Blog From The Bench

Now this is refreshing! Long, long before our current batch of snotty celebs were ever "Punk'd" in such sh*tty and even spiteful manner (deserved though it may be in some cases), there was another sort of celebrity reality show that caught America's most famous singers, actors, comedians, and even national heroes in a heartwarming tribute to their accomplishments - not to mention completely off guard and unaware! The show was This Is Your Life!, created by legendary reality-show host, Ralph Edwards (Truth or Consequences, The People's Court. Originally broadcast from 1952 until 1961, Edwards would surreptitiously sneak up on unsuspecting celebrities - usually aided by friends, counterparts, and co-stars - to boldly exclaim, "This is your life!" The celebrity would usually be caught slack-jawed and disbelieving, realizing the planned night at the Brown Derby was about to detour into a tell-all trip down the notable's own Memory Lane (and some didn't appreciate this sort of amiable ambush). Nonetheless, during it's 9-year heyday of the 1950s through the tip of the 1960s, Edwards managed to corral and corner the likes of Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy, Roy Rogers, Milton Berle, Lou Costello, and Dick Clark. The show would take a 10-year hiatus and then resurface between 1971 and 1973 where Edwards would thrust his patented book of secrets into the faces of Shirley Jones, Vincent Price, Richard and Karen Carpenter, and Bette Davis. (Although the show would return later in the 70s and also make a couple of brief runs during the 80s, Edwards would often turn over hosting duties to others such as Joe Campenella and Steve Allen.

The show worked well and captivated television audiences as they looked on to witness the reactions of their most beloved stars. It was a show that, while it's unnanounced oncoming wasn't necessarily welcome by the personalities caught in its snare, was not the sort to wallow and revel in the sort of sick salaciousness that permeates today's "reality" ilk; really, how many times can we watch as Paris Hilton tries to reason with a garden spade or look on as NBA center Jermaine O'Neal seethes, wanting to beat the living crap out of that insufferable Punk'd host, Ashton Kutcher? No, this original approach was a bit more respectful and sophisticated (although Edwards did often slip into the realm of the 'damn-why-did-you-have-to-bring-that-up-on-national-television' sort of expose.

A new three-disc release from R2 Entertainment, This Is Your Life - The Ultimate Collection, Vol. 1 looks to deliver some classic moments from the show's rich history. The advance disc reviewed here provided samplings from the eighteen episodes that are contained in the commercial release. You'll see Lou Costello genuinely touched upon receiving a gift from a group of underpriviledged children, Laurel and Hardy as clever as ever in their first TV appearance, Roy Rogers moved to tears at the sight of his old band of musicians, and a latter-day Betty White attempting to thwart Edwards' entourage.

"Betty White - this is your life!"

"Oh no it isn't!"

From what I saw in this sampler, this collection is sure to raise a lump in your throat and coax a tear from your eye at times. It's touching, it's real, and it appears to be generally respectful of those caught in the camera's crosshairs. While the enitre release hasn't been reviewed here, there certainly seems to be enough on tap that makes this worthy of a look. The video quality will certainly vary as much of the earliest content was captured via live TV cameras (yes, the show was originally staged live for television, leaving it wide open or all manner of miscue or mishap). As it stands, this one looks ripe for a review and well worth the time to revisit the grander days of reality TV.