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Another Strike Casualty — Bonus Material
Lost - The Complete Third Season courtesy Buena Vista Home Entertainment
The TV landscape has been decimated by the Writers Strike, and that will undoubtedly lead to some smaller-than-usual TV-DVD sets come August/September, but there are other repercussions that aren't as obvious, especially the lack of participation in bonus material.
Don't expect to listen to those insightful commentary tracks featuring writers and producers, or hear about the genesis of a show from the 90s; writers and producers are turning down offers from the studios (the home video divisions) to participate in bonus material. Some studios planned ahead and shot interviews before the strike, but many upcoming sets will be affected, assuming the strike continues.
I don't know about you, but I can't imagine a Lost DVD set without the participation of Carlton Cuse and Damon Lindeloff, or The Shield without Shawn Ryan. What happens to the shows that have been off the air for years and are just now getting their DVD releases? How upsetting will it be for fans hoping to hear new behind-the-scenes gossip on their favorite shows? Very upsetting.
What are your thoughts on the potential lack of bonus material for upcoming sets? — Gord Lacey
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Jan 16, 2008 1:58 PM
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That is very sad. I don't always watch the bonus material but its nice to know its there. I can't imagine a DVD of Lost without it. And I feel bad for the old shows that have the unfortunate luck of being released this year.
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Jan 16, 2008 2:46 PM
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Very sad indeed. I basically buy the dvd's for the extra's. Without features and commentaries chances are I'm not shilling out for them.
I guess that's just what the amptp deserves: they're saving two cents on nothing.
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Jan 16, 2008 2:52 PM
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If that's really the reason any buys the DVD's then that says a lot about the show itself. Buy the sets for the show not someone babbling on and on about why the leaves flowed to the north instead of the south.
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Jan 16, 2008 3:03 PM
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While I like the bonus material on TV show box sets, it is the shows that I buy the sets for, not the extras. It sucks, but I'll still be buying the yearly sets come next fall.
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Jan 16, 2008 3:15 PM
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True I usually buy DVD sets (Lost, BSG) for the actual show but I'm OBSESSED with Gossip Girl right now so not only do I want the show, I need commentaries, extras, anything to tide me over the strike.
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Jan 16, 2008 3:51 PM
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It's all part and parcel with the strike. support the strike, and accept this. I support the strike.
Besides, it's not like we get that much worth mentioning on most releases. There still hasn't been one single commentary on the MASH DVDs.
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Jan 16, 2008 3:52 PM
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as long as there is a gag reel, i am happy!
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Jan 16, 2008 3:58 PM
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Honestly I will buy a show on dvd based more on the show in itself than the extras available. However depending on the cost, the extras can play a small role in deciding to get it myself or put it on my wishlist for bday/holidays.
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Jan 16, 2008 4:22 PM
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That is really disappointing to hear. I'm sure I'll end up buying the sets of my favorite shows anyway but the special features are always a plus. I love the commentaries given by the writers and actors. They add so much to the episode and my overall view of the episode. It is especially sad for those shows that have taken such a long time to come on dvd and will not have the benefit of extra features.
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Jan 16, 2008 5:00 PM
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This is disappointing ... for me sometimes I enjoy the bonus features on the DVD almost as much if not more than the actual movie or tv show, but unfortunately I had a feeling this would be the case.
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Jan 16, 2008 5:50 PM
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Congrats to the writers/producers--because very often, they get asked to do it for nothing!
Don't believe it? Check it out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mj5IV23g-fE
I will BUY a set of DVD's without commentary track and extras, BUT I WON'T PAY RETAIL FOR IT. Anything that comes 'bare bones' with just the episodes, I wait and buy it used and as cheap as possible on Amazon or eBay.
If the studios are too cheap to put a little extra time and effort into PACKAGING a series properly, then they don't need my hard earned cash for it.
If, on the other hand, there are lots of extras and commentary tracks, I'll pre-order it from Amazon or I'll pre-order it from Barnes & Noble.
Of course...it doesn't matter at this point, because I'm not buying any new DVD's until the writers get what they deserve out of AMPTP anyway.
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Jan 16, 2008 6:14 PM
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Extras can make a difference in whether the DVDs are a "buy" or not. If it's a show I really love, I'll but it anyway, but if I'm not sure whether it's worth the money, extras can push me over the edge.
What I'm wondering about is: are they really going to release an 8 episode Lost set? Knowing the studios, they will probably charge the same as they do for a full season.
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Jan 16, 2008 6:21 PM
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Well, I don't really care about bonus features. I don't watch most of them more than once, if even that much. I buy the sets for the shows themselves. If it's a show I like, I buy it. If it's not, I don't, regardless of the bonus features.
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Jan 16, 2008 11:37 PM
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Couldn't care less. Bonus content/commentaries do not sway me one way or the other when determining the purchase of a TV series/set. I no longer bother with commentary tracks (tried a few and they were trite, boring, and totally off subject) and rarely watch "bonus" material. I purchase a set to watch a favorite program *complete* and *unedited*. Those are the only 2 "bonuses" about which I care.
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Jan 19, 2008 10:42 AM
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