A few months ago we lamented some shows that weren't on DVD, but now it's summer and we're lacking substantive shows to watch this time of year. We'd love to retreat into a box set of an old favorite. Sadly some classic (and not-so classic) shows aren't available on DVD (at least legally). It is sort of crazy, because we can get all of Saved by the Bell: The New Class, 'Til Death, Seventh Heaven and Home Improvement, but yet The Wonder Years isn't available. Most delays are due to rights issues or companies that owned them went out of business, but still, we'd like to see someone figure it out and get these seasons out to us, stat.
The Wonder Years
Kevin Arnold and Winnie Cooper's courtship will not be televised... at least not any time soon. Music rights seem to be the main problem as all those classic '60s tunes come at a high price. While we hate waiting, we'd rather they take their time negotiating with TPTB than put it out with alternate tracks. Dawson's Creek without Paula Cole's annoying "I don't want to wait..." is just plain weird, so we can't even imagine The Wonder Years without its rockin' retro score.
Ed
We miss Stuckeyville and the ten-dollar bets and the quirky folks at the bowling alley, but while rumors have been swirling around forever that this charming series was due to come out, there still is no release date looming at all. If it's a legal issue, could we hire Ed Stevens to help figure it out? He was always able to resolve his cases quickly and efficiently.
Love Monkey
Another Tom Cavanagh show not available on disc, this one about the music industry only lasted a few episodes. We need to see Teddy Geiger being adorable to get images of The Rocker out of our minds.
Boston Public
This well-acted high school drama (that offered a real look at struggles of teachers and teens, which is so rare on TV ) has apparently been suspended. We're hoping that someone has a heart and releases this fun David E. Kelley show because we adore Chi McBride. And any show that can make Jessalyn Gilsig not too annoying is OK by us.
Max Headroom
Remember back when Max Headroom was on the cutting edge of technology? OK. If you do, then don't you want to see how this holds up today? Though it might be as depressing as watching old Land of the Lost episodes. And if you don't remember, don't you kind of want to see what us old people used to think was cool way back when?
Karen Sisco
We really need Karen Sisco on DVD. There's a space on our shelves next to Out of Sight that is specifically reserved for this excellent TV series about the bad ass and hot deputy marshal who busted criminals in Miami. Carla Gugino looked almost as smokin' hot as Jennifer Lopez in the title role.
The Class
Another short-lived series that for some inexplicable reason isn't available on DVD. Do they think that people wouldn't buy it? Do they not realize that our love for Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Lizzy Caplan knows no bounds?
Eight Is Enough
Long before Jon and Kate had eight kids, Tom and Joan Bradford had a big brood, and the widowed Tom tried to manage a handful of teens. We hope if they ever do put this show out on DVD, they release the pilot with Mark "Luke Skywalker" Hamill, who played the eldest son.
L.A. Law
More than a little bit outrageous, this legal series was filled with wild characters and unbelievable moments (it isn't every show that throws its villain down an elevator shaft, after all) and the lawyers spent almost as much time entangled in bedroom issues (sometimes in the infamous Venus Butterfly position) as they did in the courtroom. While it had its ups and downs, it had a huge cast (Harry Hamlin, Susan Dey, Jimmy Smits, Blair Underwood and John Spencer) and was from the mind of Steven Bochco with the writing stylings of a young David E. Kelley. It would be worth a second look... if we could.
Daria
This Beavis and Butt-head spinoff has a few DVDs out, but that's just of the specials. We need (yes, need!) the entirety of the actual clever series on DVD. We could use a healthy dose of the surly high-schooler, and considering that we've been quoting it incessantly since we brought this up, there are at least two people would buy it.
The Wizard
This culty (read: geeky) favorite only lasted one season, so in theory it wouldn't even be that hard to put the entire series on DVD. We'd love to rewatch the adventures of the rich inventor turned toymaker who tried to fight off the forces of evil.
Ally McBeal
We have to wonder if there's a force in the universe keeping us from David E. Kelley shows. Between Boston Public, LA Law and the goofy legal comedy Ally McBeal, we're a bit suspicious. Also, Chicago Hope. Wedding Bells and girls club seem to be unavailable as well, but we're not exactly clambering for those. Is it Kelley's fault? Does he hate money? Whatever the reason, we need to see some crazy dancing babies and inappropriate work attire soon.
My Secret Identity
This show was like Spider-Man or Superman, but cheesier. Think more along the lines of the Greatest American Hero. Jerry O'Connell starred as a geeky kid who got hit by a photon bean and gained some cool powers, like moving at super speed and making himself weightless. Of course he used his powers for good, and tried to stop crimes or whatnot, as it was your typical superhero caper, but we enjoyed it and O'Connell's got kids to support so royalties from this show could really come in handy.
Relativity
Everyone always talks about Edward Zwick and Marshall Herskovitz's other shows, thirtysomething, Once and Again and My So-Called Life, and while they are favorites too, this one always gets forgotten. Which is a true shame, because this one was an excellent look at the entangled romantic lives of a group of twentysomethings. And it had a fantastic cast: Kimberly Williams (before the Paisley), David Conrad, Jane Adams, Lisa Edelstein, Adam Goldberg, Poppy Montgomery, Devon Gummersall and Richard Schiff. Since thirtysomething is finally coming out this summer, it is about time for this one to hit stores too.
Head of the Class
With all of the ridiculous '80s sitcoms that are currently available on DVD (from Perfect Strangers to Mr. Belvedere) we're honestly surprised that this one about a group of genius kids and their unconventional teacher isn't cluttering up our Netflix queues as we type. Though if TPTB decide to put it out, they really only need do the first four seasons with Howard Hesseman helming the class, because once Billy Connolly joined the show it went sharply downhill.
Misfits of Science
Don't even pretend like you don't want to see Courteney Cox as a telekinetic teenager who has to deal with a mother who believes in aliens. You know you do. So do we, especially since this series about teenagers with superpowers was co-created by Tim Kring. Before he did Heroes. We're curious to do see the differences.
Webster
This one we'd like to add to our DVD collection solely for the nostalgia factor. Emmanuel Lewis was an adorable kid who got adopted by George Papadapolis and his rich, somewhat snooty wife Katherine. Wonder if that creepy doll in the secret room is still so bizarrely terrifying now, because it really freaked us out back then.
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Actually you can buy Ally McBeal everywhere in Europe - even in Denmark.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_ss_w_h_?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=ally+mcbeal&x=0&y=0
Second series of Ned and Stacey please... Thomas Hayden Church you haunt my dreams and I wake up giggling...
The George Carlin show, because it's George Carlin.
I'm so with you on Misfits on Science. I always thought the only two people on the planet who wanted that were me and my father. Great 80's fun!
PLEASE GOD PUT OUT DARIA! The specials are not enough to tide me over.
I've been waiting for Everwood, but the second season comes out in June, which rocks. Also disappointed at the lack of Ed and Boston Public.
Two from the late 1980s: CHINA BEACH and THE DAYS AND NIGHTS OF MOLLY DODD. How can these not be out on DVD yet???
BLOSSOM! I want to watch that show again sooo badly, I can't believe it hasn't been put on DVD yet, and speaking of Saved by the Bell the New Class, what about Hang Time? that show was on for a while and it was a saturday morning staple. Also Step by Step would be great, if you can get all the seasons of Full House why not Step by Step?
The three television shows that I want them to put on DVD are Saved, Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn, and The Inside. All amazing shows that were canceled too soon then promptly ignored by the networks that made them.
Also, I wouldn't be opposed to a little Best of Loveline the TV show.
Plus they need to put some English shows on Region 1 dvd. All the seasons of Peep Show and Shameless, please.
Blossom Seasons 1&2 are available on DVD, I just saw the set in the store the other day.
I would personally love to see Out of this World. Does anyone else still remember the show with the half-alien teenager? "Would you like to swing on a star, carry moonbeams home in a jar..."
@Amber I totally remember out of this world, I was just looking that up online the other day actually, I loved that show. And you saw Blossom?? where? I'm going to have to go and look for it now!!!!
I'm totally behind Daria and Wonder Years. @ Krislynn: Blossom is out on DVD, the first two seasons, anyways.
Music rights seems to be the major obstacle for a Daria DVD release as well. I watched the show religiously when it was on MTV and I rarely recognized any of the music they used (with the notable exception being "Mmmbop" in "Road Worrier" [the Alternapalooza ep]), so I personally wouldn't mind if they replaced the music. However, I know most hard-core fans feel that replacing the music would be a travesty.
Homefront and China Beach. Find the money for the music rights and release these!
Well for all you Greatest American Hero fans, William Katt has released the Greatest american Hero comic book!
I am posting Issue 3 today!
http://stores.shop.ebay.com/catastrophic-comics2
Dark Skies, Now and Again; Dark Skies, Now and Again; Dark Skies, Now and Again; Dark Skies, Now and Again; Dark Skies, Now and Again; Dark Skies, Now and Again.
I'd like to see Dark Skies and Now and Again on DVD!!!!!!!!!!!!
#1 on my wish list is "Touching Evil" (the USA network version with Jeffrey Donovan). I keep hoping the rights owners will look at the success of "Burn Notice" and try to cash in on JD's massive popularity by releasing this, but no luck so far. I really need this one - my VHS tapes of original airings are getting worn thin... :(
How about that short-lived bit of underrated comedy genius - Stark Raving Mad, starring Tony Shalhoub and Neil Patrick Harris. It's a crime that this show hasn't been released.
I'm surprised there's no Growing Pains or Who's the Boss mentions here. Growing Pains was great all the way through. Who's the Boss was great up until it's last couple seasons, but still very good after that. Both shows 1st seasons were pretty weak, which is why I guess the seasons didn't sell very well on DVD. I really wished they would release the rest of the seasons for both series, they and along with The Wonder Years were my favorite series growing up.
blossom is on dvd
blossom is on dvd i own it
small wonder.
why has no one yet mentioned freaks and geeks???? Maybe you can buy it in the US but you can't in Australia. Which sucks monkey balls.
How about BJ AND THE BEAR? or seasons 2 and up of THIRD WATCH?
About ten years back, I ranted about not getting to see old tv shows on DVD (or VHS), and boom, they came.
I Third and Second, respectivly, China Beach and Homefront. I LOVED both these shows, and would be first in line if they were released.
Made in Canada. I know the first season is out, but that's not the best season. at. all. And I think it out of production, anyway.
Seconded. I'd LOVE to see Made in Canada on DVD.
I also wouldn't be opposed to releases of short-lived WB guilty pleasures like The Mountain and Dead Last... but I doubt there'd be any interest.
And I'm going to go way back and ask for East Side West Side, a series from the 60's (I think) with George C Scott and a rotating cast. Anyone who likes spending time with HBO-style character dramas would probably really like it.
There are so many more that I could name, just because I work in a video store (can I still call it that?) and am constantly asked for shows that aren't available (Ally McBeal being one of the big ones, and The Class, surprisingly).
thanks for remembering both China Beach and Molly Dodd. i would also like to see Frank's Place and Boston Common in addition to the one's mentioned. TV is soo depressing of late. i am almost afraid that liking a show will doom it.
More "Living Single" please! Why just the first season and no more? That show is still funnier than most sitcoms on today! And where's "Roc?" That show was amazing, particularly when they did the season live. It was like watching a mini-broadway play each week.
I would like to see Spencer for Hire
How about Scarecrow and Mrs. King?
TWO GUYS AND A GIRL . . .AND A PIZZA PLACE ;) I love that show so much and it has never come out on dvd??? What The Heck??
[u]Daria[/u], most definitely, of those you listed. I'd also love to see [u]Strange Luck[/u] and [u]Made In Canada[/u] ([u]The Industry[/u] to folks in the US) out on DVD.
'High Incident' and 'Under Suspicion'.
Two excellent cop dramas that were axed way too early in their lives.
Why have only the first 3 of 10(?) seasons been put out for The Facts of Life? Any plans for releasing the rest of the series?
once and again, private practice, all seasons of party of five and all of those with area code two, please...
For fans of Thirty Something, per Amazon --- The first season comes out on DVD on August 25 - a long wait for this one!!! You can pre-order.
I would buy the Wonder Years if it came out on dvd... same with Family Matters!
Ally McBeal (Season 1) was finally put onto Amazon as "available for Pre-Order" a few weeks ago. I'm fairly sure that all of David E. Kelley's shows are having the same problem that Third Watch has been, negotiating the music rights. That's delayed Third Watch and Ally in Region One for years.
I completely agree about Love Monkey. I recently grabbed all six episodes onto my DVR off of cable. Wish I could have it in DVD.
I wish they'd put AMERICAN DREAMS out on DVD.
I suspect the 60s sound track is probably the problem.
I thought I was the only person on Earth who remembered Misfits of Science! I used to be so obsessed with that show! I'd love to see that on DVD!
Loved "The Class". I don't understand why it was canceled in the first place. In its first season it won the People's Choice Award for Best New Comedy. I would think that would mean that the people (aka. audience viewers) liked the show. Makes perfect sense to me for the network to cancel a show that wins awards and has a decent sized audience that probably would have gotten at least a little larger because of the exposure from those awards. An award show that aired on "The Class"'s home network incidentally.
And who couldn't wait to see Lizzy Caplan and Jason Ritter get together!
The Wonder Years is available, here:http://www.tvdvdboxsets.com/product.php?productid=3142850&cat=0&page=1
I was going to say "Due South", then I looked it up on Amazon and, lo and behold, you can get all 3 seasons on DVD. To TPTB, thank you kindly!
you can get wonders on dvd i owned the whole seies got it online then gave to my sister, you just dont get a nice cover with it
According to TVonDVD.com, Season 1 and the Complete Series of "Ally McBeal" wil be released on October 6th 2009!
For the millionth time, Daria! It's not like MTV can't afford to negotiate music rights or put out the dvds. And they don't even show it on tv anymore which makes less sense than not putting out dvds! I want my Daria!
rant over.
I wish they would release THE TRACY ULLMAN SHOW.
Why can't I buy Vegas with Robert Urich as Dan Tanna?
Frank's Place. Supposedly rights issues are the problem.
Also, Spenser for Hire, Nothing Sacred, and Love Monkey.
I sometimes think my best buddy and I were the only ones that watched this show, but I'd like to see a release of "Get Real," which featured then up-and-comer Anne Hathaway.
I'm with you on Daria, and I'll mention something I remembered from way back when I was a movie-store slave. Producers look at TVshowsonDVD.com. It was mentioned in the advertising for the release of seaQuest DSV (yes, seaQuest... by the way, when do we get season 3?!), that it was the FOURTH requested on that site at the time. So.. VOTE!
Second the nomination for Strange Luck! I had such a crush on DB Sweeney!
Daria's coming (thank goodness)! But what about Sisters? Amazingly soaptastic tranwreck (I think literally once..) that pre-dated Desperate Housewives and Brothers & Sisters in the Sunday night soap category. I think Georgie's still giving birth in the car! Free Sela Ward and Swoosie Kurtz! Also 1 season with Clooney. C'mon!
How about Nickelodeon classics like Salute Your Shorts and Hey Dude?
ummmmm Clarissa Explains it All? I would pay some serious cash for that. And god i LOVED Daria!
I have Ally Mcbeal DVD's and i'd forgotten what an awesome show that was, i watch them obsessively-its still soooo funny.
I second the motion to bring SISTERS to DVD. Also, the complete run of The Nanny, Dynasty, and the one and only season of the Melrose Place spin-off, MODELS INC.
Carla Gugino was almost as hot as Lopez? She was WAY hotter! That alone is reason enough to issue Karen Sisco.