The Mighty Boosh Special Edition DVD (Seasons 1-3) by BBC Worldwide

Actors

• Noel Fielding
• Julian Barratt

Format

• Box set
• Color
• NTSC
• Special Edition
• Subtitled

Editorial Review

Come along for an extended journey through time and space with the Mighty Boosh Special Edition DVD, a seven-disc compilation of the surreal UK comedy series' first three seasons, plus a bonus disc of live material and behind-the-scenes footage that's sure to please the show's growing legion of fans. Those who own the double-disc standalone editions of Boosh's first three seasons will find all of that material repeated here in six of the special edition's discs, including all episodes and supplemental features, so for those wishing to get up to speed in a hurry on the adventures of zookeepers Howard Moon and Vince Noir (creators Julian Barrett and Noel Fielding), or complete their collection in one fell swoop, here's the set to do it. It's the seventh disc that makes the special edition a must-have for first-timers and Boosh faithful alike; chief among its many extras is The Mighty Boosh: A Journey Through Time and Space, a lighthearted but comprehensive hour-long documentary about Barrett and Fielding's trajectory from humble standups to certifiable pop culture icons, with plenty of commentary by fellow UK comics like series producer Steve Coogan. Barrett and Fielding are also front and center for an interview at the Institute of Contemporary Arts and as hosts of a Mighty Boosh night on BBC Three from 2008, complete with their live linking segments. There's also a glimpse at a proto-Boosh in sketches from a 1997 unreleased TV pilot called (Un)Natural Acts, which also finds the pair in a zoo setting, albeit without the outlandish props. Deleted scenes, outtakes, and a look at the creation of the berserk Sammy the Crab puppet also await the faithful; the special features have been arranged in an appropriately psychedelic manner on the disc (none are labeled, and many simply lead to visual non sequiturs), with some only available as Easter eggs, so patience is most definitely required. –Paul Gaita