Just received the season two DVD's, there are a few negatives to report.

First off, the packaging used for this season is far inferior to that of season one. Gone are the nice, individual slip cases. They are replaced by a single cheap looking plastic case which stores the five DVD's inside. And the DVD's themselves are bland and generic looking, all of them have a black label. Season one has different color labels on the DVD's. Also gone are the episode introduction narratives by Jim Nabors, we get nothing this time. And worst of all, apparently a few season two episodes have been edited and there are some scenes that have been cut from the DVD.

So all in all, season two looks like a bare bones release. A far comedown from season one to be sure. I don't know if CBS plans to issue more seasons of Gomer Pyle. If they do and continue to release the seasons in this cheap and inferior fashion, season two will be the last season I'll buy.

Well that sucks!!! :mad:

Yea, it does suck. I don't mind that much that there are no bonus features this time, I am generally only interested in the episodes themselves. What's bad is the cheap packaging and a couple episodes are cut versions. That is inexcusable to put cut episodes on the DVD. From the looks of the running times on the DVD, the episodes GOMER UNTRAINS A DOG and GOMER CAPTURES A SUBMARINE are cut versions. The other episodes I think are uncut, although a few others run a little under 25 minutes.

Another thing, on the back of the DVD case it says "Music has been changed for this home entertainment version." I don't know what they're talking about, I'm not an expert on the show but I've watched a few of these season two eps on the DVD and I haven't noticed anything odd or out of place regarding the music in the episodes. The opening and closing credits all have the familiar Gomer Pyle theme.

New information: Someone posted on Amazon.com that the scenes cut from GOMER UNTRAINS A DOG are the parts where Gomer sings a song to the dog. There's a scene cut in the middle of the episode and the whole ending/tag scene is cut also. So it sounds like they lost the rights to whatever song Gomer is singing there, and had to cut it from the episode. That is totally ridiculous for someone to make an issue over a song. As far as the background music in the episodes, someone posted that yes some of it has been changed but since I'm not all that familiar with the episodes as they originally were- it all sounds OK and natural to me.

so far I am pleased I have watched two discs I wish JN would have narrated more clips from his show.

I like the episodes too, but knowing that a couple episodes are cut takes away from the enjoyment of the whole season.

Gomer's response to the cut episodes on the second season DVD's would likely be: "What a mean thang. What a mean thang tuh doo."

New information: Someone posted on Amazon.com that the scenes cut from GOMER UNTRAINS A DOG are the parts where Gomer sings a song to the dog. There's a scene cut in the middle of the episode and the whole ending/tag scene is cut also. So it sounds like they lost the rights to whatever song Gomer is singing there, and had to cut it from the episode. That is totally ridiculous for someone to make an issue over a song.

With all due respect, I have to take issue with your comment about someone taking issue over a song. It may very well be that the publisher, or whomever holds the rights might have gotten greedy or just been plain uncooperative.

It also might be that just who held what rights is an unanswered question and the DVD producers decided it would be easier to cut the number than face the possiblity of litigation in future, sort of a "premptive strike."

Finally, it could be that the DVD folks were unwilling to offer any kind of reasonable compensation in exchange for using the music. After all, we're noticing a trend of higher prices, cheaper packaging and nasty shortcuts like syndicated (cut) episodes and music alteration, right?

I agree with you completely that such changes are despicable! In fact, I've decided against buying some sets for that very purpose (which really hurt in some cases!) and I don't see any other way of making the distributors shape up but to take my money and walk.

As much as I dread the news, I do appreciate that DVD packages are starting to put messages on the back about changes. I can understand that in some cases, uncut episodes in viewable condition might be an impossibility, but I sure would further appreciate it if the DVD distributors would provide some explanation as to why such changes exist...

Most of all, I appreciate people like you who clue the rest of us in on the content of these packages, flaws and all, because it helps us decide which to invest in and which to pass on!

The way I see it- If they were able to film the episode using the song in question, then they should be able to put the entire episode on the DVD. I don't understand why there apparently are some music issues with the Gomer Pyle episodes. And looking over the episodes on the Gomer Pyle season one DVD's, a few of those episodes may be cut as well because a couple of them run a little short. There are similar problems with the I Dream Of Jeannie DVD's. They edited out bits and pieces of a few episodes on the DVD. It is totally ridiculous.

I am glad Gomer Pyle came out on DVD, it's been a long time since I've seen the show on TV and it's good to see the episodes again. But the studio gave the fans the shaft by chopping up some of the episodes. It takes away from the enjoyment of the whole thing. Overall, season one is the better release. Nice packaging, there are bonus features and episode introductions by Jim Nabors. In comparison, season two is packaged together cheaply. There are no bonus features and no episode introductions by Jim Nabors. The audio and video quality in both seasons is good. Season one is in black and white and season two is in color.

The way I see it- If they were able to film the episode using the song in question, then they should be able to put the entire episode on the DVD. I don't understand why there apparently are some music issues with the Gomer Pyle episodes. And looking over the episodes on the Gomer Pyle season one DVD's, a few of those episodes may be cut as well because a couple of them run a little short. There are similar problems with the I Dream Of Jeannie DVD's. They edited out bits and pieces of a few episodes on the DVD. It is totally ridiculous.

I am glad Gomer Pyle came out on DVD, it's been a long time since I've seen the show on TV and it's good to see the episodes again. But the studio gave the fans the shaft by chopping up some of the episodes. It takes away from the enjoyment of the whole thing. Overall, season one is the better release. Nice packaging, there are bonus features and episode introductions by Jim Nabors. In comparison, season two is packaged together cheaply. There are no bonus features and no episode introductions by Jim Nabors. The audio and video quality in both seasons is good. Season one is in black and white and season two is in color.

There are 2 things going on with the above message;
1.The way I see it- If they were able to film the episode using the song in question, then they should be able to put the entire episode on the DVD.

This is an opinion. I share it .

2. I don't understand why there apparently are some music issues with the Gomer Pyle episodes.

Here's what: these eps were made 42 years ago and the deals worked out with rights in regard to using music have long since vanished-TV Producers were just starting to understand the profitable nature of syndication in 1965, but there was no way to see ahead to DVD collections, therefore all deals had to be struck again, and any number of obstacles (mentioned in my last post here) could have prevented themselves.

Finally, the way I see it is: Big business has become so consumer-unfriendly and profit-driven that the legal system has become as gridlocked and pretzel-twisted as the U.S. freeway systems!

As I said, Lee G., I'm with you-I just hope I was able to shed some light on what you were having trouble understanding.