Lewis, Lamb Chop on Video Menu

It’s hard to believe that Shari Lewis’ puppet pal Lamb Chop is 30 years old. Harder still, when you see Lewis, lovely as ever, to believe that it’s been 30 years since she began entertaining young and old alike with her quirky puppet creations.

Now Lewis has found a whole new generation to delight. Her first release for A&M; Video is “Lamb Chop in the Land of No Manners,” a combination of live action, puppetry and animation that’s far from the cloying etiquette lesson the title may suggest.

It’s as charming as all get out.

Cartoonist Mort Gerberg plays a big part here. With pen and ink, he illustrates Lamb Chop’s misadventures as Lewis, Lamb Chop and friends describe what happened when the naughty little puppet ran away to the Land of No Manners.

Life without manners is no picnic. The Dinoslobs--Belcher, Philth, Tantrum, Slobber and Bumper--are mean and gross, and rude children spend so much time quarreling, pushing and shoving that no one gets to play.

Lewis gives endearing, funny and salty voice to her puppets; Gerberg’s big lively drawings, some animated, are just right.

When it’s over, Gerberg shows Charley Horse and the audience how to draw Lamb Chop, and Lewis shows a clip of one of her first TV performances.

The tape is a pleasure for any age, as appealing as her previous video venture, “101 Things for Kids to Do,” released through Random House.

“Shari Lewis’ Lamb Chop in the Land of No Manners.” A&M; Video. Videocassette: $14.98; CD: $14.95; Audiocassette: $8.98 (all prices may vary). Information: (800) 888-5301.