TV on DVD: Recommendations

PatboyX

Zampano wrote: »

maximumzero wrote: »

Zampano wrote: »

UnbreakableVow wrote: »

And Malkor, I feel your pain. I want Daria on DVD but thanks to music licensing it will probably never happen. Same with The Wonder Years.

That's also what happened to Mission Hill. The DVDs were released too long after the show was made and they couldn't afford to get the licenses back, so they had to replace all the great music in the show with generic stock stuff, even the theme song, which was an instrumental of Cake's "Italian Leather Sofa". It sucks a lot of soul out of one of the funniest and most heartfelt cartoons ever made.

Oh...oh god. The Kevin Birthday episode must be absolutely ruined.

What a shame. I've almost picked up that set so many times.

Everything Oakley & Weinstein touch is pure gold though.

I hear ya brother. People whine about Futurama getting canceled before its time but the truth is that they had something like an 80 episode run filled with gems, and a finale that pretty effectively closes out the series. But then you throw something like Mission Hill out there which got all of 13 episodes with no closure whatsoever and it puts that in perspective.

What's worse is that Oakley and Weinstein had a 10 year story arc planned, which tracked Andy as he moves from one job to another while becoming a more and more accomplished cartoonist, until he ends up a Matt Groening level.

I loved Mission Hill but I think asking for 10 years is a bit much to ask of any network.
Or was it really like 3 seasons made to be 10 years?

Zampano

Dunno. Three seasons seems a bit short for that kind of storytelling.

10 years is overambitious but the point is that the writers had a good story to tell and just from the 13 episodes we already have, they could have done a kickass job telling it. But we'll never know, and even the original episodes have been compromised by licensing, such that the only way to see them as they were originally composed is on Adult Swim.

Sentry

The Oblongs was another good show cancelled before its time.

maximumzero

Zampano wrote: »

maximumzero wrote: »

Zampano wrote: »

UnbreakableVow wrote: »

And Malkor, I feel your pain. I want Daria on DVD but thanks to music licensing it will probably never happen. Same with The Wonder Years.

That's also what happened to Mission Hill. The DVDs were released too long after the show was made and they couldn't afford to get the licenses back, so they had to replace all the great music in the show with generic stock stuff, even the theme song, which was an instrumental of Cake's "Italian Leather Sofa". It sucks a lot of soul out of one of the funniest and most heartfelt cartoons ever made.

Oh...oh god. The Kevin Birthday episode must be absolutely ruined.

What a shame. I've almost picked up that set so many times.

Everything Oakley & Weinstein touch is pure gold though.

I hear ya brother. People whine about Futurama getting canceled before its time but the truth is that they had something like an 80 episode run filled with gems, and a finale that pretty effectively closes out the series. But then you throw something like Mission Hill out there which got all of 13 episodes with no closure whatsoever and it puts that in perspective.

What's worse is that Oakley and Weinstein had a 10 year story arc planned, which tracked Andy as he moves from one job to another while becoming a more and more accomplished cartoonist, until he ends up a Matt Groening level.

Adult Swim should pick them up. If they can bankroll something like The Venture I don't see why they couldn't do the same with Mission Hill.

Well, a man can dream anyway.

Zampano

Eh. I don't think the Oblongs hold up as well as Mission Hill or Futurama. Most of the gags are sort of one trick ponies. And given that Adult Swim has played all three on a constant basis for the past five years, one can get a pretty good idea of what sticks and what doesn't.

Fleck0

While we're on the AS side of things I bought all the Home Movies DVDs, great show with great extras and commentary. Though I think everything Brendan Small touches is gold, and H. Jon Benjamin is the icing on the cake

DoctorArch

I searched the thread and found no mention, so here goes:

Most of the BBC television series are fantastic.

Doctor Who
Torchwood
Robin Hood
MI-6

These are the ones I have seen and I love them dearly. The only bad part is that they are exorbitantly expensive.

CommunistCow

Curse you internet! Why can't you tell me about new shows? I have seen pretty much everything in this thread with the exceptions of:

Prison Break
Uk Office
Last Airbender
The Sheild

Good and Bad that weren't in your list from the OP:

Good:
Rome
How I met your mother
Carnivale (still worth watching even though they didn't make it past season 2)
Dead Like Me

Bad:
Big Bang Theory
Deadwood - not necessarily bad but it was rather meh from the first few episodes that I saw.

Zampano

Fleck0 wrote: »

While we're on the AS side of things I bought all the Home Movies DVDs, great show with great extras and commentary. Though I think everything Brendan Small touches is gold, and H. Jon Benjamin is the icing on the cake

I like Home Movies, but for some reason the commentary doesn't work for me. For starters it's very hard to differentiate Brandon Small from Loren Bouchard, so their commentary kind of runs together. Secondly, the commentary itself is not very cohesive. At least in the first season, they seem to ramble on a lot about stuff not related to the show and they play a lot of inside baseball, which kind of turns me off. And to add to that, it's not edited into the show very well. The commentary basically plays at the same volume as the episode track, to the point where it's almost unintelligable.

Now, that's only on the first season DVDs, so they might have improved in subsequent seasons, but I haven't cared to check them out.

Bionic Monkey

Archgarth wrote: »

I searched the thread and found no mention, so here goes:

Most of the BBC television series are fantastic.

Doctor Who
Torchwood
Robin Hood
MI-6

These are the ones I have seen and I love them dearly. The only bad part is that they are exorbitantly expensive.

Eh... I wouldn't rate Torchwood as "fantastic" though I definately don't think it's as terrible as a lot of people.

Proto

Zampano wrote: »

UnbreakableVow wrote: »

And Malkor, I feel your pain. I want Daria on DVD but thanks to music licensing it will probably never happen. Same with The Wonder Years.

That's also what happened to Mission Hill. The DVDs were released too long after the show was made and they couldn't afford to get the licenses back, so they had to replace all the great music in the show with generic stock stuff, even the theme song, which was an instrumental of Cake's "Italian Leather Sofa". It sucks a lot of soul out of one of the funniest and most heartfelt cartoons ever made.

I've got the DVD set and the intro seems the same to me. The rest is different though.

It's still really great and worth picking up.

DoctorArch

Bionic Monkey wrote: »

Archgarth wrote: »

I searched the thread and found no mention, so here goes:

Most of the BBC television series are fantastic.

Doctor Who
Torchwood
Robin Hood
MI-6

These are the ones I have seen and I love them dearly. The only bad part is that they are exorbitantly expensive.

Eh... I wouldn't rate Torchwood as "fantastic" though I definately don't think it's as terrible as a lot of people.

Weird. I started watching it after Doctor Who Season 2 and I always really enjoyed it. It reminded me of a more mature, British take on the X-Files. I can see why a lot of Doctor Who fans may not enjoy it, but I always considered them on their separate merits.

Variable

I can't wait for Six Feet Under to show up. I'm looking forward to a new show, I got run down on West Wing after 3 and a half seasons in a month.

I do have it's always sunny but that's not quite the same as a drama.

DeathPrawn

Variable wrote: »

I can't wait for Six Feet Under to show up. I'm looking forward to a new show, I got run down on West Wing after 3 and a half seasons in a month.

I do have it's always sunny but that's not quite the same as a drama.

I dunno. I loved Six Feet Under for about half of the first season, and then I just got bored of it. It's not like the second half of season 1 was worse than the first half, I just couldn't be bothered to sit through it.

TL DR

I enjoyed Six Feet Under. The premier episode's introductory scene is absolutely masterful.

UnbreakableVow

Archgarth wrote: »

I searched the thread and found no mention, so here goes:

Most of the BBC television series are fantastic.

Doctor Who
Torchwood
Robin Hood
MI-6

These are the ones I have seen and I love them dearly. The only bad part is that they are exorbitantly expensive.

I was wondering if someone would mention Robin Hood. I saw it at the Virgin Megastore once, picked up the box and it looked totally fucking sweet, but it was wicked expensive so I held back. Forgot to ever follow up.

PatboyX

Fleck0 wrote: »

While we're on the AS side of things I bought all the Home Movies DVDs, great show with great extras and commentary. Though I think everything Brendan Small touches is gold, and H. Jon Benjamin is the icing on the cake

Home Movies rules.
I even check out the Science Court shit whenever I see that on simply because I love the cast.

Lacroix

Weird. I started watching it after Doctor Who Season 2 and I always really enjoyed it. It reminded me of a more mature, British take on the X-Files. I can see why a lot of Doctor Who fans may not enjoy it, but I always considered them on their separate merits.

Whoa Whoa Whoa.... how are we understanding the word 'mature' here? 'Cause I like Towrchwood but would never use that word to describe it!

ArcticMonkey

6 pages and no mention of Black Adder?
For shame!

YamiNoSenshi

I just want to put this out there if you're worried about cost. Netflix has a lot of these TV series available, and you get an entire season at once. It's a lot cheaper than buying DVDs, as long as you're not a pack-rat. The little lady and I just signed up and it's pretty awesome.

//Not a shill, I swear.

Tofystedeth

Wait, you can get an entire season at once from Netflix? Or is that just on a multidisc plan.

Sykus

Bionic Monkey wrote: »

Did you pick up on

Spoiler:

the fact that Willow was addicted to magic? Like a drug? Because it was addicting? Like the time she went to the opium, I mean magic den? And almost killed Dawn because she was driving while high, I mean, infused with magic?

Yes. It was a mite hard not to. Like you said, it had all the subtlety of a sledgehammer. And yes, it was horrible and I was groaning the whole time. But there were a lot of other things going on that were still more than worth the time spent on them.

Spoiler:

Buffy's story arc that season (notwithstanding the Spike stuff, which personally I liked but I know some people didn't) was a really cool twist on an old idea. I loved the notion that even a fully "legit" resurrection (ie, the person isn't a zombie or anything) could still be terrible for them. The trio was amusing and the culmination of their story arc was a punch in the gut. Tara really hit her stride as a likable character (finally) in season 6. And I stand by what I said about "Once More With Feeling". The entirety of season 6 is worth watching just so the context is there for that one episode. It is absolutely classic, classic Buffy.

PantsB

Tofystedeth wrote: »

Wait, you can get an entire season at once from Netflix? Or is that just on a multidisc plan.

Well you can get a disc at a time OR you can stream it to your computer/360/other media device

PantsB

Sykus wrote: »

Bionic Monkey wrote: »

Did you pick up on

Spoiler:

the fact that Willow was addicted to magic? Like a drug? Because it was addicting? Like the time she went to the opium, I mean magic den? And almost killed Dawn because she was driving while high, I mean, infused with magic?

Yes. It was a mite hard not to. Like you said, it had all the subtlety of a sledgehammer. And yes, it was horrible and I was groaning the whole time. But there were a lot of other things going on that were still more than worth the time spent on them.

Spoiler:

Buffy's story arc that season (notwithstanding the Spike stuff, which personally I liked but I know some people didn't) was a really cool twist on an old idea. I loved the notion that even a fully "legit" resurrection (ie, the person isn't a zombie or anything) could still be terrible for them. The trio was amusing and the culmination of their story arc was a punch in the gut. Tara really hit her stride as a likable character (finally) in season 6. And I stand by what I said about "Once More With Feeling". The entirety of season 6 is worth watching just so the context is there for that one episode. It is absolutely classic, classic Buffy.

Buffy spoilers

Spoiler:

The problem was that it wasn't original. They had already done it over and over. Once was enough and by the time Season 6 came around it had been done to death, had made Buffy the least likable character and was dragging the show down.

The same Buffy is sad and isolated boo-who arc was done:
Season 1-2 Buffy is a slayer but fuck it she's going to live her life too.
Season 3 - Anne episode through Faith's arrival crybaby, best overall season IMO
Season 4 - The Freshman through like Beer Bad disaffected college student blah blah, more Buffy-centric
Season 5 it has become Buffy's default state with Dawn being the Key, The Body, Riley getting sucked off.
Season 6 wasn't some twist, it was more moping.
Season 7 - Buffy was kind of annoying but at least she was doing less whining and the desire to actually drive a plot and explore new characters blunted what whining there was.

The show was at its best when it was Scoobie ensemble centered and at its worst when it was Buffy being emo.

Tofystedeth

PantsB wrote: »

Tofystedeth wrote: »

Wait, you can get an entire season at once from Netflix? Or is that just on a multidisc plan.

Well you can get a disc at a time OR you can stream it to your computer/360/other media device

Well, you can stream some of the shows. Most of the new stuff isn't available online. Like Avatar. Or Dexter. Or House.

CommunistCow

PantsB wrote: »

Buffy spoilers

Spoiler:

The problem was that it wasn't original. They had already done it over and over. Once was enough and by the time Season 6 came around it had been done to death, had made Buffy the least likable character and was dragging the show down.

The same Buffy is sad and isolated boo-who arc was done:
Season 1-2 Buffy is a slayer but fuck it she's going to live her life too.
Season 3 - Anne episode through Faith's arrival crybaby, best overall season IMO
Season 4 - The Freshman through like Beer Bad disaffected college student blah blah, more Buffy-centric
Season 5 it has become Buffy's default state with Dawn being the Key, The Body, Riley getting sucked off.
Season 6 wasn't some twist, it was more moping.
Season 7 - Buffy was kind of annoying but at least she was doing less whining and the desire to actually drive a plot and explore new characters blunted what whining there was.

The show was at its best when it was Scoobie ensemble centered and at its worst when it was Buffy being emo.

What is this? Buffy can't have spoilers. There wasn't enough that actually happened in that show to spoil.

polaris314

Adding to the BSG, Rome, and Deadwood love. Deadwood was yet another show that was forced to end before it was due, but they managed to wrap up the Season 3 plotline pretty well. It was just sad because Ian McShane's portrayal of Al Swearengen was probably one of my favorite characters in anything, ever.

lordswing

To keep echoing this awesome show

"There are two kinds of people in the world: those who love The Wire and those who haven't seen it. Yet."

UnbreakableVow

To the person who mentioned Black Adder, I don't own it, but I have it on extended borrow. Like, it's been a year now. Marvelous show. My old avatar was Rowan Atkinson from Black Adder I.

Anyways, stopped at Wal-Mart after work, and picked up Burn Notice. Can't wait to start on it.

Grislo

Bionic Monkey wrote: »

Archgarth wrote: »

I searched the thread and found no mention, so here goes:

Most of the BBC television series are fantastic.

Doctor Who
Torchwood
Robin Hood
MI-6

These are the ones I have seen and I love them dearly. The only bad part is that they are exorbitantly expensive.

Eh... I wouldn't rate Torchwood as "fantastic" though I definately don't think it's as terrible as a lot of people.

Torchwood is generally decent, with a few good-to-very good episodes thrown in. It's probably a very hit and miss kind of thing with most people. As someone said, kind of a British X Files, which can be a good thing, but also, at times, a very bad thing.

The BBC Robin Hood series, on the other hand, is really, really bad. Sorry.

I think the new Doctor Who is excellent, but I'd hesitate to recommend it to people. It's something of an acquired taste for most, and the dvd's are still on the pricy side.


Since Who/BBC was brought up, if anyone watched the '08 Christmas Special and want more Tennant/Morrissey they should check out the mini series Blackpool. So should the OP, it's very good and should be cheap.

Variable

woooo I'm rewatching It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia and really enjoying it. I watched the first 2 seasons some time ago and didn't like it much but I was never sure why.

I'm finishing the first season now and can't imagine what my issue was. Absolutely hilarious.

Hylianbunny

I can't believe I forgot about Chuck.

Invisible

Variable wrote: »

woooo I'm rewatching It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia and really enjoying it. I watched the first 2 seasons some time ago and didn't like it much but I was never sure why.

I'm finishing the first season now and can't imagine what my issue was. Absolutely hilarious.

My brother bought the series a few weeks ago and I watched a few with him before he went back to school, and it's easily one of the funniest shows out there right now.