Variety being the spice of life, there's plenty to go 'round here. Featuring almost 20 small segments with well-known comedians of the time (mid to late '90s) and a collection of four "other" pieces framed as Dr. Katz recollecting on his son Ben and their misadventures, this isn't a DVD lacking in content. The problems creep in if you start thinking it might be nice to move beyond appetizers to the main course, only to find that there isn't one. You can fill up on onion rings, but why not save room for the burger? In this instance, you won't find the beef under the bun. It will take buying a season or two or all to give you the full dose of Dr. Katz Professional Therapist.
The bright stars on this collection that have certainly stood the test of time, include features with comedians like Dave Chappelle, Conan O'Brien, Sara Silverman, and Kathy Griffin. Weird choices like David Duchovny (hey, I loved X-Files, but Mulder really wasn't that funny...) and lesser-known comedians like Brian Regan and Richard Lewis are included here as well, but the psychoanalyst bit makes even someone as dry as Duchovny seem funnier. Some unexpected highlights include hilarious bits from Margaret Cho and Louis C.K., all framed around a session with Dr. Katz Professional Therapist. At least in the bonus features you'll find Katz, his son Ben, and Laura, out of their element but still riffing off one another in some funny bits.
This wouldn't be my preferred way to introduce someone to Dr. Katz Professional Therapist, since the entire disk feels very fragmented. If you weren't watching Comedy Central in the '90s, you might have missed out on this entirely, and wouldn't even understand the context. A decade later, there are some pieces that fall short, but most of the comedy is on target. Reviewing the list of comedian celebs that Dr. Katz Professional Therapist interviewed over the years, it's easy to wonder how some of the lesser knowns here made the cut over names like Jon Stewart, Ben Stiller, Steven Wright, and Rodney Dangerfield. Maybe there will be another release, titled "More of the Best of.." to accommodate these other stars, but the bits selected here are decent. Like any comedy feature, you'll bring your own perception of what is funny and laugh in places your neighbor won't. It all seems like interstitial material these days, so it's hard to believe this constituted a feature not that long ago. Take two hours of your life, rent this, and have a few laughs. If you really like the feel of the show, there are bigger collections that will represent a better use of your hard-earned dollar.
