Friends: The Complete Series (1994-2004)

[MrHT]

Originally Posted by bookcase

People just love to hear themselves argue. Buy it or don't -- it's as simple as that.

It is that simple. But stop trying to make it seem like one version is the "correct" version to get. People need to understand that this decision all comes down to preference.

[Mortimer]

Originally Posted by bookcase

Seeing it as a screen grab is different than seeing it in motion -- it happens very quickly.

But in this case the camera starts to pan and zoom out after 12 seconds. First you just see Chandler waking up and wondering about the third arm.

[MrHT]

Originally Posted by Mortimer

But in this case the camera starts to pan and zoom out after 12 seconds. First you just see Chandler waking up and wondering about the third arm.

Yeah. It was the director's intent for viewers to wonder about the third arm for several seconds...

[vicious_boy]

So i live in Norway. The only thing we've had in extended ever is the pilot. However, 3-4 weeks ago they started airing the HD versions for the first time here. I am just done watching The One With All the Poker and i saw a couple of scenes that i can swear i have never seen before. Can you guys answer me if they are scenes from the extended versions? The scenes was:

When they're at Central Perk and they're helping Rachel open her letters after she's sendt out resumes and Monica opens one letter (i can swear that i only saw the scene when Phoebe did it). And later they talk about the Pictionary incident and they say something about Moinica throwing a plate at one of them and she says that she was just waving her hand and it slipped (lol).

Are these from the extended versions?

[Mortimer]

Originally Posted by vicious_boy

I am just done watching The One With All the Poker and i saw a couple of scenes that i can swear i have never seen before.

Maybe you didn't noticed them before?

Are these from the extended versions?

Nope. It's the broadcast version (Script of The One With All The Poker w/ highlighted extended scenes).

[Riddler The Slag]

Caught a few episodes in HD while at the gym. I cannot contain my excitement for the Blu-Ray set.

[vicious_boy]

Originally Posted by Mortimer

Maybe you didn't noticed them before?


Nope. It's the broadcast version (Script of The One With All The Poker w/ highlighted extended scenes).

The thing is though, i've seen season 1 like 20 times. Weird thought, but maybe they were never included here in norway? No idea why it would be like that, but it's the only thing i can imagine.

EDIT: I checked the dvds i have. For some reason i must have missed it or just blocked it from my memory. Weird......

[BillieCassin]

Originally Posted by MrHT

In that case, the first time they aired, the episodes were shown in 4:3 aspect ratio, not 16:9. So, if you guys really want the "true" versions, then let me say that you ain't gettin' the true versions on this Blu-ray set either. The aspect ratios of these episodes have been altered to accommodate today's widescreen TVs.

I was discussing content vs. format, though I do see your point. I feel the same about people who rant against 16x9 versions of ST:TNG saying it needs to stay "pure" but are perfectly fine with them cutting the audio to all heck and will listen to the 7.1 versions (though thankfully the original tracks are included). That said - as they originally "future-proofed" the show by shooting in 16x9, I think "original intention" could be argued (though, to be honest, I find it irrelevant with TV shows - it's about what looks most pleasing to the individual eye).

As to Friends, if you aren't happy with the set - you aren't happy with it. Your right.

For me, I'm really excited and pleased with the set. Especially the UK version, in my preferred packaging and a much cheaper price, so I've already pre-ordered. I found the extended versions on DVD that I saw to affect the pacing in a way that I found odd, I could usually see right where it was (and why it was cut).

[MrHT]

Yeah, to be honest, I think this is a great set. I'm only playing devil's advocate here because a lot of people here are insisting that one version is the correct and superior version. You need to look at both sides and face the fact that whatever route you take (DVD or BD version), there is a downfall.

[RayCRP]

Originally Posted by vicious_boy

The thing is though, i've seen season 1 like 20 times. Weird thought, but maybe they were never included here in norway? No idea why it would be like that, but it's the only thing i can imagine.

EDIT: I checked the dvds i have. For some reason i must have missed it or just blocked it from my memory. Weird......

You're seeing syndication versions, with some scenes cut to make room for more commercials. These cuts aren't made by Warner Bros., they're made by the network broadcasting the show -- in your case, the Norwegian station. When Warner Bros sent out the updated HD version of the show, those cuts had to be made again, and sometimes the same network/channel will make different cuts than the ones they made previously with the SD version.

That's why here in Chicago, where I can see Friends on at least three different channels, I always saw a slightly different version of each episode on each channel, and the update to HD brought about even more scenes that I hadn't seen in forever or didn't even remember. (I don't have the DVDs.)

[Ugly Pig]

Originally Posted by RayCRP

You're seeing syndication versions, with some scenes cut to make room for more commercials. These cuts aren't made by Warner Bros., they're made by the network broadcasting the show -- in your case, the Norwegian station. When Warner Bros sent out the updated HD version of the show, those cuts had to be made again, and sometimes the same network/channel will make different cuts than the ones they made previously with the SD version.

That's why here in Chicago, where I can see Friends on at least three different channels, I always saw a slightly different version of each episode on each channel, and the update to HD brought about even more scenes that I hadn't seen in forever or didn't even remember. (I don't have the DVDs.)

Actually, syndication cuts are mostly an American thing. International airings are typically the same as the original US broadcasts, though there are exceptions. Pretty sure they don't edit shows locally in Norway though.

[MrHT]

Not really sure why stations need to edit these episodes. They're only 22 minutes long. That's 8 minutes for commercials! And Nick shows these in a 33 minute time slot, so that's 11 minutes of commercials. And they also time compress the episodes. So, that's 12 minutes of commercials. So why must they make further edits? Geez!

[chip75]

Originally Posted by Ugly Pig

Actually, syndication cuts are mostly an American thing. International airings are typically the same as the original US broadcasts, though there are exceptions. Pretty sure they don't edit shows locally in Norway though.

The Seinfeld UK DVD's made a deal about the DVD versions been the first time the original broadcast versions have been made available since their original NBC airings. But I couldn't recall seeing any new scenes. I think Seinfeld was originally shown on the commercial free BBC2 here in the UK.

I haven't caught enough of the new airings on SkyAtlantic to notice and have been watching the DVD's!

[TotalStuntman]

Instead of reading through loads and loads of posts to find this information, I thought I might aswell ask here: What packaging will the UK release get? Will it be 10 normal blu-ray cases? I do not want the blu-ray design that the US release is getting...

[MrHT]

Originally Posted by TotalStuntman

Instead of reading through loads and loads of posts to find this information, I thought I might aswell ask here: What packaging will the UK release get? Will it be 10 normal blu-ray cases? I do not want the blu-ray design that the US release is getting...

Don't worry because Blu-ray Discs are scratch-resistant, so the ugly cardboard packaging will not scratch the discs.

[Ugly Pig]

Originally Posted by chip75

The Seinfeld UK DVD's made a deal about the DVD versions been the first time the original broadcast versions have been made available since their original NBC airings. But I couldn't recall seeing any new scenes. I think Seinfeld was originally shown on the commercial free BBC2 here in the UK.

They probably just copy-paste'd the promotional BS from the US release?

[RayCRP]

I don't know, I kind of like the US packaging better. Seems classier and more special. Sure, it's a shame that it doesn't conveniently sit on the shelf with the rest of your Blu-ray collection, but I've got so many movies, music albums, and games in special or limited edition packaging that I've figured out where to put everything.

[Riddler The Slag]

Originally Posted by RayCRP

I don't know, I kind of like the US packaging better. Seems classier and more special. Sure, it's a shame that it doesn't conveniently sit on the shelf with the rest of your Blu-ray collection, but I've got so many movies, music albums, and games in special or limited edition packaging that I've figured out where to put everything.

When you are limited on space or like me, insanely OCD, you like everything to look nice and uniform on the shelf.

[KilloWertz]

Originally Posted by RayCRP

I don't know, I kind of like the US packaging better. Seems classier and more special. Sure, it's a shame that it doesn't conveniently sit on the shelf with the rest of your Blu-ray collection, but I've got so many movies, music albums, and games in special or limited edition packaging that I've figured out where to put everything.

I'll wait to make my decision until I see what the UK release actually looks like beyond the outside of it.

I don't have a problem with the US release being big though. I have empty space on the top of both of my media towers anyways, and Casablanca won't feel so lonely up there.

Even if I go with the UK release, I might not put it with the rest of my collection because it will likely be insanely thick.

[Veronica Mars]

Originally Posted by MrHT

Don't worry because Blu-ray Discs are scratch-resistant, so the ugly cardboard packaging will not scratch the discs.

Man, just about nothing annoys me more are posts that say exactly what you seem to be mocking.

I don't care what anyone says, I have a big enough collection to know. No matter how careful you are, the kind of packaging for Friends US version (or, say, the House packaging) is just flat out risky and stupid. I do not like holding my breath every time that I go back to watch Lost and I'm very careful with my discs.