The Show
Right off the top, I must say I am a huge fan of Alec Baldwin, and it's not just because we are both products of Long Island's south shore. Building a career from a small number of acclaimed parts and a large number of enjoyable, though guilty pleasures, Baldwin has made the transition from leading man to character actor, while using his distinctive voice to create some very memorable characters.

Despite playing defining roles like the stunning Blake in "Glengarry Glen Ross" and Jack Ryan in "The Hunt for Red October," I've always felt that Baldwin is a better comedic actor than a dramatic performer. I submit as my evidence the 13 episodes of "Saturday Night Live" that Baldwin has hosted. In the course of those many sketches, Baldwin has frequently been the highlight of several seasons, developing a number of legendary segments for the series.

This best-of special presents some of the most notable sketches Baldwin has been a part of, a pile of comedy that must not have been easy to put together, if only because of the difficulty in choosing which one would represent the recurring characters. Of course, some choices were easy as well. Here's the run-down of what's on this disc:

Prince Charles: With Amy Poehler and Horatio Sanz posing questions to Baldwin's press secretary, the stage was set for one of the filthiest examples of double-entendre comedy to grace the "SNL" stage. It's also very funny, as Baldwin maintains his very royal style and grace in the face of some hilariously dirty questions.

Third Monologue: I can't think of any better examples of this "SNL" staple, but this certainly isn't a very good monologue, as Baldwin tours the show's backstage area, tipping everyone, including Rob Schneider and Paul McCartney.

Greenhilly: A one-note sketch from the show's glory days, this one parodies an ultra-melodramatic romantic drama, with Baldwin romancing his way through Jan Hooks, Victoria Jackson, Nora Dunn, Phil Hartman and a puppet. Despite the limited premise, the sketch works.

The Tony Bennett Show: This talk show presents one of Baldwin's best imitations, as he plays a great version of the immortal crooner. Maya Rudolf and Chris Kattan do well as Liza Minnelli and David Guest, but they can't match Baldwin's vision of Bennett, and as a result, the sketch is a bit uneven.

Canteen Boy: One of the most infamous sketches in "SNL" history. Baldwin plays a molesting scoutmaster, who tries to take advantage of the sweetly-retarded Canteen Boy, played by Adam Sandler. The comedy comes mainly from the uncomfortable situation and Sandler's reactions to Baldwin's oily lecher. Unfortunately, for all the set-up, there's not much pay-off.

Inside the Actors Studio: In what amounts to a dual of imitations, Will Ferrell's James Lipton goes head-to-head with Baldwin's Charles Nelson Reilly, and the audience wins. As they top each other again and again, the sketch hits a peak as Lipton comes up with one of the best made-up adjectives ever.

The Delicious Dish: A person who watches this sketch and doesn't laugh probably enjoys stomping kittens. Seeing Ana Gasteyer and Molly Shannon play their understated characters against Baldwin's inappropriately-named cook brings a smile to my face every time, as they luxuriate in the wonder of Pete Schwetty's treats. The only disappointment is the absence of the sequel sketch, which featured one of the best "SNL" crack-ups ever.

Public Opinion: This is one of three sketches that simply do not belong on this DVD. The concept of parodying how a politician can spiral into the depths of the human soul, was a good one, but in practice, it ends up being too drawn out and not funny enough.

Soap Opera Digest: Baldwin sends up his leading-man image and soap-opera background, playing a actor who delivers his lines with some difficulty. The results are very funny, as the sketch gives Melanie Hutsell, Mike Myers and Phil Hartman, three of the show's biggest over-actors, plenty of scenery to chew.

Zings: Set against the idea of scientists trying to save a satellite, the sketch matches Seth Meyers against Baldwin as a pair of smart-asses who make fun of people and follow it up with ridiculous showboating. The jokes are lame, but watching Baldwin be so immature is fun.

Francais: Baldwin's over-accented French teacher is good, but the way the students, including Chris Farley, Adam Sandler, Tim Meadows, Hutsell and Schneider, imitate Baldwin's French, is what makes the sketch great. The vocal style was made for Sandler to just cut loose.

The Honest Planet: This was a high-concept sketch, as everyone tells the truth. Fortunately, they get in and get out quick, making it better than it could have been.

Voicemail: The joke was highly predictable, but it's such a universal concept that's done so well, that it ends up being hilarious. Even if you see where the sketch is going, the execution will catch you off-guard.

Pyramid of Pain: This is the second of the three sketches I would have ditched. Baldwin is good as a parody of fitness gurus like Tony Little, but it goes nowhere and is too long. Curiosity seekers should watch for Dave Attell's appearance.

The Joe Pesci Show: Like all of Jim Breuer's Pesci sketches, the bit is formulaic, but Baldwin is solid in his Robert DeNiro imitation. The highlight has to be the pathetic Brad Pitt imitation David Spade brings to the show, though Meadows' unnecessary Danny Glover imitation is second.

Tough Guy: If there's a cast member not in this sketch, they might have been severely ill. Baldwin plays a crazy army man trying to motivate his fellow captives overthrow the country of China. Chris Parnell, Jimmy Fallon, Terry Morgan, Darrell Hammond, Rachel Dratch, Will Farrell and Chris Kattan all manage to get good lines in, while Baldwin just goes crazy.

The Breakfast: The third of the forgettable trio, this sketch is one of the bits I like to call "the 1 A.M. dramas." Essentially, the comedy is light and the sketch seems mostly pointless, but the show had plenty of minutes to fill. That other Schwetty sketch would have been nice right here.

Bill Brasky: Anyone who enjoys those Chuck Norris myths going around the Net will see their inspiration in this series of sketches, as John Goodman, Will Ferrell and Baldwin drunkenly boast about their mythical pal Bill Brasky. It's a big game of top-this that works as often as it bombs.

The DVD
Packed in a standard keepcase, the one DVD holds the 90-minute complication and a few extras. The disc features a stylish animated main menu, with options to view the features, select sketches or check out the special features, which have animated transitions. The sketch selection menus are text lists, while there are no audio options, subtitles or closed captioning.

The Quality
The full-frame video looks clean and clear, better than I remember it looking on television. Of course, the sketches vary in quality as they go further back in time, but overall, the image is solid. Color is very nice, as is the level of detail.

The sound, delivered in a Dolby Digital 2.0 track, is fine for the material, recreating the original television presentation well enough for any fan to enjoy. There's nothing to complain about here.

The Extras
The big extra is an audio commentary with Baldwin and "SNL" producer Marci Klein. Though there are some moments where they are caught watching the sketches, for the most part the chat is lively, as Baldwin seems willing to say just about anything. Even when he has nothing to say about his own sketches, he keeps things moving by asking questions about "SNL" to Klein. His experience as a regular on the show comes in handy, as he has many stories and a lot of knowledge of the series. It's probably the best of the "SNL" commentaries so far.

The slideshow photo gallery is decent, but a one-shot deal, but the two dress rehearsal sketches are much better bonus features, once you get past the overly dramatic text intros. The first, which features Baldwin and Gasteyer as sweet voice-over artists who perform evil radio ads, is blackly comic, but there's no ending. The other, with Baldwin as Harvey Fierstein, host of "Gay Train," a TV dance party, is good only for Baldwin's imitation.

The Bottom Line
Overall, this collection is loaded with enjoyable sketches, though not having the second Pete Schwetty sketch is a crime. Even so, the signal-to-noise ratio is very high, and the disc stands as proof that a good host can make "SNL" a show worth watching. The disc presents the shows in excellent quality, with a nice group of extras, including the great commentary. Fans of Baldwin should pick this up, along with those who want to remember the good times "SNL" used to bring late on Saturday night.

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*The Reviewer's Bias section is an attempt to help readers use the review to its best effect. By knowing where the reviewer's biases lie on the film's subject matter, one can read the review with the right mindset.