DVD Request: "Perfect Strangers: The Complete Series" - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

stevearino · 11-23-2018, 10:59 PM

Dear To Whom It May Concern,

I have a proposal for SHOUT! Factory: to make a deal with Warner Bros. Home Entertainment for SHOUT! to issue a brand-new DVD compilation titled "Perfect Strangers: The Complete Series," a showcase of all 150 half-hour Episodes of the hit '80s sitcom "Perfect Strangers" available for the first time EVER on DVD 100% Complete, 100% Uncut, AND 100% Unedited, as originally aired on the ABC Television Network.

Created by Dale McCraven (a former staff writer for the '70s Garry Marshall-created ABC/Paramount sitcom "Mork & Mindy"), "Perfect Strangers" starred Bronson Pinchot and Mark Baker as, respectively, Balki Bartokomous and Larry Appleton. Larry, an aspiring Photojournalist, had just left Wisconsin to relocate to Chicago, Illinois, where, as an aspiring journalist, he worked for Donald "Twinkie" Twinkacetti (Ernie Sabella, futurely of Disney's "The Lion King"), a bit of a tyranny.

In the Pilot Episode telecast on March 25, 1986 at 8 P.M. ET (where the first 6 episodes aired in Spring 1986 every Tuesday night after "Who's the Boss"), Balki arrived at Larry's new apartment, having just left his native fictional Mediterreanean island of Mypos, with Balki hoping to get a job in Chicago as a professional Sheep Herder; though he didn't quite succeed over the course of the series' 7-year run, Balki came to love America as his very own home.

In September 1986, "Perfect Strangers" aired for the next 2 seasons on Wednesday nights at 8 P.M. ET on ABC leading in to the new Fall series "Head of the Class," where it would remain until moving, in March 1988, to Friday nights at 8 P.M. as lead-in to "Full House" before airing Friday nights at 9 from August 1989-January 1992.

In September 1987, at the start of the show's 2nd season, Balki and Larry left Twinkie behind to work at the fictional Chicago Chronicle, where Larry became a photojournalist for Harry Burns (Eugene Roche) while Balki worked in the mailroom for Mr. Sam Gorpley (Sam Anderson). Also introduced this season was Harriette Winslow (JoMarie Payton), the Elevator Operator who in Spring 1989 spun off into her own series: "Family Matters," with that series focusing on her family (at least initially) before becoming "The Steve Urkel Show."

"Perfect Strangers," meanwhile, soldiered on--airing Friday nights at 9 until February 1992, when ABC moved "Perfect Strangers" to Saturday nights at 9 P.M. ET as the lead-in to the long-running "Growing Pains," which would end its ABC run in April 1992 after 7 successful seasons despite being #27 out of 102 Prime-Time Network Series at the end of the Fall 1991 TV season.

In spite of poor ratings caused by the switch from Friday nights to Saturday nights, "Perfect Strangers" was renewed for a 7th and Final Season, which aired in July and August 1993 at 9 P.M. ET after "Step By Step."

In the hour-long Series Finale telecast on August 6, 1993 at 9 P.M. ET, "Perfect Strangers," which taped its Finale on August 28, 1992, less than a year before its original telecast, heralded the arrival of the by-this-time newlywed Larry and Balki, married respectively to Jennifer (Melanie Wilson) and Mary Anne (Rebeca Arthur), both professional stewardesses; at finale's end, Balki and Mary Anne became parents to Robespierre, while Larry and Jennifer welcomed Tucker, two cousins whom I'd love to see as adults in a reboot (which I'm doubtful will ever happen), but in the meantime, as the end credits rolled for the 150th and last time, the final curtain call occurred, ending with Mark Baker saying, "Thank you all for being with us. Good Night."

Since the Finale telecast, Syndicated reruns of "Perfect Strangers" have continued to flourish, thanks to USA Network, Nickelodeon, TV Land and most recently the ION Television Network, as well as local independent stations.

Throughout its run, "Perfect Strangers" was produced by Miller-Boyett Productions in association with Lorimar Television and is Syndicated/Distributed by Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution.

FYI: The original November 1985 Pilot for "Perfect Strangers" had Louie Anderson (yes, HIM, now on FX Networks' "Baskets") as Cousin Larry (originally Cousin Louie) Appleton, and the unaired Pilot is what I'd LOVE to see included as a Bonus Feature on "Perfect Strangers: The Complete Series."

Tentatively, I firmly suggest that SHOUT! Factory issue, for the first time ever on DVD, "Perfect Strangers: The Complete Series" on Tuesday, March 26, 2019, the 33rd Anniversary Week of the series' debut, in a 20-disc DVD set costing only $49.99 wherever DVDs are sold.

The 1st of the 20 Discs shall include the first 6 episodes from the Spring 1986 trial run, followed by Seasons 1-3 featuring 22 episodes each, with Discs 1 and 2 from each season containing 8 episodes, followed by the last 6 each season, with 8 episodes per disc of the 24-per season 4-6 DVD discs, with the final 6 episodes included as the 7th and Final Season of DVD discs plus the aforementioned 1985 Pilot featuring Louie Anderson as Cousin Larry.

Sincerely,
Steve Arino

tlc38tlc38 · 11-24-2018, 05:28 PM

Ain’t gonna happen. Just buy the individual seasons direct from Warner Archive. The price is high due to them having to clear music.

ph1l · 11-25-2018, 04:45 AM

Warner Brothers should be congratulated for not releasing syndicated or music edited episodes. The temptation must have been there. I hope they keep it up for the rest of the seasons.

tlc38tlc38 · 11-25-2018, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ph1l

Warner Brothers should be congratulated for not releasing syndicated or music edited episodes. The temptation must have been there. I hope they keep it up for the rest of the seasons.

So far they’ve only goofed once. It was on the season 3 set. They left the theme song off of one episode. To my knowledge, that’s the only mistake they’ve made.

ph1l · 12-02-2018, 04:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tlc38tlc38

So far they’ve only goofed once. It was on the season 3 set. They left the theme song off of one episode. To my knowledge, that’s the only mistake they’ve made.

I did notice that. If that's their only goof, I'll be happy.

Lorimar Television · 12-02-2018, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tlc38tlc38

So far they’ve only goofed once. It was on the season 3 set. They left the theme song off of one episode. To my knowledge, that’s the only mistake they’ve made.

Thats weird. I wonder how that happened?

JO Sweet Heart · 12-31-2018, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tlc38tlc38

So far they’ve only goofed once. It was on the season 3 set. They left the theme song off of one episode. To my knowledge, that’s the only mistake they’ve made.

I don't think that I even caught that. Which episode is it?

God bless you always!!!

Holly

ph1l · 01-06-2019, 05:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JO Sweet Heart

I don't think that I even caught that. Which episode is it?

God bless you always!!!

Holly

If I remember correctly it was "Sexual Harassment in Chicago"

delylahhunter · 04-04-2019, 09:02 PM

God, that would be wonderful. I would be the first to buy it no matter what the cost. This show is my inspiration. They did for Full House and a few other shows. Maybe it will happen.

Latka Gravas · 05-06-2019, 11:11 PM

The only way I would pay money for a complete series of PS (all 8 seasons) would be if they did a serious remaster on Seasons 1-2, so that they look as good as the Season 03 set. The Picture Quality on the old (2008) Seasons 1-2 DVD's are very poor, and they honestly look like VHS rips. However, the much newer S03 (and presumably beyond) sets are far better - and have obviously been remastered.

11-23-2018, 10:59 PM	#1
stevearino Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Oct 15, 2017 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 249	DVD Request: "Perfect Strangers: The Complete Series" Dear To Whom It May Concern, I have a proposal for SHOUT! Factory: to make a deal with Warner Bros. Home Entertainment for SHOUT! to issue a brand-new DVD compilation titled "Perfect Strangers: The Complete Series," a showcase of all 150 half-hour Episodes of the hit '80s sitcom "Perfect Strangers" available for the first time EVER on DVD 100% Complete, 100% Uncut, AND 100% Unedited, as originally aired on the ABC Television Network. Created by Dale McCraven (a former staff writer for the '70s Garry Marshall-created ABC/Paramount sitcom "Mork & Mindy"), "Perfect Strangers" starred Bronson Pinchot and Mark Baker as, respectively, Balki Bartokomous and Larry Appleton. Larry, an aspiring Photojournalist, had just left Wisconsin to relocate to Chicago, Illinois, where, as an aspiring journalist, he worked for Donald "Twinkie" Twinkacetti (Ernie Sabella, futurely of Disney's "The Lion King"), a bit of a tyranny. In the Pilot Episode telecast on March 25, 1986 at 8 P.M. ET (where the first 6 episodes aired in Spring 1986 every Tuesday night after "Who's the Boss"), Balki arrived at Larry's new apartment, having just left his native fictional Mediterreanean island of Mypos, with Balki hoping to get a job in Chicago as a professional Sheep Herder; though he didn't quite succeed over the course of the series' 7-year run, Balki came to love America as his very own home. In September 1986, "Perfect Strangers" aired for the next 2 seasons on Wednesday nights at 8 P.M. ET on ABC leading in to the new Fall series "Head of the Class," where it would remain until moving, in March 1988, to Friday nights at 8 P.M. as lead-in to "Full House" before airing Friday nights at 9 from August 1989-January 1992. In September 1987, at the start of the show's 2nd season, Balki and Larry left Twinkie behind to work at the fictional Chicago Chronicle, where Larry became a photojournalist for Harry Burns (Eugene Roche) while Balki worked in the mailroom for Mr. Sam Gorpley (Sam Anderson). Also introduced this season was Harriette Winslow (JoMarie Payton), the Elevator Operator who in Spring 1989 spun off into her own series: "Family Matters," with that series focusing on her family (at least initially) before becoming "The Steve Urkel Show." "Perfect Strangers," meanwhile, soldiered on--airing Friday nights at 9 until February 1992, when ABC moved "Perfect Strangers" to Saturday nights at 9 P.M. ET as the lead-in to the long-running "Growing Pains," which would end its ABC run in April 1992 after 7 successful seasons despite being #27 out of 102 Prime-Time Network Series at the end of the Fall 1991 TV season. In spite of poor ratings caused by the switch from Friday nights to Saturday nights, "Perfect Strangers" was renewed for a 7th and Final Season, which aired in July and August 1993 at 9 P.M. ET after "Step By Step." In the hour-long Series Finale telecast on August 6, 1993 at 9 P.M. ET, "Perfect Strangers," which taped its Finale on August 28, 1992, less than a year before its original telecast, heralded the arrival of the by-this-time newlywed Larry and Balki, married respectively to Jennifer (Melanie Wilson) and Mary Anne (Rebeca Arthur), both professional stewardesses; at finale's end, Balki and Mary Anne became parents to Robespierre, while Larry and Jennifer welcomed Tucker, two cousins whom I'd love to see as adults in a reboot (which I'm doubtful will ever happen), but in the meantime, as the end credits rolled for the 150th and last time, the final curtain call occurred, ending with Mark Baker saying, "Thank you all for being with us. Good Night." Since the Finale telecast, Syndicated reruns of "Perfect Strangers" have continued to flourish, thanks to USA Network, Nickelodeon, TV Land and most recently the ION Television Network, as well as local independent stations. Throughout its run, "Perfect Strangers" was produced by Miller-Boyett Productions in association with Lorimar Television and is Syndicated/Distributed by Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution. FYI: The original November 1985 Pilot for "Perfect Strangers" had Louie Anderson (yes, HIM, now on FX Networks' "Baskets") as Cousin Larry (originally Cousin Louie) Appleton, and the unaired Pilot is what I'd LOVE to see included as a Bonus Feature on "Perfect Strangers: The Complete Series." Tentatively, I firmly suggest that SHOUT! Factory issue, for the first time ever on DVD, "Perfect Strangers: The Complete Series" on Tuesday, March 26, 2019, the 33rd Anniversary Week of the series' debut, in a 20-disc DVD set costing only $49.99 wherever DVDs are sold. The 1st of the 20 Discs shall include the first 6 episodes from the Spring 1986 trial run, followed by Seasons 1-3 featuring 22 episodes each, with Discs 1 and 2 from each season containing 8 episodes, followed by the last 6 each season, with 8 episodes per disc of the 24-per season 4-6 DVD discs, with the final 6 episodes included as the 7th and Final Season of DVD discs plus the aforementioned 1985 Pilot featuring Louie Anderson as Cousin Larry. Sincerely, Steve Arino

11-25-2018, 04:45 AM	#3
ph1l Member Senior Member Join Date: Apr 19, 2004 Posts: 1,362	Warner Brothers should be congratulated for not releasing syndicated or music edited episodes. The temptation must have been there. I hope they keep it up for the rest of the seasons.
	__________________ 60's TV forever

11-24-2018, 05:28 PM	#2
tlc38tlc38 Every day’s a Dolly day! Forum Star Join Date: May 02, 2008 Location: I’m just travelin’ thru Posts: 19,255	Ain’t gonna happen. Just buy the individual seasons direct from Warner Archive. The price is high due to them having to clear music.
	__________________ Give generously to them and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to. Deuteronomy 15:10 In loving memory of my best friend, my Mama.

04-04-2019, 09:02 PM	#9
delylahhunter Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Apr 01, 2019 Location: Charlevoix Posts: 5	God, that would be wonderful. I would be the first to buy it no matter what the cost. This show is my inspiration. They did for Full House and a few other shows. Maybe it will happen.

05-06-2019, 11:11 PM	#10
Latka Gravas Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Apr 27, 2019 Location: United States Posts: 396	The only way I would pay money for a complete series of PS (all 8 seasons) would be if they did a serious remaster on Seasons 1-2, so that they look as good as the Season 03 set. The Picture Quality on the old (2008) Seasons 1-2 DVD's are very poor, and they honestly look like VHS rips. However, the much newer S03 (and presumably beyond) sets are far better - and have obviously been remastered.