Discussion of Sitcoms on DVD - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Jack1000 · 01-03-2004, 05:10 PM

Guys,

Much has been made of the excitment of many classic sitcomes avaliable or coming to DVD. There are many reasons that one should be excited:

1. Bonus footage extras (i.e interviews with cast/making of the series, behind the scenes stuff)

2. Deleted scenes restored

3. Uncut episodes

4. Box-Sets of some disks.

However, the downside is that there can be a difference between what you think you are going to get, and what you get. There is a misnomer, that people think....."Wow! It's on DVD, so it's as if by magic, I am going to get 1-3 described above of anything I buy, and the quality of picture/audio is going to be flawless.

Well....in most cases, the people that I have talked to do say that DVD quality is a vast improvment over watching anything on TV Land or some other sitcom station. There are no commercials, episodes are[ B]usually[/B] uncut and special features are included that you can't see anywhere else. In most cases, a quick push of the "Disk Menu" button on your DVD player's remote control will allow you to access any scenes or whole episodes quickley and easily.

However, there are some drawbacks. I just got a DVD player, and as much as I love the classic shows/especially the movies, I strongly resent having to pay money to buy DVD's of TV series to see shows uncut because TV Land and other stations are too lazy to restore all the cut footage! Those scenes should be there in the first place! Secondly, what really annoys me, is the fact that these companies will put out One or Two Seasons of a show on DVD and stop there. If you are going to produce a show on DVD, fans are entitled package! Why do companies stop after one or two seasons? You can buy Box Sets of complete series, but these often go for $60-$70!

What I find inexcusable and friends complaining about is that there are times when a DVD will be released of a series and edits will still be present! This was true for first releases of the first season of All in the Family VHS versions of Columbia House editions on some tapes of The Odd Couple, and VHS versions of Good Times If a company cannot find the original master tapes for doing a restoration, and have someone there to make sure that all scenes are intact, why bother with the restoration in the first place? Agreed?

A tip for any commercially produced tape or DVD's of any sitcom or sitcom boxed-sets that you may have. All shows from the 50's-80's in their original broadcast lengths should be at least 25 minutes. If you have any tapes or DVD's of any TV show that come in at a lesser time, you have an edited episode!

So what DVD's of classic sitcomes do you have that you like, or don't like, and why? Is everything intact on the VHS tapes or DVD's that you do have.

Jack

barwars · 01-31-2004, 09:11 PM

My most important rule when buying TV Shows on DVD is that it MUST come in a Season Set.

I would love special features.... but they dont make or break the purchase.

Uncut episodes is also very important.... but Id rather have it edited than not at all.

I dont mind paying.... I love the fact that after I purchase it.... I can watch any episode of that show.... anytime I want.

But when it comes to bonus features.... bloopers and deleted scenes are the best.
But outside of that.... commentaries are awesome.
Along with behind the scenes interviews that really go BEHIND the scenes.

Rhiannon · 01-31-2004, 11:37 PM

I don't like when it comes 'The Best Of' instead of the whole season, like Designing Women did. That's just dumb to only get 5 eps.

01-03-2004, 05:10 PM	#1
Jack1000 Member Senior Member Join Date: Dec 05, 2001 Posts: 2,055	Discussion of Sitcoms on DVD Guys, Much has been made of the excitment of many classic sitcomes avaliable or coming to DVD. There are many reasons that one should be excited: 1. Bonus footage extras (i.e interviews with cast/making of the series, behind the scenes stuff) 2. Deleted scenes restored 3. Uncut episodes 4. Box-Sets of some disks. However, the downside is that there can be a difference between what you think you are going to get, and what you get. There is a misnomer, that people think....."Wow! It's on DVD, so it's as if by magic, I am going to get 1-3 described above of anything I buy, and the quality of picture/audio is going to be flawless. Well....in most cases, the people that I have talked to do say that DVD quality is a vast improvment over watching anything on TV Land or some other sitcom station. There are no commercials, episodes are[ B]usually[/B] uncut and special features are included that you can't see anywhere else. In most cases, a quick push of the "Disk Menu" button on your DVD player's remote control will allow you to access any scenes or whole episodes quickley and easily. However, there are some drawbacks. I just got a DVD player, and as much as I love the classic shows/especially the movies, I strongly resent having to pay money to buy DVD's of TV series to see shows uncut because TV Land and other stations are too lazy to restore all the cut footage! Those scenes should be there in the first place! Secondly, what really annoys me, is the fact that these companies will put out One or Two Seasons of a show on DVD and stop there. If you are going to produce a show on DVD, fans are entitled package! Why do companies stop after one or two seasons? You can buy Box Sets of complete series, but these often go for $60-$70! What I find inexcusable and friends complaining about is that there are times when a DVD will be released of a series and edits will still be present! This was true for first releases of the first season of All in the Family VHS versions of Columbia House editions on some tapes of The Odd Couple, and VHS versions of Good Times If a company cannot find the original master tapes for doing a restoration, and have someone there to make sure that all scenes are intact, why bother with the restoration in the first place? Agreed? A tip for any commercially produced tape or DVD's of any sitcom or sitcom boxed-sets that you may have. All shows from the 50's-80's in their original broadcast lengths should be at least 25 minutes. If you have any tapes or DVD's of any TV show that come in at a lesser time, you have an edited episode! So what DVD's of classic sitcomes do you have that you like, or don't like, and why? Is everything intact on the VHS tapes or DVD's that you do have. Jack

01-31-2004, 11:37 PM	#3
Rhiannon oh, snap! Forum Fanatic Join Date: Jul 19, 2002 Location: middle of nowhere Posts: 11,097	I don't like when it comes 'The Best Of' instead of the whole season, like Designing Women did. That's just dumb to only get 5 eps.
	__________________ Nothing better the feeling is so fine Simply put I saw your love stream flow

01-31-2004, 09:11 PM	#2
barwars .. Forum Star Join Date: May 04, 2002 Posts: 13,273	My most important rule when buying TV Shows on DVD is that it MUST come in a Season Set. I would love special features.... but they dont make or break the purchase. Uncut episodes is also very important.... but Id rather have it edited than not at all. I dont mind paying.... I love the fact that after I purchase it.... I can watch any episode of that show.... anytime I want. But when it comes to bonus features.... bloopers and deleted scenes are the best. But outside of that.... commentaries are awesome. Along with behind the scenes interviews that really go BEHIND the scenes.