Beavis and Butt-Head: The Mike Judge Collection Volume 3

In what is presumably the final volume of the Mike Judge Collection, Beavis and Butt-head are at the peak of their comedic powers with Judge and the show’s writers perfecting the duo’s dumbness. Spanning episodes from 1995 to 1997, this is the sharpest era of content and animation for a show that was then poised to take over the box office with a feature length film. Over 42 episodes Beavis and Butt-head aggravate adults, like their manager at Burger World, their school’s Principal, McVicker, hapless retiree Tom Anderson and all manner of young women and random citizens. It’s particularly rewarding to watch these stories unravel without the music video critiques, 15 of which (including the Jesus Lizard’s "Glamourous” and Sonic Youth’s "Dirty Boots”) appear on a separate disc. The plots seem cohesive and fully formed without the interference of the (admittedly hilarious) video segments and commercials, and the attention to artistic detail shines through. In the final instalment of the featurette "Taint of Greatness: The Journey of Beavis and Butt-head,” Judge suggests that he was exhausted by the characters as early as the second season. Only contractual obligations kept these two dumb-asses coming back each year, as Judge felt stifled by the range of plotlines for the show. One can imagine the relief ambitious episodes such as Christmas shows "Huh-Huh-Humbug” and "It’s a Miserable Life” or TV spoof "Leave it to Beavis” must have brought Judge and his staff. Other anomalies such as "Sprout,” "A Great Day” and series finale "Beavis and Butt-head are Dead” are smart and endearing, revealing a show firing on all creative cylinders. It’s a long way from the crude "Frog Baseball,” which appears here in all of its uncut glory. This collection captures Beavis and Butt-head at their best and, as expected, Mike Judge has put a lot of thought into this amazing set. Plus: "Letters to Santa Butt-head,” promos, interviews, press conferences, interactive link, more.