Bob: The Complete Series

 

 

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Like the others who've reviewed this show I loved it as well. I also managed to record 5 episodes of it from tv when the shows originally ran. Somehow I wasn't even aware that they had done 33 episodes in total. I'm still not sure how I overlooked all the other episodes as it was a great show and I thoroughly enjoyed it, right along with all of the other shows which Bob Newhart was involved with.

The dvd liner notes mention the final 3 episodes airing on the same day - some 5 years later, so I'm going to assume that a few episodes on this set were only aired after the show had it's initial network run.

I buy dvd sets like this in part and mainly to replace my video tapes (many of which I long ago converted over to dvd format but would still like to upgrade to proper dvd copy sets like this) and unfortunately when I first posted this review I recommended that people not waste their time and money on this particular set if they had video tapes of the show and if they love this show as I do.

Why, you ask? Well I got out my magnifying glass and checked out the back of the dvd box. There in the fine print is a notice that "some episodes may be edited from their original network versions".

In other words, those old video tape recordings we have of the show may have more show content than the versions on this set. And without spending a penny on this release we might be better off holding onto the copies we have rather than replacing them with these copies.

Do note, since checking out the episodes my opinion has changed... See April 17 update below.

When they did this with the ALF series they totally ruined it and I could not sit through the episodes on the original dvd sets. Especially the episode where ALF & Willy hop on a boxcar. All of the hilarious content regarding the Arlo Guthrie song "City Of New Orleans" is gone from the dvd set versions, along with the funniest jokes and bits of this and many other episodes of that show.

I say "original dvd sets" because there is a plan at present to do another complete set. The original dvd sets do NOT contain the original episodes as they originally aired on NBC tv in the 1980s. They contain shorter syndicated versions with much content missing, which may be the case with this set as well if the fine print at the bottom of this dvd set is accurate.

Too much of the best and funniest content was removed. I have the orignal shows from original broadcasts and can't stand to watch the chopped to ribbons versions as released, even though the visual quality is great.

Why bother with superior quality visuals if they are going to cut out some of the best and funniest scenes from these shows?

And that brings me to the other reason why I originally suggested people pass on this release. There is also a fine print notice at the bottom next to the other notice (get out the magnifying glass as you WILL need it to read it) which states "Music has been changed for this home entertainment version". It does not state that music MIGHT be changed or may be different - it flat out states as fact that the music has been changed.

They ruined the Married With Children sets like this when they replaced the theme music and other music with lame generic rinky-dink crud because they were too cheap to deal with settling music rights to the music used in that show and they have done this same thing with a good number of other dvd set releases, despite some of these sets STILL being quite pricy.

I see no point in releasing these sets if these companies are not going to do it right with proper full length uncut episodes and with the original music and comedy or dramatic content in tact as originally aired.

I don't recommend that people spend their money on any set which actually has replacement music or shortened versions of the shows they love.

The show I highly recommend, right along with the classic ALF and shows like Married and Get A Life!, and now I am also going to recommend this dvd set - on the hope that the episodes I was unable to check and compare are as in tact as those I was able to.

Perhaps a future reviewer has or can compare the broadcast episodes I don't have. But for now I am upgrading this set's rating.

I still maintain that only dvd sets featuring full length episodes and original music are the dvd sets which deserve our financial and fan support. Hopefully and near as I can tell, despite the packaging statements - this set does seem to have the original content and music.

As for the ALF sets. I'm told that a new set is coming out and like other fans I sincerely hope they do THAT set right and PROPERLY this time. If they do a PROPER (full length episodes and original music) release of that set I would be very supportive as well.

APRIL 17 2012 UPDATE:

Since writing this review I have taken the time to compare the versions of this show which I have on dvd from video recordings or the original tv broadcasts to the versions on this dvd set. I am quite happy to inform everyone that DESPITE the claims on the packaging that this set has altered music and might have shortened versions - that is not the case it seems.

I have no idea as to why the packaging claims the shows are edited down and music changed, but that does not seem to be the case. At least not with the episodes I have.

I spent 2 days tracking down the 5 original broadcast episodes I have of this show (Drawing A Blank, My Daughter My Fodder, Penny For Your Thoughts, A Streecar Named Congress-Douglas, & Unforgiven) and then I checked each episode out by simultaneously playing the original as broadcast on tv versions on my computer while playing the dvd set episodes on a portable player. I found that every episode I have is fully in tact with the original music and with no content cut at all.

With this in mind I am going to upgrade this set to 4 stars. I would go all the way to 5 except I'm not sure if other episodes may be shortened. I'm also going to recommend the set, as it is very likely there was an error in the packaging and the balance of the episodes may be in tact. The show is fantastic and my only real concern was in being ripped off with shortened episodes with cheesy replacement music.

I should add that it was great to sit down and watch this stuff again - it's hilarious. Bob Newhart and the entire cast were fantastic on this show and it was likely the best of all of the shows Bob ever did including the more popular and longer running shows.

This set gets my blessing and I have decided to keep my copy and recommend it to others.

But do beware of any sets which really do have cut content and altered music. If you have original run broadcast episodes (as opposed to syndicated re-runs) I suggest that if you have doubts you do as I did and compare the originals to what you have on dvd to see if anything has been altered.

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