The Abbott and Costello Show: The Complete Series – DVD Review

DVD Reviews, Reviews



Bud Abbott and Lou Costello were the kings of all media. The comedy duo found success on stage, radio and screen. They experienced the potential of TV by hosting The Colgate Comedy Hour. Even though they were still making feature films, they took the big leap of making a weekly half-hour comedy for TV in 1952. The Abbott and Costello Show might have only run two seasons, but the 52 episodes have been rerun for half a century. My local station ran it on Sunday mornings as a more gentle slapstick alternative to the weekday pain dished out on The Three Stooges. Now you no longer have to wait all week to enjoy the “Who’s On First” duo with the release of The Abbott and Costello Show: The Complete Series.


What made this duo so iconic was not their originality. Their best routines were based off classic burlesque routines What made them special is what makes a classical music duet shine – they had masterful timing and reactions that made old routines feel vibrant. Costello was the rubber face comic, but Abbott wasn’t merely a straight man setting up the punchlines. He was an instigator and frustrater of his chubby pal. There’s was the relationship of a man-child and a con-man. Their brand of comedy translated well to the small screen. Fans of their movies didn’t feel cheated by the series since they brought along director Jean Yarbough (Lost in Alaska) and shot on 35mm film. The episodes felt like part of their films.

The first season of the show has the duo play with the conventions of TV. The opening, the intermission and end feature Bud and Lou stepping out from behind the curtain to address the audience and give each other the business. They want to remind us that this was a show. They even poke fun of the model carrying the card with the episode’s guest stars. There’s a slight absurdity to the characters they encountered. Joe Besser’s a grown man playing Stinky, a boy in a Buster Brown outfit. Instead of playing stars, Lou and Bud are deadbeats hiding from their landlord (Sidney Fields). Each episode deals with them scheming to pay the back rent. “The Drugstore” has them take what should be simple jobs, but Lou goes nuts in the role of a soda jerk. “Jail” has Lou discover the worst attorney in Manhattan that turns a 75 cent fine into time behind bars. “The Army Story” puts them back in uniform for their favorite military routines. “Alaska” seems like Lou and Bud will be visiting the state to help with a goldmine, but they get distracted. “The Wrestling Match” makes Lou think he’ll be wrestling Stinky for a charity, but his real opponent is Ivan the Terrible. “Safari” has Lou’s chimp feeling homesick so the boys head to Africa.

The second season changes up the format. The duo no longer step out from behind the curtains to talk to the audience. This season’s storylines are straight forward, but the madness and slapstick remain. “The Paperhangers” gives us the classic nonsense of why you shouldn’t go cheap on the guys you hire to put up wallpaper. “Pest Exterminators” plays off the aunt and ant concept. “KIller’s Wife” has the boys get in trouble when a boxing champ and his hot wife move into the apartment building. Things get off on the wrong foot when Lou lifts up the wife’s skirt by accident. There is a sense of realism in the casting of boxing champ Max Baer. His son would become a comic iconic as Jethro on The Beverly Hillbillies.

Even after nearly half a century, comedy is still fresh with absurdities. The duo’s madcap moments would reflect in Seinfeld, Curb Your Enthusiasm and Reno 911. Abbott and Costello don’t look worn out doing their routines one more time for the TV cameras. Lou reacts to Bud with fresh frustration when he gets out smarted by the alleged straight man. For people unfamiliar with the duo, The Abbott and Costello Show: The Complete Collection is the perfect introduction before getting into their numerous films. They were a pair of traditionalists that revolutionized the TV medium.

The video is 1.33:1 full frame. The transfers vary in quality by the episodes. The audio is Dolby Digital mono. Once more the quality of the sound varies although you won’t have any issues hearing Lou yell, “Hey Abbott!” The episodes and the bonus features have English subtitles.

Hey Abbott (70:43) is a TV special from 1979 hosted by Milton Berle. There’s lots of clips from the series. Guests include Steve Allen, Phil Silvers and Joe Besser.

10,000 Kids and a Cop (20:25) is about Lou Costello Jr. Youth Foundation. Lou built this place for kids in the memory of his son that died as an infant. William Bendix and Jimmy Stewart help promote the center.

Interviews (33:04) has the Costello daughters (Chris and Paddy) discuss how the duo didn’t consider their TV series a step down from the movies. The series had a rebirth in the late 70s when it was put back in syndication.

Home Movies (61:14) lets you explore Lou Costello’s family life. The biggest thrill is Lou’s outrageous Christmas decoration. There’s an amazing story about what one neighbor did to compete with Lou’s holiday house. Chris and Paddy Costello talks us through these private movies.

The Abbott and Costello Show: The Complete Series is pure comic joy. The duo set the tone for absurd TV comedy. The bonus features give us a very intimate look at Lou Costello’s life. If you woke up on Sunday morning eager to watch the series, this boxset deserves an honored space on your DVD shelf.


E1 Entertainment presents The Abbott and Costello Show: The Complete Series. Starring: Bud Abbott, Lou Costello, Sidney Fields and Joe Besser. Boxset Contents: 52 Episodes on 9 DVDs. Released on DVD: March 30, 2010. Available at Amazon.com.

Joe Corey is the writer and director of "Danger! Health Films" currently streaming on Night Flight and Amazon Prime. He's the author of "The Seven Secrets of Great Walmart People Greeters." This is the last how to get a job book you'll ever need. He was Associate Producer of the documentary "Moving Midway." He's worked as local crew on several reality shows including Candid Camera, American's Most Wanted, Extreme Makeover Home Edition and ESPN's Gaters. He's been featured on The Today Show and CBS's 48 Hours. Dom DeLuise once said, "Joe, you look like an axe murderer." He was in charge of research and programming at the Moving Image Archive.