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While more cautious fans may want to pick and choose among the previously released individual volumes of Monty Python for their collection, true Pythonites will want to own this definitive, 14-volume DVD-only boxed set that contains all 45 episodes (in chronological order) of Monty Python's Flying Circus. This "persistently silly" collection encompasses three-and-a-half seasons of dead parrots, cross-dressing lumberjacks, loonies, upper class twits, and spam, spam, spam, spam, spam, spam, spam, baked beans, spam, spam, and spam. Click past the occasional clunker and go directly to such signature sketches as the Ministry of Silly Walks, the Spanish Inquisition, the Fish-Slapping Dance, the Dead Parrot Sketch, the Lumberjack Song, the Cheese Shop, the Argument Clinic, and Nudge, Nudge. Taken as a whole, one marvels at how Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, Michael Palin, and Terry Gilliam thoroughly subverted television convention with "something completely different," like sketches with no punch lines ("Your average TV viewer isn't going to understand this").

A warning to the uninitiated: there is much "material that some may find offensive, but which is really smashing." Violations of something called the "Strange Sketch Act" are the least of the troupe's offenses, as witness the Oscar Wilde Sketch, the Dirty Vicar Sketch, and the Most Awful Family in Britain Sketch, all of which achieve "the really gross awfulness" all Python fans are looking for. Say no more. --Donald Liebenson ... Read more

Reviews (87)

CHEAP COLLECTION OF FLYING CIRCUS AT COSTCO
I would definitely recommend this to true Pythonites, but I found the set for a whole lot cheaper at Costco. Only 89.99. It's the cheapest I've seen it anywhere. With 14 DVDs, that's about 6.50 per DVD. And there's no shipping or handling costs.

The Best Possible Thing in This Price Range!
Don't Be Scared off by the price. If you decided to look into this item you've probably seen the Holy Grail and either Meaning of life or Life of Brian (or both). If not, go do that. Holy grail is the best thing for the un-initiated. The features are awesome. I love the Useless Tidbits and clips of the Live at the Hollywood Bowl Show (available on Monty Python Live!). Do yourself a favor and buy it. As a follow-up get And Now For Something completely different. Watch each episode from start to finish in order!

It's Only Money!!!
I contemplated buying this set due to the hefty price. But hey, how much is it worth to you to relive all those hilarious memories over & over again! I just watched the parrot sketch with my 11 year old daughter (I'm now pushin' Rolling Stone age) and we had a great laugh together. Plus, if you first saw these shows in your early teens, like I did, you'll pick up on a lot more of the subtle & adult humor presented here; humor you may have missed the first time around. So......you can't take it with you so you might as well spend it wisely. Buy this set and I guarantee you will not regret your decision. Add to cart and don't look back!

Vicious fun with nothing spared with MP humor
This box set of DVD's culled from all the MP shows is literally a treasure. I have so many favorite episodes that it would cheapen it to say one DVD is better than the other (although the episode 21 from second season containing the sketch 'Archeology today' is simply brilliant)... the genius that was/is MP is the acute grasp of what they were trying to portray in intellegent manners in the silliest way possible. You know these folks were very smart, yet they acted so immature and goofy... and linked it all together.

I still find every episode funny, and I never seem to find any of the material boring or overdone.. I can literally watch this set anytime anywhere for any reason at all. Simply a treasure that should not be missed, either new to MP or an old fan like myself.

If you don't want to buy the whole set, you can get them in two packs... but really folks, that is a waste of money since you will most likley get them all. This is worth every penny and then some.

Everyone says it, but it is really true here, this deserves a couple of more stars at least!!!

Have fun.

Who screwed it up, Gilliam?
Naturally this is a must-have. Possibly THE greatest film humor work of the 20th century. I mean it; don't let this go out of production without buying it. One BIG GRIPE, though: I don't know whether it was Gilliam who did the programming or what, but number one, every blinking time you want to watch a particular sketch you have to suffer through a very long, pointless intro of Gilliam's animation (which I'm so sick of at this point I could puke), with the Skip function disabled, and number two, the programming apparently hides some stuff so you only see it if you get to it the right way. That's not humor at all; it's just antisocial. I watch mine far less than I would because of the intro problem, and I'm ripped about it because I love the sketches so. ... Read more

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A smart and savvy (albeit highly stylized) look at the single lives of four thirtysomething Manhattan women, Sex and the City: The Complete Second Season builds on the foundation of its first season with plot arcs that are both hilarious and heartfelt, taking the show from breakout hit to true pop-culture phenomenon. Relationship epiphanies coexist happily alongside farcical plots and zingy one-liners, resulting in emotionally satisfying episodes that feature the sharp kind of character-defining dialogue that seems to have disappeared from the rest of TV long ago. When last we left the NYC gals, Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker) had just broken up with a commitment-phobic Mr. Big (Chris Noth), but fans of Noth's seductive-yet-distant rake didn't have to wait long until he was back in the picture, as he and Carrie tried to make another go of it. Their relationship evolution, from reunion to second breakup, provides the core of the second season. The fittingly titled and keenly observed episode "Evolution" found Carrie trying to leave a few feminine belongings at Mr. Big's apartment with little success, charting the challenges and limits of intimacy. And the season's finale, "Ex and the City," was a melancholy goodbye for Carrie and Big that took its cue from The Way We Were. It wasn't all angst, though: among other adventures, Charlotte (Kristin Davis) puzzles over whether one of her beaus was "gay-straight" or "straight-gay"; Miranda (Cynthia Nixon) tries to date a guy who insists on having sex only in places where they might get caught; and Samantha (the exquisite Kim Cattrall) copes with dates who range from, um, not big enough to far too big--with numerous stops in between. Through it all, the four actresses cohered into a solid ensemble that played on their complex relationships among themselves as well as with men; in two short years, Parker and company became one of the best TV casts in over a decade. And to top it all off, the second season offers 18 episodes, six more than the first. Sometimes size really can make a difference! --Mark Englehart ... Read more

Reviews (140)

An easy addiction!
What's fascinating is the wide appeal of SATC! I know straight and gay men and women of all ages who watched the HBO version, and I found myself hooked on the DVD's.

Parts of each character are realistic, but ultimately there's an element of satire and "over-the-top" that keeps the reader hooked. (...)

And in Season 2, Big comes across as a really decent guy. He accompanies Carrie to a wedding of a couple he doesn't know and to a dinner with her friends. And she comes across as high maintenance. She can't read between the lines to see how much he cares for her so she keeps pushing for more. (...).

I believe the episodes work best when they're light-hearted and playful, such as 20-somethings vs. 30-somethings.

(...)."

Sometimes I think SATC is a litmus test for personalities. Everyone who watches sees something different. Some like Samantha best, others like her least. And some viewers focus on the clothes.

What hooks viewers, I think , is the three-dimensional qualities of the four main characters, and even of Big. They have real flaws as well as great virtues. And they have enough money and career stability to spend all their energies on relationships. Sometimes it's exhausting just to watch the quest, but the writers make sure it's never dull.

Sex and the City-Second Season (a guilty pleasure)
The Sex and the City-Second Season is a great item for those who don't have cable TV (unlike me). I get HBO just to watch these shows. Most of the year I don't have HBO, but when June comes, I rush to get it. I have all of the second and third season on tape, but this is a great gift idea for friends. I will probably buy this for one of my family and friends for birthdays or holidays. The great thing about this show is that every woman can see a little bit of herself in every one of the characters. Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker) is the character I most relate to because of her fashion sense and her personality (very similar to mine). Samantha (Kim Catrall) is the woman that most women vilify, but wish they were like. She is so bold, daring and downright outrageous. There is a little Samantha in everyone. Miranda is the workaholic of the bunch who seeks perfection in everyone in everything. She is bold like Samantha, but in a different way. Charlotte is the one who you find endearing. Her search for her Prince Charming with a Madison Avenue job and Park Avenue apartment is something to watch. She goes through so many frogs, it is hilarious to watch.

The second season includes Carrie & Big getting back together and breaking up again (can they ever make up their minds?!), Miranda having a real relationship (with Steve, a bartender), Samantha having a relationship (oh my stars!) with the perfect guy (except for one "little" thing), and Charlotte dating so many guys (your head will spin) and not keeping any of them. It is a whirlwind of laughs, a few tears, and more, more, more.

This show has all of the elements that keep you tuning in. This is a must buy for all the non-HBOers out there. Buy it!!!

4 ho's, 5 stars
On the surface, this is the story of 4 floozies who complain that no one wants to marry them. They spend their time jumping in and out of beds with the idea that this is the path to matrimony. Someone should have recommended that they read the book "Who Moved My Cheese?" Somehow, though each of these women are portrayed as smart and successful in the businessworld, they exhibit no inkling over the plain fact that steady, reliable men don't marry ho's. Bed them, yes, but marry them? No.

It then occurred to me after watching a number of these episodes that it is really the story of 4 gay queens looking for a gay partner. At least that is the way it is written. Seen through this prism, the show is actually more poignant. The show -- through its characters -- strives to champion promiscuity as a virtue. And isn't this really at the heart of the gay ideology? But what makes the show so good is that the writers never insert love into the equation. These 4 selfish people constantly indulge in sex, but it is plain that none really have their hearts in it. They bemoan the lack of men who would love them, but they themselves withold their own love. Stingy with offering out their heart, they trade affection for something they do not value, their own bodies.

My first experiance with the show was in 1/2 drops every 6 months or so on HBO. But the DVD format allows one to watch the episodes back-to-back. With my infrequent viewings I was impressed with the glamour and adventurousness of the stars. But with seeing the shows back-to-back, the loneliness, neediness, and desparation exhibited by the ladies pops to the surface. There is nothing glamorous about their lives. Commendably, sex isn't depicted as an answer, but more as a drug to take the edge off of their main concern, their inability to win the heart of a man. Intentional or not, it is this truth that makes the show as good as it is.

Oh, by the way, the show got cancelled because the 4 ladies just got too old for their make-up to hide. They probably stayed on 2 seasons too long, but at least they got out when they did. How long could anyone watch 4 old ho's whine on about how they missed the boat?

great show but. . .the dvd sucks
I LOVE sex and the city I am very sad about the ending of the series, but this DVD is horrible(not the actual show but everything else about it). First, of all the caseing is this flimsy plastic material, which breaks easily. Second, there is not play all function of the discs, so if you are trying to watch the dvd all the way through, you have to choose each episode and click play twice(it goes to a synposis first) Last of all there are no special features at all, how can there be no outtakes? if you like s&c the second season is one of my favorite but the dvd can be very fustrating sometimes

Really sucks you in, then rips your heart in two!
This is the season where you really get drawn into the romance between Carrie and Big. When it works, it's really fun to watch, but when it falls apart....you want to just slap Carrie upside the head for being such an idiot! She really did bring a lot of the problems she had with Big on herself. Couldn't just enjoy a good thing when she had it. Oh well! Eventually I'll have to buy the whole darn series on DVD, but I'm going to pace myself. ... Read more

Description

Inspired by a hotel John Cleese once stayed in when he was filming "Monty Python." This complete set of Fawlty Towers episodes includes special new commentary by John Cleese. Please see individual volumes for episode descriptions. ... Read more

Reviews (166)

A great DVD set for an even better TV show
Fawlty Towers, among those who know about it, is generally considered one of the funniest television shows of all time. Created by and starring John Cleese (of Monty Python fame), each of the twelve episodes is sheer genius in some way or another.

The setup is simple: Cleese plays Basil Fawlty, the rather snide owner of a second-rate hotel. Cleese surrounds himself with hilarious characters, including his overbearing (but far more competent) wife and the bumbling but good natured waiter Manuel ("You'll have to excuse him; he's from Barcelona.") Each episode finds Fawlty involved in some scheme, which usually has something to do with abusing customers and hiding things from his wife. The plots build in classic screwball fashion, as the situations get more and more absurd while Cleese digs himself deeper and deeper into a hole. The comedy ranges from incredible dialogue to some perfectly timed slapstick, and all of it's funny.

Though I'd seen all of the episodes before many times, the DVD set was a great buy. It's packed with extras, including commentaries by the director of each episode and some really informative, in-depth interviews with John Cleese and other cast members. In fact, while I got the discs just because I wanted copies of the episodes, I've had a ton of fun with the extras. Add in fairly nice packaging (the art on each disc is hilarious) and some other cool things such as cleverly designed menus, and this is one of the better TV collections I've seen.

Well worth your money if you've never seen the show but enjoy British comedy, or if you're an old fan and looking for a new way to appreciate this great series.

Classic & Timeless British Comedy
Now almost 30 years old, this classic comedy series is still holding it's own against today's more contemporary material, and being discovered by a whole new audience. US viewers who may not have been exposed to it, may miss some of the more subtle aspects, but any fans of John Cleese, or more recently Mr Bean, will certainly find it memorable. It is NOT however Monty Python type material, for those expecting more outrageous, and off the wall satire. Basil Fawlty (Cleese) is the owner and operator of a modest seaside Hotel, and is more than ably supported by a great ensemble cast. Ever hen pecked by his domineering wife, often outsmarted, or assisted by his clever maid, and constantly frustrated by his pidgeon English speaking waiter, the results are hilarious, witty and very amusing. Some of the episodes can make the viewer cringe a little (at the frustrating aspects of Cleese's character) but the overall picture is enormously pleasing. If you have never seen Fawlty Towers, you have certianly missed out, and the DVD collection is the best buy, with ALL epsiodes, and some great extra material included. You will laugh, and laugh again at each side splitting episode which manages to be funny, without be overtly sexual, full of innuendo, and reliant on cheap laughs. Great entertainment!

Excrutiatingly Funny
You are invited to the vist the worst-run hotel in England to enjoy a mixture of slapstick and word-wit. Each episode is based around the mental unravelling of the co-owner, Basil Fawlty, as his ill-conceived schemes spiral into the ground with the aid of his long suffering hapless helper Manuel.

I third the notion that tensionfest is the word
I find little humorous about this sitcom. I actually find it all pretty nervewracking and painful to watch.

Great DVD Set - if you have binoculars
Love this series which is, IMHO, the funniest sitcom series ever shown on either side of The Pond. There's no disappointment in re-watching all the wonderful episodes.

There is, however, beaucoup de frustration with the way in which the links were designed. You have sit right in front of the TV, no more than 4' away to read the postage-sized stamps which indicate episodes, commentary, etc. (I still can't read them.)

Still, once you get going, it's hours of laughter, great performances, and great writing. ... Read more

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Cue the Henry Mancini music and watch out for Cato--the gist of the Pink Panther series has been gathered in a six-disc boxed set. At the center of it is Peter Sellers's incarnation of inspector Jacques Clouseau, a hopelessly bumbling detective with a genius for resting his hands in the wrong place (on the surface of a spinning globe, for instance) and mangling the English language.

Writer-director Blake Edwards cast Peter Ustinov as Clouseau in The Pink Panther, but Ustinov dropped out just before shooting began. Edwards (who recounts this story in a spotty commentary track included here) and Sellers bonded over their affection for Laurel and Hardy, and immediately transformed the character of Clouseau into a walking sight gag. The first film has a delicious swinging sixties vibe, while jewel thief David Niven, Claudia Cardinale, and Capucine occupy as much screen time as Sellers.Sellers really hits his stride in A Shot in the Dark, an elegantly funny tale of Clouseau sleuthing out a murder investigation. This one introduced Herbert Lom, as the increasingly frazzled Inspector Dreyfus, and Burt Kwouk, as Clouseau's houseboy-nemesis Cato. Sellers and Edwards, whose relationship was stormy, put Clouseau aside for over 10 years, until a trilogy of mid-1970s comedies restored the character to commercial (and dare we say cultural) primacy.

Unfortunately, the very funny comeback picture, Return of the Pink Panther, is absent from this set due to rights issues with the studios involved. The Pink Panther Strikes Again has Dreyfus going bananas and targeting Clouseau; Revenge of the Pink Panther puts Clouseau in a hilarious series of disguises, climaxing in a wonderfully mounted sequence in Hong Kong. (Throughout the series, the calm, classical staging of gags by Blake Edwards reminds you of what a lost art this has become.) Trail of the Pink Panther looks better now than it did when originally released in 1982, shortly after Sellers's death; it's a batch of unused Sellers routines from previous pictures, strung together with a loose plot. In other words, it's a "deleted scenes" extra, and quite funny at times.

Subsequent efforts Curse of the Pink Panther and Son of the Pink Panther are neither included nor mentioned. A half-hour documentary gives pleasant memories from Edwards, but feels incomplete. The cartoon Panther gets his own 11-minute mini-doc, plus six cartoon shorts including the Oscar-winning "The Pink Phink." --Robert Horton ... Read more

Reviews (32)

the best: peter sellers, blake edwards?, not so sure
I loved most of the pink panther films, I own this collection and the movie of Sellers that is left (Return of the...), but what it really fascinate me was the extras, there is a complete documentary about Sellers work and life that it is simply the best of my tv journey, not so funny, except from the abstracts of his movies, but very appealing in order to understand the great comedian and man he was.

About the movies, loved the first two classics (Pink panther and Shot in the dark), Return, which is not included, I dunnot miss, can't say i liked that one; Strikes Again it is one of my favorites, Revenge was worth of a good laugh and about the Trail I didn't see the Edwards necessity to do that films besides the need of money, everyone in this days could have save to see that sort of tribute (there is no real story there) and watch the delightful lost and new scenes (at that time) of Sellers in another extra of this collection, but, what is done is done and I can't really complain, this movies are great fun and this set? one of my favorites.

Fabulous Value, Great Films, Mediocre Extras
The Pink Panther Film Collection consists of 5 Panther films and 1 bonus disc. Only 4 of the films are worthy ('Trail of the Pink Panther' is a train wreck of a film - it's a film made of outtakes and clips from previous films tacked together two years after Peter Seller's death), and it's also missing a major Panther film ('Return of the Pink Panther') which was the first Sellers-Edwards collaboration immediately following the hiatus after 'Shot in the Dark'.

The 4 worthy films, though, shine as comedy classics, fully display Sellers' genius, witness the evolution of the Clouseau character, and feature the talents of Seller's surroundings casts and Edwards' direction. Many can argue which is the best film; I personally prefer 'The Pink Panther' followed by 'Revenge of the Pink Panther'.

The bonus disc has one documentary about the Panther films, one documentary about the Panther animation, and 6 Pink Panther cartoons. The main documentary has some good info about the Panther series, but is not nearly as comprehensive as it could be. There is no mention of the thought process behind 'Trail' and scant detail about the other films.

'The Pink Panther' has audio commentary by Blake Edwards, a trivia feature, a photo gallery, and the original trailer. The other films have only the photo galleries and trailers.

Deep insight into the Pink Panther series is missing in this collection, but it's also an excellent value for four great comedies.

Like Old Friends, They're Always Great To See!
Having been a fan of "The Pink Panther" series from childhood, I was ecstatic that this set was being released, as the films are otherwise out of print on DVD (although luckily I still have my trusty VHS copies in reserve). I am tempted to give the set five stars simply because it is a wonderful day to see these films back in print, but realistically I had to take it down a notch as there a couple of negative considerations, the most obvious of which, of course, is the absence of "Return of the Pink Panther" from the collection, ostensibly because of legal hang-ups. Whatever the cause, the absence of the first of the 1970s-era "Panthers" is sorely missed. The other minor negative is the relative absence of special features on the movie DVDs, although the original "Pink Panther" has a wonderful trivia track. I would have really loved commentary tracks with Blake Edwards and some of the actors. I am somewhat ambivalent on the extremely unusual packaging the set comes in. It is hard to adequately describe the case, but suffice it to say that removing half of the DVDs is annoyingly difficult, although it looks very stylish.

On the positive end, you get four great "Panther" movies and the bodged-together "Trail of the Pink Panther", plus a disk of extras. Some people have dismissed the extras disk as inconsequential, but I rather enjoyed it. I particularly liked the documentary "The Pink Panther Story" which was heavy on interviews and insight. I had no idea that Sellers hated "A Shot in the Dark", whereas I (and many others) think it is a perfect movie in every way. I knew that Sellers could be somewhat Mercurial to work with, but I had no idea, for instance, that he had certain colors that he would not tolerate around him, and in fact made the producers of one of the movies once repaint a train because he couldn't stand the color! Also on the disk is a documentary about the animated Panther, which is quite interesting, as well as several of the short subject cartoons, which seem selected at random. They did include the Oscar winning "Pink Phink", the first cartoon short of the Pink Panther, which was an excellent choice. "Psychedelic Pink" included an annoying laugh track, and "Pinkfinger" was one of the weaker of the cartoons, which I have great recollection of from childhood. Interestingly enough, there are two related subject cartoons, one each of the Ant and the Aardvark, and The Inspector (in a fairly weak episode) to round out the extra disk.

This is a great set overall, with just a couple of things bringing it down to a four rating. I recommend it to all "Panther" fans everywhere, and to anyone who loves to laugh.

great, but what about return of the pink panther?
i think its great they decided to put these classic films into a set finally. but what about return of the pink panther? even though it isnt as popular as the others, its still a part of the series, and i think its a great one as well. as someone else said they should've put all 8 films in a set. that would be awesome, but all the same, this is a must have dvd set.

Massage, anyone?
MGM's "Panther" set wastes no time in showing off its quality once the menu queues up, as the tenor-sax notes of Henry Mancini's eternally cool theme song slink out of the speakers. Director Blake Edwards delivers a delightful solo commentary on the first and best film, "The Pink Panther."

The DVDs' fine (5.1) audio is complemented by the vivid widescreen images on the first "Panther," a gorgeous relic of the swinging '60s. The reproduction allows contemplation of detail such as the amazing topography of David Niven's hair. There's a lot for the Technicolor to take in -- fabulous clothes, beautiful people and to-die-for European locations.

A half-hour docu on the "Panther" films checks in with the series' surviving principals. A brisk DVD documentary tells the tale of the Pink Panther cartoon character, found money for Blake and his partners. A bonus disc collects the Panther's animated adventures.

The five original "Panther" films collected in this set range from the nostalgic pleasures of the first to the sludge of "Trail of the Pink Panther" -- a barely watchable collection of Sellers outtakes borne along by a why-bother story -- but with Peter Sellers onscreen the laughs never completely faded away. DVD viewers are both warned and encouraged. ... Read more

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Culled from 30 years of material, this collection of moments from The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson contains some of most inspired bits of lunacy ever recorded. Whether cajoling with Hollywood's biggest stars or normal folk with special talents, Carson was a master of finding the right joke, with timing second to none. Along with bits of his opening monologues, skits, and early standup appearances from the likes of David Letterman and Eddie Murphy, there are many highlights with perhaps the perfect Carson guest--exotic animals that stole the show. This collection was released shortly after Carson's reign ended in 1992. Although most of the tapes from his first decade are lost, there are plenty of highlights from the '70s through the '90s. Also included is Carson's touching and historic "Final Show," which finds the host simply talking to his audience and showing highlights--or just the faces--from his years on the set. Although many followed--and a few have even succeeded--Carson's Midwest charm made him the king of TV in a period when America was defined by television.

The DVD edition adds some superlative extras, including "Danger Johnny" segments from his first decade, short bits on the history of the show and the host, and more behind-the-scenes glances, including an intriguing way to watch the final show via unedited feeds from isolated studio cameras. Also included is the 1982 NBC special "Johnny Goes Home," which follows Carson on a tour of his rural Nebraska homeland, and a slightly edited version of the penultimate show, in which his last two guests, Robin Williams and Bette Midler, are on fire. These extras make the DVD, produced a decade after Carson left, a must-have piece of entertainment and pop history. --Doug Thomas ... Read more

Reviews (16)

The Man Behind the Desk
In today's era of David Letterman and Jay Leno, younger generations should remember that Johnny Carson (along with his "Tonight Show" predecessors Jack Paar and Steve Allen) defined the talk-show format which made late-night television an enduring and immensely profitable enterprise. From 1962 to 1992, Carson reigned supreme as a comedian and broadcaster. Unlike Letterman and Leno, Johnny did his homework when it came to nightly conversation. No matter who sat on the couch, he remained an astute and observant host. "The Ultimate Johnny Carson Collection" is an expanded three-DVD set of "Tonight Show" highlights selected by Johnny himself, with the welcome addition of his final two programs. The set also includes the 1982 NBC special "Johnny Goes Home" -- a nostalgic, affectionate look at Carson's return to his hometown of Norfolk, Nebraska. Loaded with extras (and some recently discovered film clips from the early 1960s), the DVD collection provides first-rate material at a reasonable price. If this set leaves you wanting more, the six-DVD "Timeless Moments" series is highly recommended -- allowing viewers to see previously unavailable Carson monologues, interviews and sketches in their entirety.

Still the King!
As one of the millions that sorely miss the wit and wisdom of Johnny Carson, I was especially pleased to receive this "best of" DVD collection. The three DVD's feature the best moments from the show - divided by decade - from the 60's through the 90's, and also include the complete second-to-last show (with Bette Midler and Robin Williams) and the final show, along with a documentary on Johnny I had never seen before. The remastering quality is great. There is a fun little short film called "Danger Johnny", and one of the most interesting things about the DVD's are the ISO CAMS, that allow you to pick the camera angles to view some of the programs. You can even view scenes from Johnny's perspective. The menu options are terrific, and the packaging very deluxe. If you are a fan of classic television, this is a great addition to your library - and I plan to send them as gifts to family members I know miss Johnny too.

Disappointed
I was disappointed with this set. It doesn't give you a sense of what made you love Johnny, really. There is minimal development of the material. A couple of gags would be OK, but gag after gag left me feeling empty. Maybe Johnny is not the right person to toast with snippets; his charm came from watching an entire show, or was built up over months, years. Likewise his skill as an interviewer is lost in the short clips. Had I known, I would have taken on a pass on this purchase. Furthermore,the production is rushed and uncreative.

There will never be another...
Watching this set of dvds left me with a sense of melancholy and loss. Like spent youth and good times/people gone by. This will not... it cannot... ever happen again. Carson was a master of the Late Nite format in a very special time in our history. It was a time when true stars walked the Earth. Real S*T*A*R*S like Dean Martin, Bob Hope, Jimmy Stewart, John Wayne, etc. would show up on the Tonight Show to trade quips with Johnny and we knew that we were in the presence of greatness... not foul-mouthed little Irish gits like Colin Farrell whose every second utterance is a four-letter swear-word, or the assorted giggling bimbos and boring, scuzzball, here-today-gone-tomorrow boy bands who frequent the Leno show. This rather pricey 3-disc extravaganza will take you back home and leave you wanting more. BEWARE though! The set is advertized as over 7 hours long and that is not the case. Here is the breakdown: BEST OF THE '60s & '70s (48 mins), BEST OF THE '70s & '80s (46 mins), BEST OF THE '80s & '90S (52 mins), JOHNNY GOES HOME (47 mins), SECOND LAST SHOW (32 mins), FINAL SHOW (35 mins). I work it out to just about 4 and a half hours on 3 discs. Mind you, the packaging, picture quality and menus are superb. Definately worth a purchase, but my advice would be to shop around for the best price.

Will Never Be Equaled
A wonderful look back at 30 years of late night class. It just goes to show what an awesome talent Johnny was and how far late night TV has declined. The picture and sound quality is excellent, and the extras are good, too. Johnny's 1982 special where he visits Norfolk is fun to see again as well. My only gripe is that the music montage from the last show is missing, but this probably has to do with getting all the clearances from the artists, which can be difficult. Highly recommended for all us baby-boomers who grew up with the one and only King of late night. Johnny......WE MISS YOU!!!!!!!!!!!! ... Read more

Amazon.com

This is the beginning of a beautiful friendship. As its ratings following the tragic events of September 11, 2001, illustrated, Friends has matured into television's most beloved comfort show. The peerless ensemble--Jennifer Aniston, a pre-Arquette Courtney Cox, Emmy winner Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry, and David Schwimmer--makes a lasting first impression in the first season's 24 episodes, which are presented chronologically on four discs. The perky "Pilot" introduces unlucky-in-love Monica, runaway bride Rachel, sad sack Ross, New Age ditz Phoebe, wise guy Chandler, and womanizer Joey. The focus of the first season is Ross's unrequited love for Rachel, but we have these moments to remember: the arrival of Marcel the monkey ("The One with the Monkey"); Monica, Rachel, and Phoebe's "cleansing ritual" ("The One with the Candy Hearts"); the escalating game of shower peek-a-boo ("The One with the Boobies"); Joey as Al Pacino's butt double ("The One with the Butt"); Ross taking lessons from Joey in how to "talk dirty" ("The One with the Stoned Guy"); former "Must-See TV" stars Helen Hunt and George Clooney ("The One with Two Parts"); and Chandler spilling the beans to Rachel about Ross's feelings for her ("The One Where Rachel Finds Out"). Though its devoted fans can recite these episodes chapter and verse, Friends maintains its sparkle through repeat viewings, a testament to the sharp writing as well as the cast's lightning-in-a-bottle chemistry and lived-in performances. The episodes are presented uncut and extended, with previously unseen dialogue and scenes. And those who hate Friends and would like to drown the characters in the opening credits' fountain are directed to the episode "The One with the Boobies," in which guest star Fisher Stevens hilariously nails the "dysfunctional group dynamic ... co-dependent, emotionally stunted, sitting in your stupid coffeehouse and you're all like, 'Define me, define me.'" --Donald Liebenson ... Read more

Reviews (134)

The start of a beautiful "Friend"-ship
When the pilot first aired, I was in kindergarten. Though at the time I wasn't old enough to stay awake past the time it aired, I remember my mom always raving about Friends.

I have since caught most of the episodes in syndication, on primetime reruns, and via the "Best Of Friends" DVDs. I'm thrilled that the entire seasons are, at last, making it to DVD.

What is one of the funniest shows ever, Friends should be a part of anyone's DVD collection. In fact, I'd say that these DVDs are basically worth buying a DVD player. Whether your an old fan embracing the nostalgia provided by the discs, a new fan trying to catch up on old storylines, or someone who until now was unaware the show even existed, you will love these DVDs.

Every Friends episode is utterly perfect. When you watch the Pilot and then watch an episode from the current (and final) season, you will see what I mean. The characters are already there in the very first episode. It's as if these actors were walking along, waiting to find Ross, Monica, Chandler, Rachael, Phoebe, and Joey. The characters never develope because they were just there in the beginning. How many other shows can you say that about?

Took them long enough...
...To realize that they needed to release "complete seasons of" box set DVDs here in the US too, and not just in the UK! Finally all US resident "Friends" fans are getting what they want and what they need. If you've been keeping track of all the "Friends" episodes since season 1, then you should have some sort of a clue on what will be included in this box set: every single episode of season 1, and I am sure there will be some great special bonus features added to it. It's kind of unfair that the UK already has the complete seasons box sets up to season eight...and they haven't even released season one here in the United States! So if you really cannot wait, then you can probably order every single complete season of "Friends" on the UK version of Amazon.com. "Friends" is the best comedy show on TV! It's been the best since it first aired and still rules! It's a clever show, about six friends living in New York City and dealing with the everyday problems of life. Joey and Rachel are my favorite characters--and I'd think they'd make a great couple!... I just love "Friends" and I can't get enough of it. My favorite episode from the first season is "The One With The Ick Factor", where Monica dates a guy who thinks he's a senior in college but, while they are "doing it", he confesses that he's actually a senior in high school! I also love the very first episode, of course, as does most fans of "Friends" do. For all "Friends" fans, of course I'd recommend this! It's better than THE BEST OF FRIENDS collection because even though they only show episodes from season one, it's every single episode and not just the most popular ones polled by "Friends" fans...

BRILLIANT
I've been looking at some of these reviews and to tell u the truth i think u should stick to the US version of DVD boxsets. i have seasons 1-9 dvd boxsets and there arent any special features til season four and even then its the same til season 7 where they include extended episodes. although i have all the series im still gona buy them all from US jus because i want the speacial features. apart from that enjoy season 1 starting from when rachel does a runner from her big day to when rachel finds out how ross really feels abt her!! ENJOY

Let the friends fun begin
I'm going to be honest. I did not start watching Friends until the 4th season. I kept hearing people talk about the show and I got curious and decided to catch a few episodes. When the show came on in syndication I tried to catch the shows I missed. Which is why I'm excited the show is on DVD as full season sets. I keep seeing people post that it's a waste of money to buy a show on DVD that you can see on TV in syndication. I thought so too at first, but when you end up seeing the same episodes in syndication over, and over, you begin to miss episodes that are not shown on television. Having the show on DVD means I can see certain episodes when I want, and see them COMMERICAL FREE.

Rachel, Monica, Joey, Chandler, Phoebe and Ross will be allowed into our living rooms for the rest of our lives. It's fun to watch the series from the beginning, and watch how the characters evolve, and their styles change. Ross spent season 1 being depressed about his wife being a lesbian, and facing the facts he would share parenting roles with the ex and the lover. You watch the show, and you laugh more and more with each episode.

My SUPER favorites episodes are(because I enjoy all of them):

1. The one with the East German Laundry Detergent
2. The one with the boobies
3. The one with the fake monica
4. The one with two parts
5. The one with the poker
6. The one with the birth - no matter how many times I see this episode I always cry at the end.

I gave season 1 a 4 because as it good as season 1 is, it just gets better as the seasons go on. This show is a lot of fun, and I hope to eventually own all the seasons on DVD.

Friends Season 1 Disc 4
I never watched Friends the entire time it was on television. I didn't watch the last episode either. But while browsing the video store for something to watch during vacation I picked up The Best of Friends on VHS only 1 and 2. Since then I have rented Seasons 4,5, and 7. I have Seasons 1 and 2 now. The last Disc of Season 1 is by far the funniest. I found myself saying a few days ago..."How you doing?...My favorite characters would have to be Ross (I love that goofy-look) and then Monica. With television shows now on DVD, I am cutting off cable. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Buster Keaton was arguably the cinema's first modernist, an old-fashioned romantic with a 20th-century mind behind a deadpan visage. His filmsbrim with some of the most breathtaking stunts and ingenious gags ever put onfilm, all perfectly engineered to look effortless. And, as Kino's magnificent11-disc boxed set The Art of Buster Keaton conclusively shows, they areamong the funniest ever made. Keaton warped gags until they left the plane ofreality in such shorts as The Playhouse (1921) and The FrozenNorth (1922), and takes a logic-defying leap into the very nature of cinemaitself in his hilarious Sherlock Jr. (1924). He takes on the mechanicalworld with Rube Golberg ingenuity in The Navigator (1924) and perfectshis match between man and massive machine in Steamboat Bill Jr. (1928),which features the funniest hurricane scene ever put to film, and TheGeneral (1927), one of the greatest comedies of all time.

In addition to the previously released 11 features and 19 shorts from the peakof Keaton's career, this set boasts the exclusive Keaton Plus, acollection of rarities and tributes. The greatest find is the long-lost endingto Hard Luck (1921), now restored to complete the film's final inspiredgag. Other highlights include newly discovered scenes from Daydreams(1922) and The Love Nest (1923), entertaining excerpts from Keaton's 1951TV show Life with Buster Keaton (he's still got it!), and his raredramatic turn in the 1954 television play The Awakening. --SeanAxmaker ... Read more

Reviews (13)

Keaton DVD Collection- Almost Perfect
The 11-disc set of Buster Keaton's work is, of course, a must-have for Mr. Keaton's fans in particular and silent film fans in general (sorry..). Having all these wonderful films on DVD is truly a dream come true.
That being said, I must point out one or two things with which I was disappointed. The set is said to be "digitally mastered from archival prints". Then why are there so many sections of film that are in such poor condition? While digital technology cannot replace lost film, even on my home computer I can touch-up photographs; surely a film restoration company should have better and more extensive resources at its disposal. Another sore spot is the scoring. I have been spoiled by a brilliant musician who plays at the Silent Movie Theatre here in Los Angeles, Dean Mora. He is the perfect accompanist for silent films. Some of the scoring for the DVD set is, forgive me, atrocious. The worst offense is the use of the James Bond theme for one part of SHERLOCK, JR. Of only slightly less heinous nature is the use of thematic elements from other (read "future") time periods. I may sound like an old fogey (I'm 43), but I think that a piano is fine, a violin and maybe one or two other chamber pieces sufficient. I am not averse to full orchestration, but music choice and coordination with the film is paramount. Musical cues should reflect on-screen action. One last point; sound effects are not needed.
Even with the flaws, I say: buy this set. It's wonderful to have Mr. Keaton in your home.

a treasure...
I don't disagree with the minor complaints of some of the other reviews of this Kino set of Buster Keaton's 1920s films. The music isn't always at the highest level. But generally its quite good, especially considering that most DVD reissues of silents are backed with a soundtrack performed on a synthesizer. I prefer a slightly out-of-tune but bona fide violin to a digital imitation of an orchestra. Also, these transfers have been around for a few years. Perhaps some of them could be improved upon. I noticed that the more recent Image DVD issue of "The General" has a better image. Perhaps someday we'll get a new Keaton set with transfers to match the quality of Image Entertainment's the General. But overall the image quality of the current Kino set is very good to excellent.

Those caveats aside, I would put this collection (along with Image's box of the Chaplin Mutuals and Essanays) in the 'essential' category for silent movie fans. Considering that a lot of movie classics are yet to see DVD issue, we are fortunate that Kino has put together such a comprehensive collection of Keaton's pre-MGM movies. Bogart fans will have to wait for the African Queen, but Keaton fans can enjoy these films right now. And unlike the Chaplin boxed set mentioned above, there's hardly a dud in the Keaton collection. Pretty much everything here will bring enjoyment over repeated viewings. With Image Entertainment's wonderful Arbuckle/Keaton issue now readily available, all we need is The Cameraman and Spite Marriage! I'd love to see these films make it to DVD...

indespensable set of hollywoods first modernist
the old chaplin vs keaton thing seems all the more pointless upon viewing the bulk of keatons work.
comparing them is a bit like the old apples and oranges thing.
chaplin was certainly the better actor.
he was more emotional and stirred your feeling far more than keaton.
but chaplin was not really an innovator like keaton was and in keatons best work his revolutionary aesthetics stand out.
works like 'playhouse' (in my opinion his greaest accomplishment)
and sherlock jr.
try comparing these to chaplins easy street and it simply cant be done.
this set was long overdue and it is a treasure to have, and i think to appreciate keaton you simply cant watch one of his films, you have to watch a group of them.
of course keaton paid the price for being just 'too artistic' and was duly punished in time by the system (for a while chaplin knew how to deal the sytem better than keaton did,).
invest in it and see the evolution of an important artist.

"Mister, we could use a man like Buster Keaton again..."
I had only seen a handful of Buster Keaton's films before deciding to take the plunge and buy the mammoth "Art Of Buster Keaton" DVD box set. I'm glad I threw the dice and ordered this. Here is silent filmmaking at its finest, with great attention to detail given to both short and feature films. The films are good and, although some of them are showing their age, I expect these are the best prints possible. You can't ask for anything more.

This is a huge collection of films (11 features and 19 shorts), so reviewing individual items is not going to be beneficiary. These discs have also been released individually, and I've already written many words on each of them. But in general terms, I did find that I preferred his short films to his longer works. The feature films don't quite have the frantic pace to them that made the shorter films so memorable and enjoyable. Of course, comparisons to his short movies a little unfair, as those shorts are rightly praised as some of the funniest sequences ever filmed. But there are some incredible moments in his features as well as some strong movies.

But those shorts. Wow. Here are some of the most memorable movie scenes I have ever viewed. Once seen, who can forget the literally hundreds of angry police officers chasing Keaton in COPS, or the prisoner bungee jumping from the end of a noose in CONVICT 13, or the DIY house being demolished by a train in ONE WEEK? These films are fast-paced, surreal, bizarre and hilarious. I loved them to pieces.

Prop comedy is something that is now horrifyingly associated with such painfully annoying clowns as Carrot Top (Lord help us). But in the slapstick era, this was something that was not only funny, it could be downright diabolical. I can only imagine how long it must have taken to construct the trap doors and false walls and other goodies that cropped up again and again. Clever, inventive and strangely sophisticated, these physical implements, when combined with Keaton's formidable athletic abilities, produced some amazing and breathtaking scenes.

One of the things I would wonder to myself was not simply "How on Earth did Keaton do that stunt?", but "How on Earth did Keaton survive that stunt?" His accomplishments are made all the more impressive given that he was performing all of these aerobatics himself with little in the way of trick photography (decades later, Jackie Chan would work in much the same way to similar acclaim).

The major bonus in this set is the final DVD, KEATON PLUS, which contains all sorts of rarities and extras. While the films here show Keaton in the 1920s, these extras focus on Keaton later in his career. It's somewhat sad to see the great man reduced to doing cheesy commercials, but he's always at least watchable. A few short excerpts from his 1950s TV series are included, and while it's fun to see that he could still take a pratfall thirty years on, I suspect that the thrust behind his return was the opportunity to make out with the incredibly tall and gorgeous model who appeared in virtually every clip. Lucky old Buster; though after being teamed up with Jimmy Durante, that's the least that karma owed him.

I noticed that some reviewers have had negative things to say about the musical selections used as the soundtrack to these silent pictures. My experience was quite different, as overall I enjoyed the music and was only occasionally annoyed by it. On the other hand, you may wish to take what I say with a grain of salt, as I thought the James Bond musical riff in SHERLOCK, JR. was absolutely wonderful.

This was a great purchase, and during the perusal of this set, I felt I was not only seeing some great filmmaking, but a real splice of cinema history. It's really a shame that Keaton's career went down the tubes after the 1920s, as I felt his features were gradually improving as he gained more experience. His shorts (from the early part of the decade) were uniformly excellent, but I got the impression that he was gaining more useful experience in feature-length movies and developing as filmmaker. It may be a bit depressing to know what happened after signing to MGM, but at least here we can enjoy the good times while they lasted. And they certainly were good times and great films.

Good stuff, but a few oversights...
This is a very good collection of the "essentials" of Keaton. One problem I have is that the bonus disk includes the complete "Hard Luck" (it adds back in the heretofore misplaced final gag), but the unrestored "Hard Luck" is on another disk. While interesting to see how Kino overcame the problem of the unfound film (it describes the gag and shows a still), I would rather have had the restored "Hard Luck" on one disk and had some bonus disk space freed up for the entire "This is Your Life" program (which sounds interesting in Keaton bios).

The Thames TV/HBO Video three-parter "A Hard Act to Follow" has a better variety of rarities, including samplings of Keaton's final works (including Samuel Beckett's "Film", an industrial safety film, "The Railrodder", and some decent interviews and behind the scenes).

On the picky side, one of my brand new DVDs had a scuff on it. I contacted Kino and they offered a replacement in return for the damaged disc, which I appreciate. Many of the discs also had fingerprints on them, which they will contact their manufacturer about. A small matter, perhaps, but the relatively high cost of this set and the reputation of Kino as a premier film reissue company means to me that such sloppiness should not be an issue. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Pay cable's "other"show about life and death, Dead Like Me takes a darkly comic look at mortality through the eyes of someone stuck between this life and the afterlife. "Bail bondsmen for the disembodied" is how Rube (Mandy Patinkin), the often exasperated Reaper foreman, explains it to disaffected 18-year-old George (Ellen Muth) after she’s vaporized by a falling toilet seat from the Mir space station and drafted into the ranks of the Reapers. It's now her job to take the souls of the doomed, preferably before their mortal coil is damaged beyond recognition by the devilish machinations of the gremlin-like gravelings.

You wouldn’t mistake George's fellow Reapers for the do-gooders of Touched by an Angel, but they are anything but grim. Charming British shyster Mason (Callum Blue) always has some scam brewing, high-living, fun-loving former flapper Betty (Rebecca Gayheart) treats death as a cabaret ("Reaping Havoc"), and one-time starlet and wannabe actress Daisy (Laura Harris) still nurses her dreams of stardom. Even hard-bitten meter maid Roxy (Jasmine Guy) manages to find a way to let loose.

Dead Like Me puts a light touch on black comedy, but it has a sneaky way of using humor to explore loss, loneliness, and regret, as well as kindness, and courage, and responsibility. George gets a hard lesson when she tries to wriggle out of her assignments like some overgrown kid, only to see the damage of her (in)actionin "Reapercussions." And as George's angry, tightly-wound mother (Cynthia Stevenson) and withdrawn little sister Reggie cope with death, she breaks the rules to watch over them: their own pouty, glum guardian angel. There's nothing like your own death to put your life into perspective.

The four-disc set features all 14 episodes of the debut season of Showtime's witty black comedy. The feature-length pilot includes optional commentary by cast members Ellen Muth, Mandy Patinkin, Jasmine Guy, Cynthia Stevenson, and Callum Blue. Other supplements include the nominal documentary featurettes Dead Like Me: Behind-the-scenes and The Music of Dead Like Me (with theme song composer Stewart Copeland), 32 deleted scenes, and a still gallery. --Sean Axmaker ... Read more

Reviews (30)

Another one who thinks this is the best show ever!
In the best traditions of Cult television, DLM uses a fantasy storyline to explore relationships and the way people live their lives. In the case of the reapers, the way that they live their undead lives.

George, the disaffected teenager begins to understand and appreciate things in ways that she never did in her life before becoming a reaper. Although she is the anchor-woman to the storyline, the strength of the programme is in the character development of ALL the cast. In just 14 episodes you feel an emotional attachment to the characters that you'd never get by watching a year of your favourite soap.

Buffy fans should love this series. It has darker humour than Buffy with some wonderfully adult language and one-liners but has that same mix of humour and deep intensity within the space of a couple of seconds.

Slapstick reaping scenes add to the entertainment but it's real strength is in the deeply moving interraction between the characters as they get through their lives- some living, some undead. Superbly written you are hanging on every word.

Very rarely do I buy a DVD and even rarer to buy a DVD from across the Atlantic that probably won't play too well in my machine. But this is one that I'm not going to miss.

Best show ever.
Really. It's one of the only shows I can watch over and over again; it never gets boring and never gets annoying. Each episode carries you from laughter to tears to contemplation, and I have never seen such fantastic acting. Even the minor characters give flawless performances, and the regular characters are nothing short of brilliant -- every single line is delivered just so, and you can't imagine anyone saying it better. All of the characters are given real personalities; their pasts, their lives and their dialogues are carefully-crafted. The characters (especially those who are dead) seem more real and more life-like than real people, and each show makes you think about life and death just a little bit differently than you did before. The direction and production are spotless -- colors are vibrant and intense, timing is perfect, and the picture quality and effects are always perfect for each scene. And, since each show is approximately 40 minutes, it's just enough to fit into your day, but you keep wanting more! Okay, so I'm raving, but this is genuinely my favorite show ever and I come away from every episode with the same "life, but intensified" feeling I get after watching My So-Called Life, or Almost Famous -- there are sad patches, and funny parts, but most of all you really think about life (the good parts and the bad), and it makes you want to live yours better.

Quirky and entertaining
Originally I tuned into DLM because it was summer and there was nothing else on, and in the beginning it was just that: a pretty decent show for the summer. However, as the season progressed I thought that the characters were fleshed out better (you learn more about the supporting cast's past) and there was even a storyline (rather than each episode being independent).

Anyways, why four stars? Because it's entertaining, full of dry humor and the characters are human and imperfect...which makes it better then 95% of the shows out there.

Best Original script!
Dead Like Me is definetly one of the best tv shows, specially because of it's originality. I have never seen such a good script with such a good cast. They are all great, specially Ellen Muth. She is rather young but with so much to give. Her attitude will get you keep wanting more and then she'll surprise you!
I must say I was a bit dissapointed with the way people die in the show. But then you have to realized the show is not about how they die, but what happens right after!

Fantastic new series!
I don't have Showtime (or cable for that matter), but after having great luck with The Sopranos I decided to give this series a spin. I don't know why, but it is very addicting! I watched all 14 episodes in about 3 or 4 days. Very original ideas, a very good cast that you grow attached too, and some touching moments as well all add up to good fun.
The series is not perfect but I found myself forgiving any faults because the good far outweighs the bad. The only disappointments I had were: the special features are lacking, and one of the episodes (i think it is 12) is practically nothing but flashbacks, so if you watch this series in a matter of days like I did (and you will want to) then you will spend most of the time watching this episode either bored or fast forwarding - I don't think this was necessary at all for a show in its first season - but even allowing for these slight negatives I give Dead Like Me 5 stars! ... Read more

Amazon.com

"A Simpson on a T-shirt. I never thought I'd see the day." So remarks Marge Simpson in "Dancin' Homer," just one of 22 mostly classic episodes that comprise this series' brilliant second season. The Simpsons by that time was already a pop culture phenomenon, but instead of suffering a sophomore slump, this iconoclastic animated series was just hitting its stride. Series milestones include: first Oscar®-winning guest voice (an unbilled Dustin Hoffman in "Lisa's Substitute"), first Beatle guest voice (Ringo in "Brush with Greatness"), first "Treehouse of Horror" Halloween episode, first flashback episode ("The Way We Was," in which Homer meets Marge), and the first episode to make me cry (Bart's last frolic with obedience school washout Santa's Little Helper in "Bart's Dog Gets an F"). It's in this season the The Simpsons really finds its voice. The writing is sharper, and the upending of sitcom convention more subversive. "Perhaps there is no moral to this story," observes Lisa at the end of "Blood Feud." "Exactly," agrees Homer. "Just a bunch of stuff that happens."

In the first season, Bart was the series' breakout star, but in the second, The Simpsons established itself as a true ensemble series. Each character came into their own with career-best episodes. Marge, the family's long-suffering voice of reason, crusades against cartoon violence in "Itchy & Scratchy & Marge." Lisa, the heart and tortured soul of the series, develops an ill-fated crush on her new teacher in "Lisa's Substitute." Bart desperately tries to raise the money to buy Radioactive Man No. 1 in "Three Men and a Comic Book." Homer's stock rises when he grows hair in "Simpson and Delilah." Joining the Simpsons roster of scene-stealing supporting characters are Dr. Hibbert ("Bart the Daredevil"), shyster lawyer Lionel Hutz (voiced by the late, great Phil Hartman in "Bart Gets Hit by a Car"), the Ahnold-esque action hero McBain ("The Way We Was"), slobbering aliens Kang and Kodos ("Treehouse of Horror"), and "nutty professor" Frink ("Old Money"). This essential, extras-laden DVD set is illustrative of why The Simpsons is, in the parlance of Comic Book Guy, funniest show ever. --Donald Liebenson ... Read more

Reviews (216)

America's Favorite Family
These are the episodes I grew up with! Simpson fans have been waiting for a collection like this for a long time. Well, the wait is over! The following are the first ten episodes and a brief commentary.
1) Bart Gets an F: Bart fails yet another test and makes a deal with Martin...tutoring in exchange for lessons in coolness. Martin relishes his new persona and abandons the deal. Bart tries his and still fails, but he manages to impress Mrs. Krabappel into giving him a D.
2)Simpson and Delilah: Homer's new head of hair transforms from a lazy slob into a young go-getter...at least Mr. Burns thinks so. He awards Homer a new position and an assistant named Karl. Eventually he loses his new hair and new career.
3)Treehouse of Horror: The first in the annual series. First tale finds the Simpsons in a haunted house that drives them mad. In the second tale the family is abducted by Kang and Kodos. The final segment is Homer's interpertaion of "The Raven".
4)Two Cars in Every Garage and Three Eyes on Every Fish: Bart catches a three-eyed fish near the nuclear plant. Despite the bad press, Homer persuades (sort of) Mr. Burns to run for governor. The fish comes back to haunt him in the end when Marge serves it to him on live TV.
5)Dancin' Homer: Homer is the main attraction at the ballpark as the mascot for the Springfield Isotopes. His crowd pleasing routine catches the eye of a recruiter for the Capital City Capitals. Homer and the family make the journey to Capital City where Homer finds his dancing is not well received.
6)Dead Putting Society: Bart and Todd square off in a miniature golf tournament while Homer and Ned square off with each other. Both fathers push their kids to beat the other and make a foolish bet that they both lose in the process.
7)Bart vs. Thanksgiving: Bart destroys Lisa's centerpiece and is ordered to his room. Bart runs away and eats dinner in a homeless shelter where he is also put on TV. Eventually he returns and makes up with Lisa.
8)Bart the Daredevil: Bart becomes obsessed with risky skateboard stunts after seeing a daredevil at a monster truck rally. Homer gets concerned and tries to dissuade Bart from performing his next stunt. In the end, Homer, not Bart, accidentally attempts to jump Springfield Gorge.
9)Itchy Scratchy and Marge: Convinced that violent cartoons negatively influence children, Marge wages a successful battle to change Itchy and Scratchy. The new shows flounder and kids abandon their television sets for the outdoors. The show regains its former bloody glory when Marge fails to object to the display of questionable art.
10)Bart Gets Hit by a Car: Mr. Burns hits Bart with his car, sending him to the hospital with minor injuries. Lionel Hutz assures the family that they could successfully sue. In court, the truth about Bart's feigned ailments comes to light.

Episodes, Interviews, Music Videos... and Butterfingers!
As good or better than the Season 1 set of discs. These discs are jam packed full of quality entertainment... twenty-two episodes from their 2nd season, commentary, 2 Bart videos ("Deep, Deep Trouble", and "Do the Bartman"), 3 different Butterfinger commercials, still photos, DVD easter eggs, and a special Emmy awards presentation. Animation is sharper - even the rougher (Season 1) Simpson's are fine with me. Comic wit is bolder and cruder. Over a decade of prime time animated TV and I still have not seen an episode I haven't liked.

Season 2 episodes in order:
"Bart Gets An F"
"Simpson And Delilah"
"Treehouse Of Horror I"
"Two Cars In Every Garage And Three Eyes On Every Fish"
"Dancin' Homer"
"Dead Putting Society"
"Bart Vs. Thanksgiving"
"Bart The Daredevil"
"Itchy & Scratchy & Marge"
"Bart Gets Hit By A Car"
"One Fish, Two Fish, Blowfish, Blue Fish"
"The Way We Was"
"Homer Vs. Lisa And The 8th Commandment"
"Principal Charming"
"Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?"
"Bart's Dog Gets An F"
"Old Money"
"Brush With Greatness"
"Lisa's Substitute"
"The War Of The Simpsons"
"Three Men And A Comic Book"
"Blood Feud"

Season 2 contains some classic early episodes... a favorite of mine, "The War Of The Simpson's". Marge signs herself and Homer up for counseling. They go to a cottage retreat where Homer battles his marriage as well as a giant fish. Season 2 also introduces the 1st Halloween special ("Treehouse Of Horror")... which is now an annual party for the creators to think outside the box of normalcy. Having so many episodes on a few DVD's is worth it. Quality in picture, dolby sound, and everything else that goes with the incredible technology of the DVD. Only complaint here is it's 4 DVD's... even Homer would want this all on 1-2 DVD's so it's less time getting up off the sofa and having to change the discs in the DVD player.

Good
The Complete Second Season is still not perfect, it doesn't start to get to be the best show in the world until Season Three, but I would still reccomend The Complete Second Season. It's not that I dislike this season, in fact, they are all amazing, twice as better as the first, but The Simpsons got better as time progressed, but this is still a five-star DVD, with a lot of great episodes:

1. Bart Gets An F

2. Simpson And Delilah

3. Treehouse Of Horror I

4. Two Cars In Every Garage And Three Eyes On Every Fish

5. Dancin' Homer

6. Dead Putting Society

7. Bart Vs. Thanksgiving

8. Bart The Daredevil

9. Itchy & Scratchy & Marge

10. Bart Gets Hit By A Car

11. One Fish, Two Fish, Blowfish, Blue Fish

12. The Way We Was

13. Homer Vs. Lisa And The 8th Commandment

14. Principal Charming

15. Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?

16. Bart's Dog Gets An F

17. Old Money

18. Brush With Greatness

19. Lisa's Substitute

20. The War Of The Simpsons

21. Three Men And A Comic Book

22. Blood Feud

Those are twenty-two amazing episodes compared to the First Season's thirteen. Plus a LOT more special features on the Second Season. This season has to be more than twice as good as the first because it has almost twice the episodes and more than twice the features. Incase you were wondering what the special features were:

• Region 1 encoding (US and Canada only)

• Animated, Color, Closed-captioned, Box set, Dolby

• Commentary by on all episodes

• Interviews with James L. Brooks and Matt Groening

• Bart on the American Music Awards (with commentary)

• "Do The Bartman" video (with optional commentary)

• "Deep, Deep Trouble" video (with optional commentary)

• "Do The Bartman (Director's Cut)" - video

• David Silverman on the creation of an episode

• Licensing and merchandising review

• Emmy Awards presentation

• 3 Butterfinger commercials

• Still Photos (Easter eggs)

• Early drawings

• Full-screen format

• Number of discs: 4

A must buy for anyone, even non-Simpsons fans.

Brilliant TV and DVD
After listening to every commentary track in this set, I have a newfound respect for James L. Brooks. Apparently for these first few seasons (this one in particular), he was the emotional backbone of the show. He came up with Mr. Bergstrom giving Lisa the note that says, "you are Lisa Simpson" and other equally touching and hilarious moments. In one episode someone quipped, "if it's a line you remember, Jim probably wrote it."
This season was/is awesome. This one has some really great episodes (the first "Treehouse of Horror", "Bart Vs. Thanksgiving") and episodes that are among my favorite of all time ("Dead Putting Society", "Bart the Daredevil", and "The Way We Was"). It's funny and emotional stuff, the only problem with this season is that the blend of humor and emotion is not perfect yet. I like the episode "One Fish, Two Fish, Blowfish, Blue Fish" but it's really too emotional. I think in later seasons they would've put more humor into it. Although nothing beats Larry King reading the Bible.
And the same can be said for the entire season, but the show was still coming into form but was already excellent. Look for the third season for true brilliance but this one is awesome as well.
The extras are great. The only thing bad about the commentaries I can say is that I don't think a single cast member is in any of them, but they're otherwise very funny and informative. None of the other extras are as cool as Season Three's "Pop Up Simpsons", but they round out the package nicely.
Overall, this is a hilarious DVD set that might bring a tear to your eye (I know it did for me). It only gets better, however.

The Pop Phenomanom Begins!
What started out as crude filler material for the Tracey Ullman Show has now become part of animation and pop culture history. With the 13 episode first season under it's belt, the producers expand to the standard 22 episode format. The porducers also made the dramatic change of taking away the show from the aura of Bart to make the show slightyly Homer-centric.
The epsiodes of the second season have a broad range of styles, from the slapstick humor of "Three Men and a Comic Book", to the ephemeral nature of a life on the verge of death in "One Fish, Two Fish, Blowfish, Blue Fish" as Homer must find time to live his "last day" with his loving family while coping with the prospect of death.
The producers also managed to attain the musical prowess of pop culture mainstay Ringo Starr in "A Brush With Greatness", and Hollywood's flamboyant actor-playwright Harvey Fierstein in "Simpson and Delilah", as Homer reeps the benefits of his new life in the corporate fast lane as junoir executive with his new, suave look.
The DVD set also contains the long extinct music videos "Do the Bartman" and "Deep Deep Trouble", as well as the requisite commentaries by various show producers and vocal talents.
The second season DVD collection is an relic from the past, but an essential for any fan who has lost interest in the Scully-Graham era of The Simpsons. ... Read more

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Like the TV incarnation of The Odd Couple, the M*A*S*H series has supplanted the original film in the public's consciousness. Legendary comedy writer Larry Gelbart (Your Show of Shows) deserves a medal for developing Robert Altman's bloody, funny 1970 classic for television with much of its anti-establishment spirit intact. These 24 first-season episodes--bracingly less politically correct than the shows in the final seasons--chart the program's sometimes bumpy evolution as it tried to remain true to the film's anarchic spirit while finding its own voice. The most memorable episodes include "The Pilot," which establishes the characters in broad strokes; "Sometimes You Hear the Bullet," in which a friend of Hawkeye's (Alan Alda) dies on the operating table (look for "Ronny" Howard as an underage soldier); "Cowboy," in which someone is trying to kill clueless commander Henry Blake (McLean Stevenson); and the pivotal "Dear Dad," the first of what would be a series of multistory episodes in which Hawkeye writes to his father about life at the 4077th. It is interesting to note film characters who made early exits from the series, including Timothy Brown's Spearchucker and Karen Philipp's Lt. Dish (George Morgan, who plays Father Mulcahy in the pilot, we hardly knew ye). Klinger (Jamie Farr), bucking for his Section 8 discharge, doesn't appear until the fifth episode, "Chief Surgeon Who?" And Gary Burghoff's Radar is a much more wily and savvy partner in crime to "Yankee Doodle Doctors" Hawkeye and Trapper John (Wayne Rogers) than in later seasons. In its 11-year run, M*A*S*H earned 14 Emmy Awards, and it remains one of TV's most beloved series. Though it is a staple of syndication, the episodes are presented here uncut, probably for the first time since their original broadcast. For M*A*S*H devotees, this three-disc set is just what the doctor ordered. --Donald Liebenson ... Read more

Reviews (159)

The First Season of a Great and Timeless Series
M*A*S*H the series: Hawkeye Pierce (Alan Alda), Trapper John (Wayne Rogers), Radar (Gary Burghoff), Klinger (Jamie Farr), Colonel Blake (McLean Stevenson), Hot Lips Houlihan (Loretta Swit), Father Mulcahy (William Christopher), and Frank Burns (Larry Linville) are the core of a great cast telling the story of a Mobile Army Surgical Hospital, just a few miles from the front in the Korean War, trying to stay sane in an insane situation. Great irreverent comedy, with the early cast.

This VHS set: This is a three-tape set giving you the 24 episodes of the entire first season. I've been watching the reruns on late-night TV for years, and did not realize how much had been edited out of those (to squeeze in more commercials). Now, these tapes bring us the episodes uncut. It's fun watching them and going, "Hey, I don't remember that!" A good buy; a good set of tapes to have on the shelf for rainy (or snowy) days.

It's About Time
It's about time that Fox put out M*A*S*H for the public (and without those stupid subscription/shyster video clubs). Thank heaven for DVD!

M*A*S*H is a brilliant show. Funny, yet touching. I have seen every episode at least 50 times but only in reruns, since I was only four when the series debuted. It was fantastic seeing these episodes uncut. Syndication takes it toll on the series and they cut many of the really funny parts for commericals. Epsiodes like "Chief Surgeon Who?" and "Pilot" show how much talent was in the writing, directing and acting of this excellent show. My favorite is "Sometimes You Hear the Bullet" with a very young Ron Howard.

I plan on collecting every season, just to have a complete library. M*A*S*H is one show I never get tired of. Now, if they would just do the same thing with "I Love Lucy"!

Truly a classic TV show
"M*A*S*H" is definitely one of the greatest shows to ever grace the small screen-I recently purchased the first season episodes on home video-These episodes introduced us to a memorable cast of characters:Captain Benjamin Franklin Pierce aka "Hawkeye",Captain John Mc Intyre aka "Trapper",clueless Colonel Henry Blake,pompous Major Frank Burns,no nonsense head nurse Margaret Houlihan,alias "Hot Lips",myopic company clerk Cpl Walter "Radar" O'Reilly,& the cross dressing Cpl Max Klinger-Ironically,"M*A*S*H" didn't become a top 10 Neilsen favorite until the following season-I didn't realize that the reruns seen in syndication had been trimmed to allow for the airing of more commercials-That was clearly evident when I watched the first batch of episodes-Someone asked if the show was still on somewhere-It's presently seen on cable's Hallmark Channel-Unfortunately,I don't happen to receive that particular station-Thank God I can watch these classic episodes in this format.

The best of M.A.S.H.
The first series is my favourite, so I'm delighted to have it on DVD at last. It contains my two favourite episodes. 'To Market, To Market' is the one where Hawkeye and Trapper steal Henry's new oak desk to swop for medical supplies with a Korean black marketeer ("You know how it is, Colonel, we all look alike"). Even better, my all-time favourite episode " Tuttle" where Hawkeye and Trapper convince everyone that the imaginary Captain Tuttle is a real person. Every episode has a cracking script, and the cast are all wonderful, especially Alan Alda as Hawkeye and gorgeous Wayne Rogers as Trapper (how I adored him, it broke my heart when he left the series). And Maclean Stevenson is wonderful as daffy Colonel Blake, and Loretta Swit is brilliant as belligerent Margaret Houlihan, before they made the terrible mistake of softening her character and turning her into a nice, cuddly person (yuk). I've lost track of how many times I've watched this wonderful series over the years, and now I have it on DVD I can watch it even more.

Where this classic series got started
What can be said about M.A.S.H. that hasn't been said already? Among the longest running and best sitcoms ever made, it stands the test of time despite its very specific setting. The gags still work, the characters are still wonderful, and the show still enjoyable.

The first season is less serious than later seasons, which were not shy about dropping the gags in order to throw serious topics into the mix. The actors, too, were still finding their tone and pacing during this first season. But still, few shows can match these "baby steps." Hilarious from start to finish.

This DVD set is bare bones, though not poorly produced. We get the episodes spread out over three discs (all in a sturdy triple-case) and a small booklet with info on each episode. And that's it. No extras, no commentaries. Just the episodes.

Which is just fine, because the episodes are great. Good, crisp picture far better than reruns, and good sound.

And the bare bones format pays off. With TV-on-DVD sets routinely breaking the $50 to $70 range, $35 sounds pretty darn good. A no-brainer buy for M.A.S.H. fans. ... Read more

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Sex