TURN-ONS AND TURN-OFFS IN CURENT HOME ENTERTAINMENT RELEASES : VIDEOCASSETTES

“William Alexander’s Oil Painting Techniques.” Simitar. $19.95. Alexander is to painting what Ruth Westheimer is to sex. The clown prince of TV art teachers has a jocular personality and slapdash but useful method so appealing that his limitations (landscapes only) aren’t too worrisome. What is worrisome is this video’s deceptive packaging, which says in small print “featuring Diane Andre,” but nowhere indicates that Alexander merely introduces this dull substitute teacher’s unedifying lesson. And there are no other Alexander videos in the company’s line. Caveat dabbler. Information: (612) 829-0155.