Product Description
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For more than twelve years, James Lipton has sat down with over
200 of the world's most accomplished artists - ranging from
actors and directors to musicians and comedians - for
penetrating, fascinating interviews. Lipton's studious research
and enlightened curiosity has inspired his guests to open up and
confess their deepest thoughts about their craft since the series
premiere in 1994. Inside The Actors Studio has earned a
reputation of being a forum where guests can speak fearlessly,
openly and honestly about the things that matter most to them:
their craft and the crucial events of their lives and careers.
The series is seen in 80 million homes on the Bravo cable network
and has received 12 consecutive Emmy nominations including this
year's nod for Outstanding Nonfiction Series. This set features
some of the most popular actors in Hollywood and includes the
interview with Barbra Streisand that broke records for the series
drawing 1.14 million viewers. Four episodes including: Clint
Eastwood (2003) Paul Newman (1994) Robert Redford (2004) Barbra
Streisand (2003) SPECIAL FEATURES: "James Lipton: Flashbacks"
(new introductions with James Lipton) "Great Moments That Didn't
Make The Cut" (previously unseen portions of the original
interviews)
.com
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Since its debut in 1994, Inside the Actors Studio has become an
institution of artistic inquiry as vitally important as the
legendary subjects of its interviews. In presenting in-depth
interviews with Paul Newman, Robert Redford, Barbra Streisand,
and Clint Eastwood, this three-disc set of Icons is not just the
inaugural ITAS release on DVD, but a shining example of the
show's consistent excellence as a cultural touchstone. As Dean
Emeritus of the prestigious Actors Studio Drama School (where Lee
Strasberg and others once taught such future stars as Newman,
James Dean, and Marlon Brando), series host James Lipton brings
his own passion for acting to a forum that is both reverently
devoted to craft (with minimal discussion of politics and a
refreshing avoidance of gossip) and remarkably candid in terms of
personal revelation. Lipton's high-toned pomposity was certainly
ripe for Will Ferrell's satirical spoofing on Saturday Night Live
( /Saturday-Night-Live-Will-Ferrell/dp/B0000A1HPU ), but it's
satire borne of affection, and Lipton's tastefully distinguished
lines of inquiry are precisely what makes ITAS an enduring
attraction to some of the biggest names in the history of film,
TV, theater, and music. In addition to his astute questioning (at
turns probing, playful, and thoroughly researched), Lipton
provides eloquent "flashback" introductions here that place these
essential interviews into richly informative perspective.
The interviews themselves are truly unique, each qualifying as
definitive explorations of the careers being discussed. Revealing
details are too numerous to mention, but highlights include
Newman's humble account (in the series' premiere episode) of his
early struggles as an actor who lacked natural talent; Redford's
lament over the loss of time-honored American traditions (not to
mention his practical jokes played upon Newman); Streisand's
life-shaping experience with parents she never really knew (which
fed her unique precociousness as a gifted performer and
perfectionist); and Eastwood's generously educational analysis of
his own directorial approach. As always, the interviews end with
Lipton's time-honored questionnaire (inspired by French talk show
master Bernard Pivot), a kind of Rorschach test for his guests
including questions like "what is your favorite curse word?" and
"what sound or noise do you love?" (Streisand's response: "The
sound of orms"), providing a perfect lead-in to Q&A sessions
with the attending master-class students of the Actors Studio.
The setting, Lipton's searching but non-threatening
inquiry, and a pervasive love of performance are what make these
interviews special, worthy of multiple viewings as priceless
glimpses into the minds and personalities of icons who've clearly
earned that designation. Numerous outtakes are included from
Newman, Redford, and Eastwood, but not, tellingly, for Streisand.
One can only wonder, was that her decision, or Lipton's? --Jeff
Shannon