Mister Ed: The Complete First Season

I'm not sure what the market is for a DVD release of Mister Ed: The Complete First Season. If there is one, I suppose it's aging boomers who, idly skimming the racks at HMV, spot a copy and say, "Gee, I sure loved that show when I was a kid. I'll bet my grandkids would absolutely love it." Come to think of it, I can also imagine cynical teenagers buying it as a passable, low-cost gift for undemanding grandparents. Yeah, it all makes sense. I predict this will be one of the most bought and least watched DVD releases of all time. I had never seen Mister Ed before the DVD release, which means, yes, I only recently lost my Mister. Ed virginity. And I think I speak for everyone when I say we always remember our first time. Although a late bloomer, it didn't take me long to catch up on the particulars. Wilbur (Alan Young) and Carol (Connie Hines) are newlyweds who have moved into a new house. While investigating the barn, Wilbur finds a horse that can talk but alas, Mister Ed has Michigan J. Frog syndrome and only talks to Wilbur. I just want to make something very clear: I hate this show. I hate the lame jokes, I hate the overdone performances, I hate that snooty neighbour (Larry Keating), and I really, really, really hate Mister Ed. Yes, I know he's a talking horse but he's also a grade-A asshole and the sight of him talking (reportedly achieved by putting peanut butter in his gums) is more creepy than funny. Nevertheless, Shout! Factory does its usual bang-up job with this release, with surprisingly pristine picture quality and several fine extras, including an interview with stars Alan Young and Connie Hines, where Young says, "I never thought of Ed as anything less than another actor." That explains so much.