TV on DVD: 'Sid Caesar: The Works'

'SID CAESAR: THE WORKS.' Look beyond this set's primitive 1950s kinescope video (black-and-white film shot off studio monitors) to savor early TV's peak of live laughs. In those pre-videotape days, sketch superstar Caesar delivered lunatic comedy without a net, perpetually approaching apparent meltdown. His edgy mania makes this work endure, as also performed/scripted by many showbiz legends-to-be (Carl Reiner, Mel Brooks, Neil Simon, Woody Allen). Included are bits from Caesar's legendary "Your Show of Shows," its successor "Caesar's Hour," a '60s color reunion hour and various specials. Though not everything holds up, it's a must-see snapshot of the New York-based TV era that laid the template for today's topical send-ups. Caesar spoofs everything from '50s TV genre prototypes to classic Hollywood films to opera to politics, with some bits so convulsive, you don't even need to know what they're lampooning. Bonus features are rich and voluminous _ Caesar's writers reunited, Sid's sketch commentary, talk-show reminiscences, Brooks/Reiner panels, so much more. With detailed history booklet. List price $60 for 5 DVDs, out this week from Shout.