekly treat, as though it were still on TV.

An absolute scream!! A great bargain for nearly 3 hours.........2003-10-06

"Say your prayers, cause we're going up your stairs!"

I haven't watched Part II yet, but I can't wait. From the reviews I've read, Part II is even more funny! My stomach may never recover.

Bottom line: $26.00 is a bit expensive for a DVD, but the comedic SHOCK value is priceless....and with six episodes for DVD, think of it as a little over four bucks a show...a good value for all the laughs!

She's a Real Scream!!!.......2002-04-21

I think Dame Edna is a real PEACH!!!
This disk is hilarious!

She's fantastic live...but in a pinch, you can pop in a disk and enjoy her in the privacy of your own home!

Entertaining British game show starring Edna.......2002-01-11

This is an hilarious concept that carries through pretty well. Barry Humphries (Edna) has some great put downs and one liners. There are six episodes on each DVD so you get close to three hours, enough for a real Dame Edna experience. Enjoyable!

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