CHICAGO (thefutoncritic.com) -- The 2003 Video Software Dealers Association convention in Las Vegas saw the studios out in full force last week. And with TV shows on DVD becoming a hot genre, there were plenty of announcements to be made.
Here's a list of the latest TV-related updates on the format. Note that all sets with firm release dates are in full frame (1.33:1) and Dolby 2.0 Surround unless noted. Otherwise video and audio formats as well as extras are to be determined.
"Dark Angel: The Complete Second Season" (20th Century Fox Home Entertainment, October 21, $59.98): While the six-disc set was announced several weeks ago, the studio has outlined the extras for the release. Currently set are audio commentaries on four episodes ("Designate This," "The Berrisford Agenda," "Hello, Goodbye" and "Freak Nation"), three featurettes ("Max Resurrected," "Making the Manticore Monsters" and "Manticore on the Loose"), deleted scenes, a gag reel and bloopers.
"Married... With Children: The Complete First Season" (Columbia TriStar Home Video, October 28, $29.95): After two "best of" releases, the studio is set to go forward with season sets of the long-running comedy series. The first two-disc set includes all 13 episodes from its inaugural season. The release is relatively featureless as it will only include trailers for the studio's other releases.
"The Sopranos: The Complete Fourth Season" (HBO Home Video, October 28, $99.98): Fans of the series can tide themselves over until season five with the latest release of the HBO series. The four-disc set features a widescreen transfer and Dolby 5.1 Surround sound. Extras include commentaries by Terence Winter, Michael Imperioli, Robin Green, Mitchell Burgess and David Chase on four of the episodes. Easter eggs, episodic previews and episodic recaps are also included.
"The X-Files: The Complete Eighth Season" (20th Century Fox Home Entertaiment, November 4, $149.98): An extras listing has been made available by the studio for the six-disc set. In addition to being presented in widescreen (1.78:1), fans can expect deleted scenes from five episodes, international clips (in German, Japanese and Italian) from six episodes, commentary by director Frank Spotnitz on "Laone," a 30-minute "season in review," three "X-Files Profiles" (Gibson Praise, John Doggett, Alex Krycek), 21 TV spots, seven special effects outtakes by Mat Beck (with commentary by Paul Rawin), and an all-new DVD-ROM game called "Existence."
"King of the Hill: The Complete Second Season" (20th Century Fox Home Entertainment, November 11, $49.98): The studio has updated the extras listing for the four-disc set. In addition to commentary on four episodes ("Husky Bobby," "The Man Who Shot Kane Skretteberg," "Three Days of the Khando" and "Leanne's Saga"), fans can look for 22 deleted/extended scenes, director's intros for 17 of the 23 episodes, three featurettes ("Animation Evolution," "The Arlen School of Drawing" and "Music Inspired by The Hills"), two easter eggs ("Monsignor Martinez" and "Boomhauer"), a still gallery, two animated music videos, eight static pages with music and a "King of the Hill" game.
"King of Queens: The Complete First Season" (Columbia TriStar Home Video, November 25): The veteran comedy is set for the DVD treatment later this year with a three-disc set.
"Dawson's Creek: The Complete Second Season" (Columbia TriStar Home Video, Q4 2003): Fans of the WB soap won't have to wait much longer for the series' next release as the studio plans to have the second season out by year's end.
"My Big Fat Greek Life: The Complete Series" (Columbia TriStar Home Video, Q4 2003): The studio plans to release all seven episodes of the small screen failure by the end of the year.
"Spider-Man: The Complete First Season" (Columbia TriStar Home Video, January 6, 2004): Fans of the MTV animated series can look for the complete first season of the show on DVD the first Tuesday of 2004.
"Doc: The Complete First Season" (Ventura Distribution, Q1 2004): Ventura has signed a deal with Paxson to bring some of PAX TV's original dramas to the format. "Doc" is the first, with a release early next year.
"NewsRadio: The Complete First and Second Seasons" (Columbia TriStar Home Video, Q1 2004): Another one of the studio's "viewer poll" winners is set for release early next year. The three-disc set will include all seven episodes from the series' first season and all 21 episodes from the show's sophomore season. Extras are expected to be slim to none.
"Family Business: The Complete First Season" (Showtime, TBA 2004): The recently renewed late-night series will see its first season on DVD some time in 2004.
"The 'L' Word: The Complete First Season" (Showtime, TBA 2004): The pay channel's home video arm is set to release the upcoming lesbian drama on DVD some time next year.
"Out of Order: The Complete First Season" (Showtime, TBA 2004): The Eric Stoltz and Felicity Huffman-led drama is set for release in 2004.
"Penn & Teller: Bullshit!: The Complete First Season" (Showtime, TBA 2004): The network's latest late-night entry will see its inaugural season hit the format at some point next year.
"Star Trek: Voyager" (Paramount Home Video, TBA 2004): Much like its previous releases for "The Next Generation" and "Deep Space Nine," the studio plans to roll out all seven seasons of the third "Star Trek" spin-off next year.
Special thanks to the folks at TVShowsonDVD.com for their help in this report.
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