We've been rampaging through multiple DVD sets lately, which I greatly prefer to actual TV. As do all good Americans.
Wonderfalls. This series was quickly cancelled, and I was surprised to see it show up as a DVD set. Only 4 episodes ran on FOX; the set has 13 total. I was bracing myself for the ugly shock that the remaining 9 shows would have half-finished effects or no CG effects at all... but nope, the shows are all complete and ready for the broadcast that never happened. And you know, this show got nothing but better, so it's even more obnoxious that it wasn't given a shot at continuing in prime time. Ah well, this is why it's so rare that I'll even bother with network TV. The Wonderfalls set is pretty sparse, as far as design. The menu screens have no music, and the cover seems to purposefully hide the face of lead actress Caroline Dhavernas. Extras are good, considering how quickly the show disappeared: some random commentaries, behind the scenes featurettes and a music video.
Deadwood. Holy crap, this is a great show. It's almost worth the ridiculous price... which I've seen range from $80 to $100. For 13 hours? On an unreasonable six discs? Is there a valid explanation for using six DVDs for 13 hours, aside from making the box bigger and more expensive? Wonderfalls only uses 3 DVDs for 13 hours. Anyway, Deadwood is awesome. Mega awesome.
Monty Python's Flying Circus. Speaking of too many DVDs, this set spreads 45 episodes (what, about 30 to 40 minutes per?) across 14 discs in 14 disc cases. Ugh. In all fairness, this is an old set and probably manufactured to tightly align with an identical VHS release. Back then, it didn't matter how much extra space was available on a DVD; season 3 volume 2 DVD had to have the same content as season 3 volume 2 VHS, right? Lately I've been doing an episode or two during my bachelor suppers when Rhonda has her evening grad class. I haven't seen them since they ran on Comedy Central, and I swear I recognize what bits were cut for broadcast, but I could be hallucinating.
Red Dwarf. I'm handling this series a little differently. Since I know these so well - largely memorized, in fact - I'm watching these only with commentary on. It's good commentary too... very informal and silly party talk with the cast. Up through year 6 is available, which is right about when the series started to fade, by my count.
My requests for future boxed sets: Twin Peaks season 2. You know, the season everyone bailed on? TaleSpin, duh. All of DuckTales prior to the Bubba Duck / Gizmoduck jump-the-shark moment. I'd also like Pokemon and Dragon Ball Z done in such a way that makes them convenient to collect and keep... so instead of 3 episodes per DVD case, you'd get 20. It would be nice to own complete sets of those shows without having to rent a storage facility.
Wonderfalls. This series was quickly cancelled, and I was surprised to see it show up as a DVD set. Only 4 episodes ran on FOX; the set has 13 total. I was bracing myself for the ugly shock that the remaining 9 shows would have half-finished effects or no CG effects at all... but nope, the shows are all complete and ready for the broadcast that never happened. And you know, this show got nothing but better, so it's even more obnoxious that it wasn't given a shot at continuing in prime time. Ah well, this is why it's so rare that I'll even bother with network TV. The Wonderfalls set is pretty sparse, as far as design. The menu screens have no music, and the cover seems to purposefully hide the face of lead actress Caroline Dhavernas. Extras are good, considering how quickly the show disappeared: some random commentaries, behind the scenes featurettes and a music video.
Deadwood. Holy crap, this is a great show. It's almost worth the ridiculous price... which I've seen range from $80 to $100. For 13 hours? On an unreasonable six discs? Is there a valid explanation for using six DVDs for 13 hours, aside from making the box bigger and more expensive? Wonderfalls only uses 3 DVDs for 13 hours. Anyway, Deadwood is awesome. Mega awesome.
Monty Python's Flying Circus. Speaking of too many DVDs, this set spreads 45 episodes (what, about 30 to 40 minutes per?) across 14 discs in 14 disc cases. Ugh. In all fairness, this is an old set and probably manufactured to tightly align with an identical VHS release. Back then, it didn't matter how much extra space was available on a DVD; season 3 volume 2 DVD had to have the same content as season 3 volume 2 VHS, right? Lately I've been doing an episode or two during my bachelor suppers when Rhonda has her evening grad class. I haven't seen them since they ran on Comedy Central, and I swear I recognize what bits were cut for broadcast, but I could be hallucinating.
Red Dwarf. I'm handling this series a little differently. Since I know these so well - largely memorized, in fact - I'm watching these only with commentary on. It's good commentary too... very informal and silly party talk with the cast. Up through year 6 is available, which is right about when the series started to fade, by my count.
