IT'S YOUR MOVE with Jason Bateman - any chance of DVD?

#1

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2/23/06 at 5:31am

Mark Edward Heuck
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This was a severely underrated, sneaky, and very funny sitcom from the creators of MARRIED WITH CHILDREN that had the same subversive sensibility years before they created the latter program. The give and take between David Garrison and Jason Bateman was terrific, both characters equally evil in their own way. And who can forget the infamous "Dregs of Society" episode; it even has a section on the Fake Bandepedia.

The show only ran 1.5 seasons on NBC, so Sony could easily do the entire run in one package, and AFAIK there are no major music clearances to take care of. Who's with me?

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#2

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2/23/06 at 6:20am

James Landau
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Oh, yeah. I'm definitely with you. This show was pure genius and Jason Bateman and David Garrison were perfectly cast as Matthew Burton and Norman Lamb. With their continuous efforts to outmaneuver each other, one never knew who would come out on top until the very end of each episode.

If the popularity of Arrested Development doesn't get them to release this, I guess nothing will. Just a hunch, but I bet Bateman would love to do a commentary or two if It's Your Move was to be resurrected on DVD.

A couple small corrections to your post: the series lasted less than a year (18 episodes) and the infamous two-parter was "The Dregs of Humanity" not "...Society."

Who can forget Eli mishearing Matt's sister Julie's derogatory chants as "Eli. Eli. He's my man. If I can't have him, no one can!"

#3

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2/23/06 at 9:42am

MarkHastings
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Quote:

the infamous two-parter was "The Dregs of Humanity"

When you say "infamous" do you mean they never ran the second half? I say this because I remember that episode and was DYING to see the second half, but never did. Did it ever air?

#4

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2/23/06 at 1:50pm

James Landau
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My use of "infamous" was referring more to the content of the episode. Matt went well beyond his usual schemes in that episode and got in deep. The fake band he created seems to give the episode a notoriety that non of the other episodes have. For some reason, a lot of people remember that band more than they do the series itself. I've encountered several people who didn't even remember a series titled It's Your Move. But as soon as I started describing "The Dregs of Humanity" to them, I suddenly got an "Oh, yeah! I remember seeing that!"

NBC did air both parts of "Dregs," but you're not the first to say they never saw the second half. "Dregs" was the last episode to air on Wednesday before the series was moved to Saturday. After the move, my local NBC station began to pre-empt the show whenever they felt like it. I noticed other area NBC stations listed in TV GUIDE were doing the same. After the 18th episode was aired, the series went into repeats for three weeks. At that point, I don't think I ever got to see it again because the pre-emptions became so numerous. I'm therefore guessing that part two of "Dregs" never aired in a lot of markets due to a local pre-emption.

#5

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2/23/06 at 2:11pm

MarkHastings
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Thanks for the info James.

#6

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2/23/06 at 2:46pm

Neil_Duffy
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This show sounds very familar to me... I think it was screened breifly in the UK... there was one episode I seem to recall, when a friend of Batemans character was playing football and if I am right, he was a kid who was kinda picked on... and he was in goal, and as striker hit the ball at him, the show freezed framed and made some ironic quip like, 'Do you really think we're going to let him save the ball' and the kid did, and everyone loved him.

Am I blowing smoke out my ass over this, or am I right?

#7

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2/23/06 at 2:57pm

MarkHastings
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According to TV.com there was an episode like that:
http://www.tv.com/its-your-move/elis...5/summary.html

Oh, and p.s. You wouldn't find it by seraching for Football, we call it soccer here in the states.

#8

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2/23/06 at 3:13pm

Joey Gunz
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I remember watching this show when I was a kid although I don't remember any particular episode. But I do remember Caren Kaye. Oh boy do I remember her!

#9

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2/23/06 at 4:14pm

James Landau
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Quote:

Am I blowing smoke out my ass over this, or am I right?

Neil,

You are right. That is indeed It's Your Move. Mark's link is right on the money. The scene you described is the very end of episode 15, "Eli's Song."

Quote:

But I do remember Caren Kaye. Oh boy do I remember her!

Hot, wasn't she? Picture of her (and other cast members) here.

#10

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2/23/06 at 4:19pm

MarkHastings
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Thanks for the photo James. David Garrison!!!! I forgot about him in that series. Now I see the Married with Children connection

#11

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2/23/06 at 6:28pm

Michael Alden
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I'm not waiting for a release. I transferred my VHS set from off NBC to DVD a couple of years ago.

#12

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2/23/06 at 7:27pm

Rob P S
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If I recall, after the 13th episode they had the mother find out about her scheming son and the original premise was dropped and the show just limped pointlessly through its last few episodes. Nevertheless, the mother and sister were hot and David Garrison was great (here and in MwC) - a gifted comic actor.

#13

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2/24/06 at 3:11am

Neil_Duffy
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Quote:

You are right. That is indeed It's Your Move. Mark's link is right on the money. The scene you described is the very end of episode 15, "Eli's Song."

Thanks James. You know, it was only a vague memory from about 20 years ago - and I remember really loving this show when it was on in the UK. It just disappeard in the UK.

I tell ya, I too would all over a DVD release of this!

#14

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2/24/06 at 7:18am

Jon Martin
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I would love to see it on DVD too. I watched it during its NBC run, then reruns aired on USA as well.

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#15

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2/24/06 at 1:53pm

stephen^wilson
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I used to watch It's your move when they first showed it in the uk(possibly the only time they showed it actually)when i was a boy and would buy it in a second if it was released on dvd.

#16

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2/25/06 at 1:34am

John*P
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I've already posted a few times about this show on these boards...I've never actually seen the show, but it is pretty much universally praised by everyone who remembers it. After reading about the series on some online sites, I know I would definitely like this show. The premise sounds interesting, and I have a renewed interest in Jason Bateman thanks to Arrested Development. If "It's Your Move: The Complete Series" were released on DVD, I'd buy it in a heartbeat! Please, Sony?

#17

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2/25/06 at 8:02am

David Rain
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I remember the show as well since I saw nearly every show that aired during the 80's. However, if the renewed popularity of Jason Bateman is going to bring any of his previous series to DVD I would bet on it being Valerie / The Hogan Family since it has a lot more than just Jason going for it. Therefore a potentially bigger audience including Valerie Harper fans.

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#18

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2/25/06 at 1:55pm

Jon Martin
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Quote:

but it is pretty much universally praised by everyone who remembers it.

Well, in fairness, we were all a lot younger when it came out. Most critics and audiences didn't like it. It was cancelled early on.

So, the people who liked the show would definitely buy it, but I don't know if it would work for new audiences.

It wasn't a GREAT sitcom, by any means. It is more a nostalgia viewing, than an appreciation of quality.

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#19

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2/25/06 at 5:00pm

Todd Stout
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I'd love to see It's Your Move on DVD. I still have a VHS tape that has the "Dregs of Humanity" episodes on it from a repeat airing from sometime back during the original run of the show. I really should dig that out and see if it still looks okay after all these years.

One of my friends back then was dubbed "Eli" because of his resemblance to the character on this show. To this day people will call him Eli from time to time. Sorry man!

#20

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2/26/06 at 8:15am

BradD
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When you say "infamous" do you mean they never ran the second half? I say this because I remember that episode and was DYING to see the second half, but never did. Did it ever air?

You too. I remember this and being highly upset not being able to the second part.

#21

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2/26/06 at 9:07am

ChrisCook
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Quote:

I remember the show as well since I saw nearly every show that aired during the 80's. However, if the renewed popularity of Jason Bateman is going to bring any of his previous series to DVD I would bet on it being Valerie / The Hogan Family since it has a lot more than just Jason going for it. Therefore a potentially bigger audience including Valerie Harper fans.

I think it's only a matter of time that we'll see "Valerie", I hope.

Disney/Buena Vista/Miramax: Please put Beautiful Girls on Blu-ray with bonus features and the original theatrical trailer in 1080p, and an anamorphic re-release with bonus features and the original theatrical trailer day-and-date on DVD. Thanks!

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#22

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2/28/06 at 12:20am

John*P
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Well, in fairness, we were all a lot younger when it came out. Most critics and audiences didn't like it. It was cancelled early on.

Jon Martin: True, Jon. I meant to say that it is praised by most of the people that mention it online on sites and message boards. My mistake.

As for Valerie/The Hogan Family, I loved that show, and want to see that on DVD even more than It's Your Move. I especially remember watching it Monday nights on NBC right after Alf. Good times...

#23

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2/28/06 at 10:03pm

David Rain
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Good news for Jason Bateman, Valerie Harper & Sandy Duncan fans. According to Sitcoms Online:

the sitcom is the 1986-1991 sitcom The Hogan Family. It will air WEEKDAYS @ 12 PM & 12:30 PM starting April 3. They will start with season three, by passing the Valerie years.
The show was titled Valerie in its first two seasons, then Valerie's Family for season three, before being called The Hogan Family by season four.

Sorry to hear that they're skipping the Valerie years (that's insulting to her and us) but if the reruns do well enough perhaps they'll rotate back around to her episodes. Also, I'm wondering if the waters are being tested for a future DVD release. I've noticed other sitcoms return to rerun syndication only to be followed later by a DVD release.

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#24

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3/1/06 at 6:01am

ChrisCook
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David Rain thanks for passing that along. That sounds great, minus the fact that they're skipping "Valerie". If Warner Bros. does bring "The Hogan Family" to DVD, I hope they start with "Valerie".

Disney/Buena Vista/Miramax: Please put Beautiful Girls on Blu-ray with bonus features and the original theatrical trailer in 1080p, and an anamorphic re-release with bonus features and the original theatrical trailer day-and-date on DVD. Thanks!

www.myspace.com/macphoen

#25

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3/1/06 at 7:43pm

David Rain
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I'll be firing up my Tivo for this as I have not seen these eps since they first aired. I don't even recall if airing in rerun syndication that much, if at all. As far as a DVD release, I think for the sake of continuity they will need to re-brand the entire series "The Hogan Family" as the frequent name changes are confusing even for fans. It would be confusing to have "Valerie - Season Two" followed by "The Hogan Family - Season Three" or however that would break down.

Watch this show when it airs, folks. Good ratings could mean a you-know-what.

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#26

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3/2/06 at 1:51pm

ChrisCook
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I haven't seen "The Hogan Family" regularly since Pax TV, though I did see an episode of "Valerie" and "The Hogan Family" on TV Land last year. Before that was local syndication. "Family Ties", "Alf", and "The Hogan Family" were all on a pre-UPN station. I'm looking forward to watching "The Hogan Family" on ABC Family April 3rd.

Disney/Buena Vista/Miramax: Please put Beautiful Girls on Blu-ray with bonus features and the original theatrical trailer in 1080p, and an anamorphic re-release with bonus features and the original theatrical trailer day-and-date on DVD. Thanks!

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#27

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3/3/06 at 12:59am

John*P
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Pavan from Sitcoms Online has updated his Hogan Family blog info for ABC Family; apparently, the Valerie episodes will air after all the Hogan Family episodes are finished. They're only skipping over the Valerie eps this once, supposedly.

This info came from Pavan's Sitcoms Online Blog: http://www.sitcomsonline.com/blog/

In a way, I'm actually more excited about the show coming to syndication than if S1 were coming to DVD...I'll be able to watch (and record) the entire series in a few short months. Yeah, they're edited and have network ads/bugs on the screen, but this will definitely tide me over till the series is released on DVD.

"Life is such a sweet insanity, the more you learn the less you know..."

#28

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3/3/06 at 10:25am

ChrisCook
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That's great news on "Valerie". Thanks for passing along that update.

Disney/Buena Vista/Miramax: Please put Beautiful Girls on Blu-ray with bonus features and the original theatrical trailer in 1080p, and an anamorphic re-release with bonus features and the original theatrical trailer day-and-date on DVD. Thanks!

www.myspace.com/macphoen

#29

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10/15/06 at 2:03pm

AnthonyC
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Re: IT'S YOUR MOVE with Jason Bateman - any chance of DVD?

I've never actually seen It's Your Move, but whenever I talk to my dad, he knows about my TV DVD addiction and always asks if IYM is coming out.

I noticed at TVShowsOnDVD they don't even show who owns the rights. Anyone know anything about this one possibly getting released?

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#30

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10/15/06 at 2:06pm

MatthewA
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Re: IT'S YOUR MOVE with Jason Bateman - any chance of DVD?

It was from Embassy Television, Norman Lear's company, so it would be a Sony property.

STOP THE MADNESS! STOP THE BUTCHERING AND ABANDONMENT OF TV SHOWS ON DVD!

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