“Blue Harvest,” easily the best episode of “Family Guy” I’ve seen to date, is an hour-long affair that mocks mercilessly the lapses in logic attending the original “Star Wars.”
It’s fair to say that Alec Sulkin (“The Late Late Show With Craig Kilborn”), who scripted the episode, and Dominic Polcino (“King of the Hill”), who directed, share a far more intimate understanding of the 1977 movie than did “Spaceballs” masterminds Mel Brooks, Thomas Meehan and Ronny Graham.
Polcino apes the details of “Episode IV” meticulously, to the point where at times it feels like we’re looking at rotoscoped footage of the movie itself. The actual John Williams movie score is employed so liberally one wonders if producers squandered half the season’s budget on it.
A lot of the jokes are what some have come to describe as “Family Guy awful,” as when the rebels’ X-fighter “red team” turns out to be comprised of Red Buttons, Redd Foxx and Helen Reddy. A pointless and laugh-free “Deal or No Deal” sequence arrives out of nowhere. And tellingly, there’s a lot of audience-pandering nonsense about R2D2 and what looks like a bag of pot.
Some of the best scenes, though, are hilariously pointed, as when one Death Star officer complains to another about his station’s lack of railings. And when Darth Vader points out the ease with which the Death Star’s lone point of vulnerability could be eliminated. And when Luke makes sport of Han’s Empire-vexing “maneuvers.”
Other great gags deal with Watto’s encounter with a lightsaber, Aunt Beru’s noisy tenants, the Blues Brothers movie, Magic Johnson’s oratory, and the Robot Chicken Star Wars episode of three months ago (co-created, of course, by “Family Guy” regular Seth Green).
There are loads of “Airplane” references, and Chevy Chase and Beverly D’Angelo inexplicably reprise their roles from “Vacation”! “Family Guy: Blue Harvest” is far from perfect, but also can’t-miss TV.
If you want to spend another $11.50, you can get Family Guy: Blue Harvest Special Edition. Extras include:
* An episode-length commentary with writer Alec Sulkin, director Dominic Polcino, music editor Patrick Clark, editor Mike Elias, executive producer David Goodman, actor Seth MacFarlane, assistant director Joseph Lee, and producers Danny Smith and Kara Vallow.
* An episode-length animatic presentation.
* "Once in a Lifetime” (18:58) is a making-of mini-doc.
* "A Conversation with George" (12:26) features MacFarlane, virtually indistinguishable as always from a small-market morning-zoo deejay, chatting with patient “Star Wars” mastermind George Lucas.
* "The Star Wars Clip Show" (9:17) strings together references to the film series from earlier episodes of “Family Guy.”
* A 3D “Blue Harvest Fight Scene.”
* 3D glasses.
* A black “Blue Harvest” T-shirt.
* 12 “Blue Harvest” trading cards.
* A 20-page “Art of Blue Harvest” booklet.
The Rockford Files’ 1978-1979 fifth season featured the introduction of Tom Selleck as Lance White, the luckiest private investigator alive. The episode “White on White and Nearly Perfect,” rare in that it was directed (as well as written) by series mastermind Stephen J. Cannell, was so well-received that Selleck was asked to reprise the role the following season. These episodes led to Selleck being cast as the lead in the long-running “Magnum, P.I.” (“Magnum,” in turn, led to George Lucas’ desire to cast Selleck as Indiana Jones in “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” but Selleck wasn’t available because of “Magnum.” So I guess that makes him only slightly less lucky than White.)
Besides “Almost Perfect” (5.4) Cannell scripted:
* “Heartaches of a Fool” (5.1): Jim helps a Jimmy Dean-like recording artist who looks like Don Berry but sings like Willie Nelson when the warbler runs afoul of a Chinese mobster (played by “Die Hard” icon James Shigeta).
* “The Empty Frame” (5.6): Ne’er-do-well Angel Martin starts peddling influence and ordering perpetually angry Lt. Chapman around when Martin’s brother-in-law is suddenly appointed the new Los Angeles police commissioner. (Stuart Margolin won an Emmy that season, and I’m guessing it was his work in this installment that sold the Academy.)
* “The Return of the Black Shadow” (5.18): Jim’s new lawyer Cooper (Bo Hopkins) dusts off his old motorcycle and gang duds when sadistic bikers beat Jim, steal Jim’s car and gang-rape the car’s occupant: Cooper’s sister.
“Sopranos” mastermind David Chase wrote his share of episodes that season, including:
* “The Jersey Bounce” (5.3): East Coast mobster wannabes frame Jim for murder.
* “A Three-Day Affair With a Thirty-Day Escrow” (5.7): Jim is hired to find a missing girl, much to the surprise of her angry Arab family.
* “The Black Mirror (5.9/5.10): Jim falls for a blind psychologist (the fabulous Kathryn Harrold, just months before she cavorted nakedly in Albert Brooks’ “Modern Romance”) tormented by a psychotic patient.
* “The Man Who Saw The Alligators” (5.17): Jim has to go into hiding after a vengeful, California-hating East Coast hit man Jim helped send to San Quentin is paroled. One of the best and most memorable “Rockfords” ever.
Other notable fifth-season guest stars included Ed Harris, Abe Vigoda, Robert Loggia, Rene Auberjonois, Hector Elizondo, James B. Sikking, Erin Gray, Steven Bauer, Frank McRae, Sorrell Booke, Alan Arbus, Carl Franklin, Michael Des Barres (!), Glenn Corbett, Walter Olkewicz, Dennis Burkley (playing a biker of course), Julie Parrish, Mary Frann and Reni Santoni.
The season picked up an Emmy nomination for outstanding drama. Besides Margolin, cast members nominated for their work on the show that season included James Garner, Joe Santos, Noah Beery and guest star Rita Moreno, reprising her Emmy-winning role as motormouth vixen Rita Capkovic.
The bad news is the fifth season was the first to make do without Gretchen Corbett as Jim’s hot lawyer Beth Davenport. It was also the last full season; season six featured only 12 episodes, then Rockford disappeared for 15 years, re-emerging for eight TV movies airing in the late 1990s.
Herc’s Popular Pricing Pantry
Fox and MGM have knocked 48-50% off a number of their series titles, including:
$15.49 The Die Hard Trilogy
$30.99 Rocky: The Complete Saga
$34.99 The Addams Family: The Complete Series
$69.99 Angel: The Complete Series
$74.99 Family Guy: Party Pack
$119.99 Land of the Giants: The Complete Series
$145.99 The James Bond Ultimate Collector’s Set
$164.99 Stargate SG-1: The Complete Series
TWILIGHT ZONE: THE COMPLETE SERIES!!
$169.99!!
That works out to $34 Per Season!!
The extras-crammed Definitive Editions!!
They were going for close to $100/season not too long ago!
TV-on-DVD Calendar
Last Week
The All-New Superfriends Hour 1.x. Vol. 1
All-Star Family Feud
Between The Lions 1.x
Bramwell 3.x
Clifford: Playtime With Clifford
Gunsmoke 2.x Vol. 1
Happy Tree Friends: The Complete Series
Jupiter Moon Vol. 2
Lovejoy 2.x
MI-5 Vol. 5
The Naked Brothers Band 1.x
The Riches 1.x
Rides 4.x Vol. 1
Rob & Big 1.x/2.x
Tropical Heat/Sweating Bullets 3.x
Tropical Heat/Sweating Bullets: The Complete Series
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
This Week
The Adventures of Teddy Ruxpin: Six Crystals
Alex Haley's Queen
All Creatures Great & Small: Complete Collection
'Allo 'Allo 7.x
Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown: Deluxe Edition
Bump: Northeastern USA
Bump! Southern California
Extras: The Complete Series Gift Set
Family Guy: Blue Harvest
Family Guy: Blue Harvest Special Edition
Medabots 1.x
The New Adventures of Old Christine
The Rockford Files 5.x
Royle Family 2.x
Sabrina The Teenage Witch 3.x
Storm Hawks: Hawks Rise Again
Storm Hawks: Tales From The Atmos
Next Week
Avatar 3.x Vol. 2
Banacek 2.x
Barney Miller 2.x
Criss Angel Mindfreak 3.x
Edge of Darkness: The Complete Miniseries
ER 8.x
The Girls Next Door 3.x
Hawaii Five-0 3.x
Hustle 4.x
The Jeff Corwin Experience 1.x
Make Room For Daddy 6.x
The Odd Couple 3.x
The Simple Life 5.x
Swamp Thing 1.x
Thunderbirds: The Complete Series
Torchwood 1.x
January 29
Aqua Teen Hunger Force Vol. 5
Blue Murder Vol. 2
Chancer 2.x
Curb Your Enthusiasm 6.x
Damages 1.x
Damages 1.x [Blu-ray]
Emergency 4.x
Hannah Montana: One In A Million
JAG 5.x
Pioneers of Television
SpongeBob SquarePants: To Love A Patty
February 5
Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations Vol. 2 <--- NEW!!
Beauty and the Beast 3.x
Brotherhood 2.x
Charlie & Lola Vol. 7
The DL Chronicles 1.x
Jerry Springer: Undressed, Unleashed And Uncensored Vol. 1
Jerry Springer: Undressed, Unleashed And Uncensored Vol. 2
Jerry Springer: Undressed, Unleashed And Uncensored Vol. 3
Legion of Super-Heroes Vol. 2
McLeod's Daughters 5.x
Mystery Science Theatre 3000 10.2 <--- NEW!!
Perfect Strangers 1.x/2.x
Rides 4.x Vol. 2
Rosemary & Thyme: The Complete Series
Route 66 1.x Vol. 2
Slings & Arrows: The Complete Series
Soul Food 3.x
Strictly Confidential: The Complete Series
Third Watch 1.x
The Whitest Kids U Know 1.x <--- NEW!!
Wire in the Blood 4.x
February 12
Academy Award Animation Collection: 15 Winners
Academy Award Animation Collection: Winners & Nominees
The Beatrix Potter Collection
Blade: The Complete Series
Bump! Florida
Bump! Gold Coast North America
Chris & John To The Rescue 1.x
Chris & John To The Rescue 2.x
Dallas 8.x
The Equalizer
Family Ties 3.x
General Hospital: Night Shift
George of the Jungle: The Complete Series
Girlfriends 3.x
Hotel Babylon 1.x
Power Rangers: Operation Overdrive Vol. 4
Power Rangers: Operation Overdrive Vol. 5
Tell Me You Love Me 1.x
This Is Tom Jones Vol. 2
February 19
Coach 3.x
Cops: 20th Anniversary Edition
Dragonball Z 4.x
Father Ted: The Complete Series
He-Man and the Masters of the Universe: Vol. 1 (2002)
It's The Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown: Deluxe Edition
Lillie: The Complete Miniseries
Rides 4.x Vol. 2
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2.x Vol. 1
Walker: Texas Ranger 4.x
February 26
B.L. Stryker 1.x
The Color Honeymooners Vol. 2
Dark Shadows: The Beginning Vol. 3
Extras: Finale Special <--- NEW!!
Family Affair 5.x
The Fugitive 1.x Vol. 2
Ghost Hunters 3.x Vol. 2
Highlander: The Source
The Invisible Man (2000)
Justice League: The New Frontier (1-Disc)
Justice League: The New Frontier (2-Disc)
Justice League: The New Frontier [Blu-ray]
Justice League: The New Frontier [DVD/HD-DVD]
Newhart 1.x
Punky Brewster 4.x
The Red Green Show 1999
Rough Diamond: The Complete Series <--- NEW!!
Smurfs 1.x Vol. 1
State of Play: The Complete Miniseries
March 4
Archie's Funhouse: The Complete Series
Ben 10 3.x
Doctor Who: Destiny of the Daleks
Doctor Who: Planet of Evil
Flight 29 Down 2.x
Flight 29 Down Hotel Tango: The Series Finale
The Hogfather
Human Giant 1.x
The Kill Point: The Complete Miniseries
The Love Boat 1.x Vol. 1
Magnum, P.I. 8.x
The Pink Panther Vol. 6
Rides 4.x Vol. 3
SNL: Best of 2006/2007
SNL: Lost & Found in the '80s
Storm Hawks: Collector's Set
Trading Spaces: Specials
March 11
Day Break: The Complete Series <--- NEW!!
Fantastic Four Vol. 3
Five Days: The Complete Miniseries
Lil' Bush 1.x
Love American Style 1.x Vol. 2
Michael Palin: New Europe
The Mod Squad 1.x Vol. 2
My Boys 1.x
One Foot in the Grave 3.x
One Foot in the Grave 4.x
Sam & Max: Freelance Police: The Complete Series
South Park: Imaginationland
Stargate SG-1: The Ark of Truth
30 Days 2.x
Tin Man: The Complete Miniseries
Tom & Jerry Tales Vol. 4
March 18
Bump! European Highlights
Bump! Scandanavia
Dennis The Menace - Trouble, Trouble Everywhere
Greek: Chapter One
Married With Children 8.x <--- NEW!!
McHale's Navy 3.x
Pebbles & Bamm Bamm: The Complete Series
A Pup Named Scooby-Doo 1.x
Steve Canyon: Special Edition
The Untouchables 2.x Vol. 1
The Wild Wild West 4.x
March 25
Arthur 10.x
Baldwin Hills 1.x
Battlestar Galactica 3.x
Frisky Dingo 1.x
The Invisible Man (2000) 1.x
Jayce and the Wheeled Warriors Vol. 1
Midsomer Murders 10.x
Mike Douglas Show: Moments and Memories <--- NEW!!
Party of Five 3.x
The Price Is Right: Best Of
Sliders 4.x
Suburban Shootout: The Complete Series
Upright Citizen's Brigade: Asssscat
The Vice 1.x
Wings 6.x
April 1
Becker 1.x <--- NEW!!
Dino Squad Vol. 1
Dino Squad Vol. 2
Doctor Who: Timelash
Doctor Who: Time Warrior
John From Cincinnati: The Complete Series
Law & Order Special Victims Unit 6.x
Martin 4.x <--- NEW!!
Murder She Wrote 8.x
That '70s Show 8.x
April 8
The Cosby Show 7.x
The Cosby Show 8.x
Fortysomething: The Complete Series
The Last Detective 4.x
Living With Ed 1.x
Matlock 1.x <--- NEW!!
Perry Mason: 50th Anniversary Edition <--- NEW!!
April 15
American Dad Vol. 3 <--- NEW!!
The House of Venus Show 2.x
I Remember Nelson: The Complete Miniseries
Melrose Place 4.x
Sea Hunters Vol. 2
SpongeBob SquarePants: Pest of the West
Woody Woodpecker Vol. 2
April 22
Tim and Eric, Awesome Show, Great Job! 1.x
April 29
The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones Vol. 3 <--- NEW!!
Beverly Hills 90210 4.x <--- NEW!!
Cheers 9.x <--- NEW!!
The Waltons 7.x <--- NEW!!
May 27
Absolutely Fabulous: Absolutely Everything
Selected season-sets containing
some of Herc’s all-time favorite TV!!
$12.95 Dinner For Five 1.x (10 episodes)
$18.99 Moonlighting 1.x/2.x (25 episodes) <--- VASTLY ENCHEAPENED!!
$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 Angel 5.x (22 episodes) <--- VASTLY ENCHEAPENED!!
$19.99 Carnivale 1.x (12 episodes) <--- VASTLY ENCHEAPENED!!
$19.99 From The Earth To The Moon (12 episodes) <--- VASTLY ENCHEAPENED!!
$19.99 Six Feet Under 1.x (13 episodes) <--- VASTLY ENCHEAPENED!!
$19.99 Oz 1.x (eight episodes)
$20.99 Buffy The Vampire Slayer 4.x (22 episodes) <--- VASTLY ENCHEAPENED!!
$21.99 Soap 1.x (25 episodes)
$21.99 The Mary Tyler Moore Show 1.x (24 episodes)
$21.99 The Tick: The Complete Series (nine Episodes)
$22.49 The Rockford Files 1.x (22 episodes)
$22.99 The Venture Bros. 1.x (13 Episodes)
$23.49 The Tick Versus 1.x (12 episodes)
$23.99 Wonder Showzen 2.x (eight episodes)
$24.99 Futurama Vol. 2 (19 episodes)
$24.99 Hill Street Blues 1.x (17 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 South Park 1.x (13 episodes)
$27.99 Murder One 1.x (23 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)
$29.99 The Dick Van Dyke Show 1.x (31 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 Lost 1.x (24 episodes) <--- VASTLY ENCHEAPENED!!
$33.99 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)
$37.99 Veronica Mars 1.x (22 episodes)
$37.99 My So-Called Life: The Complete Series (17 Episodes) <--- VASTLY ENCHEAPENED!!
$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)
$40.49 Brideshead Revisited (11 hours)
$42.49 Fawlty Towers: The Complete Series (12 episodes)
$42.99 The Wild Wild West (28 episodes)
$44.49 Battlestar Galactica 1.x (13 episodes plus miniseries)
$44.99 24 1.x (24 episodes)
$44.99 Undeclared: The Complete Series (17 episodes)
$45.99 Alias 1.x (22 episodes)
$45.99 The Sopranos 1.x (13 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)
$67.99 Deadwood 1.x (12 episodes)
$68.99 Rome 1.x (12 episodes)
$69.99 The Twilight Zone 1.x (36 episodes)
$72.99 Twin Peaks: The Complete Series (30 episodes)
$74.99 The Prisoner: The Complete Series (17 episodes)
$50% OFF!! HD-DVDs For $14.99!!
$131.98!!
New 1080i HD-DVD Player!!
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