Before Larry Sanders, there was Garry Shandling - surreally enough it's now on DVD

You should know Garry Shandling from the critically lauded The Larry Sanders Show, but how many of you remember his previous series? Well this is it.

The Larry Sanders Show made Garry Shandling a comedy god, but his previous series, It's Gary Shandling's Show, is practically forgotten, having been shown sporadically in late-night slots in the UK in 1986, and not repeated since. Thank goodness Fabulous Films has rescued Series One from obscurity.

And obscure it is, because while it appears to be a standard sitcom about a comedian splitting up with his girlfriend and moving into a new neighbourhood, it's so surreal it makes your head spin. First, note that it's isn't called The Garry Shandling Show - it's called It's Garry Shandling's Show. Then check out the theme song, which is about the singer being asked to write a theme song. Then see the way Shandling introduces the show with a monologue, then steps out of character, in and out of flashbacks and fantasies, and indeed literally off the set - speaking directly to the audience, or indeed to the crew - and sometimes to the home audience while he's talking to the crew. Apparently the structure was influenced by The Burns and Allen Show, but it's all taken to dizzying comic excess.

Then characters will synopsise what's happened previously in the episode, or suggest that they jump forwards to get to the end before the credits run. TV critics would call this 'breaking the fourth wall' - we just call it whacky. It's astounding that it lasted four seasons (and that Sean Hughes was happy to rip off the entire formula for Sean's Show).

Shandling is Ably supported by a cast including Molly Cheek as his platonic friend Nancy, 
Michael Tucci, Scott Nemes and Bernadette Birkett as neighbors the Schumachers, and Barbara Cason as Garry's mother Ruth. Later series featured Bruno Kirby, Jessica Harper, Rob Reiner, Martin Mull, Tom Petty and Jennifer Tilly.

The complete collection of four seasons is available on R1 DVD, but perhaps one season at a time is easier to handle (let's just hope Fabulous Films gets to put out all four.) The four-disc set features 16 episodes with five commentaries, out-takes and a 'Making of...' documentary. The 4:3 picture and stereo sound are unexceptional but adequate.

“This is where I’m not good as an actor because I really don’t look like a guy who’s lost his furniture,” Shandling shares with us following a scene where his house was broken into. “So rather than play it, I’m just saying it.”

It's Garry Shandling's Show Complete First Season, Fabulous Films, DVD £39.99
On sale 22nd March
HCC VERDICT: 4/5