Queer as Folk Packaging Upset (1 Viewer)

I really don't understand a change in packaging as drastic a the Queer As Folk Season 4 release. I can understand the slim shift that Felicity got - they didn't change the box in the least it's just about 1/2 an inch thinner. The Queer As Folk release from yesterday is drastically different and frankly cheaper looking. It's bigger, it's not a box that opens with a creative design, it's simply a box with three keep cases. Additionally the special features are skimpy.

Anyone know why these shifts occur? My guess is that it's cheaper - are the QAF sets not doing well or are they just being cheap?

On that note, how can you find sales figures for DVD releases?

Thanks.

Showtime did similar packing on The L Word.

However, I think they should reissue the entire series with slimcases, I hate digipacks, especially with packaging as complicated as the QAF sets. And how about dropping the price a bit? $100+ for 12 episodes is way too much IMO. L Word is Showtime and about the same amount of episodes and you can get it for $50 or less. There's no reason to charge what Showtime charges for QAF (I won't buy Six Feet Under from HBO for the same reason), and I am too hesitant to go the ebay route because of all the Asian bootlegs that are available there.

BTW, I find it hilarious that Randy Harrison is the reason we're not getting a season 6. I could see Hal Sparks deciding not to come back, but what has Randy really done besides off-broadway?

Randy Harrison has been on Broadway too - but do you really think he's the sole reason? The creators said they planned on a 5 year series from the start, and Peter Paige is directing films now and Gale Harold seems to be a bit full of himself at this point in time. Though it is quite sad, especially a last season of 14 episodes - that's ridiculous. And charging so much for half a season is absurd (a la Sex and the City).

My explanation from a similar discussion (regarding Showtime's packaging changes):

SHOWTIME (and others) have been pressured by the rental industry ("rentailers") to offer a more uniform package that allows for the discs to be displayed and rented individually. The "DigiPak" concept does not allow for this. Some studios offered the option of ordering these box-sets with "Amaray" sleeves, but only on its initial
"pre-order" release. This caused quite a bit of problems, since suppliers had to handle different packaging options (SKUs) for many titles.

Another issue is the cost of the custom packaging. When the title is first released (and its pressing quantity is at its peak), the cost for the packaging is relatively low, due to the volume. Months later, when a re-press may be required, the quantity required may not be realistic to continue using the original custom packaging. The cost-per-unit becomes too expensive. This is why we see so many "limited edition" packages for intitial releases. (Besides the obvious marketing gimmick).

I'd guess that Showtime's sales for these specialty programs have not justified the continued use of the original packaging. By changing the format, they solve the "rentailers" concerns and save manufacturing costs by using a more standard packaging.

We'd probably all prefer the use of "ThinPaks" instead. I imagine with the retail price of this set being over $100, Showtime felt they had to offer a larger package. From a marketing perspective, the consumer may feel cheated by such a small package costing $100, even though the content was the same. I know retailers are also wary of stocking product that expensive in such small packaging, due to its easy theft potential.

While I'm not a fan of "DigiPaks" in general, I actually like the ones used by "QAF", "Sopranos" and "The Munsters". The sturdy "cigar" boxes are much classier than the traditional flimsy sleeves of most other sets. The new "QAF" season 4 looks terrible next to the previous three sets, since it's a new style almost twice as big.

Oh well...another series that will look awkward in the collection when completed. What else is new?

well, I heard that all the other principals were ready to sign for a sixth season except Randy.

Why not kill Justin off, or have him ship away to a school outside of Pittsburgh? The show could go on without him IMO

Packaging: I haven't gotten the S4 set yet, but it is disappointing to know it changed midstream. Is it possible a new release of all the sets will be coming once S5 is finished? A release with all the discs in thinpacks?

Randy: I always felt the show was about Justin coming out and becoming a man. Without him, the show really means very little. Yes, you could continue to do stories around the rest of the crew, but the heart...the essence would be gone. I'd rather the show be laid to rest than try to fumble through a Justin-less season or (god forbid) re-cast Justin.

A revolving cast would have been acceptable if people were brought in each year. Dr. David didn't show up for a while in S1. Blake, Hunter and scores of other characters are recurring, but none have made it as regulars. That's how you keep a show fresh: new faces when old ones want to leave.

And whats with the individual DVD cases sliding out of the left side of the S4 Boxset as opposed to the right side like every other DVD Boxset.(Looking at the front cover)
It makes it look like somekind of printing error.
THe packaging is a true shocker!!
Season 5 discs will no doubt come in brown paper bags.

I cannot speak to the DVD packaging, as I only Netflix'd these; I was more worried about the quality of the content of the DVDs themselves.

Well, I just finished season four and I think it is the strongest of the series thus far.

If I was going to rank the seasons, for quality, I would do it as:
Season Four
Season Three
Season One
Season Two

Season Two was pure shit, IMHO.
Season Four is its antitheses. So good, it makes me wish the first two seasons (and first few episodes of season three) would just vanish from my memory.

Based on the credits, it seems that Cowlip had fired at least most of the old writers and brought in ones who seem to understand story/character arcs, continuity, and genuine human drama.

They finally got it right and this season seemed much less based on shock "no apologies" and more on good stories.

With foundations in season three (which it seems, worked as fast as it could to get rid of the left over stench from Season Two), this time around the writers allowed the stories to come from within the characters (one literally starting in Brian's scrotum), rather than seeking unrealistic drama behind crap like the mayoral campaign race, Emmet as a porno star, or Ted as his boss running an gay porno internet site out the basement that would've made Chi-Chi LaRue look like an amateur. IT WAS ALL SHIT.

This season, the characters remembered what their relationships were like from episode to episode and that was the most welcomed change. Thoughts and feelings from ealier episodes resonated throughout the entire series. BRAVO!

Can I have some more, please?

I saw real growth and development for the first time:
These characters are finally growing up.

As for season five being the last maybe that is a good thing. While I no longer see the series with Justin as the axis of the wheel, I don't see QAF as being QAF without Justin.

This season brought about some good juxtaposes in the couples: Michael and Ben, Brian and Justin (though I am officially sick of seeing them in bed together) and Lindsay and Mel. I also liked that Emmett's relationship, while smacking a tad of the situation he was in with Mr.Schickle a few seasons ago (a high-profile, yet clandestine relationship), I liked the resolution of this one much more. I also believed it…same for Ted and his growth as a character. I was also shocked to find I actually cared about what was happening with that kid that Michael and Ben are fostering.

No more porno business in the basement or guys marching out to show their asses for butt enhancements. We finally got real stories where I cared about the characters.

I still missed Daphne, who seemed like she was back for the start of the series and then suddenly went MIA. (I think she would have been there for Justin's success and, at least for the Liberty Ride.)

The only story line that stank of the overly-faked QAF was the obvious allusions to a gay director who made "V-Men." I doubt out director Brian Singer would think twice about doing "Rage:" he is a director before he is a gay director, and I don't care what kind of hype one puts behind it, and film with the superheroes being gay is not going to be the next "X-Men" blockbuster.

It is too bad this show got good, like "Star Trek: Enterprise," just when the people who originally subscribed to Showtime because of QAF had given up on it.

I'm curious to know what kind of ratings it has had, and with gay men, not just hetero women.

Based on the lack of discussion on this forum (either in the TV shows forum, on in the DVD sections), I'd guess many have lost interest in it.

I still watch but it's been many months since any new episodes have come out so not so much talk. Hopefully, that will change when the new season starts next month.

Showtime is re-releasing QAF: S1 on August 23 for a list price of only $50, down from the previous list price of $120. The six-disc set will contain the same content, but will now be packaged in 6 thin cases with box-sleeve.

that sounds great, hopefully seasons 2-5 will follow

maybe HBO will follow suit?