03-06-2004, 05:50 PM
|
#4 of 4 
|
|
Member
Join Date: Aug 2003
Local Time: 09:32 PM
Local Date: 12-04-2008
Posts: 168
|
Quote:
Be careful.
There were NEVER plans to have extras on this release "to honor John Ritter's passing". John died the week prior to his scheduled time to begin recording supplements with Anchor Bay that would be used on this release. The vast majority of the supplements were focusing on him: interviews, possibly a commentary track, etc. I had this info prior to his passing, but had been asked not to make it public because anything could change. And change it did, in the worst possible way!
With his death immediately before the time planned to record the supplements, Anchor Bay was faced with two choices: delay S1 for an indeterminate length of time and plan new supplements from scratch (the obvious focus would be to honor John's passing). Or just release what they already had completed, which was all six episodes from the very short 1st season.
It took Anchor Bay less than 24 hours of seeing and hearing feedback from fans who wanted John Ritter material on DVD *now* (so they could enjoy his brilliance) to decide what to do. A lot of folks have called this "cashing in". I don't believe that for a second. They were responding to a demand. Period, end of sentance.
I gave them my opinion that releasing this DVD sooner rather than later was the right thing to do. I, too, wanted it ASAP. And I still want other shows and films on DVD that starred John, esp. Hero At Large.
Going forward, Anchor Bay decided to "start from scratch" on extras that focused on memories of John, and use them instead on the already-planned Season 2 set (still no date for that, though I suspect it's not too far off...I have no idea if the sale of Anchor Bay will hold anything up, though).
Right plans, right thing to do all-the-way 'round. I look forward to seeing what they end up with on S2 extras. I hope that all surviving members of the cast participate. And I hope that they take time to honor other late cast members from the show: namely Audra Lindley and Norman Fell (The Ropers). Both had been acting since the '40s, and are missed as well. They played excellently off each other, and helped make the show a success.
|
Great post. I agree wholeheartedly- releasing the first season immediately was the right thing to do. Having no extras on the disc is completely forgiveable, IMO, especially since it's my favorite show of all-time and I was just happy to have the show on DVD at all. The picture quality wasn't bad, in fact I expected it for a show of it's age. It looks about the same if not better than the Nick at Nite presentations of Season One.
I was completely shocked with John's passing, I learned about it in school when they had it on the announcements along with the sad news of Johnny Cash's death. I almost didn't believe what I had heard, I even asked the homeroom teacher if I had really heard it. He was such a brilliant man who made so many people laugh throughout his life, but I suppose it was just his time to go. 
I simply cannot wait for Season Two, which is even funnier than the first. But I do want Anchor Bay to take their time with this release, so they can get it right and put some great extras on it.
|
|
|