The Comic

The 30-minutes is really a Shelley Berman showcase. The real life comedian gets to play a real life comedian, except his Danny Holland is on the ragged edge of sanity and may crash at any moment. Largely forgotten today, Berman was a leading member of the New Wave comics of the early '60's that included such better knowns as Bill Cosby and Bob Newhart. The premise here is a good one and I'm sorry it didn't get more development. Namely, which is the homicidal nutcase-- is it Berman or his wife. We know both are on the edge, but which has gone over by killing an old tramp. However, instead of developing the puzzler, Danny's weirdly disturbing standup gets the screen time. Still, Berman brings it off in fascinating fashion. Don't look for Edie or Mother, but do look for the doctor played by Tony Barrett one of the show's chief writers getting a thespic turn. Also, be prepared to jump out of your seat as director Edwards hits us with a couple of stunning jump-cuts. Anyhow, it's a different kind of Gunn episode, starring a comedian rather than Pete.

(In passing--- I note that Berman passed away in mid-2017 after a long and interesting life.)