Bizarre

I loved this show. It is sorely missed. I didn't have cable in the '80's so I remember watching this show on channel "9" in NYC. I don't know what show Mr. Martin was watching because everything about this show was just funny as hell. This show along with the Paul Hogan show were 2 of the funniest sketch comedy shows ever. Of course they all owe a debt to the incomparable Benny Hill.

Feel free to share your comments with me about any of your beloved shows. I am a huge TV and FILM buff.

This show ran for a few years on HBO and later went into syndication. Hosted by the great comedian John Byner (who was very prominent in the late '70s & early '80s - notably as "Detective Donoghue" on "Soap" - but rather forgotten today), it was most notable for two things: it was the first sketch comedy show to regularly feature nudity (busty topless women often figured as punch lines in racy blackouts - this was cable, after all); and, it was where gifted comic writer Bob Einstein (brother of Albert Brooks) created his popular character "Super Dave Osbourne," the daredevil with extremely bad luck. Indeed, Super Dave became a minor cult phenomena in the '80s, the character's existence extending even after "Bizarre" bit the dust (much as Cassandra Peterson's "Elvira, Mistress of the Dark" continued to flourish after "Movie Macabre" was cancelled). It was a very funny show which will probably never see the light of day again, but, if it pops up in syndication (with the nudity sliced out, of course), check it out - it's funny without bare breasts!

This was known as a vehicle for attractive female Toronto models to become big Hollywood stars, by baring their breasts on Cable TV. I never saw the cable version (CTV had a censored version on conventional Canadian network TV), but I can just imagine how happy John Byner was that he had fallen onto this great gig.

Actor Tom Harvey got regular work here outside of his usual Wayne & Shuster berth. John Byner and the crew delighted in bombarding Tom's groin with cream pies. Luba Goy was the Jewish daughter in the recurring "Bigot Family" segment, which while it wasn't politically correct by any stretch, was one of my favorite bits. Billy Barty, Billy Van, Super Dave Osborne and a host of others bumbled their way into our hearts each week. Seriously, one of Bizarre's bimbos, Sherry Miller, went on to become a legitimate news anchor on Global-TV. Only in Canada...

Many of the show's topless lasses ended up somewhere, but I don't know if any became stars. All I can say is that if Bizarre is any indication, Toronto could've been called "Hooterville" in the eighties.

I wish I knew where to get a hold of this great sketch show hosted by the great John Byner. I remember watching this is a kid or at least trying to watch it, since it contained nudity, and was on late at night on HBO or Showtime, can't remember which channel. It was way ahead of it's time as far as having the finger on the pulse of what people liked in skits. It lampooned and spoofed commercials and TV shows like no other, which includes Saturday Night Live (which I also love). I think there was a sense of naughtiness that "Bizarre" reveled in that I liked. I don't think it's available on video, but I wish someone could find it on video and make it available. I think it would sell well! This show captured quite a lot during it's 30 minute running time and of course since this was pay cable, had no commercials to ruin the flow. If anyone knows anything about the original, uncut, unedited versions of this show and if they exist for purchase, please let me know! If I recall correctly, this show was also the launching pad for Super Dave Osborne (Albert Brooks real life brother) and I recall Howie Mandel appearing on it early in his career. It made sense since Mandel is

from Toronto and that is where "Bizarre" was taped. I could go on and on about what I recall from the show, but I think everyone gets the general idea. I fear that this show will remain a curio and remain in a time capsule somewhere. Someone resurrect "Bizarre"!

The hilarious sketch comedy show "Bizarre" is now available on DVD, completely uncensored and uncut. Each DVD contains 10 episodes hand-picked by the producers and packaged so that each sketch or episode can be watched separately. I have already watched both DVDs and they are great! I hope they release more volumes in the future. John Byner is great, as is the rest of the ensemble cast. Nudity and profanity abound!! It took awhile, but am certainly glad the show is now available. It can be purchased on amazon.ca Does anyone remember any other memorable sketches? I would be interested to hear anyone's remembrances of the show. To my knowledge, 50 episodes were recorded over the 5 year run of the show. It could be more though!