Want to watch seasons 1 through 6 of The L Word? No problem. It's on DVD. Want to watch the complete first season of Dirt, starring Courtney Cox Arquette? No problem. That's on DVD too.
How about every single season of Survivor? Got it. The Anna Nicole Smith Show? Check. All six seasons of the The George Lopez Show? Coming right up. The Wonder Years? ....... SORRY, YOU'RE SHIT OUT OF LUCK!
I stare in amazement at the DVD shelves of Best Buy. I see an entire row of Rescue Me; but the TV shows I want to see are just not there. I try Netflix and Amazon with similar results.... there's some incredible shows that just have never made it to DVD; meanwhile, total crap like JAG has a full TEN SEASONS on DVD! Ten seasons?!?! It was on that long? Who knew?
So, here's a list of 10 shows that I'd love to see again. I'd buy them in a second if they were made available.
1. The Wonder Years
My understanding is this show is tied up because of its frequent use of popular music. Record companies are a bunch of greedy bastards, and won't let you use their songs like they used to (without shelling out big bucks).
2. James at 15
Wanna know what it was like to grow up in the 1970's? After School Specials are a good source, but this one's even better.
3. CPO Sharkey
Don Rickles at his most condescending, insulting, patronizing best.
4. Logan's Run
Underrated sci-fi gem, with Heather Menzes lookin' fine. Why this is still only available through iTunes is beyond me.
5. Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman
A sparse selection from season one is all that's available of this groundbreaking, controversial show. Yet, you can buy the complete first season of Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew. AAARRRGG!
6. Fernwood 2nite
Irreverent and wonderful spin-off from Mary Hartman starring Martin Mull and Fred Willard. Worth a try just for curiosity's sake if you haven't seen it.
7. Fridays
I've heard that Michael Richards is the one holding this one back. This was sort of like Saturday Night Live, but oftentimes better. Larry David was a cast member and guests like Andy Kaufman make this a MUST for DVD release.... how is that I can buy Extreme Makeover with ADHD poster child Ty Pennington, but Fridays still is unreleased?
8. Batman
Holy freeze dried Godzilla farts, Batman! Are you kidding me? How is this not on DVD? Apparently, there's a fight between 20th Century Fox and Warner Bros. over who owns the rights. Why is it no one fights over crap like JAG and The George Lopez Show, it's always the good stuff that gets held up?
9. The Six Million Dollar Man
Yes, this is not a mistake. You read it right the first time. The Six Million Dollar Man is not available. I cannot imagine why - it can't be due to licensing and legalities, because it HAS been released on the Region 2 format. For some reason, if you live in the United States, you are SOL. The Fall Guy and The Bionic Woman are both out on DVD, so this just doesn't make sense!
10. It's Your Move
Remember this show starring Jason Bateman from the early 1980's? It was hilarious, but I doubt it will ever see the light of day.
If you have any old shows you'd like to add to the list, please drop it in a comment.
