Steinberg, David

Curb Your Enthusiasm - The Complete Second Season

It's more of the same for Larry David's sitcom from HBO, and for fans, that's a good thing. The show--largely extemporized--follows suit of David's former series, Seinfeld: it's a show about nothing, just the everyday life of the star going about his pseudo-real world. But David's show has far more edge (thanks, in part, to airing on cable TV) with all the bad luck, embarrassing situations, and dreadful behavior as its premiere season. The closest thing to an arc is David's season-long pitch to the networks for a new show starring former Seinfeld stars Jason Alexander and Julia-Louis Dreyfus. Each network is lampooned, especially HBO, which David has a bad history with in this alternate world. Sure to repel those with soft funny bones, Curb's acerbic comedy allows jokes where David is accidentally framed--if ever so briefly--as a child molester, wife abuser, or murderer. But for those who do love his shtick, there are big laughs, especially when we bump into characters as unbridled as David, like a fellow writer who is quite protective of his dad's invention, the Cobb salad.

Many comic actors pop up, some as "themselves" (Richard Lewis, Rob Reiner) and others as characters (Rita Wilson, Ed Asner) along with the delights of co-stars Cheryl Hines as David's wife and his affable manger, Jeff Garlin. There are several touchstone bits: what a thong brief can do to a relationship, a run-in with pro wrestler, Larry's first baptism, and one very collectible doll. To pick one episode to capture this second season--and its grandstanding nature--it would be "Shaq," in which the NBA star is accidentally tripped, changing David's usual bad luck with gut-busting results. --Doug Thomas

Larry David has it all - money security famous friends a nurturing wife a devoted agent a new oceanfront home. So why is he still so intent on making a mess out of his life? Just because you've made it doesn't mean you've got it made. Curb Your Enthusiasm folks - it's the HBO comedy series starring Larry David...as Larry David!Running Time: 390 min.System Requirements:Running Time 300 MinFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: COMEDY Rating: NR UPC: 026359885228 Manufacturer No: 98852

Mad About You - The Complete First Season

Peopled with lovable characters in both achingly real and hilariously unreal situations this smartly written sitcom showcases a Manhattan couple trying their hardest to keep love alive in the midst of all the mad mad mad mad madness that modern marriage can bring!System Requirements:Starring: Paul Reiser Helen Hunt Carol Burnett Hank Azaria Carroll O'Connor Richard Kind Running Time: 245 Min. Copyright Sony Pictures Home Entertainment 2005Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: TELEVISION/SERIES & SEQUELS Rating: NR UPC: 043396096523 Manufacturer No: 09652

Mad About You - The Complete Third Season

Four years after Mad About You's complete second season was released on DVD (and two years after a highlights collection seemed to signal the end of season-by-season releases), the complete third season of everyone's favorite neurotic couple is finally on DVD. If Paul (Paul Reiser) and Jamie (Helen Hunt) Buchman don't drive each other nuts, they'll do it to their British neighbors, or the whole building, such as when an attempt to steal cable TV goes awry ("Pandora's Box"). Not to mention their whole crazy cast of characters, including Jamie's useless sister Lisa (Anne Ramsay), Paul's shifty cousin Ira (John Pankow), Paul's parents (Cynthia Harris and Louis Zorich), Jamie's parents (Theresa Fuller and John Carlin, replaced in later years by the stunt casting of Carol Burnett and Carol O'Connor), the building super (Jerry Adler), Jamie's best friend Fran (Leila Kenzie), and supremely clueless waitress Ursula (Lisa Kudrow). Some of the episodes had appeared on the highlights collection, such as the zany Thanksgiving dinner ("Giblets for Murray"), Paul's reality TV show in which he turns the camera on Jamie and himself ("Our Fifteen Minutes"), and Carl Reiner's appearance as a TV legend ("The Alan Brady Show"). But others are finally seeing the DVD daylight, including "The Ride Home," in which Paul and Jamie take a cab ride and recount, from different perspectives, how Fran's birthday party turned into a disaster involving guest stars Wendie Malick and Eric Stoltz. In the two-part "Mad About You," they flash back to the preparation for their wedding, and Paul flashes back to birthdays from hell in "Cake Fear." Cyndi Lauper returns as Ira's ex-wife (a guest appearance for which she won an Emmy, as did Reiner) in "Money Changes Everything" and Stoltz turns Jamie into a comic-book character ("My Boyfriend's Back"). Then in the two-part season finale, they're transported It's a Wonderful Life-style into a world in which they'd never met ("Up in Smoke").

Does it matter that the set has no bonus features? Maybe not so much. The bells and whistles of the Mad About You Collection were nice, but they don't compare to having a complete season's worth of episodes on DVD. We want Paul and Jamie, with their hilarious and touching quirks and chemistry, just as we watched them on TV. That's all we're saying. --David Horiuchi

One of the rare series about a happily married sexually active and in-love couple "Mad About You" enjoyed excellent writing and obviously two very winning lead actors.System Requirements:Run Time: 570 minFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: TELEVISION/SERIES & SEQUELS Rating: NR UPC: 043396176577 Manufacturer No: 17657

Curb Your Enthusiasm - The Complete Fourth Season

He never learns. In the fourth season of his award-winning HBO comedy series, the quasi-fictional character of Larry David continues to say--and do--whatever he wants whenever he wants. In the first episode alone ("Mel's Offer"), in which Mel Brooks offers him the role of Max Bialystock in The Producers, David offends a doctor, a lesbian couple, a wheelchair user, and Ben Stiller (by not shaking his hand after he sneezes). Then, in the second ("Ben's Birthday Party"), he offends a blind man--by telling him his girlfriend's not as hot as she claims--and pokes Stiller in the eye with a skewer while attempting to show agent Jeff Greene (Jeff Garlin) his new golf move.

Larry continues to offend Stiller until he drops out of The Producers and, in the fifth episode ("The 5 Wood"), David Schwimmer (Friends) steps in. The following episode ("The Car Pool Lane"), in which David attends a Dodgers game--with a prostitute, so he can use the carpool lane--made history when it set an innocent man free. Unused footage from the show, entered into evidence by the defense attorney, confirmed his client's alibi that he couldn't have committed a murder because he was at the game (alas, the Braves still trounced the Dodgers). Other guests include Ted Danson ("The Weatherman"), Russell Means ("Wandering Bear"), and Gina Gershon ("The Survivor") as a Hasidic hottie. In addition, the hour-long season finale ("Opening Night") boasts a bevy of stars, including David's old colleague Jerry Seinfeld, Nathan Lane (Broadway's original Bialystock), and fellow Tony Award winner Anne Bancroft (The Miracle Worker). As they've done since the early days, Cheryl Hines (Cheryl David), Susie Essman (Susie Greene), and Richard Lewis and Wanda Sykes (as themselves) do what they can to keep one-man demolition derby David in check. --Kathleen C. Fennessy

Larry David lives a charmed life-an understanding wife famous friends a supportive manager and an angelic singing voice so what's his problem? See Larry buy medical marijuana take a hooker to a baseball game steal a golf club from a corpse ruin Ben Stiller's birthday part attempt to cash in on his tenth anniversary present with Gina Gershon and trip the light fantastic in The Producers with Mel Brooks and David Schwimmer.Running Time: 300 min.System Requirements:Running Time 330 Mins.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: COMEDY UPC: 026359242922 Manufacturer No: 92429

Mad About You - The Complete Second Season

Peopled with lovable characters in both achingly real and hilariously unreal situations this smartly written sitcom showcases a Manhattan couple trying their hardest to keep love alive in the midst of all the mad mad mad mad madness that modern marriage can bring!System Requirements:Stars: Paul Reiser Helen Hunt Carol Burnett Hank Azaria Carroll O'Connor and Richard Kind. Running Time: 554 Min. (total). These episodes are presented in "Standard" format. Copyright 2003 Columbia TriStar.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: TELEVISION/SERIES & SEQUELS Rating:  UPC: 043396009394 Manufacturer No: 00939

Curb Your Enthusiasm - The Complete Third Season

The third season of HBO's comedy sensation offers more of the same. "Not that there's anything wrong with that," to quote Larry David's other television series, a certain little sitcom called Seinfeld. Consequently, Curb Your Enthusiasm's junior year means more Larry (Larry David) and more of his hilariously embarrassing mishaps. It also means more of his patient spouse Cheryl (Cheryl Hines), avuncular manager Jeff (Jeff Garlin), Jeff's foul-mouthed wife Susie (Susie Essman), and assorted celebrity pals, including Richard Lewis, Ted Danson, Wanda Sykes, Paul Reiser, and Martin Short, all playing themselves (or, like Larry, versions thereof).

The theme that (loosely) ties these 10 episodes together is Larry's involvement in upscale eatery Bobo's, in which Danson and Michael York (yes, that Michael York) are co-investors. As expected, the restaurant will serve to complicate Larry's life in every conceivable way--and vice versa. But the funniest (and most profane) episode must surely be "Krazee-Eyez Killa," starring Chris Williams (Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story) as the fidelity-impaired gangster rapper to whom Wanda has become engaged. This riotous installment, which sends up Jewish, Italian, and African American gangsters alike, won an Emmy for Robert B. Weide's direction and features that old master-of-direction himself, Martin Scorsese, who first appeared in "The Special Section" (in which Larry bribes a gravedigger to relocate his mother's gravesite). It's also the episode in which Larry gets a hair stuck in his throat. That hair, which once belonged to someone rather close to him, will remain lodged there for the next several episodes, until a "divine intervention" in "Mary, Joseph and Larry" dislodges it once and for all--along with the last of Larry's dignity. --Kathleen C. Fennessy

(HBO Comedy Series) Larry David has a charmed life--success famous friends a patient wife a dedicated manager and a trendy new restaurant...so what's his problem? See Larry spike some brownies recommend a deranged nanny thwart an Alanis Morissette concert rob a grave and get a kid drunk. Along the way he encounters Martin Scorsese Cheri Oteri Richard Lewis Krazee-Eyez Killa and the Holy Family...and manages to piss them all off.Running Time: 300 min.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: COMEDY UPC: 026359114922 Manufacturer No: 91149

Carlos Mencia - No Strings Attached (Live, Extended and Uncensored)

Meet Carlos Mencia. He has quite a few opinions on just about everything. In this extended and uncensored comedy performance No Strings Attached filmed live in San Francisco Carlos take on race relations the police immigration laws religion and the mentally challenged will either have you wincing or laughing but either way he doesn t really care because as Carlos is quick to point out if you ain t laughing you ain t living.System Requirements:Running Time: 62 MinutesFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: COMEDY Rating: NR UPC: 097368118843 Manufacturer No: 811884

The Mad About You Collection

In the early to mid-1990s, Mad About You was about as good as sitcoms got. As newlywed couple Paul and Jamie Buchman, stars Paul Reiser and Helen Hunt crackled with rapid-fire wit, and a chemistry that created some genuinely moving moments. The Mad About You Collection is a set of 21 highlight episodes from all seven seasons; Reiser and Hunt selected the episodes and introduce each with a 4- to 6-minute Q&A. From the first season are the pilot and the story of how they first met. From the second season are Paul's encounter with Christie Brinkley in a virtual-reality investment opportunity and the recap of the marriage proposal. From the third season are the zany family Thanksgiving dinner in which Murray the dog eats the turkey, Paul's attempt to create an "honest" 15-minute film about a day in their lives (this was before the reality-TV craze), and Carl Reiner's guest appearance as a TV legend. From the fourth season are Yoko Ono playing herself and the three-part finale in which some hints of infidelity lead to serious marriage problems. Mel Brooks appears as Uncle Marty ("Firm embrace!") in the fifth season, and Bruce Willis makes a goofy guest appearance in the two-part season finale, "The Birth."

It's well-known that TV series that try to keep themselves relevant by making momentous changes usually go quickly downhill (a phenomenon known as "jumping the shark"). In Mad About You's case, it was the birth of baby Mabel, or perhaps it was that the lead characters' neuroses simply began to wear thin. Either way, the later seasons became more erratic, and it might not be a great loss to see only a few episodes from them. The selections from the sixth season focus on Jamie and Paul writing letters to Mabel, and Paul directing his parents in The Pirates of Penzance while Jamie battles postpartum depression. In the seventh-season episodes, Paul and Jamie ask their therapist about resuming sexual activity, they try to teach Mabel to go to sleep by herself, and Paul runs over his mother-in-law. Then in the series finale, Janeane Garofalo plays a grown-up Mabel telling how her parents discovered they weren't really married, and what happened over the following years.

In addition to the episode intros, the set's bonus features are enjoyable and informative commentary tracks by the two stars on the first and final episodes, a blooper reel, and featurettes on the guest stars and the theme music (you can see Reiser playing the piano). The involvement by the stars might appease the frustrated fans who bought the first two complete seasons on DVD then waited in vain for the third. DVD fans have become accustomed to having complete seasons, because no matter how well highlight episodes are selected, some favorites are bound to be missing (how about the what-if-they-hadn't-met episode, or the Rashomon-like taxi ride?). On the other hand, the previous sets had no bonus features, and a fan boycott that results in poor sales might mean no more Mad About You DVDs at all. That would be a shame, for even with its shortcomings, The Mad About You Collection reminds us that the series had a special ability to make us laugh and cry. --David Horiuchi

Honored with several awards including 10 Emmy®s long-running Mad About You is one of TV's most beloved and popular comedies. Mad About You explores the romantic ups and downs of an endearingly neurotic couple Paul and Jamie Buchman as they cope with marriage mood swings love and life. Co-stars Helen Hunt and Paul Reiser have personally selected their favorite episodes to create this inspired collection. You'll experience the ultimate in laughs and entertainment with shows featuring celebrity guests Lisa Kudrow Carl Reiner Sid Caesar Estelle Getty Bruce Willis Hank Azaria Cyndi Lauper and more. This is truly the ultimate collection for everyone who is mad about Mad About You.System Requirements:Starring: Paul Reiser Helen Hunt Running Time: 491 Min. Copyright Sony Pictures Home Entertainment 2005Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: TELEVISION/SERIES & SEQUELS Rating: NR UPC: 043396090774 Manufacturer No: 09077

Switching Goals

Originally an ABC telefilm, Switching Goals comes to video. Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen play super-identical twins who are actually total opposites. OK, it's not the freshest concept in the universe, but the teen divas (who also exec produce--as they did in their Passport to Paris) are an undeniable favorite with little girls all-over. Here, they're Sam, the athletic one, and Emma, the fashion-conscious one. Their indulgent dad (Eric Lutes) coaches a soccer team and their workaholic mother (Kathryn Greenwood) is a psychologist. Look for a switch, the truth to be revealed, and all to end well. This video may prove to be just the perfect gift for any young girl between 4 and 10. Not only will they get to gaze up on the familiar, comforting countenances of the Olsens, but given how many young 'uns play soccer, there's even more to relate to. --N.F. Mendoza

Mary-Kate and Ashley star as soccer-playing sisters who scheme to trade teams by secretly trading places. But as the plan unfolds, there's chaos on and off the field. With clever schemes, hilarious mix-ups and non-stop action all part of the game, Mary-Kate and Ashley are in for some fancy footwork in their all-new feature-length movie!

Mary-Kate & Ashley Pack (Billboard Dad/Switching Goals/Passport to Paris)

Three of Mary-Kate and Ashley's newest movies in one cool collection! Billboard Dad; Passport to Paris; Switching GoalsFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: CHILDREN/FAMILY UPC: 085393330729