DVD + TV = P.U.
Wednesday, January 14, 2004A while ago Disney tried out a test project of self-destructing, disposable DVDs, that immediately drew fire from nearly everyone who thinks the environment is actually worth saving. But I actually think there’s a much more sinister DVD foe threatening our environment—a much worse waste of paper and plastic that can only possibly serve to feed our landfills.
The culprit? “Classic” television shows on DVD.
I can understand, to a point, preserving our favourite tv programs on DVD. Certainly some shows have a devoted fan base and also a certain level of rewatchability that extends beyond regular everyday syndication. Star Trek on DVD? Perfectly understandable. Fawlty Towers? Why, it’s a classic!
But DVD is such a hot ticket these days that consumers will eat up just about anything with those letters on the cover.
Do we really need the entire series of Mad About You? And what about Barney Miller?
Was Three’s Company really that good? Do all the episodes of Gilligan’s Island differ enough that you need to own every single one? (Let’s hope the set includes that episode where they almost get off the island!)
I don’t know a single person who watches The King of Queens now, let alone anyone who’ll want to preserve it for all time.
Who’s buying all of this?
kevin says:
Yes, they should spend more time and money on producing better quality DVDs with more extras and fancier interactive intro screens!
i’m still waiting for a good Evil Dead DVD to come out ... even though I purchased all the crappy ones reguardless.
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mc says:
Well, I think it just gives some people another gift option. ...he said something about Star Trek once, let get him the DVD set for x-mas. Voila.
kartooner says:
Occassionally I watch King of Queens. It’s okay.
Now, Scrubs.. that show has good humor. I especially like the relationship between the janitor and the scrub.
I wouldn’t mind owning that on DVD. But, alas, to each his own.
kat says:
Beauty is in the eye..yata yata.
Got the Family Guy. But when I try to watch a lot of the stuff I thought was great back when? Some of it’s embarrasing and I explain to my son how technology was different back then.
The Electric Company holds up tho. I want that on DVD.
Kevin says:
So was I the only one to jump on the release of the “T.J. Hooker” platinum boxset?
amy says:
LMAO this is to funny, my roomate and i were having this exact conversation last night, of how many crappy shows have come out but just because it can bring in some money why not.
And Three’s Company was a great show i have the first season DVD.
paperfingers says:
as of two weeks ago, i am the very proud owner of the ‘honeymooners classic 39 episodes’ dvd.
i may not think season I of Gilligan’s Island high art - but envision this: hangover, saturday morning, with a group of friends - someone puts on the coffee and from the telly you hear, ‘sit right back..’
works for me.
Darice says:
I just bought The First Five Seasons of Friends box set. I can watch them over and over, they never bore. But that’s all I own on DVD, the rest is just not what I would watch more than 2 times.
erika says:
Interesting subject. I’ve often wondered the same thing. I haven’t bought a series on DVD yet but I will eventually buy a box set of Friends. Plus, I was waiting forever for Indiana Jones to come out with Raiders of the Lost Ark on DVD and it’s finally here.
I’ll buy that box set sometime soon.
matt says:
And possibly the most perplexing one yet: Punk’d: The Complete First Season.
Isn’t it “The Complete Only Season” or did they make it to two without telling me?