Short lived TV series question?

[JThree]

Dear DVD Filers:

Over the past few months, we've had some good input on a thread concerning short-lived (though good) tv shows coming out on DVD. But seriously, what are the chances that are most favorite obscure show will come out in DVD? I've been hoping for a 1978 classic called Quark, but I know the odds are slim.


In the thread, there were about forty to eighty shows mentioned. The big ones seemed to be Brisco County and the Critic. Maybe Police Squad

On the other hand, Dilbert, the Tic, and this week, Jim Henson's the Storyteller are in the works. but it seems that news on other series are slow in coming.

I'm weighing the Studios need to make money versus the impracticality of releasing quite a few short-lived shows.

What arguments can you guys give? What do you think. Say something encouraging.



Sincerely,

JThree

carolyn@dia.net

[Unicorn]

I'll consider replying more broadly to your entire post later.

Right now I'll address Quark.


No, I don't know anything for certain. I wish. I love that show, too, short though it was.

Columbia Tristar owns that one, and they are very very quiet about what they do and don't release. I can sometimes get advance info before the official news comes out (did you know that Married...with Children season sets are coming this fall? TVShowsOnDVD just publicized the news yesterday!) but nothing too far in the future.

Moreover, they have so MUCH stuff to release, that smaller releases like this one are likely to be overlooked.

However, they're not stupid. They're the masters of the tie-in. I.e., release Charlie's Angels and S.W.A.T. before the new films hit theaters.

Well, Quark was created to spoof Battlestar Galactica, right? And BG is hitting this fall on DVD, and then a new SciFi channel miniseries in December.

What better time to give Quark fans hope for a DVD release? I know I want this sucker!

[Reaver]

Well, about the only argument that I can think of is that often shows are cancelled not because the shows were bad, but because the networks either had them on the wrong night (come on, Fast Lane of Friday nights?! What, are you on crack?!?!), or because the show wasn't marketed properly (Fox, I'm looking at you here ::cough::Firefly::cough:: ). So, the show gets out there, diehards seek it out, but then it dies because diehards alone are not enough to keep the ratings where the networks think they should be. But, because if it's untimely death, press is generated, and more people become away, but by then it's too late.

But DVD can gives these older shows another shot at getting the audience they deserved. People can pick them up and watch them at their leisure, and if the price is right ($45 is perfect), plenty of people will buy it.

My person list of short lived shows going to DVD would include Brisco County, Space: Above And Beyond, Brimstone, John Doe, Fast Lane, and Earth2.