THE DEAN MARTIN CELEBRITY ROASTS:
COLLECTOR’S EDITION (6 DVD SET)

Street Date: October 8, 2013

Fairfax, Va.  - What began as a ratings booster for the final season of “The Dean Martin Show” in 1973 evolved into “The Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts”, an eagerly awaited franchise of regular NBC Television specials that targeted the biggest names in the world of entertainment and beyond.  From Bob Hope to Muhammad Ali, Johnny Carson to Lucille Ball, Gov. Ronald Reagan to Redd Foxx (roasted twice), anybody with a thick skin and a good agent was fair game.  Roastmaster General Martin kept things loose and lively, deflecting his share of stray barbs from the guest roasters.  Honorees were billed as “Man/Woman of the Week” during the last season of Martin’s variety show, and “Man/Woman of the Hour” for the specials.  In 1974, the show moved from Los Angeles to the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas for the remainder of the run.  The 54 roasts ran until 1984, and Dino hosted all but one of them – “Mr Warmth” Don Rickles took over for Dean’s turn in the hot seat. This spectacular 6-disc Collector’s Edition, available at retail outlets nationwide this October, includes 12 complete and unedited Celebrity Roasts, featuring Bob Hope, Johnny Carson, Jimmy Stewart, Sammy Davis Jr., Jack Benny, Lucille Ball, Dean Martin, Kirk Douglas, Michael Landon, Jackie Gleason, Don Rickles and Joan Collins.  Appearing as roasters, throwing zingers at the men and women of the hour are: John Wayne, Dom DeLuise, Rich Little, Muhammad Ali, George Burns, Phyllis Diller, Art Carney, Bette Davis,, Florence Henderson, Bob Newhart, Don Rickles, Milton Berle, Jonathan Winters and many others.  Adding to the mirth and merriment of this set are over two hours of specially-produced bonus features, featurettes and interviews, as well as rare Dean Martin TV specials and home movies! Also available, day and date, will be a single disc collection priced at $12.95; and, at DeanRoasts.com, aficionados of classic comedy from the Golden Age of Television can exclusively purchase THE DEAN MARTIN CELEBRITY ROASTS: COMPLETE COLLECTION, a 25-disc set including over 40 hours of incomparable comedy and 15 hours of bonus features and a 44-page Collector’s Book.   WARNING: Some of the jokes and ethnic references heard in these roasts would most likely not be allowed on network TV today.  Keep in mind the tenor of the times, the bawdy party atmosphere, and the fact that many of these celebrities were friends who loved to give and take a good shot.  The cigarettes are real, the drinks are free and the camaraderie is heartfelt. BONUS FEATURES Bonus Comedy Sketches featuring Dean, Tim Conway, Ted Knight and others Two rare Dean Martin TV Specials: “Dean Martin’s Red Hot Scandals of 1926”, featuring Dom DeLuise, Abe Vigoda and Jonathan Winters; and “Dean’s Place” Three featurettes: Legends of the Roasts, The Art of the Roast and The King of Cool Rare home movies of Dean and friends Interviews with Don Rickles, Betty White, Rich Little, Jackie Mason, Tim Conway and Ruth Buzzi # # #