'Second City' collection delivers first-rate comedy

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Anyone interested in the history and evolution of North American comedy -- and looking for solid laughs along the way -- should check out The Second City: First Family of Comedy ($14.98), new from Acorn Media. It's our...

DVD pick of the week

In Episode One of the 128-minute, three-part documentary, host Dave Thomas traces the roots of Second City, Chicago's seminal improv comedy showcase and spawning ground of several generations of American and Canadian comics, from Alan Arkin to John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd, Gilda Radner and Tina Fey.

Episode Two, hosted by Kids in the Hall alum Scott Thompson, concentrates on what arguably was the tube's most creative sketch series, "SCTV," while in Episode Three, erstwhile "SCTV" regular Joe Flaherty examines the broader cultural and Hollywood impact of both Second City and "SCTV."

"The Second City" incorporates priceless archival performance clips, delves into the intricacies of improvisational techniques (with a side trip to the long-running series "Whose Line Is It Anyway?") and provides a comprehensive overview of changing comedy tastes and freedoms. Extras include extended interviews with Mr. Aykroyd, Martin Short, Mr. Thomas and Miss Fey.

"The Second City" and the invaluable bonus chats eloquently illustrate that for professional funnypersons, comedy is, indeed, serious business. That doesn't mean it's no laughing matter. This hypnotic documentary amply attests to that.

Tele-video

Britannia again rules the airwaves in the week's fresh TV-on-DVD output. Leading the pack is A&E Home Video's massive 18-disc Secret Agent (aka Danger Man): The Complete Collection ($149.99), gathering all 86 episodes of the 1960s espionage series starring Patrick McGoohan as brainy agent John Drake — about 57 hours of intrigue overall.