Saturday Livebegan as a 90-minute special on Channel Four in 1985.
The three main ingredients of a typical show are represented here on three discs.
Disc one celebrates the spangly-suited frontman Ben Elton.
The first series had been fronted by hosts as diverse as Lenny Henry and Michael Barrymore.
This series more so than Eltons BBC series in the 90s showcases his best work.
It also underlines just how much hes sold out in recent years with his rock musicals.
Disc two is devoted to the undoubted rising star of the show, character comedian Harry Enfield.
Indeed, Loads first appearance was simply entitled the plasterer.
In retrospect the joy of the sketch comes from the then completely fresh catchphrase.
Surely they deserved a disc to themselves?
For the sake of simplicity, the DVDs are branded asSaturday Live.
Each features around 25 sketches/stand-up routines together with extras where the regulars are joined by guest stars.
The then recently deposed GLC leader Ken Livingstone performs a very self-aware right-onsketch to the (mock?)
boredom of the regular artistes.
The audience members are a curious snapshot of the fashion of the era.
Lots of Boy George trilbys on the heads of the girls closest to the stage.
Many go with a student in contentious t-shirt look.
Being a topical show its the timeless Fry and Laurie sketches that stand repeated viewing.
The lack of a Dangerous Brothers disc is an opportunity missed.
A mainstream which, nowadays, is populated by many of the performers showcased here.
Tellingly, a revival (of sorts) mounted by ITV in 1996 lacked the edge of the original.
Despite the efforts of Lee Hurst and Harry Hill it lasted just one season.
Saturday Liveis out now.
Rating:
3 out of 5
