"It's A Whole New Audience"
November 22, 2005 - Barbra Streisand's television work is as impressive as her work in  film and on records. The new DVD box set, Barbra Streisand The Television Specials is a historic potpourri for the eyes and ears. The collection presents each of Barbra's first five CBS specials in a superb, digitally enhanced format. Not only are the colors vivid and sharp, but the Dolby 5.1 audio gives some of these very familiar soundtracks a breathtakingly new life. Its a very impressive collection accompanied by smart packaging and an extremely informative booklet which provides intricate details on each of the shows, song by song, bit by bit.

Three of the specials, My Name Is Barbra, Color Me Barbra and A Happening in Central Park have been previously released on VHS and laser disc. But their enhanced presentations on this new set are visually stunning. The other two specials in the collection, The Belle of 14th Street and Barbra Streisand...and other Musical Instruments are being offered for home viewing for the very first time. Long anticipated by Barbra's legions of fans, Belle and Musical Instruments are the true gems of this collection. The decades-long wait is finally being rewarded with the best technologically enhanced DVD releases of these elusive performances.

To review and compare each show with another would be fruitless. Each of the television specials is unique in is own right and serves as a historic snapshot of Barbra's career. But most would agree that her first two shows stand head and shoulders above the rest. My Name Is Barbra and Color Me Barbra, with their similar thematic formats, were the first to showcase Barbra to a world that existed beyond Broadway. Her choice of songs was inspired, as was her decision to make each a solo tour de force. With piles of Emmy nominations between them, My Name Is Barbra and Color Me Barbra set new standards for television variety programming. Seeing these shows some forty years after the fact only serves to illustrate how ahead of her time Barbra truly was. "Television Pioneer" should be added to her already jam packed resume of accomplishments

The first thing you'll probably notice about the new box set DVD collection is its most impressive and attractive packaging. The five DVDs are accompanied by a wonderfully detailed booklet that provides marvelous insights into each production. For example, did you know that Barbra's long time pal, Cis Corman (and Cis's son) are featured in The Belle of 14th Street? And there are two Streisand "firsts" in Color Me Barbra: the first time she sang Stephen Sondheim's lyrics (Small World) and her first ever Alan Bergman performance (That Face, written for his wife and collaborator, Marilyn). You'll also learn that two of the most famous Streisand television tongue-twisting novelty numbers, The Minute Waltz and Piano Practicing, were written by the same person (Lon O'Kun).

Barbra's world is indeed a concerto, and watching these five historic television shows today makes one appreciate not only the durability of her vocal gift, but the impressive range of her comic timing and performing. Barbra's overall charisma triumphed on the small screens during the 60s and 70s. The impact these television specials have in 2005 is just as exhilarating.