Albert Achievement Awards [Import]

Marv gets a few bits in with the likes of Charles Barkley, David Letterman, and a few of his fellow NBC sportscasters between the lowlights from various sporting events. I didn't find any of these sketches particularly amusing, especially the opening where Marv is conferring with his staff prior to a Chicago Bulls game. While he drones on, the camera cuts away to members of his team, and viewer is treated to each person's inner monologue regarding the lameness of it all. Sadly, none of these "thoughts" referred to the main man's hair piece. Which I must admit looks a fair sight better than the ones that Burt Reynolds and William Shatner were sportin' at the time. Should Burt and Bill ask Marv for his rug supplier's phone number? I say YESSSS!

Fortunately, the hilarity of the bloopers & blunders more than make up for the retardedness of the in-betweener sketches. Some of the more notable lowlights include various fans gettin' into the act, instant replays of Phil Jackson losing his chewing gum, the immortal home run off of Jose Canseco's noggin, a Zamboni breaking down, and a hockey player throwing all of his equipment at an opposing player in an effort to keep him from scoring an open-net goal. Also thrown in for good measure is Brett Butler takin' a shot in the family jewels from a ball hit to him by his young son, the ol' collapsing pole-vault pole gag, golf balls hooking/slicing into the gallery, a boxing ref gettin' knocked down, and a home run ball bustin' through the passenger-side door window of a moving car.

But not only are there bloopers and blunders, there's plenty of muffed interviews and pregame ignominy to enjoy as well. One of my fave parts here is Tommy Lasorda reciting some kinda Abbott and Costello sketch-well, that's what it SOUNDS like he's doing, anyway. Then there's former Texas Rangers manager Don Zimmer (or Don Zim-HER as I like to call him, after he broke down in a postgame interview during last year's AL championship series) doin' an endless stammer of "No"s (please note that this interview occurred BEFORE he had those plates put in his head). But the best quote of all is from Orlando Magic GM Pat Williams regarding the team's losing ways: "We can't win at home. We can't win on the road. As general manager, I just can't figure out where else to play."(sounds kinda like something late Tampa Bay Bucs coach John McKay woulda said) Then there's my all-time fave moments in this presentation: pregame analyst Paul Maguire getting roughed up a little whilst learning the basics of blocking & defending from former Redskins OL Joe Jacoby and former Steelers DL Keith Willis.

Aside from the silly in-betweener sketches, I was a little disappointed by Marv's demeanor throughout the presentation. He didn't exude the same degree of energy he usually does when covering a basketball game or NFL contest for Westwood One radio. Not once does Marv pull out his trademark "YESSS!" at any point in the show! Maybe he was too busy thinkin' about which of his toupees would clash with that black leather teddy he just bought (sorry, couldn't resist gettin' in another cheap shot before winding this review up)...

'Late