I am – Hercules!!
It’s November, and much of what goes on sale today is clearly earmarked for gift-giving.
The “X-Files” was the first series ever to come out in DVD season-sets way back in 2000, and X-Files-philes originially had to pay north of $750 for this material. At $230, the new 61-disc “X-Files: Ultimate Collection” collects all nine seasons plus (unlike the newer, cheaper slim-sets) all the original DVD extras found on the thick $90-per-season season sets. Plus the “X-Files” movie. $230 divided by 9 seasons equals only $25.56 per season.
I’ve long resisted buying the extras-packed “Seinfeld” season-sets, and Seinfeld: The Complete Series makes me glad I did. This set contains all nine seasons and the staggering number of extras (Seinfeld said on Larry King Thursday night this set contains 104 hours of extras) included on each of the nine DVD season sets, plus the 226-page “Official Coffee Table Book” which itself contains a bonus disc containing an hour-long conversation with co-creator Larry David and the four principal cast members. $212.99 divided by 9 seasons equals only $23.67 per season.
Day of the Triffids: The Complete Miniseries is the 1981 version of the sci-fi thriller about evil, uber-creepy walking daffodils who use astral phenomena to blind at once almost every human on Earth. Cars crash; planes crash; nobody can find their way home; people are starving because they can’t find can-openers to open canned goods, and in the unlikely event they can bust a can open on some rocks or something they may discover it’s full of baking powder. The few working human eyeballs left become the most valuable things on the planet, and the handful of sighted people become like gods to the millions who are now easy prey for the slow-moving aliens. I love the 1951 “Triffids” novel by John Wyndham, I love the 1963 movie and I love this TV version.
Shockingly, The Best Of The Colbert Report contains more than two hours of excerpts from the popular Comedy Central series, but not one of the seven Tek Janson adventures. This has to mean they’re planning a Tek-only release at some point, right?
What is included:
“The Word: Truthiness” (4:33) The first segment of the first “Colbert Report” advises against thinking and looking things up in books.
“The Word: Wikiality” (4:19) Colbert applauds Wikipedia’s ability to bend consensus into fact.
“Better Know A District: Massachusetts 4th – Barney Frank” (5:31) Frank, who turns out to be Jewish, is asked if George W. Bush is “a great” or “the greatest” president.
“Better Know A Challenger: John Hall” (4:26) The guitarist/songwriter behind the ‘70s hits “Dance With Me” and “Still The One” is confused with Daryl Hall, the singer/songwriter behind the ‘70s hits “She’s Gone” and “Sara Smile.” Hall is asked if he would have preferred to see Saddam Hussein stay in power. (Note that John Hall did this year unseat Republican Sue W. Kelly in New York’s 19th.)
“In Your Face, Pelosi” (6:20) Colbert meets a roomful of newly elected U.S. congressmen, greatly enhancing in his “Better Know a District” map.
“Better Know A District: Florida’s 19th – Robert Wexler” (5:59) Colbert suggests developing an SUV that can be fueled by caribou meat, then goads Wexler into saying things that could lose him his uncontested race for re-election.
“District of Columbia – Eleanor Norton” (7:27) Colbert challenges Norton on her appalling voting record and confesses to “terrible gaydar.”
“Deleted Scene – Eleanor Norton” (:49) Colbert asks if full voting rights should be afforded constituents who twice voted Marion Berry into the D.C. mayor’s office.
“Indecision 2006” (7:24) Colbert reacts badly to the midterm election that put Democrats in control of the House.
“Green Screen Challenge” (15:09) A dizzy array of fan films featuring a sword-wielding Colbert are displayed, followed by a visit and a losing entry from very sad “Star Wars” fan “George L.” The whole thing concludes with a live-action Lucas-Colbert lightsaber battle.
“Barry Manilow” (7:04) Colbert confronts the man who stole his Emmy in 2006. A peace treaty is notarized. “I Write The Song” is performed.
“Guitarmageddon” (21:25) Colbert takes on indie rock combo The Decemberists, who brazenly lifted the host’s “Green Screen Challenge.” Morley Safer introduces. New York governor-elect Eliot Spitzer judges. Henry Kissinger announces “It is time to rock.” Peter Frampton performs a Christmas miracle. And “Cheap Trick” mastermind Rick Nielsen turns up for no good reason.
“Saginaw Spirit” (10:41) The host cries foul when stuffed bears are flung onto a hockey rink.
“Papa Bear” (13:41) Colbert makes plain his daddy issues as the primary object of Colbert’s ridicule, Bill O’Reilly, appears on the 201st Report to promote “Culture Warrior” (30% off at Barnes & Noble).
“Cooking With Feminists” (5:59) Gloria Steinem and Jane Fonda are forced to pitch their new radio network as they bake pies on the Colbert Report’s kitchen set. An “ice-cream three-way” ensues.
“Jane Fonda Interview” (4:46) This time promoting “Georgia Rule,” the very horny Fonda continues to demonstrate her affection for a Colbert terrified for his marriage.
“Stone Phillips: Let the Gravitas Begin” (3:49) Random snippets of news copy are recited.
“Stephen Jr.” (6:39) Colbert bemoans his namesake eagle’s defection to Canada. Fans on the border wave fish to lure the fowl home.
“Stephanie Jr.” (3:51) The host bemoans his namesake turtle’s poor showing in an ocean race.
“Threat Down” (5:59) The worries that the metal band Anthrax may actually carry anthrax and warns against gay clones. Plus Magna Morphs!
“Ice Cream & Willie Nelson” (12:58) The host hawks Ben & Jerry’s Stephen Colbert’s Americone Dream as a means of enhancing fertility. Featuring actual lefties Ben and Jerry. He suggests a flavor incorporating actual chunks of the Berlin wall before he learns Willie Nelson is getting his own flavor as well. He then harangues the country warbler and joins him in a duet.
“Hungarian Bridge” (7:18) The host applauds J.K. Rowling’s rumored killing of Harry Potter, terms breast-feeding a form of cannibalism, and suggests a bridge be named for Stephen Colbert.
“A Rare Correction” (5:11) Mistakenly believing he won the lottery, Colbert calls elderly Viacom chairman Sumner Redstone “The Cryptkeeper,” then has to go groveling to Redstone to get his job back after learning of the error.
“Meta-Free-Phor-All” (8:41) Following a newsmaking comment about the president’s “soiled and blood-soaked underwear,” Sean Penn stops by to trade metaphors as former U.S. poet laureate Robert Pinsky moderates.
Herc’s Popular Pricing Pantry
Stocking Stuffers!!
Amazon has knocked 50% OFF 100 titles, including
$4.99 The Simple Life 1.x-4.x
$9.99 The Grid: The Complete Series
$9.99 The Loop 1.x
$9.99 Return to the Planet of the Apes: Complete Series
$13.99 Tru Calling 2.x
$14.99 The Bob Newhart Show 1.x-4.x
$14.99 Hill Street Blues 1.x
$14.99 King of the Hill 1.x-6.x
$14.99 Kitchen Confidential: The Complete Series
$14.99 The Mary Tyler Moore Show 1.x-4.x
$14.99 Planet of the Apes: The Complete Series
$14.99 The White Shadow 1.x-2.x
$19.99 It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia 1.x/2.x
$19.99 Futurama Vols. 1-4
$19.99 Millennium 1.x-3.x
$19.99 Murder One 1.x-2.x
$19.99 The Practice Vol. 1
$19.99 St. Elsewhere 1.x
$19.99 WKRP in Cincinnati 1.x
$19.99 Wonderfalls: The Complete Series
$115.49 Land of the Giants: The Complete Series
This is the cheapest I’ve ever seen this set:
$19.99 From The Earth To The Moon <--- 67% OFF!!
$13.99 Spider-Man: The Complete 2003 Series. (Thanks to the release of “Spider-Man 3.”)
TWILIGHT ZONE: THE COMPLETE SERIES!!
$164.99!!
That works out to $33 Per Season!!
The extras-crammed Definitive Editions!!
Individual seasons cost $69.99 New; $50 used!!
They were going for close to $100/season not too long ago!
(The discount presumably celebrates the release of the “Twilight Zone” movie in HD, so don’t expect it to last ...)
TV-on-DVD Calendar
Last Week
Angel: Complete Series Collector's Set ($97.99!!)
Avatar 3.x Vol. 1
Benny Hill: Complete Collection
Biography: Saturday Night Live
Checkmate: Best of 1.x
Cimarron City: Best Of 1.x
CSI Miami 5.x
CSI Miami 1.x-5.x
Dark Shadows: The Beginning Vol. 2
Everybody Loves Raymond: The Complete Series
Family Affair 4.x
Family Guy Freakin' Party Pack
Hey Mulligan: Best of 1.x
Laredo: Best Of 1.x
Looney Tunes: Golden Collection Vol. 5
Magnum P.I. 7.x
Miami Ink 1.x
My So-Called Life: The Complete Series
Mystery Science Theatre 3000 Vol. 12
October Road 1.x
Outer Limits Vol. 3
The Real McCoys 2.x
Restless Gun: Best of 1.x
Riverboat: Best of 1.x
Scrubs 6.x
Sgt. Preston of the Yukon: Complete Collection
Shaggy & Scooby-Doo Get A Clue Vol. 1
Suspense: The Lost Episodes Vol. 2
The Tall Man: Best of 1.x
Tate: The Complete Series
TV Animation Giftset
Twin Peaks: The Complete Series
This Week
The Andy Williams Show: Best Of
Beetle Bailey: The Complete Collection
Bob Hope: The Ultimate Collection
The Captain & Tennille: The Specials
The Colbert Report: Best Of
The Cosby Show 5.x
The Cosby Show 6.x
Day of the Triffids: The Complete Miniseries
Doctor Who 3.x
Doctor Who: Arc of Infinity
Doctor Who: Time-Flight
Flight of the Conchords 1.x
Full House 8.x
Full House: The Complete Series
Gilligan's Island: The Complete Series <--- NEW!!
The House of Venus 1.x
Iron King: The Complete Series
The King of Queens: The Complete Series
Kung Fu: The Complete Series <--- NEW!!
Martin 3.x
Martin 1.x-3.x
McLeod's Daughters 4.x
MXC: Most Extreme Elimination Challenge 3.x
The Munsters: Scary Little Christmas
Payback 2.x
The Pink Panther: Pink Christmas
Project Runway 3.x
Seinfeld 9.x
Seinfeld: The Complete Series
Sesame Street: Old School Vol. 2
The Tonight Show: Definitive Collection
TV SciFi Bundle
Wildfire 2.x
Wings 5.x
Wings 1.x-5.x
Wonder Woman: The Complete Series <--- NEW!!
The X-Files: Ultimate Collection
Next Week
The Addams Family: The Complete Series
Black Books 3.x
Black Books: The Complete Series
Captain N & The New Super Mario World
DaVinci's Inquest 2.x
DuckTales Vol. 3
Gilmore Girls 7.x
Gilmore Girls: The Complete Series
The Littles: The Complete Series
Masters of Horror 1.x Vol. 3 [Blu-ray]
Masters of Horror: Dream Cruise
Melrose Place 3.x
Melrose Place 1.x-3.x
Miami Vice: The Complete Series
Northern Exposure: The Complete Series
Perry Mason 2.x Vol. 2
Prison Break 1.x [Blu-ray]
South Park Christmas
SpongeBob SquarePants: Atlantis SquarePants
TaleSpin Vol. 2
The Young Ones: The Complete Series
Zorro: Return to the Future
November 20
The Batman 4.x
Bozo's Big Top Vol. 2
Care Bears: 25th Anniversary
Chappelle's Show: Complete Series
Charles In Charge 2.x
CSI 7.x
CSI 1.x-7.x
Dangerous Assignment: The Complete Collection
The Doris Day Show 5.x
Doris Day Today
Dr. Katz: The Complete Series
Gene Simmons: Family Jewels 2.x <--- NEW!!
Happy Tree Friends 1.x Vol. 4
Ice Road Truckers 1.x
Inside The Actors Studio: Johnny Depp
Legend of Bravestarr Vol. 1
Little Britain: Abroad
Little Britain: The Complete Collection
Love American Style 1.x Vol. 1
Man With A Camera: Complete Series
Mission: Impossible 3.x
Mission: Impossible 1.x-3.x
Queer As Folk: The Complete Series
Star Trek 1.x [DVD/HD-DVD]
Tales of Tomorrow Vol. 3
Teen Titans 4.x
The Wild Wild West 3.x
November 27
Futurama Movie I: Bender's Big Score
Happy Days 3.x
Happy Days 1.x-3.x
The Land Before Time Vol. 1
Laverne & Shirley 3.x
Mork & Mindy 3.x
The OC: The Complete Series
Power Rangers: Operation Overdrive Vol. 3
Wish Gone Amiss
December 4
Battlestar Galactica 1.x [HD-DVD]
Battlestar Galactica: Razor
Bump! Great Britain
Bump! Mexico
Crank Yankers: Best Of
Daniel Boone 6.x
Dante's Cove Gift Set
Diagnosis Murder 3.x
Diagnosis Murder 1.x-3.x
The Grafters 2.x
Highlander: The Complete Animated Series
House of Payne Vol. 1
Instant Star 3.x <--- NEW!!
Law & Order SVU 4.x
Masters of Horror 1.x Vol. 4 [Blu-ray]
New Street Law 1.x
Saturday Night Live 2.x
Seventh Heaven 5.x
Seventh Heaven 1.x-5.x
Super Mario/Sonic Gift Set
30 Days 2.x
Tom & Jerry Tales Vol. 3
Touched By An Angel 4.x
Touched By An Angel 4.x Vol. 2
24 6.x
Will & Grace 7.x
The Wire 4.x
December 11
Beverly Hills 90210 3.x
Beverly Hills 90210 1.x-3.x
Big Love 2.x
Dirt 1.x
Flight 29 Down Vol. 3
Flight 29 Down Vol. 1-3
Frasier 10.x
Frasier: The Complete Series
Gomer Pyle USMC 3.x
Gomer Pyle USMC 1.x-3.x
Lost 3.x
Lost 3.x [Blu-ray]
Masters of Horror 1.x Vol. 4 [Blu-ray]
Masters of Horror: The V Word
Voltron Vol. 5
December 18
The Bronx Is Burning: World Championship Edition
The Mod Squad 1.x Vol. 1
One Tree Hill 4.x
Rawhide 2.x Vol. 2
The Simpsons Movie
The Simpsons Movie [Blu-ray]
Sonic Underground
Underdog: The Complete Series
Young Indiana Jones Vol. 2
December 26
Galactica 1980: The Complete Series
January 1
SeaQuest DSV 2.x
The Tudors 1.x
Weird Science 1.x/2.x
January 8
The All-New Superfriends Hour
Between The Lions 1.x
Bramwell 3.x <--- NEW!!
Clifford: Playtime With Clifford
Gunsmoke 2.x Vol. 1
Lovejoy 2.x
MI-5 Vol. 5
The Naked Brothers Band 1.x
The Riches 1.x
Rides 4.x Vol. 1 <--- NEW!!
Rob & Big 1.x/2.x
Two and a Half Men 2.x
Two and a Half Men 1.x/2.x
The Waltons 6.x
What's New Scooby-Doo 3.x
January 15
Alex Haley's Queen
'Allo 'Allo 7.x
Bump! Southern California
Medabots 1.x
The New Adventures of Old Christine
The Rockford Files 5.x
Royle Family 2.x
Sabrina The Teenage Witch 3.x
January 22
Avatar 3.x Vol. 2
ER 8.x
The Girls Next Door 3.x
Hawaii Five-0 3.x <--- NEW!!
Hustle 4.x
The Jeff Corwin Experience 1.x <--- NEW!!
Make Room For Daddy 6.x
The Odd Couple 3.x
The Simple Life 5.x
Swamp Thing 1.x
Torchwood 1.x
January 29
Aqua Teen Hunger Force Vol. 5
Emergency 4.x
JAG 5.x
Pioneers of Television
SpongeBob SquarePants: To Love A Patty
February 5
Beauty and the Beast 3.x
Brotherhood 2.x
Charlie & Lola Vol. 7
Legion of Super-Heroes Vol. 2
Perfect Strangers 1.x/2.x
Soul Food 3.x
Third Watch 1.x
February 12
Bump! Florida
Hotel Babylon 1.x
Tell Me You Love Me 1.x <--- NEW!!
February 26
Smurfs 1.x Vol. 1 <--- NEW!!
March 18
Bump! European Highlights
Bump! Scandanavia
April 15
The House of Venus Show 2.x
May 27
Absolutely Fabulous: Absolutely Everything
Selected season-sets containing
some of Herc’s all-time favorite TV!!
$11.99 Dinner For Five 1.x (10 episodes)
$16.99 Wonder Showzen 2.x (eight episodes) <--- VASTLY ENCHEAPENED!!
$17.49 Soap 1.x (25 episodes)
$19.99 ER 1.x (26 episodes)
$19.99 Rocky & Bullwinkle 1.x (26 episodes)
$19.99 The Bob Newhart Show 1.x (24 episodes)
$19.99 From The Earth To The Moon (12 episodes) <--- VASTLY ENCHEAPENED!!
$21.99 The Mary Tyler Moore Show 1.x (24 episodes)
$21.99 The Tick: The Complete Series (9 Episodes)
$23.49 The Tick Versus 1.x (12 episodes)
$24.99 Moonlighting 1.x/2.x (25 episodes)
$24.99 Hill Street Blues 1.x (17 episodes)
$24.99 South Park 1.x (13 episodes)
$25.49 Oz 1.x (eight episodes)
$26.99 The Andy Griffith Show 5.x (32 episodes)
$26.99 Friends 1.x (24 episodes)
$26.99 Cheers 1.x (23 episodes)
$26.99 The Venture Bros. 1.x (13 Episodes)
$27.99 Murder One 1.x (23 episodes)
$27.99 Angel 5.x (22 episodes)
$27.99 Futurama Vol. 2 (19 episodes)
$27.99 Curb Your Enthusiasm 1.x (10 episodes)
$28.49 St. Elsewhere 1.x (22 episodes)
$29.49 Newsradio 1.x/2.x (29 episodes)
$29.49 Columbo 1.x (nine TV-movies)
$29.49 The Rockford Files 1.x (22 episodes)
$29.99 Buffy The Vampire Slayer 4.x (22 episodes)
$29.99 The Simpsons 2.x (22 episodes)
$29.99 Wonderfalls: The Complete Series (13 episodes)
$30.49 The Larry Sanders Show 1.x (13 episodes)
$31.99 Taxi 1.x (22 episodes)
$32.99 Mission Impossible 1.x (28 episodes)
$32.99 The OC 1.x (27 episodes)
$32.99 The Office 3.x (24 episodes)
$33.99 Kung Fu 2.x (23 episodes)
$35.49 Seinfeld 3.x (23 episodes)
$36.99 Northern Exposure 3.x (23 episodes)
$39.49 Six Feet Under 1.x (13 episodes)
$39.99 The Dick Van Dyke Show 1.x (31 episodes)
$39.99 24 1.x (24 episodes)
$39.99 Gilmore Girls 4.x (22 episodes)
$39.99 The West Wing 1.x (22 episodes)
$39.99 Firefly: The Complete Series (14 episodes)
$39.99 Fawlty Towers: The Complete Series (12 episodes)
$40.49 Brideshead Revisited (11 hours)
$41.99 Lost 1.x (24 episodes)
$42.49 Veronica Mars 1.x (22 episodes)
$42.49 Carnivale 1.x (12 episodes)
$42.99 The Wild Wild West (28 episodes)
$44.99 Battlestar Galactica 1.x (13 episodes plus miniseries)
$44.99 My So-Called Life: The Complete Series (17 Episodes) <--- VASTLY ENCHEAPENED!!
$44.99 Undeclared: The Complete Series (17 episodes)
$44.99 The Sopranos 1.x (13 episodes)
$45.99 Alias 1.x (22 episodes)
$47.99 The Wire 1.x (13 episodes)
$54.99 Once and Again 1.x (22 episodes)
$54.99 Freaks and Geeks: The Complete Series (18 episodes)
$58.49 SCTV Network 90 Vol. 1 (Nine 90-minute episodes)
$62.99 Star Trek 2.x (26 episodes)
$62.99 Star Trek: Deep Space Nine 3.x (26 episodes)
$62.99 Star Trek: The Next Generation 3.x (26 episodes)
$64.99 Monty Python's Flying Circus: The Complete Series (45 episodes)
$64.99 Twin Peaks: The Complete Series (30 episodes) <--- VASTLY ENCHEAPENED!!
$67.99 Deadwood 1.x (12 episodes)
$68.99 Rome 1.x (12 episodes)
$69.99 The Twilight Zone 1.x (36 episodes)
$76.49 The Prisoner: The Complete Series (17 episodes)
Own Every Issue Dirt Cheap!!
$34.89 Amazing Spider-Man 1963-2006
$19.99 Amazing Spider-Man 1987-2006
$34.99 The Avengers 1963-2005
$33.99 Captain America 1964-2006
$34.99 Fantastic Four 1961-2004
$39.99 FF + Silver Surfer 1961-2004
$21.99 Ghost Rider 1973-1983
$33.99 Incredible Hulk 1962-2006
$44.99 Invincible Iron Man 1963-2006
$9.99 Ultimate X-Men 2001-2005
$39.99 Uncanny X-Men 1963-2004
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