Welcome Back Kotter, Drew Carey Show and Night Court TV Favorites on Feb 28

[Pavan]

We broke this to you on Monday and now it is official!


WELCOME BACK KOTTER,

THE DREW CAREY SHOWAND NIGHT COURT

AVAILABLE ON DVD FEBRUARY 28, 2006

FROM WARNER HOME VIDEO



Value-priced TV Compilations will be Released in the Second Wave of

Warner Home Video’s ‘TV Favorites’ Series


DVDs Feature Some of Today’s Hottest Stars Including

John Travolta, Drew Carey and Others



BURBANK, CA (December 14, 2005) – TV viewers will soon become reacquainted with the “Sweathogs,” find out why “Cleveland rocks” and experience Manhattan’s craziest courtroom when Warner Home Video releases the second wave of its compilation series, ‘TV Favorites,’ on February 28, 2006. Featured titles include Welcome Back Kotter, The Drew Carey Show and Night Court. Each DVD will be competitively priced at $9.97 (SRP) and will feature a collection of six of the best episodes from a given series.

“We think ‘TV Favorites’ is a terrific way to sample some of the best programming television has to offer. The DVDs offer consumers a quick, simple and economical way to enjoy some of television’s most outstanding shows,” commented Rosemary Markson, WHV Executive Director TV Marketing. She added, “Whether you’ve missed a certain show during its original run or you’re a diehard fan of another one, you can’t go wrong with these DVDs. They are wonderful collectibles because they feature the series’ best and most popular episodes, which were carefully chosen to comprise these compilations.”

‘TV Favorites’ is a collection of classic and contemporary television compilations, showcasing many episodes that are on DVD for the first time. Each ‘TV Favorites’ featured title will include approximately 150 minutes of content consisting of six fan favorite and/or pivotal episodes from multiple seasons of each program. Fans can look forward to a third wave of ‘TV Favorites’ in June 2006 that will include a mix of genres from both new and vintage titles at the same value price of $9.97.

Fans will recall such memorable catchphrases as “up your nose with a rubber hose” and “I said, ba-ba-ba-ba-Barino…” when they take a time-trip back to the wide lapels and bell bottoms of the ‘70s in one of that decade’s biggest comedy hits, Welcome Back Kotter. Available for the first time ever on DVD, Welcome Back Kotter: TV Favorites follows the life of teacher and former “Sweathog” Gabe Kotter (Gabriel Kaplan). Kotter returns to his former high school to teach the same remedial class in which he had been a student himself as a teenager. Still referred to as the “Sweathogs,” the lovable losers and delinquents of Buchanan High accept their new teacher as they provide a nonstop string of laughs. Welcome Back Kotter is an Emmy-nominated series, which originally aired on ABC from September 1975 to May 1979. The show launched the career of John Travolta, who portrayed the role of heartthrob Vinnie Barbarino. The series also starred Lawrence Washington as the always cool Freddie “Boom-Boom” Washington, Robert Hegyes as the tough Juan (Luis Pedro Phillipo de Huevos) Epstein, Ron Pallilo as the sheepish Arnold Dingfelder Horshak, Marcia Strassman as Julie Kotter and John Sylvester White as Mr. Michael Woodman.


Episodes featured on Welcome Back Kotter: TV Favorites include:

One Flu Over the Cuckoo’s Nest – Season 1 (aired April 5, 1976)
Father Vinnie – Season 1 (aired April 26, 1976)
Sweatside Story – Season 2 (aired October 7, 1976)
I’m Having Their Baby – Season 2 (aired February 24, 1977)
The De-Programming of Arnold Horshack – Season 3 (aired October 20, 1977)
Goodbye, Mr. Kripps – Season 3 (aired March 9, 1978)



Available for the first time ever on DVD, Drew Carey: TV Favorites focuses on Drew Carey, your everyday blue-collar guy who’s struggling through life’s ups and downs with his closest friends, Oswald, Lewis and Kate. Stuck in the same job for ten years, Drew performs a balancing act between sucking up to his boss and doing his best to irritate his annoying co-worker Mimi. When he’s not at work, he’s trying to have some success in the romance department and indulging in a few of his own beers he brews in his garage with his friends. The series which originally aired on ABC from September 1995 to September 2004, starred Drew Carey, Ryan Stiles, Diedrich Bader, Kathy Kinney, Craig Ferguson, Christa Miller Lawrence and Kevin Pollak. Episodes featured on the DVD include guest appearances by Jamie Lee Curtis and model Brandy Ledford.


Episodes featured on Drew Carey: TV Favorites include:

Pilot – Season 1 (aired September 13, 1995)
Playing a Unified Field – Season 1 (aired February 14, 1996)
We’ll Remember Always, Evaluation Day – Season 2 (aired September 18, 1996)
Drew Blows His Promotion – Season 2 (aired February 15, 1997)
My Best Friend’s Wedding – Season 3 (aired May 20, 1998)
DrugCo – Season 4 (aired March 3, 1999)



Night Court: TV Favorites follows the exploits of Judge Harry T. Stone who presides over the New York City night court. The cases that come before Judge Stone are always a little bit silly, but it’s up for debate whether his motley crew of staff or the criminals for whom he dispenses justice are more bizarre. Viewers will enjoy the chaos that made this hilarious 80’s sitcom one of the top shows of its time. The series, which originally aired on NBC January 1984 to May 1992 was nominated for an Emmy in the Outstanding Comedy Series category. Night Court starred Harry Anderson, John Larroquette, Richard Moll, Karen Austin, Paula Kelly, Selma Diamond, Charles Robinson, Markie Post and Marsha Warfield. Teri Hatcher (Desperate Housewives) makes a guest appearance in an episode entitled Who Was that Mashed Man?.



Episodes featured on Night Court: TV Favorites include:

All You Need is Love – Season 1 (aired January 4, 1984)
Her Honor, Part 1 – Season 4 (aired April 29, 1987)
Her Honor, Part 2 – Season 4 (aired May 6, 1987)
Death of a Bailiff – Season 5 (aired October 15, 1987)
Who Was that Mashed Man? – Season five (aired November 19, 1987)
Fire – Season 6 (aired November 2, 1988)


A comprehensive online campaign will support the second wave of ‘TV Favorites.’ targeting the TV viewer enthusiasts with websites such as TVGuide.com and ClassicTVHits.com. In addition, merchandisers will be provided to retailers for multiple display options, including A-frames and counter displays.

[ClassicTVGal]

Yes! Thanks for the update, Pav! Man, Only 2 parts of "Her Honor"? Bleh! I am sooo thrilled to see "Fire" though!

[Pavan]

http://www.hometheaterforum.com/htfo...hreadid=247462 Please read this thread if there are any of you out there that won't support this release. If you are a fan, then buy this set, because season sets will continue if this sells well. If people don't buy the set thinking that it won't make a difference and won't guarantee season sets, then you're wrong.

[nitcrt1]

Thanks for the info, Pav. Looking at the episodes, I just wondered...who the heck out this list together? I most certainly will buy it. I bought the first season, but why would you put the pilot episode on the "Best of DVD" when it's already available. Also, I can see them putting a two part episode on the best of but why would they put an episode with four parts on it? Granted "Her Honor" was a great episode, but I don't know if I'd tease consumers like that. It could be a good idea, because people may want to see more, but I'm not sure. I do applaud them putting "Who Was That Mashed Man?" on there. That was a classic! I love just remembering Mac's line, "What's a matter, Dan, Kitty got your tongue?" Also, good marketing idea capitalizing on the "Desperate Housewives" angle with Terri Hatcher. "Fire" and "Death of A Bailiff" were also good choices. I did think they'd put at least one of the "Day In The Life...." episodes. Those were classic too. The price will definitely be right this time. It most certainly is more reasonable. Let's try and market it a bit better though.

[nitcrt1]

Thanks for the info, Pav. Looking at the episodes, I just wondered...who the heck put this list together? I most certainly will buy it. I bought the first season, but why would you put the pilot episode on the "Best of DVD" when it's already available. Also, I can see them putting a two part episode on the best of but why would they put an episode with four parts on it? Granted "Her Honor" was a great episode, but I don't know if I'd tease consumers like that. It could be a good idea, because people may want to see more, but I'm not sure. I do applaud them putting "Who Was That Mashed Man?" on there. That was a classic! I love just remembering Mac's line, "What's a matter, Dan, Kitty got your tongue?" Also, good marketing idea capitalizing on the "Desperate Housewives" angle with Terri Hatcher. "Fire" and "Death of A Bailiff" were also good choices. I did think they'd put at least one of the "Day In The Life...." episodes. Those were classic too. The price will definitely be right this time. It most certainly is more reasonable. Let's try and market it a bit better though.

[McFly121]

Yeah, lame-brained "Her Honor" 1 and 2 but not 3 and 4. Marketing ploy will split fans. I'll buy that disc if it's five bucks, otherwise, eh.

That's the thing though...if they just released season 2 in it's entirety, I'm there. Warner, you're so close to doing right.

[ekkostar]

Why not a 2 parter like Dan's Operation or at least put the episode Giving Thanks on there?

Putting only 2 parts of Her Honor on there is kind of stupid.

[jesterstear]

Sorry, but I don't agree with that "buying the best of releases will encourage more season sets" crap.

Here's the plain facts. Apparently season 1 of Night Court did not sell well enough to merit a release of season 2. If the "best of" set sells well, it will send the message to the studio that "best of" sets are more popular than season sets. The simple truth is that season sets are dead. I'm not going to buy a garbage release that I do not want, and only encourage the studio to put out more garbage. If they don't want to release the item that I wish to spend my hard-earned money on, I'll buy a less than legal version or I'll download episodes and make my own DVD's. I'd much rather pay the studio for the eps, but if they're not going to sell me what I want to buy, what else can I do?

[McFly121]

Exactly what I'm doing, tivo'ing off TV Land for free and now have all but 10 or so eps. If Warner's finally puts them out, I'm there. Otherwise, why bother.

As pricey as it would be for studios, I think they should put out three or at least two seasons at a time of shows. Most fans don't like a show's entire run, so offering different years would be better.

[HaskellGirl]

If the NightCourt sales are HUGE...then I can see them putting out each season. Case in point, the X-Files. Now, they did indeed put out each season. But the sales were so huge that this past year, they released "best of" dvds that fit a particular storyline. Now they are re-releasing all the seasons with more extras.

But of course, I don't think Night Court will ever be that huge moneymaker. I just don't see how shows like Gastineau Girls are on season 3 for dvd, and we aren't even getting a season 2 of Night Court.

[robyrob]

Originally Posted by jesterstear

Sorry, but I don't agree with that "buying the best of releases will encourage more season sets" crap.

Warner SAYS right in the press release that even if the "Favorites" sets sell well it will not guarantee any future season set releases - and I agree with you, the more "Favorites" they sell, the LESS likely it is that we will see ANY more season set releases

...and I would rather waste my money buying a second copy of Season 1 to support the show than by wasting it on a "Favorites" set

[DeafAngel]

Originally Posted by robyrob

...and I would rather waste my money buying a second copy of Season 1 to support the show than by wasting it on a "Favorites" set

Same here...

[TJ]

Read our review of Night Court - Television Favorites here:
http://www.sitcomsonline.com/nightco...dvdreview.html