TVSoDVD.com is reporting a slight change to the cover art for
GG:S5 (and
Scrubs:S3). It was originally labeled "The Complete Fifth Season", in small type, consistent with the previous sets. Now, it features "SEASON FIVE" in very large type. Normally this wouldn't seem like news worthy of another studio press release, or a new post on TVSoDVD.com. But I can't help but wonder if Buena Vista isn't simply "covering their ass", by removing the word "complete" from the packaging --due to possible episode cuts.
I believe
GG:S5 had a few episodes with the girls singing songs and performing to music, so it's likely BV ran into music clearance issues with this season's release.
I've always hated that the studios label some shows as
complete, when we know, for fact they are
not. This change in labeling could be a simple acknowledgement that a particular release may, or may not, be
truly complete -- with only an
extremely small disclaimer buried in the text on the back cover -- to alert the consumer.
These studio press releases always make me laugh at how self-congratulatory they are.
(Here's an example of BV "tooting their own horn" by referring to themselves as "industry leader" more than once in a press release.) I've never seen one of these press releases announce an upcoming set to feature "syndicated versions of episodes", or "original music replacements". Yet they continue to indicate "Dolby 2.0, 4:3 video, interactive menus, etc." -- all points that don't need addressing in a press release, since they are inherent -- while
purposely leaving out important details regarding edits and alterations.
A
true industry leader would indicate
all the facts regarding any changes to a show within their press releases. But doing so would undoubtedly have a negative effect on their bottom line. The studios, like politicians, understand all-too-well, that not disclosing the truth is not the same as telling a lie. They just hope they never get called on it.
