Nesmith, Michael: Elephant Parts: Amazon.ca: William Dear, Jonathan Nesmith, Michael Nesmith, Bill Martin, Billy Martin: DVD

Product Description

From Amazon.com

He will be forever remembered as a former Monkee (and son of the inventor of Liquid Paper), but Elephant Parts is a reminder that Michael Nesmith was also a pioneer in music and long-form videos. Produced in 1981, the same year MTV made its debut, the hourlong program consists of 41 comedy bits and videos for Nesmith tunes. Of the former, most star Nesmith himself and are short and silly in an inoffensive, slapstick kind of way, poking fun at TV commercials, rock stars, drug use, and more in a style reminiscent of Saturday Night Live or the now-defunct SCTV. The music videos, which include "Rio" (one of Nesmith's best songs) and four others, are clever and visually rich, making skillful use of the medium well before the advent of computers and other modern techniques. Monkee business? Sure, but darned amusing, and the first video Grammy winner to boot. --Sam Graham

Additional Features

Michael Nesmith's full-length "commentary" (every bit as silly and nonsensical as the program itself) is Elephant Parts' principal bonus feature. Other additions include a discography (with brief audio samples from two songs on every Nesmith album--a shrewd promotional tool), a bio, some funny press clippings, and a gallery of still photos. --Sam Graham

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Customer Reviews

24 Reviews

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
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Average Customer Review

4.7 out of 5 stars (24 customer reviews)

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5.0 out of 5 stars Great blast from the past, April 14 2004

By	Michael R. Brown (Tamarac, FL) - See all my reviews

When I learned this was out on DVD, I had to get it!
I first saw this when I went off to college in the early 80s and loved it. Always remembered several of the skits, like "Nachos? We don't need no stinkin' nachos!" and "margengrena".
Later on, when Nez did "TV Parts", I watched it religiously (and wished I had taped it). Sigh. I wish they'd bring that out on DVD too, like so many other TV shows are doing.

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5.0 out of 5 stars Can't believe no one mentioned "the fish ate my furniture", Feb 5 2004

By	Vivian Lund (Cary, NC USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I have loved this collection of videos and short skits since I was a teenager in 1980. The other reviewers are correct in that you have to have the right sense of humor to enjoy it, though. If you like your humor on the bizzare side, (and trying to think of the right analogy here is not easy, because it's really not like anything else I know of), then you will love this DVD. I'm thinking "Repo Man" is a movie that has a similar feel, and since Nesmith produced that movie, it's no surprise.
The skit in "Elephant Parts" where he "interprets" the words to a song sung in Spanish for his date is my favorite. "My wife's biscuits edge closer...No running by the pool...." I am laughing just writing this.... The music videos are fabulous, as I think it can be argued that some of the best music videos came out of the '80's, and Nesmith, being the visionary behind MTV, and having all the experience with the Monkees, obviously would likely have great videos for his tunes.

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5.0 out of 5 stars Classic nonsense, great music., Jan 4 2004

By	Kimba W. Lion "kimbawlion.com" (the East Coast) - See all my reviews

Since Amazon lists two versions of this disc, let me make it clear I'm referring to the Anchor Bay release. Everyone else's reviews hit the high points; for me the music videos were always the shining stars in this program. Let me add that the picture quality is indeed a bit "soft" but that's the way this program has always looked (I've had it in various formats since it was first released--anyone remember CED discs?). The commentary is indeed pointless, but I can't think of any other DVD commentary that isn't pointless. But no one has mentioned that this release has an extra comedy bit that wasn't in previous releases! That alone should make this DVD just a bit special. Now we need a complete Television Parts set.

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Most recent customer reviews

3.0 out of 5 stars Bogus Audio Commentary
I was very dissapointed with the nonsense that passed as audio commentary. If the NEZ wanted to puiblish new work he should not do it in the disguise of audio commentary that is... Read more

Published on Jul 24 2002 by Joe Hoskinson

5.0 out of 5 stars Hysterically delightful
Although it screams 1980, Elephant Parts is guaranteed to make you giggle. Finally understand what your friends meant when they wanted a cuf of coppee.

Published on Mar 1 2002 by Jennifer

5.0 out of 5 stars Classic!
I own both the video and the DVD version of this. The interesting thing about the DVD is that there are three very short clips which did not appear on the video. Read more

Published on Jan 10 2002 by geatornez82

5.0 out of 5 stars It's just funny.
mmm...It's funny, it's entertaining, some of the skits, like him hunting in the supermarket, or the bee gees disease, there's alot of this pieces, that keep me laughing even when... Read more

Published on Jul 7 2001 by Mz. Allende