Home Media Magazine - March 16-22, 2008 - (Page 16) TV DVD Edited by John Latchem www.homemediamagazine.com Disney Won’t Drive Down ‘Path to 9/11’ By John Latchem ccording to a Hollywood Reporter account of a March 6 Disney shareholder’s meeting, Disney executives may be holding back a DVD release of a controversial miniseries for political reasons. The Path to 9/11 aired on the Disney-owned ABC network in 2006 to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the Sept. 11 terror attacks. The miniseries stars Harvey Keitel and Stephen Root and depicts efforts to combat terrorism following the 1993 bombing of New York City’s World Trade Center. But the program sparked controversy before it aired when Democrats claimed it was too critical of President Bill Clinton’s administration, with some asking ABC not to air it. The network trimmed some scenes, but the uproar didn’t subside. According to THR’s report, fund manager Tom Borelli asked why Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment had yet to release a DVD version to recoup some of the $40 million production cost. He accused Disney CEO Robert Iger of blocking the DVD release to protect the A presidential campaign of New York Sen. Hillary Clinton. Borelli also claimed to have a letter indicating Disney was not interested in selling the DVD rights to another company. Iger responded that the decision against a DVD release was based on business considerations, not politics. However, speaking to the Los Angeles Times this past September, Path to 9/11 screenwriter Cyrus Nowrasteh indicated he was told by an ABC executive that if Hillary weren’t running for president, a DVD release wouldn’t be a problem. This wouldn’t be Disney’s first attempt to steer clear of politically sensitive topics. Disney backed out of supporting Michael Moore’s 2004 film Fahrenheit 9/11, a criticism of the George W. Bush administration. Moore claimed Disney didn’t want to offend lawmakers in Florida, home to numerous Disney theme parks. Jeb Bush, the president’s brother, was governor of Florida at the time. Despite that controversy, Borelli noted that Disney still pulled in a $46 million profit on Moore’s film. COM I NG (prebook March 25) releases Paranormal State: The Complete Season One (three-DVD set $34.95). UP I A&E HOME I KOCH ENTERTAINMENT April 1 I 20TH CENTURY FOX HOME VIDEO April 29 offers Celebrity Rides: Burt Builds a Ban- ENTERTAINMENT April 15 (prebook dit (DVD $9.98), in which Burt Reynolds redesigns his car from Smokey and the Bandit. March 19) has American Dad Vol. Three (three-DVD set $39.98) and Alien Nation: Ultimate Movie Collection (three-DVD set $49.98). MGM May 13 (prebook April 16) presents The Magnificent Seven: Complete Series Giftset (five-DVD set $49.98). Arriving June 17 (prebook May 21) is Burn Notice: Season One (four-DVD set $49.98). I ANCHOR BAY ENTERTAINMENT March 25 releases Painkiller Jane (six-DVD set $49.97). Due April 8 is Rock of Love: The Complete First Season (three-DVD set $34.97), a dating show featuring Poison’s lead singer, Bret Michaels. I LIONSGATE June 3 (prebook May 7) has Weeds: Season Three (three-DVD set $39.98, two-disc Blu-ray set $39.99). I VIVENDI ENTERTAINMENT I MPI MEDIA GROUP April 8 releases Hell’s Kitchen: Season 1 March 25 offers The Vice: The Complete First Season (threeDVD set $39.98). (three-DVD set $26.99). I BCI March 25 releases Day Break (four- I SHOUT! FACTORY DVD set $39.98), starring Taye Diggs as a cop who continuously repeats the same day. March 18 has Pucca: Kung Fu Kisses and Pucca: Ninjas Love Noodles (DVD $14.95 each). Streeting April 22 is Oban StarRacers Vol. One: The Alwas Cycle (DVD $19.99). I WALT DISNEY STUDIOS HOME ENTERTAINMENT March 18 has Greek: Chapter One (three-DVD set $29.99). Due June 17 is The Suite Life of Zack and Cody: Lip-Synchin’ in the Rain (DVD $19.99). I GENIUS PRODUCTS April 29 (prebook March 18) has Surviving Motherhood: Your Guide to Being a Mom (two-DVD set $24.95) and Sabrina: The Teenage Witch — The Complete Animated Series (three-DVD set $29.95), from the original 1971 series. Due June 3 (prebook April 22) is Kenny the Shark Vol. 3: Catch a Wave (DVD $12.95). I WARNER HOME I SONY PICTURES HOME EN- VIDEO June 3 (prebook April 29) reTERTAINMENT May 20 (prebook leases CHiPs: The Complete Second SeaApril 17) offers Square Pegs: The Complete Series (three-DVD set $29.95). son (four-DVD set $39.98). — John Latchem 16 Home Media Magazine March 16–22, 2008 http://www.homemediamagazine.com http://www.indicanpictures.com
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