I want to buy the complete series by Shout!. What do you say? Are you satisfied or not? I'm not so sure because I read several reviews of people complaining about the quality of sound and video and that many episodes are edited or had sound problems. Do you recommend it?

Sometimes i wish i had bought the whole DVD set, but by the time i was interested it wasn't even out yet (only 1+2 combo, 3, 4 and 5) and so i ended up buying them all separately.

I did find the video on my combined Season 1 & 2 DVD was better than Shout versions. Also some of the later seasons were not as good of quality as my Seasons 1 & 2 DVD. You would think they had better technology in filming in the late 80s than they did in 1979-81.

But I bought the series for it's quantity rather than it's quality. The difference doesn't really scream "bad", but you can see it on large screen TVs or monitors.

Sometimes i wish i had bought the whole DVD set, but by the time i was interested it wasn't even out yet (only 1+2 combo, 3, 4 and 5) and so i ended up buying them all separately.

At least you have five good seasons, Valentina. Do you recommend it?

I did find the video on my combined Season 1 & 2 DVD was better than Shout versions. Also some of the later seasons were not as good of quality as my Seasons 1 & 2 DVD. You would think they had better technology in filming in the late 80s than they did in 1979-81.

But I bought the series for it's quantity rather than it's quality. The difference doesn't really scream "bad", but you can see it on large screen TVs or monitors.


Thanks for the answer. So, do you recommend me separate seasons instead of Shout version?

Thanks for the answer. So, do you recommend me separate seasons instead of Shout version?

Getting the separate seasons is a lot more expensive, at least it is the US. Plus you don't get the Paley Center interview, the "Girls School" Different Strokes back door pilot, and perhaps the movies.

At least you have five good seasons, Valentina. Do you recommend it?



I got almost all the FOL DVDs but like i said, i got them all separately: i bought 1+2 combo, 3, 4 & 5 in 2011 (i didn't pay for it cos i got it as a birthday gift and i used a voucher online to buy it).
Now in 2020 (almost 10 years later) and within the last couple of months during the 'Lock down', i got season 6, 8 & 9 (minus 7) paying it myself.

Of course now i wish i had waited: i obviously don't have the Paley center interview from 'Lost girls' DS back door pilot, nor the movies (except for the PARIS one cos it was included in season 4)

:so:so:so:so:so:so:so:so:so:so:so:so:so:so:so:

I want to buy the complete series by Shout!. What do you say? Are you satisfied or not? I'm not so sure because I read several reviews of people complaining about the quality of sound and video and that many episodes are edited or had sound problems. Do you recommend it?

There's two known episodes for sure edited. The Graduate in season 7 has the scenes of Tootie singing "Ease on Down The Road" edited out. They actually did pretty well trimming that out so the episode isn't messed up. Bus Stop from season 6 is also edited. I don't know if the master copy is even around because streaming services that have the show only provide the 22 minute version to be seen.

The quality isn't as good as what Sony released. This has been discussed in the thread about the complete series set. (https://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/showthread.php?t=326751) I think it's worth the buy just to have the episodes and the two TV movies they made. There's also the pilot and the Paley interview included. If you're a big fan of the show, I recommend getting it. Since you bought the reunion movie, the complete series set would be an improvement :p

There's two known episodes for sure edited. The Graduate in season 7 has the scenes of Tootie singing "Ease on Down The Road" edited out. They actually did pretty well trimming that out so the episode isn't messed up. Bus Stop from season 6 is also edited. I don't know if the master copy is even around because streaming services that have the show only provide the 22 minute version to be seen.

The quality isn't as good as what Sony released. This has been discussed in the thread about the complete series set. (https://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/showthread.php?t=326751) I think it's worth the buy just to have the episodes and the two TV movies they made. There's also the pilot and the Paley interview included. If you're a big fan of the show, I recommend getting it. Since you bought the reunion movie, the complete series set would be an improvement :p


Thanks for the answer, Christopher! Yes, I bought Reunion dubbed in Italian but I want to buy the complete set. I found the Shout box on amazon for 90 dollars, unfortunately Sony seasons 4 and 5 are not available. I don't know, is Shout quality so bad?

Thanks for the answer, Christopher! Yes, I bought Reunion dubbed in Italian but I want to buy the complete set. I found the Shout box on amazon for 90 dollars, unfortunately Sony seasons 4 and 5 are not available. I don't know, is Shout quality so bad?

The quality is not bad.

Thanks for the answer, Christopher! Yes, I bought Reunion dubbed in Italian but I want to buy the complete set. I found the Shout box on amazon for 90 dollars, unfortunately Sony seasons 4 and 5 are not available. I don't know, is Shout quality so bad?

Sony stopped releasing the series after season 3. I guess sales weren't what they were hoping for. That's when Shout took over. The quality is ok. It's not crisp like Sony's releases but it's not so terrible. They could have cleaned up some of the episodes but chose not to. It's what we have though for a complete release so I recommend buying it. It's the best DVD purchase I made because I watch the show a lot everyday.

Thanks for the answer, Christopher! Yes, I bought Reunion dubbed in Italian but I want to buy the complete set. I found the Shout box on amazon for 90 dollars, unfortunately Sony seasons 4 and 5 are not available. I don't know, is Shout quality so bad?



Hi FOL FAN ITA!!!!

The quality from Shout season 5 and 6 is actually pretty good: i only got season 1+2 Combo & 3 from Sony(they don't make any other seasons by the looks of it).

I also got 6, 8 & 9 from Shout and the quality is superb!!!!

:birthday::birthday::birthday::birthday::birthday::birthday::birthday::birthday:

Sony stopped releasing the series after season 3. I guess sales weren't what they were hoping for. That's when Shout took over. The quality is ok. It's not crisp like Sony's releases but it's not so terrible. They could have cleaned up some of the episodes but chose not to. It's what we have though for a complete release so I recommend buying it. It's the best DVD purchase I made because I watch the show a lot everyday.




I think you and i are the only ones who watch at least one episode of FOL every day lol!!!!!patriot:patriot:patriot:patriot:patriot:patriot:patriot:patriot:patriot:patriot:

Thank you so much for your answers, 80s, Christopher and Valentina.
So Sony published only the earlier seasons. I always thought they published all nine seasons and then Shout created the complete box.

Thank you so much for your answers, 80s, Christopher and Valentina.
So Sony published only the earlier seasons. I always thought they published all nine seasons and then Shout created the complete box.

Retro brought it to our attention Sony's release of season 1 had an edited episode. I noticed they also cut out the "last time" segments on the two parters. I'm glad Sony didn't release the rest of the series. They probably would have cut more episodes than the two Shout released. Shout did a better release on the series IMO. The two parters that aired as one episode and movies are in their original format instead of broken up.

Retro brought it to our attention Sony's release of season 1 had an edited episode. I noticed they also cut out the "last time" segments on the two parters. I'm glad Sony didn't release the rest of the series. They probably would have cut more episodes than the two Shout released. Shout did a better release on the series IMO. The two parters that aired as one episode and movies are in their original format instead of broken up.



What episode from season 1 did they cut????? (i got the Combo 1+2 from Sony , and have never noticed anything)
....:wasntme::wasntme::wasntme::wasntme::wasntme::wasntme::wasntme::wasntme::wasntme:

What episode from season 1 did they cut????? (i got the Combo 1+2 from Sony , and have never noticed anything)
....:wasntme::wasntme::wasntme::wasntme::wasntme::wasntme::wasntme::wasntme::wasntme:

Overachieving has a scene with Nancy folding Tootie's clothes cut on the Sony release. It's on the Shout complete series release though.

Overachieving has a scene with Nancy folding Tootie's clothes cut on the Sony release. It's on the Shout complete series release though.



Oh no! Season 1 is my favourite of them all!!!!! (if SONY start cutting on every episode i'm screwed!!!!!)
:crybaby::crybaby::crybaby::crybaby::crybaby::crybaby::crybaby::crybaby::crybaby::crybaby::crybaby::crybaby:

Retro brought it to our attention Sony's release of season 1 had an edited episode. I noticed they also cut out the "last time" segments on the two parters. I'm glad Sony didn't release the rest of the series. They probably would have cut more episodes than the two Shout released. Shout did a better release on the series IMO. The two parters that aired as one episode and movies are in their original format instead of broken up.

Thanks. Yeah, I noticed while watching "Overachieving" that something was cut. I was like, "Where was Nancy's big scene?! Where's her part!?"

(Of course, it's not truly a big scene, but it's big... for Nancy. :lol:)

I suspect Sony must have accidentally used a syndication print for the episode.

Thanks. Yeah, I noticed while watching "Overachieving" that something was cut. I was like, "Where was Nancy's big scene?! Where's her part!?"

(Of course, it's not truly a big scene, but it's big... for Nancy. :lol:)

I suspect Sony must have accidentally used a syndication print for the episode.



What do you mean by SYNDICATION PRINT being used accidentally???? (i thought the person in charge of cleaning and renovating the series on DVDs is supposed to check that everything is 100% accurate beforehand?)
:stupid::stupid::stupid::stupid::stupid::stupid::stupid::stupid::stupid::stupid::stupid::stupid:

Retro brought it to our attention Sony's release of season 1 had an edited episode. I noticed they also cut out the "last time" segments on the two parters. I'm glad Sony didn't release the rest of the series. They probably would have cut more episodes than the two Shout released. Shout did a better release on the series IMO. The two parters that aired as one episode and movies are in their original format instead of broken up.

I'm glad they didn't cut the two part episodes and the movies.

Guys, yesterday I ordered the box on Amazon. The delivery date is August 13th

Guys, yesterday I ordered the box on Amazon. The delivery date is August 13th




Well done FOL FAN ITA!!!!!! (let us know how the quality is when you receive it!)
I'm really happy for you!!!!!
:cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers:

Well done FOL FAN ITA!!!!!! (let us know how the quality is when you receive it!)
I'm really happy for you!!!!!
:cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers:

Sure! :wave:

What do you mean by SYNDICATION PRINT being used accidentally???? (i thought the person in charge of cleaning and renovating the series on DVDs is supposed to check that everything is 100% accurate beforehand?)
:stupid::stupid::stupid::stupid::stupid::stupid::stupid::stupid::stupid::stupid::stupid::stupid:
Mistakes will happen...

Mistakes will happen...

for sure

Hi everybody! The Dvd set arrived this morning, one week early :lol:.
The quality is pretty good for a show of 40 years ago.
I'm very happy now that I have the complete series and several bonus features!
Next on my list is Diff'rent Strokes seasons 1 and 2, to complete the Mrs. Garrett collection!

Hi everybody! The Dvd set arrived this morning, one week early :lol:.
The quality is pretty good for a show of 40 years ago.
I'm very happy now that I have the complete series and several bonus features!
Next on my list is Diff'rent Strokes seasons 1 and 2, to complete the Mrs. Garrett collection!

Congrats :dance:party: I have the season 1 & 2 combo of Diff'rent Strokes. I don't watch it as much. Diff'rent Strokes isn't like The Facts of Life. I can't seem to rewatch that show again like I do with FOL. It's nice having it though in case I ever do.

Hi everybody! The Dvd set arrived this morning, one week early :lol:.
The quality is pretty good for a show of 40 years ago.
I'm very happy now that I have the complete series and several bonus features!
Next on my list is Diff'rent Strokes seasons 1 and 2, to complete the Mrs. Garrett collection!




Well done FOL FAN ITA!!!!!

Did you buy it on Ebay or Amazon? (just wondering, cos i'v noticed that on Ebay it takes usually longer to come, rather than earlier).

i'v got DS season 1 (the last episode has got the pilot from FOL 'The girls school' on it): at the time i bought it, i didn't even know the pilot FOL was on it, it was pure coincidence.....
Now i wonder if i should get season 2 too (just for the sake of seeing MRS G as the housekeeper of the Drummonds on more episodes).

PS: is the episode 'The slumber party' (the one with the 'Lost girls') on it, by any chance?

:yeahthat:yeahthat:yeahthat:yeahthat:yeahthat:yeahthat:yeahthat:yeahthat:yeahthat:yeahthat

Congrats :dance:party: I have the season 1 & 2 combo of Diff'rent Strokes. I don't watch it as much. Diff'rent Strokes isn't like The Facts of Life. I can't seem to rewatch that show again like I do with FOL. It's nice having it though in case I ever do.

Same with me! I choose everyday Facts over DS, I want to buy the first two seasons just to complete the Mrs. Garrett collection (although she was in only 8 episodes of season 2)

Well done FOL FAN ITA!!!!!

Did you buy it on Ebay or Amazon? (just wondering, cos i'v noticed that on Ebay it takes usually longer to come, rather than earlier).

i'v got DS season 1 (the last episode has got the pilot from FOL 'The girls school' on it): at the time i bought it, i didn't even know the pilot FOL was on it, it was pure coincidence.....
Now i wonder if i should get season 2 too (just for the sake of seeing MRS G as the housekeeper of the Drummonds on more episodes).

PS: is the episode 'The slumber party' (the one with the 'Lost girls') on it, by any chance?

:yeahthat:yeahthat:yeahthat:yeahthat:yeahthat:yeahthat:yeahthat:yeahthat:yeahthat:yeahthat

I bought the set on Amazon. I never used Ebay :lol:. I have the same problem with season 2 of DS, Mrs. Garrett was in only 8 episodes that season, out of 26 episodes in total.
No, the only episode of DS on the box is the FOL pilot.

I bought the set on Amazon. I never used Ebay :lol:. I have the same problem with season 2 of DS, Mrs. Garrett was in only 8 episodes that season, out of 26 episodes in total.
No, the only episode of DS on the box is the FOL pilot.




The only reason i buy more on Ebay is because i use Paypal (Amazon doesn't give you that option to my knowledge) and it's cheaper....

popcorn:popcorn:popcorn:popcorn:popcorn:popcorn:popcorn:popcorn:popcorn:popcorn:popcorn:

Guys, the episodes of seasons 1 and 2 are great! The quality is very good. Seasons 4-9 and the movies are great too but the quality of 1 and 2 is better. Shout could have cleaned some episodes of s3 but I think it was the darker light (compared to s2 and s4) they used that year. Have you noticed that?

On my dvd Rough Housing is of 23 minutes while other episodes are of 24/25 min

Anyone knew if Rough Housing is of 23 min?

Anyone knew if Rough Housing is of 23 min?



I haven't really paid any attention about the timing, but i surely hope they didn't cut anything from it???? ('Rough housing' is my favourite episode from season 1, along with 'like mother, like daughter')

popcorn:popcorn:popcorn:popcorn:popcorn:popcorn:popcorn:popcorn:popcorn:

Anyone knew if Rough Housing is of 23 min?

I just checked, and yes, my Mill Creek copy of "Rough Housing" is 23:01 long.

I just checked, and yes, my Mill Creek copy of "Rough Housing" is 23:01 long.

Thanks Retro! So, Rough Housing is of 23 minutes. I thought I had an edited version on my dvd set. It's one of my favorite episodes of season 1, followed by I.Q and The Return of Mr. Garrett

Thanks Retro! So, Rough Housing is of 23 minutes. I thought I had an edited version on my dvd set. It's one of my favorite episodes of season 1, followed by I.Q and The Return of Mr. Garrett

Rough Housing and IQ are among my favorites of the season, as well. Return of Mr. Garrett, not so much.

If i had to pick an episode as least favourite in season, i'll chose 'DIETING': the topic is interesting but it was a slow episode!

Most favourites remain 'ROUGH HOUSING' & 'LIKE MOTHER, LIKE DAUGHTER[/B'!

But overall i love ALL the episodes on [B]season 1!

My least favorite of Season 1 was Like Mother, Like Daughter.

My least favorite of Season 1 was Like Mother, Like Daughter.



Really? But that was an all BLAIR episode, and it was the first 'heart to heart' talk she had with MRS G! (i thought it was heartwarming to see how well they bonded lol!).

To me it is 'Like mother, like daughter' is definitely one of the best: BLAIR delivers a great performance, and we see MONICA (prototype MONICA, but still) for the first time!

:yeahthat:yeahthat:yeahthat:yeahthat:yeahthat:yeahthat:yeahthat:yeahthat:yeahthat

Adoption is my least fav

Adoption and Dope are my least favorite of season 1

Adoption and Dope are my least favorite of season 1




Wow i can't believe you either!!!:confused::confused::confused:

DOPE is another one of my favourite: TUMPY delivers a great performance, and we get to see a rebellious side of BLAIR!!!! (and SUE ANN too!) Not to mention how sassy TOOTIE is in it lol!

:dance::dance::dance::dance::dance::dance::dance::dance::dance::dance::dance:

Yeah, "Dope" is dope!

I've seen "Dope" get placed in the top 10 episodes of the entire series on several people's lists.

I don't like the atmosphere of that episode. Sue Ann smoking, the last episode of season 1 before the big changes, Mr. Bradley and Cindy, Nancy and Molly with no roles. It was good in its own way, and it discussed a very important subject.

I don't like the atmosphere of that episode. Sue Ann smoking, the last episode of season 1 before the big changes, Mr. Bradley and Cindy, Nancy and Molly with no roles. It was good in its own way, and it discussed a very important subject.

Actually Dope was taped in the middle of Season 1. For some reason they broadcast them in a different order than what they filmed them in.

Actually Dope was taped in the middle of Season 1. For some reason they broadcast them in a different order than what they filmed them in.

I wonder why NBC aired Dope out of production order. What was the
last episode taped for the season?

Actually Dope was taped in the middle of Season 1. For some reason they broadcast them in a different order than what they filmed them in.

No, "Dope" was the final episode taped and aired, as seen in the Production Guide (https://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/showthread.php?t=287307) hch put together:

Season 1 production dates (air dates in brackets)

01 - Rough Housing - 8/14/1979 [8/24/1979]
02 - Like Mother, Like Daughter - 8/28/1979 [8/31/1979]
03 - The Return of Mr. Garrett - 9/04/1979 [9/07/1979]
04 - I.Q. - 9/11/1979 [9/14/1979]

[hiatus]

05 - Overachieving - 12/04/1979 [3/12/1980]
06 - Emily Dickinson - 12/13/1979 [3/14/1980]
12 - Molly's Holiday - 12/20/1979 [taped again?] [6/04/1980]
07 - Dieting - 1/08/1980 [3/21/1980]
10 - Adoption - 2/12/1980 [4/25/1980]
11 - Running - 2/19/1980 [5/02/1980]
08 - The Facts of Love - 3/11/1980 [04/04/1980]
09 - Flash Flood - 3/25/1980 [4/11/1980]
13 - Dope - 4/01/1980 [6/11/1980]

It was "Molly's Holiday" that was taped in the middle and then aired near the end.

I don't like the atmosphere of that episode. Sue Ann smoking, the last episode of season 1 before the big changes, Mr. Bradley and Cindy, Nancy and Molly with no roles. It was good in its own way, and it discussed a very important subject.




Hi FOL FAN ITA!:wave::wave::wave:

I never thought of it that way but you're right: it was the last episode, and every time i watch it i get sad towards the end (no more SUE ANN, NANCY, CINDY and MOLLY and MR BRADLEY after that).....

:crybaby::crybaby::crybaby::crybaby::crybaby::crybaby::crybaby::crybaby::crybaby:

Hi Valentina. I have the same feeling with the episode The Apartment of s7. No more Mrs. G., the girls are preparing for the future etc.

Hi Valentina. I have the same feeling with the episode The Apartment of s7. No more Mrs. G., the girls are preparing for the future etc.



Yeah that too!

I know i'm not a big fan of season 7, but 'The apartment' is actually my favourite in that one: it's when we see how the 'Core of 4' have become inseparable, and the 'heart to heart' talk BLAIR has with TOOTIE, and JO with NAT is heartwarming, and in a way it also highlights the farewell from MRS G...... (no more 'feisty red haired' for long after that).

:baby::baby::baby::baby::baby::baby::baby::baby::baby::baby::baby::baby:

I bought the full series a few years ago. Best investment I've ever made. I've been wanting the full series on DVDs for decades. The quality is ok, the show was videotaped, so there is some graininess to the show. But it's just wonderful to have every episode and extras!

I bought the full series a few years ago. Best investment I've ever made. I've been wanting the full series on DVDs for decades. The quality is ok, the show was videotaped, so there is some graininess to the show. But it's just wonderful to have every episode and extras!




I was too impatient to wait so i bought them all separately: the quality is actually good (unlike the box set from what i'v heard).

:cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers:

I bought the full series a few years ago. Best investment I've ever made. I've been wanting the full series on DVDs for decades. The quality is ok, the show was videotaped, so there is some graininess to the show. But it's just wonderful to have every episode and extras!


Same! I'm so happy now that I have the complete box. I don't have to catch the show on tv or youtube anymore and I can watch it everytime I want to:lol:

I was too impatient to wait so i bought them all separately: the quality is actually good (unlike the box set from what i'v heard).

:cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers:

The quality is really good for a show of 40 years ago. I was very surprised. Only some episodes of season 3 need to be edited but they are okay!

Guys, I just got the copy of DS season 1. I need season 2 and the Mrs. Garrett collection will be finally completed! :lol:

My collection:

Guys, I just got the copy of DS season 1. I need season 2 and the Mrs. Garrett collection will be finally completed! :lol:



Hey you're back on board FOL FAN ITA, and you even have the books on FOL lol!

PS: are all these DVDs only DS or FOL too?

:wave::wave::wave::wave::wave::wave::wave::wave::wave::wave::wave:

Hey you're back on board FOL FAN ITA, and you even have the books on FOL lol!

PS: are all these DVDs only DS or FOL too?

:wave::wave::wave::wave::wave::wave::wave::wave::wave::wave::wave:

Hi, Valentina! I've been very busy at work the last few weeks.

I have both DS (season 1 and I'm going to buy season 2) and FOL (The shout set with the two movies and all nine seasons, and Reunion). And Charlotte and Kim's books too! :wave::wave:

Hi, Valentina! I've been very busy at work the last few weeks.

I have both DS (season 1 and I'm going to buy season 2) and FOL (The shout set with the two movies and all nine seasons, and Reunion). And Charlotte and Kim's books too! :wave::wave:



Yippee!!!!

:birthday::birthday::birthday::birthday::birthday::birthday::birthday::birthday: