MR. MIKE'S MONDO VIDEO Coming To DVD!

Michael O’Donoghue is one of the legendary names in modern comedy.

He was an editor and writer for the early years of NATIONAL LAMPOON. (His piece “How to Write Good” is arguably one of the finest comedy pieces ever written). He went on to become the first head writer of SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE, where he frequently appeared as Mr. Mike. He wrote the Bill Murray film SCROOGED (although it was toned down). He also acted in films like MANHATTAN and HEAD OFFICE.

In 1979, O’Donoghue created a TV special that was supposed to air in the timeslot of SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE. It was called MR. MIKE’S MONDO VIDEO.

The network took one look at it, and refused to air it.

It was instead released theatrically.

The film is pretty amazing. Not perfect, but something that should be seen by any fan of O’Donoghue. A parody of the “Mondo” films of the 1960’s, it is made up of random segments of skits (people who worship Jack Lord), interviews, and found footage.

Most of the cast of SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE appears. Dan Aykroyd shows off his webbed toes. Jane Curtin, Laraine Newman and Bill Murray all make appearances. Carrie Fisher, Teri Garr Deborah Harry, and Paul Shaffer also appear.

It was released on VHS by Mike Nesmith’s Pacific Arts back in the very early days of video. It has been extremely hard to find. I managed to find a copy from a used video store in Canada of all places. But the last time I went to watch it, it was so worn out I had to keep stopping it to clean the heads on my VCR. I figured that would be one of the last times I could see it.

I can now officially throw that tape out.

On January 13, 2009, Shout Factory will be releasing it on DVD!!

I kept hoping that it would turn up as an extra on one of the SNL sets. This is even better.

It will include the film, several of the Mr. Mike sketches from SNL, as well as an audio commentary by O’Donoghue’s writing partner Mitch Glazer.