OK, friends - has anyone viewed the fist season DVD from 'Shout'? If so, what do you honestly think of the release "quality wise" - the editing, the audio, color, etc.?

I ask this before I purchase because a few months ago I almost purchased the first season of 'Rhoda' which was released on DVD by Shout. The reviews have been pretty bad about the quality - the editing, the color, the audio - everything! It was recommended fans save their money because the quality was so bad. This surprised some fans of Shout, but some said they expected this (some other DVDs by Shout were of poor quality). At this time, I have decided to pass on 'Rhoda'.

So what's the verdict with "Designing Women"?

Each episode is 23-24 minutes, the definite standard for the 1980s, probably nothing edited. Only thing I noticed changed is they removed "Isnt she Lovely" playing during the second episode end credits, and play the theme song instead. Video and audio is good quality :)

Is "Old Spouses Never Die" in its full one hour format or split into 2?

It's all together as an hour-long ep. That was a nice touch, I'd never seen it that way before.

- Kristen

There are some flaws in the sound of the Designing Women Reunion though.
On several occasions you can hear the noise of a cellphone taking signal close to the microphones, and some crackling noises towards the end, but its only in the extra. Probably someone on the set who forgot to turn it off.

Overall the quality is pretty good, but i noticed a small visual issue---did anyone notice some big red streaks in the background of some episodes? it's not so bad that it distracts from the episode but if you happen to spot it it's a bit jarring. It appears in the background where a red streak appears on some of the extras. In one scene it appeared as though an extra in the background had a red patch on his coat but it was just a visual issue with the color.

I personally knew it was going to be good because The Shout! factory usually produces good things. they produced Ozzie and Harriot collection DVD's and they were really good. I will always recommend that company for TV show DVD's.

I personally knew it was going to be good because The Shout! factory usually produces good things. they produced Ozzie and Harriot collection DVD's and they were really good. I will always recommend that company for TV show DVD's.

I agree i bought Blossom and Punky Brewster from SHOUT! and they always produce very excellent sets. i am going to purchase California Dreams next.

I'm on disk 2 so far, and I haven't noticed any problems. I find the shows very well intact and in fine shape.

Thannx everyone - I'm glad to hear these positive comments. Maybe Shout! just had some problems with the RHODA master tapes or something, but the reviews for that DVD release a few months ago were rather bad.

Thannx everyone - I'm glad to hear these positive comments. Maybe Shout! just had some problems with the RHODA master tapes or something, but the reviews for that DVD release a few months ago were rather bad.

Shout! did with Rhoda what it could. It's what they had to work with. Had it been some other company, they would've had the same problem. I personally think that the first season of Rhoda isn't as bad as people say it is. Yes, it is a drag, but it's either that or nothing. I'm hoping that, should other seasons come about, it won't happen again, but as long as there are further releases...

As for the first season release of Designing Women, I am absolutely in love with it. A lot of love was put into it. None of the episodes are edited and they really look superb. There is slight blurriness in the first few episodes, particularly the pilot, but that's not the fault of Shout! but rather the fact that those shows were recorded on cheaper film stock. This is how they appeared in primetime and how they continue to appear in syndication. No way around that, but it's not like it's unwatchable.

An impressive first season effort, and I'm thrilled that Season 2 is just around the corner. I just hope that sales on both sets make Shout! feel that further releases of the series are warranted. So if anyone is sitting on the fence about whether they should purchase either set, please don't do so any longer. They are definitely worth the price of purchase for any fan of the show. If you want to ensure more seasons coming out, do your part and pick up the sets (if you're able to financially that is) as soon as possible. You'll be glad you did...


Ed