Frank Soyke
Screenwriter
Doing some trending of releases recently, I found some interestesting patterns.
1) As I stated in a previous thread, one season sitcoms appear to be one of the weakest genres with regard to DVD releases. Critically acclaimed series such as My World and Welcome To It, He and She, and Open All Night don't appear to ever see the light of day.
2) Releases of sitcoms of minority interest seems to have waned. After an initial push including Sanford, Good Times, What's Happening, and even That's My Mama, things have stalled out. The Jefferson's have stalled and Chico and the Man (for some reason) was never touched.
3) 70's and 80's sitcoms continue to struggle. Maude, One Day, WKRP, Kotter, and Silver Spoons, appear to be one and done. Others such as Growing Pains, Facts Of Life, Happy Days, Who's The Boss, and maybe Different Strokes are stalled, and shows like Head Of The Class, and Dear John have no releases.
4) Westerns are soon on the way down. Operating on the assumptions that CBS continues with Gunsmoke and Bonanza and WB finishes Cheyenne and Maverick as well as the reported Riflleman set, the only real MAJOR series unreleased is the Rebel, and since it is CBS, it probably won't happen. Westerns have been represented well (although I would personally like to see Trackdown).
5) Judging from WB's releases so far from their MOD program, it doesn't appear that they are really interested in older b/w material. Other than Kildare, it's all mid to late 60's color stuff. Maybe I'm wrong but I don't really see them putting all the money into settling music rights to put out 77 Sunset Strip and Hawaiian Eye considering the limited market for those shows.
6) Other b/w 50's - 60's drama shows like Ricahrd Diamond and Tightrope seem to be on an island by themselves because majors won't look at them and Timeless appears to be top heavy on westerns.
7) The "tried shows" such as Welby, My Three Sons, and Room 222 probably won't be back since a company will be apprehensive to liscense them after their first few releases didn't sell well.
IMO
1) As I stated in a previous thread, one season sitcoms appear to be one of the weakest genres with regard to DVD releases. Critically acclaimed series such as My World and Welcome To It, He and She, and Open All Night don't appear to ever see the light of day.
2) Releases of sitcoms of minority interest seems to have waned. After an initial push including Sanford, Good Times, What's Happening, and even That's My Mama, things have stalled out. The Jefferson's have stalled and Chico and the Man (for some reason) was never touched.
3) 70's and 80's sitcoms continue to struggle. Maude, One Day, WKRP, Kotter, and Silver Spoons, appear to be one and done. Others such as Growing Pains, Facts Of Life, Happy Days, Who's The Boss, and maybe Different Strokes are stalled, and shows like Head Of The Class, and Dear John have no releases.
4) Westerns are soon on the way down. Operating on the assumptions that CBS continues with Gunsmoke and Bonanza and WB finishes Cheyenne and Maverick as well as the reported Riflleman set, the only real MAJOR series unreleased is the Rebel, and since it is CBS, it probably won't happen. Westerns have been represented well (although I would personally like to see Trackdown).
5) Judging from WB's releases so far from their MOD program, it doesn't appear that they are really interested in older b/w material. Other than Kildare, it's all mid to late 60's color stuff. Maybe I'm wrong but I don't really see them putting all the money into settling music rights to put out 77 Sunset Strip and Hawaiian Eye considering the limited market for those shows.
6) Other b/w 50's - 60's drama shows like Ricahrd Diamond and Tightrope seem to be on an island by themselves because majors won't look at them and Timeless appears to be top heavy on westerns.
7) The "tried shows" such as Welby, My Three Sons, and Room 222 probably won't be back since a company will be apprehensive to liscense them after their first few releases didn't sell well.
IMO