Launched in 1974 and running for a decade on NBC, “The Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts” gathered some legendary show biz names together to salute and snipe at each other.
StarVista/Time Life has released a dozen of these roasts in a new six-DVD collection, which carries a suggested list price of $59.99.
Martin was the genial host and the targets ranged from Bob Hope to Lucille Ball to Jack Benny. The zingers were delivered by masters (Don Rickles, Rich Little) and celebrities-of-the-day (Olympian Mark Spitz, NBA star Wilt Chamberlain).
Orson Welles was a frequent guest, and is seen in this set delivering shots and tributes to Martin, Jimmy Stewart, and Michael Landon. The December 1984 roast of Landon includes a moving tribute by Welles, which notes the actor-producer’s commitment to family programming.
The roasts reflect a different era: Cigarettes were smoked, booze was poured and racial remarks were tossed about with disturbing frequency. However, the put-downs are polite compared to the caustic remarks made on today’s Comedy Central roasts.
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