Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.: The Complete Series

Shazam! CBS DVD and Paramount have released Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.: The Complete Series, a single volume, 24-disc collection of the CBS smash-hit sitcom that ruled the Nielsens during its 1964-1969 run. Starring Jim Nabors and Frank Sutton (one of television's most accomplished, and least appreciated, comedy teams), Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. absolutely enraged elitist "television critics" and baffled bitter social commentators who lamented the series' massive popularity as a sure sign that 1960s TV was a cultural wasteland of science-fiction, fantasy, and hillbilly junk, aimed at the lowest common denominator. Affording these helpful purveyors of aesthetic tastes their proper due respect, tens of millions of weekly viewers in "fly-over" country promptly sounded a Bronx cheer to their "betters," and went right back to enjoying the silly, sweet (and beautifully executed) antics of Private Pyle and Sergeant Carter, in the process making Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. a truly iconic comedy series that survives to this day in syndication, and with good reason: it's funny as hell. I didn't see anything new here in terms of transfers or extras, compared to earlier single season DVD releases of Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. (the extras all come on season one), so if you have those sets already, there's no need to double dip. However, anyone new to the show (as well as those fans of its host series, The Andy Griffith Show) will want this set. Got that, you knuckle-headed, goldbricking goof-offs?

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1964, Series, TV,

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Andy Griffith Show: The Complete Series (40 Disc DVD Box Set)

Kick back and get comfortable with a laugh-filled, heaping of classic Mayberry DVD. The Andy Griffith Show - The Complete Series 40-disc set includes all 249 episodes from the series' eight top-rated seasons on CBS. Starring Andy Griffith as Sheriff Andy Taylor, Don Knotts as Deputy Barney Fife, Ron Howard as Opie and Frances Bavier as Aunt Bee, you'll enjoy down-home humor, comic escapades and a stellar cast of the most beloved comedies in the history of television.





SPECIAL FEATURES:
• "Danny Meets Andy Griffith: from season 7 of the television series Make Room for Daddy, also known as The Danny Thomas Show
• "Opie Joins the Marines," from season 2 of the television series Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.
• Return to Mayberry television movie
• Plus: Season 2 and season 3 discs feature original sponsor spots

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Comedy, Drama, TV,

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Wizards and Warriors (1983)

The legendary Kingdom of Camarand is ruled by good King Baaldorf and Queen Lattinia. Their daughter, Ariel, is engaged to Prince Erik Greystone, who becomes Camarand's Champion against a neighboring kingdom ruled by evil Prince Dirk Blackpool. Erik was always helped by his servant, Marko, the strongest man in the kingdom and often hindered by his ne'er-do-well playboy brother, Justin. A variety of wizards and witches, both good and evil, also played a part in the conflict. This short-lived black comedy satirized the sword and sorcery genre and pop culture.

Its a shame that this sitcom gem was lost to us due to constant preempting. I've never thought the rating system was all that fair. They should not include moments when prime time shows fall victim to breaking world newscasts, presidential addresses, special mini-series broadcasts, and holiday specials...its just not an accurate assessment of a show's viewer base. That said, maybe some reviewers are right that the audience wasn't 'there' yet, as the D&D gaming crowd was still mostly a little young to fall into the demographic they were shooting for...but I certainly loved it! And pay no heed to the comments of 'Oh Dear, Oh Dear'...that person obviously had no idea that the show wasn't there as a serious attempt to promote D&D to the masses...it was a COMEDY...a silly, camped-up comedy (like "Men In Tights' was to the Robin Hood franchise). And a good one at that! Julia Duffy was so memorable and funny as the spoiled, self-absorbed Princess Ariel that when she re prised that type of role as Stephanie on the 'Newhart', for the first season she was on that show I just saw her as The Princess...and that alone kept me watching 'Newhart'! I was never much a Jeff Conway fan, but the show gave me a better appreciation for him. And the villain stole the scene (or at least what part of it he could pry away from Duffy) every time he took the screen. I always thought his name was Derek Blackpool..to me that seems funnier somehow than Dirk (maybe because it rhymes with Eric?). Perhaps after a couple of decades of having seen it, its like Dark Shadows...you remember it as scarier (or in this case, funnier) than it actually was (and we'll sadly never know now how good it could have been), but I would love to go back and watch it again. I don't recall if it had a laugh track, but I don't think it would have needed one if it is indeed as funny as I recall. I was sad to see it go, and like another poster, didn't realize it was gone until it didn't come back. As a baby-boomer, I'd like to see more pop-culture related sitcoms like this revived rather than more waste-of-time reality shows.

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1983, Fantasy, Series, TV,

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