Some people on this board are scratching their heads wondering why the first season of 227 was released on DVD. I have nothing aganst the show, but I understand why some question it's release before other shows that were bigger hits.

Here is my theory on the subject. It mostly has to do with Regina King's successful post 227 carrer. DVD distributers love to sell the notion that this is when so and so got his or her start.

Anyway, I think the fact that Regina King has gone on to have a successful movie carrer, has a lot to do with it's release. I don't think the show is released season by season (maybe they still do a Best of) on DVD, if King or anybody else on the show did not go on to a successful movie carrer.

They released the first season DVD around the same time Ray was released in theaters. Coincidence anyone?

Some people on this board are scratching their heads wondering why the first season of 227 was released on DVD. I have nothing aganst the show, but I understand why some question it's release before other shows that were bigger hits.

Here is my theory on the subject. It mostly has to do with Regina King's successful post 227 carrer. DVD distributers love to sell the notion that this is when so and so got his or her start.

Anyway, I think the fact that Regina King has gone on to have a successful movie carrer, has a lot to do with it's release. I don't think the show is released season by season (maybe they still do a Best of) on DVD, if King or anybody else on the show did not go on to a successful movie carrer.

They released the first season DVD around the same time Ray was released in theaters. Coincidence anyone?


I definitely think it's a coincidence. All the notierity (sp?) revolving around RAY has to do with Jamie Foxx's portrayal. Regina King has only gotten a fraction of attention based on her involvement in that movie. She wasn't extrememly prominent on 227, at that. I don't buy the idea that her movie career motivated this release. If that were the case, they would have at least had a full cast picture on the cover instead of just Marla and Jackee. If all Sony wanted to do was cash in on some Regina King connection, one would think they'd release a best-of to start out with than a full season set.

I never understood why The Steve Harvey show got released on DVD before shows that were wayyyyy bigger hits than that.

I definitely think it's a coincidence. All the notierity (sp?) revolving around RAY has to do with Jamie Foxx's portrayal. Regina King has only gotten a fraction of attention based on her involvement in that movie. She wasn't extrememly prominent on 227, at that. I don't buy the idea that her movie career motivated this release. If that were the case, they would have at least had a full cast picture on the cover instead of just Marla and Jackee. If all Sony wanted to do was cash in on some Regina King connection, one would think they'd release a best-of to start out with than a full season set.

:yeahthat

Bosom Buddies - Tom Hanks
Great Scott - Tobey Maguire
Living Dolls - Halle Berry (also starred Leah Remini)
St. Elsewhere - Denzel Washington
Duck Soup - Jim Carrey
Living Single - Queen Latifah
Hotel Malibu - Jennifer Lopez
Welcome Back Kotter - John Travolta

If someone's recent success in motion pictures meant studios would cash in by releasing their old shows on dvd, then these shows and more would have come out. Even if it's a short-lived show. These actors have all had much more successful movie careers than Regina King.

Tying it in with movies like Starsky & Hutch or Charlie's Angels is different. The one situation where I think it's true is when Sony released Significant Others because Jennifer Garner was on the show. Otherwise, I don't think that theory holds much weight. Though I would like for it to be true, because I'd like for Living Dolls to be released.

Yeah I would have thought Bosom Buddies would be released to capitalize on Tom Hanks' fame. I'm willing to be he'd even participate in extras for it if there were any

Bosom Buddies - Tom Hanks
Great Scott - Tobey Maguire
Living Dolls - Halle Berry (also starred Leah Remini)
St. Elsewhere - Denzel Washington
Duck Soup - Jim Carrey
Living Single - Queen Latifah
Hotel Malibu - Jennifer Lopez
Welcome Back Kotter - John Travolta

If someone's recent success in motion pictures meant studios would cash in by releasing their old shows on dvd, then these shows and more would have come out. Even if it's a short-lived show. These actors have all had much more successful movie careers than Regina King.

Tying it in with movies like Starsky & Hutch or Charlie's Angels is different. The one situation where I think it's true is when Sony released Significant Others because Jennifer Garner was on the show. Otherwise, I don't think that theory holds much weight. Though I would like for it to be true, because I'd like for Living Dolls to be released.

another example (even though it was from a cheapo company) is Lucky Chances with Jennifer Lopez, Platinum released that on DVD, but however promoted it as "Jennifer Lopez in..." when I remember seeing a few episodes of that show when it was on and she was merely a supporting player, it'd be like "Regina King IN 227" plastered on the box

In response to the initial post, "227" was indeed a major hit on TV. It was on the blockbuster Saturday nights back when that was a great TV night ("The Golden Girls", "Empty Nest", etc.), it was a hit with black and white audiences, was the first sitcom to showcase middle-class black characters, featured popular Marla Gibbs fresh from her "Jeffersons" run, and Jackee Harry took Sandra and ran with her, making her one of the most popular sitcom characters of the 1980s, so much so that she eventually became just "Jackee" after the show had soared so high, culminating in the first-ever Emmy win of a black actress for Best Supporting Actress.

It was hardly a "questionable" show to release.