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Amazon.co.uk Review
Another BBC raid into their archives, The Best of Victoria Wood is taken solely from her early television series, a period that established her as a major name in British mainstream comedy. Although rooted firmly in a cosy, almost bygone age of English culture (her work is full of Northern references), Wood's reputation as one of the UK's sharpest writers is well deserved. She is particularly adept at creating a range of characters that not only provide great humour but also a fair amount of depth and empathy as well.
Assembling an excellent cast of players (the majority of whom she continues to work with to this day), the sketches here are a mixture of group pieces (the fantastic soap opera pastiche Acorn Antiques), musical numbers, a succession of wonderful head-to-heads with long-time sparring partner Julie Walters and, uniquely, the odd monologue (Patricia Routledge's Keeping Up Appearances character makes an embryonic debut in the shape of Kitty). Television watchers of a certain age may find the clips a little over familiar but this should take nothing away from a fine compilation.
On the DVD: The Best of Victoria Wood is another example of the BBC falling flat with their approach to the possibilities of DVD. The picture and sound quality seems to have improved little since the show's original broadcast and there are no extras beyond the standard interactive menus. Given the amount of fine work that Wood has produced over the years, we could have hoped for at least the beginning of an insight into her methods, inspirations and influences. --Phil Udell
Special Features
English
Region 2
Region 2
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
57 of 59 people found the following review helpful
Feeling down?! Fed up with the kids?! Other half making your head ache?! Then here's your cure: 'Best of Victoria Wood As Seen On T.V.'! I honestly can't think of a funnier collection of clips available on DVD right now. From the downright hilarious parody of morning T.V. 'Margery and Joan': "Some of our viewers have found folding pyjamas and ARDUOUS task leading to lower back pain, depression and, alas, suicide!", to 'Shoe Shop': "Yeeees, we have hens. In the skirting boards!" you don't get comedy this surreal and realistic unless it's from Miss Wood. Julie Walters proves she's one of the finest and funniest comedy/character actresses ever in the UK - just watch the classic "Two Soups" sketch - the "Continuity Announcer" harks back to the days of Birthday Corner on local T.V. and then of course there's the infamous "let's do it!" song: "Barry and Freda"! Add to the mix "Acorn Antiques" ("what was it muesli?") and you can't go wrong. Make yourself a cuppa, lock the kids under the stairs and have a chuckle for an hour and a half!
24 of 25 people found the following review helpful
This collection is really funny and reflects on a TV series which was way ahead of it's time. When the series was first shown it was not at all popular as it was running the gauntlet alongside old established comedy and comedians (still very popular in the 1980's) I recall it being aired very late on Friday, on BBC2, not the trendy slot back then that it is today!
I guess it was also still fairly unusual for women to be in comedy at this time, hard to believe nowadays but this series dates back to a pre-French and Saunders era, there was no Jo Brand and no Jennie Eclair. It is fair to say that Victoria paved the way for these future great ladies of comedy. The only funny women I recall seeing at the time, other than Wood, were June Whitfield in "Terry and June", and Penelope Keith in re-runs of "The Good Life", or in "To The Manor Born". Good comedy actresses but a world away from this stuff.
Wood's writing and observation are acute and hilarious and her rich tapestry of characters are given life by such wonderful actors as Julie Walters, Celia Imrie, Duncan Preston and Susie Blake. There are even small cameo's by the then little known actors, Jim Broadbent and Pete Postlethwaite!
The sketches are true classics and if you have never seen "Shoe Shop", "Family planning", and "Acorn Antiques" then you really must! Stick with the show for lessor known sketches too, the Julie Walter's character doing a lone sketch to address the "Pie Crust Players" on the finer details of Hamlet is sheer brillance! "Ophelia, That lovely line!, There's Rosemary tis for rememberence, you can't just bung them a few chicken bones and say don't mind me I'm a looney!"
This will cheer up any rainy day! The funny thing is this stuff is not at all dated inspite of being 20 or more years old, ok the fashion is a bit dodgy at times but the comedy, then a very fresh style often called "alternative" is now bang up to date!
I guess it was also still fairly unusual for women to be in comedy at this time, hard to believe nowadays but this series dates back to a pre-French and Saunders era, there was no Jo Brand and no Jennie Eclair. It is fair to say that Victoria paved the way for these future great ladies of comedy. The only funny women I recall seeing at the time, other than Wood, were June Whitfield in "Terry and June", and Penelope Keith in re-runs of "The Good Life", or in "To The Manor Born". Good comedy actresses but a world away from this stuff.
Wood's writing and observation are acute and hilarious and her rich tapestry of characters are given life by such wonderful actors as Julie Walters, Celia Imrie, Duncan Preston and Susie Blake. There are even small cameo's by the then little known actors, Jim Broadbent and Pete Postlethwaite!
The sketches are true classics and if you have never seen "Shoe Shop", "Family planning", and "Acorn Antiques" then you really must! Stick with the show for lessor known sketches too, the Julie Walter's character doing a lone sketch to address the "Pie Crust Players" on the finer details of Hamlet is sheer brillance! "Ophelia, That lovely line!, There's Rosemary tis for rememberence, you can't just bung them a few chicken bones and say don't mind me I'm a looney!"
This will cheer up any rainy day! The funny thing is this stuff is not at all dated inspite of being 20 or more years old, ok the fashion is a bit dodgy at times but the comedy, then a very fresh style often called "alternative" is now bang up to date!
18 of 19 people found the following review helpful
A fantastic collection that draws from both series of 'As Seen On TV'. Highlights include 'Kitty', 'In the Office', 'Shoe Shop', 'Margery and Joan' and of course the excellent 'Acorn Antiques' (plus 'The Making of'). Viewers new to Wood will enjoy the freshness of the comedy after nearly 20 years, and particulary a younger Jim Broadbent's turn in the 'a Fairly Ordinary Man' mockumentary.
Unfortunately this collection offers nothing new to die-hard fans. With no extras to speak of, we are left with a collection of sketches that have been easily available on VHS compilations for years, meaning that some(particularly the 'On the trolley' sketch) seem too familiar. Nevertheless this can be regarded as nothing other than an outstanding compilation. The lack of a fifth star is down to the BBC's complacency rather than any lacking of quality in Wood's sketches.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Victoria Wood as seen on TV
Loved this show when it was first on. Particular favourites are Acorn Antiques and any sketch with Julie Walters. This is something to watch over and over again. Love it. Read more
Published 18 months ago by poppy
Really funny
The "Two Soups" sketch is one of the funniest things I have ever seen - absolutely priceless!
Published on 28 April 2010 by R. Woollatt
Maybe Only For Extreme Fans
Having become a massive fan of Dinnerladies after buying the box set, I though I would try some other of Victoria Wood's work and settled on this best of DVD. Read more
Published on 20 Feb 2010 by Claire Limonade
Victoria Wood at her Best..!
It has been a while since we have had a new compilation of 'as seen' and this DVD is a joy! Classic Victoria Wood humour that will have you in tears of laughter. Read more
Published on 14 Aug 2002 by Philip Roberts
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