By Forris Day Jr.
We all know the late Joan Rivers was a funny woman who exuded confidence and fearlessness during her career as a stand-up comedian and as a show host but like everyone in show business you’ve got to start somewhere. Joan Rivers broke out in 1965 as a guest on the “Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson” and three years later began her own talk show called “That Show with Joan Rivers”. Her talk show attracted many celebrities of the time including Vivian Vance, James Earl Jones, Barbara Walters and of course Johnny Carson as her very first guest. Now 29 episodes are available from her first season in a 4 DVD collection from Film Chest Media.
First I’ll discus the show. She had two guests on each show; a celebrity and an expert in something. It made for fun conversation as the guest would discuss whatever it was they were expert on, such as nudist colonies, with great passion while Joan would put them on the spot with her humorous questions. The celebrity would often join in on the fun as the expert desperately tries to discuss their subject with all seriousness.
What is really striking is seeing Joan, at times, a bit insecure and not as sure of herself as we have become to know her. She is still somewhat new to show business at this point and it shows. I mean it in a good way. She is honest and human and I found it enjoyable.
The set consists of 4 DVD that are packaged somewhat inconveniently. The packaging is a cardboard box about the size of a standard DVD case. It has a front flap the opens like a book cover with a listing of the episodes on the inside BUT to get to the DVDs you have to open the top of the box and slide out the inner packaging which is another cardboard box that unfolds into four sections. Each disc is slid into a slot on each of the four sections. It’s a lot of work to get to the discs. Thumbs down on the packaging.
Overall a nice collection of rarely seen shows starring a legend of comedy, Joan Rivers. The shows are fun to watch and it’s cool seeing so many stars in their younger days. The only drawback is the packaging which is inconvenient but nothing that should stop you from enjoying these classic TV shows from the late 60s.
Rating: 7.5/10 – Funny interviews and great guests