Can Stars Push Their Tv Shows For DVD?

Jim Beaver · 12-11-2003, 10:14 PM

After Reading about Lois & Clark on TVSHOWSONDVD tonight. I wondered could this help alot of shows also get that are still on the Purgatory WAiting List so to speak. While I was never a big fan of Lois & Clark i did watch it and think it should be on DVD. Made me feel good that Dean Cain wanted it to.

Rick P · 12-11-2003, 11:54 PM

Actually Lois and Clark *IS* available on DVD.. but only from Columbia House (as is "Land of the Giants" and "Alien Nation")

Rob T · 12-12-2003, 12:34 AM

I would love to have alien nation season sets from fox!

David Lambert · 12-12-2003, 02:34 AM

Rick, that's something I've never heard before. I know about the other two, and can see them on CH's site. But no L&C?...

Also, keep in mind that those items eventually DO come to release for general sale: I Love Lucy did, What's Happening! is, uh, happening, and more is coming, such as Hogan's Heroes.

Gord Lacey · 12-12-2003, 08:27 AM

Stars sometimes mention something in articles about wishing for their shows on DVD (I remember reading an interview with Dave Foley where he said he thought "Kids in the Hall" would eventually come out), but I know a lot of executive producers call the studios and ask about any plans for their shows.

Gord

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David Lambert · 12-12-2003, 08:49 AM

That's a great example, Gord.

Besides that this was a fun quote, I admit that one of my motivations for posting that was to subtley point out to our readers that the stars don't always have a say in whether their shows come out on DVD.

Gord knows better than I do that we get e-mail after e-mail saying stuff like "can't you call Gil Gerard and get him to release Buck Rogers on DVD?" That's a made-up example, but you get the point. Unless you're in a Jerry Seinfeld kind of situation, where you have creative control over the show as well as star in it, then you have zero say in most cases.

And, as Gord points out subtle-like, even the Exec. Producers are at the mercy of the studios who own the property. It's up to them, or whoever the current rights-holders are, to ultimately make the decision to release.

That's the answer to your question, Jim. The stars and other people involved with the show can indeed "push" for the release. And the studios may listen. Or not...that's their choice.

But then again, there's nothing like the main star's involvement to really get the fans motivated. As many people as there are who vote for L&C at TVShowsOnDVD, I suspect he could become leader of a small army trying to convince Warner to release the show!

Even then, though, the studio is still at the mercy of budget concerns, rights issues, condition of the elements, participation, etc. etc. All the usual showstoppers.

Jim Beaver · 12-12-2003, 09:22 AM

Thanks Gord & Dave. That is what I figured

Scott_F_S · 12-12-2003, 09:41 AM

In most cases (Seinfeld, I guess, being the best example), the stars are essentially only hired hands -- as are directors, writers, limo drivers, etc. Depending on a number of factors, they may have some indirect influence on the decision makers. But ultimately, the decisions are made by the studios or whomever it is that has ownership of the title.

Gord Lacey · 12-12-2003, 10:47 AM

There are a couple of things that we can read into with Dean Cain's comment:

1) He hasn't been contacted by Warner Bros to do any bonus material for the sets
2) That means WB isn't currently working on a set since they would no doubt contact him
3) If they were to call him up, he would probably agree to take part in bonus materials for the set since he's interested in getting it for himself

I know Ben Stiller played a big role in the bonus material for "The Ben Stiller Show." He called the various cast members and asked them to come in to record commentary and take part in the DVD set. I think when a star of the show gets involved in the set, the end result will be a better product. When writers, creators and executive producers call the studios I'm sure they're also offering to take part in bonus features for the sets. Warner Bros has done some nice documentaries for "ER" and "The West Wing" that include almost everyone involved in the production. If you haven't seen either set, consider picking them up.

Gord