Thursday, October 12, 2006

Where Has the Old TV Gone?

My recent love affair with TV (not new, but renewed) has caused me to reflect on past loves. Here are some that I am waiting to come out on DVD so I can fall in love again.

The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd: Am I the only one who remembers, and loved, this show? I love Blair Brown, the star. And David Strathairn as Moss, the bookstore owner. I became addicted to it just after I graduated from college and was living in Seattle. I'm waiting, but unless someone else gets on the bandwagon, I'm not sure this will ever come out on DVD.

Thirtysomething: I know I'm not the only one who watched this, but it is still unavailable on DVD. Especially now that Timothy Busfield is back on Studio 60 (another show which, blame Middlebrow, I am now addicted to. It's actually good!), maybe they will put it out on DVD. The funny thing to me now is that I watched this show when I was twentysomething. Why did I like this show? I loved it! But it was about totally foreign experiences, child rearing and working. What did I know? Maybe I hoped my life would be as exciting and climactic as their lives. Is it? No. Not nearly as exciting. That's why I want the show on DVD.

Others? Are there shows you miss and wait (quietly, deperately) for them to be issued on DVD?
I wanna know!

13 comments:

Lisa B. said...

The entire Zwick/Herskowitz TV oeuvre/universe: My So-called Life, Relativity, Once and Again (although not so much, really), and thirtysomething. All of these shows had something going for them, all had a different atmosphere, better writing, good acting. I don't know that I would want to watch them one after the other, though, as you tend to with DVD tv--it makes all the weaknesses and tendencies smack you right in the face, and you could end up hating the show. Sometimes, I think shows are better in our memories. But My so-called life, with that sexy illiterate bad boy Jordan Catalano (Jared Leto, but who cares? he will always be Jordan to me)--oh my God! Also, the Christmas episode on that show (only one season--why? why?) is utterly heartbreaking. One of the best episodes on tv in history.

Lisa B. said...

two more notes: I thought I saw that 30something IS on dvd--am I wrong? and did you see any of the episodes of Without a Trace with Timothy Busfield in them? He played Anthony's (he likes me to call him by his first name) divorce lawyer. Also, TB directed some episodes. Maybe he was/is even a producer?

ErinAlice said...

Oh yes TB is the or a producer on Without A Trace...I was just thinking of thirtysomething actually and My So Called Life-Claire Danes was good. Another show that isn't as old but I only got to see a few episodes and can't seem to find it on DVD is Huff-it is or was on Showtime. It stars Frank Azaria, Swoozie Kurtz, Oliver Platt, Blythe Danner and others. Also did anyone ever see Andy Richter Controls the Universe?? Okay this is funny funny but, like Dr. Write, I may be the only one who thinks so but I would like to see more. How about Northern Exposure? That would be great to see again. Okay that's all I can think of right now.

Lisa B. said...

Okay, one more--Sports Night, starring Felicity Huffman, the tall guy from Six Feet Under, with a recurring role for William H. Macy, and Robert Guillaume. Damn good show, lasted about 45 min. in tv-world. Really, really, really good.

Dr. Write said...

I've only seen the thirtysomething DVD on something called "TV Land" and it's not on Amazon, which means it doesn't exist to me. My So-Called Life and Once and Again, are available.
And FYI, ErinAlice, I saw the Huff DVD(first season) at our library and was tempted, oh so tempted.
A brief aside: My friend from high school (Johnny P) was Hank Azaria's stand in on Huff. I only saw one episode, but I would like to see more.
And Sports Night is out. I've seen it. Maybe on Netflix. And since you can only get them one disc at a time, maybe I wouldn't max out. And I'd love to see more of My So-Called Life. I saw intermittent episodes in reruns so I never really got the narrative thread.

Anonymous said...

Jesus Christ, Lisa, I so agree with you. Seriously, I loved loved loved My So Called Life (which is on dvd, actually). The Christmas episode is still a favorite, as is the last episode where Krackow admits he loves Angela, more or less.

I miss that show.

Does anyone remember Homefront? That didn't run long, but I always liked it.

Condiment said...

I still miss Moonlighting. I wonder if the show is actually terrible now..? A skinnier, funnier pre-Die Hard Bruce Willis...

ErinAlice said...

Who was Johnny P??? Anyway I will have to check my library but it usually sucks so I don't know if it will have Huff. Maybe Hollywood video cause Blockbuster sucks too. Oh and I love to watch reruns of oh I just lost the name-it's with Helen Hunt and that funny guy Paul something...oh my heck!! It ends in Of You or something. Help!!!

ErinAlice said...

Oh yea and it also starred Lisa Kudrow as the really airheaded waitress.....

ErinAlice said...

Okay it was Mad About You with Paul Reiser, who, it turns out, had a recurring role in Remington Steele...remember that show???? I loved that show!!!

Dr. Write said...

I think "Moonlighting" is out on DVD. And I would love to see "Remington Steele" too. Remember "Hart to Hart"? I've actually seen some reruns. and "Magnum P.I." on the retro TV station. But they haven't aged well. Too bad.
But maybe I'll get Moonlighting. Yeah, when Bruce Willis was funny!!

ErinAlice said...

Oh yes I would love to see Moonlighting and there is a channel out here that shows Charlie's Angels....I still love it!!!

Anonymous said...

Just out of curiousity does anyone remember "Life Goes On"? This was a before My So Called Life also on ABC.