A consumer’s guide to the best and...

A consumer’s guide to the best and worst of sports media and merchandise. Ground rules: If it can be read, played, heard, observed, worn, viewed, dialed or downloaded, it’s in play here.

What: “NBA Courtside Comedy” video.

Price: $14.98

There seems only one way to describe the thrill of seeing Shaquille O’Neal dive for a loose ball and slide into your living room:

The novelty has worn off.

In an age when Fred Roggin has built a career out of quirky sports happenings and bloopers, and one in which a staple of evening television is “America’s Funniest Home Videos,” it is not surprising that so many blooper videos are on the market.

So many that they can be had virtually free. Lots show up every year as a Sports Illustrated marketing promotion or in the “Clearance Sale!” bin.

And most of the material ends up as a feel-good segment on a pregame show or a weekly sports wrap-up show.

Unfortunately, such is the case with the material on the “NBA Courtside Comedy” video.

Say what you will about Charles Barkley, but he’s still the most interesting personality in the NBA. And he provides the best moments in the video’s dialogue segment with his chiding of Knick announcers for calling the Houston Rockets an old team, and general teasing of referees and opponents.

There are also a few glimpses of Michael Jordan’s taunting and, pleasingly, his playfulness with teammates at the 1996 All-Star game.

But most of clips are more familiar than family pictures, as are the accompanying sound effects, the music and the most modern annoyance of all--the sound bite.

To paraphrase singer Billy Bragg: The whole thing is so tired, if it were a horse it would be shot.

That is not to blame host announcer Ahmad Rashad, who is affable, even if his charm is a bit overexposed. I found myself waiting to see if and when Rashad would show a blooper of himself.

I won’t spoil it for you by telling the answer.