Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #13935 in VHS
• Released on: 1996-07-22
• Rating: Suitable for 12 years and over
• Number of discs: 1
• Formats: Animated, HiFi Sound, PAL
• Original language: English
• Number of tapes: 1
• Running time: 44 minutes

Synopsis
Next-door neighbour Tom Anderson experiences more victimisation in: 'Home Improvement', 'Lawn And Garden', 'Good Credit', 'Washing The Dog', 'Vs The Vending Machine', 'Mr Anderson's Balls', 'Pool Toys' and 'The Trial'.

Customer Reviews

Be grateful YOU don't live next-door to these two!
This was the first 'Beavis And Butt-head' compilation of released on video, and centres around the troublesome twosome's encounters with their unfortunate neighbour Tom Anderson. Due to his short-sightedness, he never recognises them, so time and time again is subjected to their chaotic capers.

The tape's first episode is 'Home Improvement', one of the earliest Beavis and Butt-head episodes, which sees the meddlesome morons 'painting' Mr. Anderson's house for him; which they do - with graffiti, and then go for a destructive ride on his sit-on lawnmower. Without the music videos that were originally mixed in with the cartoons, some of these episodes (particularly the early ones) seem very short. However, with this one running just over 3 minutes, I'm 99% certain that it has been edited - as far as I know, a scene with the pair sniffing paint thinner has been taken out (I can't confirm this, as this was the first time I'd seen this particular episode). Shame it wasn't saved for the later release 'Too Dumb For TV', which left in some of the duo's more controversial moments.

The next episode, 'Lawn And Garden', is much the same as the previous episode, except this time the setting is gardening instead of painting. The video's cover shot of the pair cutting down Anderson's tree with a chain-saw is hint of what's in store. It's practically a sequel to 'Home Improvement', as Anderson gives several references to the damage done in that episode. Not a bad episode, but these first two episodes seem very similar to each other, and somewhat lack the humorous dialogue of later episodes.

'Good Credit' sees the pair finding Mr. Anderson's credit card, and - while Anderson and his wife are away - use it to buy anything they want, including a menagerie of rare animals. This is a rare occasion we see Anderson's wife (though we do see her in the film 'Beavis And Butt-head Do America').

'Washing The Dog' is one of the episodes that was (loosely) banned when the series was toned down, and sees the duo well, washing Anderson's dog for him... in a washing machine! Although still an early episode, it has signs of how the cartoons were gradually developing from the basic "huh huh, huh huh, that was cool!" dialogue. Although certainly not to everyone's taste, it has some amusing dialogue from the devious duo asking Anderson "Are you gonna die soon?" because they want his money. All in all, this ranks amongst the series' crudest episodes (the whole dog / washing machine, Beavis being sick on the dog, et al), and not every viewer will like this one. More 'hardcore' fans will lap it up though.

The next episode and all ones after this on the tape is from later in the series run; noticeable to even the most novice viewer, as the animation is far better, and the voices more defined.

Beavis And Butt-head 'Vs. The Vending Machine' sees the hungry duo buying pork rinds from a vending machine, only to have the snack get stuck inside. Worried that the next customer will get their pork rinds too, they arrive at typical B&B twisted logic that "if we get another 60 cents, we could like, get two for the price of one!". So Beavis is left to rigorously guard the vending machine whilst Butt-head sets off to try and get another 60 c. Silly little throwaway lines such as (when choosing the snack) "F 2" "You sunk my battle-ship", and "This glass must be like, plastic or something" shows how the dialogue has developed since early episodes.

This isn't really an Anderson orientated episode; it's only included because he makes a (rather brief) appearance, when Beavis refuses to let him use the machine. There are more 'solid Anderson episodes' which could have been used instead, but that aside, it's a very good episode and one of my favourites.

'Mr. Anderson's Balls' (huh huh, huh huh), sees Tom out on the golf course for a game, but loosing all his golf balls - which may have something to with the duo stealing them all and then selling them to other golfers. Again, simple, silly, but hugely enjoyable.

In 'Pool Toys', Anderson - once again not recognising the duo - hires them to construct a swimming pool in his back garden. While he goes off and gets lost in a huge supply store, the pair cause their usual havoc, destructively mis-using tools and using Anderson's mini bulldozer. This was actually the first 'Beavis And Butt-head' episode I ever saw, and was immediately hooked.

The tape's final episode, 'The Trial', sees the pair (surprise surprise) on trial, for throwing eggs at Mr. Anderson's windows. Typical B&B banter ensues, with their defence of "Uh, that was like, other kids or something", and their mirth over 'the penal system'. Although maybe not as good as the previous three, still a fair episode, with a good ending.

This is one of the releases which most sticks to the theme of the tape, as opposed to many later ones which somewhat stray from the title's 'topic'.

It's interesting to see how Anderson is a template for Hank in the later series 'King Of The Hill'.

All in all, a fairly good video, though with the first half devoted to cruder early episodes, it may not appeal to as wide a range of fans as much as some later releases. If you don't have (m)any B&B videos, there are others I would recommend to get before this one (such as 'Feel Our Pain', 'Innocence Lost' and 'Troubled Youth') which contain generally a more rounded, better selection of episodes. This one will appeal more to devoted fans, especially for the likes of 'Washing The Dog', which is very rare to see on television. But this tape is available in the box set 'The XXX Collection' also containing 'Work Sucks' and 'The Final Judgement', which is good value for money and I highly recommend.