Gunsmoke in limbo?

Three seasons released so far and 17 remain.  If full seasons were released twice per year, GUNSMOKE would be completed in 2018.  Let's assume half-seasons will be released twice per year...making the completion around 2026-27. 

In 17 years, not only will DVD players be obsolete/collectors items, but CBS/Paramount may be just a memory. 

It sucks.

When I first heard about blu-ray, I wished companies could take advantage of it with standard definition content to fit a significant amount of content into 1 disc rather than just high definition versions at similar lengths as DVD. The size of the disc was the main reason I got excited before realizing it was only being used to provide high definition content.

 
Seems like it would be the only way to get something like Gunsmoke would be through DVD quality on Blu-Ray without any restoration done to keep cost down both with numbers of disc, packaging, and savings from not doing expensive film restoration.

Is that even possible with blu-ray (Fitting 3-6 times the content of a DVD depending on if its single or dual layer at 480p resolution and DVD style bit rates and all that?). Or is it forbiddon by those overseeing the technology or just not possible with the hardware?

Imagine getting season sets on a single disc. I'd love it. Instead all we get is a similar amount of content as a DVD disc with improved resolution (Which while nice, isn't really necessary for most classic content imo).

Hmmm... I'm not sure about this one.  I don't believe Gunsmoke is stalled, but anything's possible.  Rawhide, on the other hand, really does seem to be at a minimum, on the brink of being stalled.  But I'm pretty sure we can plan on seeing more Gunsmoke.  Things do change though, so who knows.

Gary "I wouldn't worry about Gunsmoke being stalled unless we get through the 1st Q of next year without a release - if that happens then I'd agree the show is stalled" O.

Gunsmoke is not stalled and studios do not announce their releases more than a few months in advance. This is because market forces are constantly changing. Neither CBS nor Paramount have ever announced release dates that far in advance.

I agree that studios generally do not officially announce releases more than 3/4 months in advance (although once in a while that's not true), but in all fairness to John's initial post, he didn't say CBS/Paramount officially announces anything a year or more in advance.  He said they plan things that far in advance.  And that's absolutely true.  Announcing and planning are two different animals altogether.

Gary "the studios generally have to plan out releases a good 9 to 12 months in advance, if not longer, just to get all their ducks in a row (so to speak)" O.

Well, anything is possible John.  It wouldn't be the first time a studio changed up plans and if that's what is happening it won't be the last time.  But I'll stick to my guns (no pun intended) and maintain that we shouldn't be worried about GUNSMOKE being stalled until we get into the first quarter of next year and still don't have a release.  If that happens, I'll be very concerned.  My guess is we'd hear something official by Thanksgiving.  If we get to Christmas and haven't heard about a release date, then I'll change my tune and agree that this show is stalled out (like RAWHIDE apparently is right now).

Gary "and the economy is definitely the 'wild card' in all this type of talk" O.

Although meaningless in the real world, Amazon has a place-holder for GUNSMOKE Season 4 and the usual suspects have already begun discussing ("Reviewing") their predictions on the DVD fate of the series. There may be hope John. 

I share the same fear John, Gunsmoke is/was one of my prized tv dvd series. I always bought each release as soon as they were released. My fear is that Bonanza has taken Gunsmokes place. While I plan on buying Bonanza (another favorite of mine) I also want Gunsmoke to continue. My opinion (no facts just opinion) is that they don't want 2 westerns out at the same time. Maybe they think fans will choose between one or the other and because of the economy can't afford both? All I know is that I have a baaaaadddd feeling about this that I just can't shake.

I think if anything, BONANZA edged RAWHIDE out the door, not GUNSMOKE.  I'm still confident that we'll see more Marshal Dillon in the first quarter of '10.  Just my two cents based on what little info I have right now. 

Gary "I'm telling everyone - RAWHIDE, not GUNSMOKE, is the series that's on the cusp of being abandoned" O.

Gary, as usual, I'm in complete concert with your assessment.  We haven't heard a peep from the studio about a S4 "Rawhide" release in so long that I'd be VERY surprised if the series is resurrected.  Fully agree that "Bonanza" and "Gunsmoke" have a definite edge over "Rawhide" for seeing future releases.  At least "Gunsmoke" has color seasons that can potentially "goose" its chances--"Rawhide" is B&W all the way, and that spells doom in my mind when you factor in the economy and demography.

Well Gary, it's mid-May and 1st Q 2010 is gone.  2nd Q is fading fast.

 

I'd say there's no one left in Dodge City...and with the economy about to collapse this summer, all we're going to see of GUNSMOKE in the near future are tumbleweeds.

 

Shoot, we didn't even get all the 30-minute eps...tight and well-written before they padded and filled to make more commercial avails in an hour.

 

C'est la vie. 
 

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Tsk, Tsk.  There's no need to fear, Gary O. is here. 

 

In all honesty, those comments from me are quite aged and do not reflect any updated scheduling that might be done by CBS/P.  They do change their long term schedule from time to time.  I say there's nothing to worry about.  Gunsmoke has NOT been abandoned.  Take that to the bank.  Here's my new "if it's not out by ____  it's time to panic" outlook. 

 

If it's not out by October of this year then it's time to panic.  I suspect we will hear good news about the next volume of Gunsmoke coming our way some time in July or August.  If we move into September and we've not gotten any release news then it's time to pack it up.  But for right now, don't panic.  The show is still a comin' later this year.

 

Gary "take it to the bank, my friend" O.

Ok Gary, I still believe in Santa, so I won't give up hope.  But it could be a horse race between CBS/P and another stock market collapse.

 

As far as "taking it to the bank" I prefer the mattress these days.