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DVD Pick of the Week - April 17, 2007
I'm going out on a limb this week, and I'm choosing a DVD set I haven't seen for my "Pick of the Week" (minor mix-up at the PR firm) - Not Just The Best Of The Larry Sanders Show. Though this is a dreaded "best of" release (please, please continue with the series in seasons sets), there are tons of bonus materials on the release. Garry Shandling is joined by Peter Tolan for commentary on two episodes, with Todd Holland and Judd Apatow doing one episode a piece. There's a documentary about making the series, deleted and extended scenes, alternate takes, and interviews with Alec Baldwin, Ellen DeGeneres, David Duchovny, Tom Petty, Jerry Seinfeld, Sharon Stone, Jon Stewart, Carol Burnett, Penny Johnson, Wallace Langham, Scott Thompson, Janeane Garofalo, Mary Lynn Rajskub, Sarah Silverman, Jeremy Piven, Bob Odenkirk and Linda Doucett. Those special features join 23 episodes of the series on 4 discs. The only thing that would make this set better? Well, that would be the rest of the season 2 episodes. I've been told that Shandling was the one who wanted to do this big "best of" set instead of continuing with the season sets (season 1 came in in 2002!), but the fans really, really want the entire series released. Please Mr. Shandling, please give us season 2.
Paramount is also releasing a trio of long over-due sitcoms next week as well; second seasons of Mork & Mindy, Happy Days and Laverne & Shirley. There aren't any bonus features on the set, and all three contain a warning that some of the music has been changed, but fans who have been dying to watch more episodes will likely pick these up. Hopefully it won't be another 3 years between seasons 2 and 3.
I'm also very interested in BCI's Shadow Warriors DVD set, which actually just arrived at my door while I was typing this sentence. Here's a synopsis of the show:
"In 1651 during the Edo Period, the 11 year old Ietsuna becomes the fourth Shogun, leading his influential chief retainers to plot against each other to take the reins of power. The Hattori family, a clan of Iga Ninjas who were former vassals and protectors of the previous Shogun, Tokugawa Ieyasu have since fallen from grace. Their third generation ancestor, Hattori Hanzo (Sonny Chiba) is now working as the master at public bathhouse in Edo City. Fearing further political upheaval and instability, the Shogun's right hand man, Masayuki Hoshina once again calls upon the unique skills and services of Hattori Hanzo's Ninja Clan. During the day, they masquerade as ordinary citizens, but at night they ride forth as the "Kage No Gundan," the secret "Shadow Army" who opposes all those who dare to threaten the authority of the reigning Shogun."
Ninjas and Shogun warriors...oh yeah, bring it on! Just a warning though, this show is in Japanese with English subtitles, but that just means you don't get a cheesy English dub, which is good, right?
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Apr 11, 2007 2:51 PM
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I am so conflicted about getting this Larry Sanders set. I want full season sets, but the extras sound so enticing (and perhaps they are watching the sales to determine whether they should put out complete sets). Still, I don't want to endorse this best of idea. The only true "best of" when it comes to Larry Sanders is to release every [expletive deleted*] episode. 
_____
* which wouldn't have been censored on HBO!
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Apr 11, 2007 5:32 PM
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Well, look at it this way - if Sony doesn't release anything else for the show, at least you have these episodes, and extras, to supplement the season 1 set you already own. If sales for this set are stellar, maybe Shandling can be talked into supporting a season 2 set. Nothing bad could really come from buying the set, right? At least that's how I look at it.
Gord
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Apr 11, 2007 5:39 PM
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Hey Gord, I love BCI and will try their Shadow Warriors.
I do not know if you can do anything about the message boards over here but I recently found something disturbing. If you go down to the TV Guide links to one of your past pick of the weeks wherein you picked She-Ra and then go over to TVGuide's message board for that show you will find a link to a bootleg website selling bootlegs of She-Ra, your pick of the week.
The poster of this topic has almost 150 posts of a similar sort here. I did report these posts but they would not allow me to report a specific description of the abuse and upon first glance it just looks to be a description of the series.
I did post a message about it at tvguide.com feedback board but I do not know how long that takes and I know you are passionate against these bootleggers so I though you might could get something done. I am noticing these same posts at other websites of similar interests.
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Apr 15, 2007 2:54 PM
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Never saw this show when it first aired because I never subscribed to HBO (not even sure we could get this in Canada at the time). I would heartily agree that the season sets should be released. I still remember the first season purchase I made years ago (it was one of my first TV DVD purchases). In the interim, this set has already been ordered sight unseen just because I've never seen most of the episodes and due to the close involvement of Shandling in the bonus features. I hope there is enough interest in this set to get HBO to release the other seasons.
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Apr 15, 2007 4:05 PM
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Hi frlow,
CBC used to carry The Larry Sanders Show in late night (on Fridays, I think), back when it was running on HBO. Your commitment to the show and the set sight-unseen has swayed me. I'm going to pick up my copy tomorrow!  See how easily I succumb to peer pressure?
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Apr 15, 2007 5:53 PM
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If this is the best "DVD Pick of the Week," then the selections this week must be terrible.
My pick of the week is "Foxworthy's Big Night Out- Season 1."
Russell Nash
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Apr 15, 2007 9:58 PM
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oh crmlht00, you are SO transparent!
(eyes rolling once again)
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Apr 16, 2007 1:01 AM
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LoneReconEagle, why don't you tell us why you selected that as your "Pick of the Week" - maybe you'll convince someone else to buy it.
Gord
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Apr 16, 2007 10:47 AM
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