Home Media Magazine - September 16-22, 2007 - (Page 18)

TV DVD Edited by John Latchem www.homemediamagazine.com COM I NG CURTAIN CALL FOR ‘Studio Aaron Sorkin’s much-hyped but canceled drama completes its run on DVD Hunter: The Arrest (DVD $12.95), Engineering an Empire: Collector’s Edition (six-DVD set $59.95), Rome: Engineering an Empire (DVD $24.95), Haunted Histories Collection (five-DVD set $24.95) and Jesse James: American Outlaw (DVD $24.95). UP I A&E HOME VIDEO Sept. 25 unleashes Dog the Bounty 60’ show was based on “SNL,” musical performances and celebrity cameos became a staple of the series. In the featurette, Sorkin discussed how he is a fan of “Saturday Night Live,” and wondered what took place behind the scenes. He also admitted to some trepidation about comparisons to the “West Wing,” which successfully examined political leaders as real people. “I thought, ‘Is it possible that we can show people who work in Hollywood also as good people who are good at their jobs trying to do something good?’” Sorkin said in his interview. “It may be a slightly harder mountain to conquer.” Ultimately, the old formula didn’t mesh as well with the new setting. Ratings began to slide when the show couldn’t maintain its early momentum and romantic subplots began to dominate the storylines. As a result, “Studio 60” was unceremoniously canceled, but not before Sorkin had a chance to provide some closure. “The DVDs should play out like a long miniseries, rather than a one-season show without an end, like so many other one-season wonders,” said Gord Lacey of TVShowsOnDVD.com. “Viewers may be willing to take a chance knowing there’s an end in sight.” “Studio 60” earned Emmy nominations for casting, guest actor for John Goodman (in the two-part episode “Nevada Day”) and guest actor for Eli Wallach (for the episode “The Wrap Party”). Additionally, Paulson was nominated for a Golden Globe for best supporting actress last January. I GENIUS PRODUCTS Nov. 6 (prebook Sept. 25) releases Sesame Street: Old School Vol. 2 — 1974-1979 (threeDVD set $39.93), which includes the unaired pilot of the classic children’s series. I HBO VIDEO Oct. 2 has Entourage: Season Three, Part 2 (two-DVD set $39.98). I LIONSGATE Oct. 23 (prebook Sept. 26) has Dark Storm (DVD $26.98). Arriving Nov. 6 (prebook Oct. 10) is Wildfire: Season 2 (two-DVD set $39.98). By John Latchem drama with a healthy blend of comedy, “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip” took viewers backstage at a late-night sketch-comedy show not unlike “Saturday Night Live.” Creator Aaron Sorkin has made a career of such behind-the-scenes settings, with shows such as “Sports Night” and “The West Wing.” Viewers can judge for themselves where the show fits within Sorkin’s pantheon when Warner Home Video releases Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip: The Complete Series Oct. 16. The $59.98 set includes all 22 episodes on six DVDs, plus a commentary on the pilot by Sorkin and director Thomas Schlamme and the featurette “The Evolution of ‘Studio 60.’” Because it came from the creative team behind “The West Wing,” “Studio 60” was the subject of an intense bidding war before it ever aired. It became one of the most-hyped shows last season after NBC paid a near-record license fee for the right to air it. The series starred Matthew Perry from “Friends” and Bradley Whitford, who had just finished a seven-year stint on “The West Wing,” as two writers who take over a faltering late-night comedy show. The ensemble cast included Amanda Peet, Steven Webber, Timothy Busfield, Sarah Paulson, Nate Corddry and D.L. Hughley. The first episode featured guest appearances by Judd Hirsch, Ed Asner and Donna Murphy, plus a musical performance by Three 6 Mafia. Because the show-within-a- A I PARAMOUNT HOME ENTERTAINMENT Oct. 30 has Twin Peaks: The Definitive Gold Box Edition (10-DVD set $108.99), featuring the complete series, including the pilot, plus new featurettes, interviews with creator David Lynch, and “Saturday Night Live” sketches featuring star Kyle MacLachlan. I R2 ENTERTAINMENT Nov. 6 (prebook Oct. 9) has Heeere’s Johnny: The Definitive DVD Collection From The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (12-DVD set $99.99), which includes The Ultimate Johnny Carson Collection, the Stand-Up Comedians and Carson Country collections, and Timeless Moments, a six-disc set previously available only to Carson Club members. I S’MORE ENTERTAINMENT Oct. 2 has The Paul Lynde Halloween Special (DVD $14.99). I SHOUT FACTORY Oct. 16 releases Ironside: Season 2 (seven-DVD set $44.99). I SRO ENTERTAINMENT Sept. 25 offers The Catherine Tate Show: Series One (DVD $29.99) and Robert Klein: The HBO Specials 1975-2005 (four-DVD set $39.99). I 20TH CENTURY FOX HOME ENTERTAINMENT Nov. 6 has The X-Files: The Complete Collector’s Edition (61-DVD set $329.98). Streeting Nov. 13 is The Addams Family: Complete Series Giftset (nine-DVD set $69.98). Streeting Dec. 4 is 24: Season Six (seven-DVD set $59.98). I UNIVERSAL STUDIOS HOME ENTERTAINMENT Nov. 13 (prebook Oct. 9) offers Northern Exposure: The Complete Series (26-DVD set $199.98) and Miami Vice: The Complete Series (27-DVD set $199.98). Arriving Dec. 4 (prebook Oct. 30) is Battlestar Galactica: Razor (DVD $26.98) and Battlestar Galactica: Season One (six-HD DVD set $99.98). TRENDS IN TV DVD PRICING BY NUMBER OF DISCS: 2005–2007* TV shows on VHS were primarily restricted to cult hits (“Star Trek,” “The Outer Limits,” “The Twilight Zone,” etc.). But one of the biggest surprises for the DVD format was the success of a broader range of television shows as a viable commodity. Looking at current TV DVD pricing trends, the heady days of $100-plus price tags for a single complete season are gone. Generally speaking, the more discs in a set, the more the studio can charge. Pricing is progressive, so as each disc is added (up to five or more), the price for the additional disc carries a nice premium. — Ralph Tribbey Number of Discs Single Disc Two-Disc Set Three-Disc Set Four-Disc Set Five-Plus Discs Average TV SKU 2005 SRP Ave. $13.00 $29.17 $39.32 $47.30 $64.61 $35.08 2006 SRP Ave. $11.89 $25.87 $38.79 $44.07 $57.80 $33.72 2007* SRP Ave. $12.53 $28.49 $33.84 $40.87 $56.01 $32.75 I WALT DISNEY STUDIOS HOME ENTERTAINMENT Sept. 18 has Brothers & Sisters: The Complete First Season (six-DVD set $59.99). I WARNER HOME VIDEO Sept. 18 has Smallville: The Complete Sixth Season (six-DVD set $59.98). Streeting Oct. 16 is Adult Swim’s Squidbillies Vol. One (two-DVD set $29.98). Streeting Nov. 13 (prebook Oct. 9) is Tony Bennett: The Music Never Ends (DVD $24.98). *2007 results are for titles released through Sept. 7. I THIS WEEK’S RELEASE ACTIVITY FOR DVD Titles in Release Through Week Ended Sept. 7, 2007. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I WGBH BOSTON Oct. 2 presents The Magnificent Voyage of Christopher Columbus (DVD $19.95). Due Oct. 9 are Degrassi High: The Complete Series (fourDVD set $49.95), Jericho of Scotland Yard: The Complete Set (four-DVD set $49.95) and The Bronte Collection (two-DVD set $39.95), which includes the “Masterpiece Theatre” versions of Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights. Streeting Oct. 16 is Iraq: Battle Plan Under Fire (three-DVD set $39.95). — John Latchem 76,466+173 Total Net DVD Titles Announced and/or In Release Through Dec. 31, 2007 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77,409+192 I THIS WEEK’S RELEASE ACTIVITY FOR HD DVD Scheduled I THIS WEEK’S RELEASE ACTIVITY FOR BLU-RAY As of Week Ended Sept. 7, 2007 . . Released 261 91 As of Week Ended Sept. 7, 2007 . . Released 280 Scheduled 58 Home Media Magazine September 16–22, 2007 18 http://www.homemediamagazine.com http://TVShowsOnDVD.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Home Media Magazine - September 16-22, 2007

Contents News Commentary TV DVD Reviews Pipeline Research Top 20 DVD Sellers Top 20 Rentals and Top 10 Charts Just Announced Christian Entertainment Review

Home Media Magazine - September 16-22, 2007

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