Is it just me or were vintage SNL 'Best Of' titles always a mixed bag? You'd get some prime cuts from standout cast members for sure, but then you'd also get skits that really didn't highlight them, weren't their best or the odd bit that left you wondering how it made the cut. This tribute to the late, great Phil Hartman made realise how much I miss Phil, but the contents are a mixed bag.
For a cold opening, you get a vintage piece of US politics with Admiral Stockdale (Hartman) and Ross Perot (Dana Carvey) that delivers some dry humor and let's Phil state those magical words "Live from New York it's Saturday Night!". Then in the highest point here during the 83 min feature is "The Sinatra Group" with Phil's brilliant portrayal of Frank Sinatra, some sharp writing and good pieces from fellow cast member Jan Hooks and guest star Sting.
"Compulsion" is a good parody of a douchy, self important expensive perfume commercial. Then he has a funny impression of then President Bill Clinton at McDonald's. He follows that up by another good impression of former talkshow host Phil Donahue and a skit that was ahead of its time given today's drama, sickness in the dating world. Another good impression follows of Peter Graves doing a science show and it's gotta be said the good chemistry he had with Jon Lovitz.
A non-funny skit follows next as Phil dresses up to play then current first lady Barbara Bush. Then a long montage of quick cuts. Great Ronald Reagan impression, a piece singing a song with Steve Martin, Governor Mario Cuomo's mob ties (lol). Senator Edward Kennedy, a piece from "Church Chat" with evangelists asking for financial contributions "now more than ever" (lol). Brief visit from Jesus, a Star Trek skit, "Dadly Duties" and more brief impressions that include Charlton Heston, Johnny Cash, Michael Caine, Telly Savalas, Burt Reynolds, Ed McMahon.
Back to the unfunny with a segment of "Unfrozen Cave Man Lawyer" before a Weekend Update All-Drug Olympics visual gag. Phil does a great bit of purposely pretentious in "Drama Class" but the skit isn't very funny. "Johnny O'Connor" reteams him with Lovitz for a funny 1940's bad actor movie studio firing. Then it's "Cooking With the Anal Retentive Chef" that nails it's one note joke quick but has the ability to keep on going.
"Succinctly Speaking" is only worth its inclusion because Phil breaks character and starts laughing otherwise it'd be a snore. Then it's back to quick snippets that sees Phil lay a kiss on Alec Baldwin, ask Christian Slater why he's so "sassy", a quick piece from an army drill instructor bit, a piece from Sprockets Dating Game. Then an unfunny bit about an unknown actor losing his sanity taking over a role made famous by Yul Brynner on Broadway. A horrible segment "Robot Repair", a skit about Anne Boleyn getting her head cut off and then a non-laugh piece called "Love Is A Dream" meant as an emotional send-off to the man.
You get his original audition, bloopers and a cut dress rehearsal skit "Uncle John" that I thought was pretty hilarious as extras. However as you can see the main presentation to 'The Best of Phil Hartman' is an elevator of quality. Two high quality skits and really good impressions try their best to counterbalance a lot of dead weight and only partially succeed.
