Although I’m a faithful fan of “Saturday Night Live,” I’ve never bought any of the tapes or DVD collections. I have nearly worn out my off-air tape of the 25th anniversary special, and so the DVD of that is on my Amazon wish list, but it’s kind of expensive (or was, the last time I checked).
But I had to buy what I saw in the DVD bargain bin tonight: “The Best of Phil Hartman.” Hartman is probably my all-time favorite SNL cast member, and of course there’s also the emotional tug of knowing that, like too many other SNL greats, he’s no longer with us.
The DVD is great. The listed running time is 84 minutes; since I know SNL has more than six minutes of advertising time, you can tell there’s more on the DVD version than on the version which has been telecast in the normal SNL time slot.
Here’s my list of what’s on the basic program of the DVD:
Teaser: Perot / Stockdale
This was the skit where Ross Perot (Dana Carvey) tries to ditch his running mate, Adm. James Stockdale (Hartman) after Stockdale’s disastrous vice-presidential debate.
The Sinatra Group
Perhaps my all-time favorite SNL skit. Hartman in the title role, Sting as Billy Idol, Jan Hooks as Sinead O’Connor, Chris Rock as Luther Campbell, Mike Myers and Victoria Jackson as Steve ‘n’ Eydie. “I got chunks of guys like you in my stool!”
Compulsion, by Calvin Kleen
Bill Clinton at McDonald’s
Donahue: Women who love bad boys
Discover: The World of Science
Hartman plays Peter Graves in a parody of a PBS science show Graves was hosting at the time. “All-righty.”
Nancy Reagan and Barbara Bush
Jan Hooks plays Nancy, so I’ll leave it to you to work out Hartman’s role.
Clips (not full sketches):
- Ronald Reagan: “I’m the president. Only I need to understand.”
- From Steve Martin monologue: (Hartman, singing) “Yes, they’re gonna see the real Phil Hartman tonight!” (Martin) “Phil, I don’t think that’s such a good idea.” (Hartman) “O.K.”
- Martio Cuomo: “I have mob ties.”
- Ted Kennedy at Clarence Thomas confirmation hearings
- Trump with Church Lady
- Jim Bakker with Church Lady
- Jesus with David Spade receptionist
- Charlton Heston reads Madonna “Sex” audio book
- Johnny Cash AA Christmas Special
- Michael Caine
- Telly Savalas (Player-with-Yourselves Club)
- Burt Reynolds (Win, Lose or Draw)
- Dr. McCoy from “Star Trek”
- Matlock
- Bing Crosby
- Ed McMahon on Johnny’s final show
Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer
WU feature: All-Drug Olympics weightlifter
Acting teacher
This was from a guest-hosting appearance after his time as a cast member, and so he’s working with Molly Shannon, Will Ferrell, Chris Kattan and Cheri Oteri.
Fired movie star Johnny O’Connor
This is great just because Hartman and his good friend Jon Lovitz played so well off each other.
The Anal Retentive Chef
I was happy to see the whole skit — if I recall correctly, they only showed a clip of this on the broadcast version.
Succinctly Speaking (talk show with Tonto, Tarzan, Frankenstein as guests)
Hartman starts to crack up at one point.
More clips:
- Glenhilly (Hartman kisses Alec Baldwin’s “Mister Cherrywood”)
- Sassy
- Drill sergeant
- Sprockets (Phil is in drag, as a strange Teutonic woman with messy lipstick)
On Broadway
He’s an actor taking over “The King and I” who is sick of being compared to Yul Brynner
Robot Repair
Anne Boleyn
Hartman plays the messenger who must inform Anne Boleyn (Candice Bergen) of the somewhat gruesome arrangements for her execution.
Schiller’s Reel: “Love Is A Dream”
This is what they showed on SNL after Hartman’s death. It’s a Tom Schiller filmed piece, with Hartman and Jan Hooks lip-synching an old movie musical number. Beautiful and charming.
The extras include Phil’s audition tape, which I haven’t watched yet, and some very funny dress-rehearsal outtakes. SNL tapes its dress rehearsals in case of disaster, but if these outtakes are to be believed the cast members don’t always take them as seriously as the live show.
All in all, the best $5.99 I ever spent.