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I was thrilled to see that the first season of Titus is now available on DVD. I can't believe some of the stuff that has been cranked out to make a buck in the TV DVD market while some great shows have been completely passed over. The first season of The Cosby Show is about to come out on DVD. It's not like I'm a big fan, but it was such a huge show that I can't believe stuff like The Bachelor has been on the shelves for a year already and we're just getting around to Cosby. Other huge shows like Roseanne, Cheers and Married... with Children are barely represented on the shelves, but we've got special editions of Coyote Ugly available for your viewing boredom. No wonder Sean Connery retired and left a parting show stating that the skill gap between those who make films and those who greenlight films has reached an all-time high.
Here's a short list of TV shows that I demand be released on DVD for my viewing pleasure. If my demands are not met I will... um... well... I guess I'll be very sad - AND NOBODY WANTS THAT!
Grace Under Fire - It only lasted four seasons (due to Brett Butler's battle with prescription drugs), but this show kicked ass. It's tough to beat good white trash humor (except when it's the real kind, like on COPS), and Grace was full of hillbilly comedy and the occasional jab at carnies. Extra points for great use of character actor Casey Sander and former hoser Dave Thomas (not the Wendy's guy).
Platypus Man - Comedian Richard Jeni had a show for one year on the brand new UPN. This was the network that Star Trek: Voyager launched, and Platypus Man was one of two sitcoms that filled out the night. Jeni played a man on a quest for women. It was that simple, and it was Richard Jeni funny.
Grand - For you fans of Less Than Perfect, Grand featured a teenage Sarah Rue before she and Abraham Benrubi played the prom version of Dan and Roseanne Connor. Grand was based on the town where Grand pianos are built, and starred Michael McKeon as a burned -out executive working for the town's version of Mr. Burns from The Simpsons, and also starred Bonnie Hunt, Pamela Reed and Joel Murray as the crazy rich kid. It was one of the many shows that NBC used to fill in the Thursday night slots around Cosby and Cheers, and it ended way too soon. I can still hear the cast singing the opening theme, which ended with the very inspirational words "If you're gonna play it, play it grand."
Rachel Gunn, R.N. - Christine Ebersol became one of the many faces to flash through Fox's Sunday night line-up in an attempt to create hits around Married... with Children and The Simpsons. The show was about an obnoxious hospital staff that centered around the world's most sarcastic nurse. It was the perfect compliment to MWC (and even stole their Officer Dan), but it just didn't last. Oh, yeah - Megan Mullaly was on the show, too.
Dinosaurs - The muppet version of The Simpsons. This was one of the greatest commentaries on history, evolution and modern thinking... and it was cleverly disguised as a kids' show.
Pinky and The Brain - I'm still not sure if this was just a way to milk the episodes from The Animaniacs or if they made new shorts just for the solo show, but two mice trying to take over the world by exploiting humanity's stupidity was just too funny.
Hill Street Blues - NOT AVAILABLE YET?!!! This was one of the Emmy Award winningest shows EVER but it's not on DVD. What are you people thinking? A 500-pound mobster dies in the lockup and he slides down the stairs while trying to move him out? Renko wrecking his back trying to rescue a naked fat woman who was wedged in he bathtub? This was the cop show that paved the way for all the other ones.
L.A. Law - Another huge show that should be more of a priority just because of its enormity. And, need I remind you, it was a great show. The most memorable episode for me was the girl on trial for killing a diplomat's son who raped her because he knew he was protected by diplomatic immunity. It was intriguing stories like this that made this such a lasting show.
The State - The best sketch comedy show ever. If you like Stella (are you kidding me?) and/or Reno 911, The State (which featured many of the stars from both shows) will make you laugh out loud. From hunting muppets for food to selling your parents to the monster that lives under the bed, this MTV show took sketch comedy to rare and bizarre heights.
The Big Valley - The best 60's western ever, featuring the bionic man, a bitch from Dynasty and the professor without the nanny, all under the watchful motherly guidance of the era's biggest lesbian. It's how California was built.
Action - If it's Hollywood commentary you want, this show had it from start to finish. It only lasted a few episodes, but the central plot about a powerful show biz exec dating a former child actress turned streetwalker kept the fun moving right along.
Cop Rock - It was the embarrassment of Steven Bochco's career, but if taken at face value, this show where criminal investigations and dramatic courtroom activities were interrupted by musical numbers was actually a good show. It's all in the presentation. |
