Category Archives: Television

Oct 14 2013
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DVDs, Pop Culture, Television

Beam Me Up!

New Star Trek collection connects fans with series’ beginnings

StarTrekOriginalSeriesOrigins2Star Trek: The Original Series—Origins

Blu-ray $26.99 (CBS Home Entertainment/Paramount Home Entertainment)

Since it debuted on TV in 1966, it’s crossed the pop-culture universe to conquer comic books, novels, video games and movies. Now lifelong Trekkies and newer fans alike can reconnect with how it all began with this collection of origin episodes featuring first appearances of significant characters from the seminal Star Trek: The Original Series, including Spock, the super-villain Khan, and the alien Klingons; the cute but troublesome Tribbles; and both pilot episodes of the iconic series, “The Cage” and “Where No Man Has Gone Before,” which gave the show its memorable catchphrase.

—Neil Pond, American Profile Magazine

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Sep 24 2013
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Books, Pop Culture, Television

Understanding the ‘Superstooge’

New bio gets inside the zany bald head of Curly

CurlyCurly: An Illustrated Biography of the Superstooge

By Joan Howard Maurer

Softcover, 400 pages ($19.95, Chicago Review Press)

Three Stooges fans will flip over this official biography of Jerome “Curly” Howard, the zaniest member of the slapstick trio whose high-pitched voice, shaven head and “nyuk-nyuk-nyuks” made him a comedy icon. Written by his niece (the daughter of head Stooge Moe Howard) and packed with more than 300 photos, it’s a treasure trove of rare information and insight into the career, family life and psychology of one of the most enduringly popular “knuckleheads” to ever stand in the Stooge spotlight.

—Neil Pond, American Profile Magazine

Sep 11 2013
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DVDs, Pop Culture, Television

How Norman Got ‘Psycho’

TV’s ‘Bates Motel’ serves up a creepy-cool contemporary prequel

BatesMotelS1Bates Motel: Season One

$49.98 Blu-ray / $44.98 DVD (Universal Studios Home Entertainment)

Even if you’ve never seen Alfred Hitchcock’s 1960 classic Psycho, you can still get appreciate the deep, darkly chilling vibes of this modern-day prequel set in a creepy old manor above a motor inn where very bad things just keep happening to teenage Norman Bates (Freddie Highmore), his clingy mom (Vera Farmiga) and the people around them. Last season’s critically acclaimed hit TV series, a moody mix of scares, suspense and twisty surprises, comes with deleted scenes and a panel discussion with the cast and creative team.

—Neil Pond, American Profile Magazine

Aug 29 2013
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Television

Getting The Weekend Started

ABC’s 1980s late-night answer to ‘Saturday Night Live’

Best of Fridays

 

The Best of Fridays

DVD $34.99 (Shout! Factory)

 

Launched as ABC’s weekend counterpart to NBC’s runaway hit Saturday Night Live, this 1980-82 series proved that the weekend was big enough—at least for a while—for two edgy sketch-comedy variety shows. Though relative short-lived, Fridays featured a parade of hip musical acts like Devo, The Cars and The Clash, and kept audiences laughing into the wee hours with the antics of a talented ensemble cast that included Larry David and Michael Richards, who’d both later shine as the co-creator and one of the stars of Seinfeld. This bonus-packed collection includes 16 full episodes, a cast and writers’ reunion, and other goodies.

 

—Neil Pond, American Profile Magazine

Aug 27 2013
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Television

Bad Pope, Great Show!

Jeremy Irons stars as corrupt head of papal empire

Borgias_S3The Borgias: The Third Season

Blu-ray $74 / DVD $56 (CBS Home Entertainment)

On this hit Showtime series, Jeremy Irons plays the cunning, conspiratorial patriarch of a 17th century Italian papal empire driven for riches and power. Is there any sin he and his manipulative family won’t commit to get what they crave in their bloody, violent quest for more of everything? In addition to all 10 episodes of the third season, this set also includes bloopers and two promo episodes of Showtime’s new series “Ray Donovan.”

—Neil Pond, American Profile Magazine

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