Friends: The Complete Series (1994-2004)

[cinemaphile]

Friends: The Complete Series Blu-ray

UPDATED 6/19/12: WB has announced that Friends: The Complete Series will be released on November 13, 2012!!!!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER ON BLU-RAY

FRIENDS: THE COMPLETE SERIES
AVAILABLE NOVEMBER 13, 2012 FROM WARNER HOME VIDEO

This Ultimate Collector’s Set Features All 10 Seasons- 236 Episodes on 21
Discs – Completely Remastered and in 1080p High Definition

Over 3 Hours of All-New Bonus Features

The Perfect Holiday Gift for the Ultimate Friends Fan

BURBANK, CA (June 19, 2012) – Just in time for holiday gift giving, Warner Home Video will release for the first time ever Friends: The Complete Series Blu-ray on November 13, 2012. This ultimate collector’s set for the ultimate fan features over 110 hours of content – including all 236 original broadcast episodes released for the first time in the US, plus 20 hours of special features including over three hours of newly-added special features. New content includes a retrospective documentary with new interviews looking back at the influential 10 years of the series, never-before-released cast appearances, unaired footage, a new gag reel and more! All 10 seasons have been completely remastered in stunning 1080p high definition video with a 16×9 widescreen format and 5.1 audio. The Friends: Complete Series Blu-ray box set is presented in highly collectible new packaging consisting of a lenticular box cover, a hard-cover book that holds 21 Blu-ray discs, plus a 32-page episode guide. Friends: The Complete Series Blu-ray is priced to own at $279.98 SRP.

Friends is an American sitcom about six friends struggling to survive on their own in Manhattan. In each episode, they find the companionship, comfort and support from each other to be the perfect solutions to the pressures of everyday life. The series stars ‘The Ones That Were There For You’ for ten seasons strong: Jennifer Aniston as “Rachel Green,” Courteney Cox as “Monica Geller,” Lisa Kudrow as “Phoebe Buffay,” Matt LeBlanc as “Joey Tribbiani,” Matthew Perry as “Chandler Bing,” and David Schwimmer as “Dr. Ross Geller.” Friends has also featured many notable guest stars including Tom Selleck, Aisha Tyler, Jon Favreau, Anna Faris, Hank Azaria, Bruce Willis, Reese Witherspoon, Christina Applegate, Sean Penn, Jon Lovitz, Alec Baldwin, and many more. Friends was created by David Crane and Marta Kauffman and aired on NBC from September 22, 1994 to May 6, 2004. The series was produced by Bright/Kauffman/Crane Productions, in association with Warner Bros. Television.

FRIENDS: THE COMPLETE SERIES BLU-RAY

OVER 3 HOURS OF ALL-NEW SPECIAL FEATURES

• True Friends: Documentaries: Retrospective documentaries with new interviews looking at the influential 10 years of the show and how it changed the cultural landscape of the 90’s and first half of the new millennium
• Friends From the Start: Learn how the show was created and the challenges of finding the perfect cast and capturing “lightening in a bottle”
• When Friends Become Family: Enter the Writers Room and hear about the inspiration and development of some of the most iconic episodes and favorite moments from various seasons
• Legacy of Friends: Learn why the show had to come to an end, its influence on pop culture, and the legacy that it left behind
• The Original Producer’s Cut for ‘The One Where Rachel Tells Ross’: ‘The One Where Rachel Tells Ross’ is re-assembled back to its original form. An introduction by Kevin Bright will set up the episode and explain why it was ultimately edited before air.
• The Original Script for ‘The One Where Rachel Tells Ross’
• Friends On The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (2005)
• Friends Visit The Ellen DeGeneres Show (2004)
• The Ones With More Friends: The original extended broadcast episodes
• The One with the Never-Before-Seen Gags: Originally for the cast and crew, this never-before-seen gag reel has all the laughs that were too funny to include on the DVD
• The Rembrandts – “I’ll Be There For You”: Official music video featuring the cast of Friends

OVER 17 HOURS OF SPECIAL FEATURES FROM THE ORIGINAL FRIENDS DVD RELEASES

• Friends Around the World: Explores the Friends phenomenon around the globe
• On Location in London: Cross the Atlantic for a whirlwind English visit with Friends
• The One That Goes Behind the Scenes: The full hour-long Discovery Channel Documentary
• Behind the Style: The Look of Friends: Costume Designer Debra McGuire, Hair Stylist Jonathan Hanousek, and Makeup Artist Robin Siegel offer an inside look at Friends fashion, hair and makeup over the years
• The Flaming Lips Phoebe Battles the Pink Robots music video featuring Lisa Kudrow and directed by Kevin S. Bright
• Friends Final Thoughts: The cast and producers reflect during their final days at work and after series production ends
• Never-before-seen uncut version of Smelly Cat
• Matt LeBlanc Joey Joey music video
• Commentaries From 31 Episodes
• Friends of Friends video guestbook
• Gag reels from multiple seasons
• And More!

FRIENDS: THE COMPLETE SERIES BLU-RAY

Street Date: 11/13/12

21 BD-50s

Audio – English Dolby Surround 5.1, Portuguese, Spanish, German, Japanese, Parisian French

Subtitles – English SDH, Portuguese, Complex Chinese, Spanish, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, German, Japanese, Norwegian, Parisian French, Swedish

Presented in 16×9 widescreen format

Running time: Approx. 90 Hours (episodes)

Over 20 hours (special features) – Including 3 hours of all-new special features

SRP: $279.98

Catalog #: 1000299881

UPC #: 883929248919

Original Post 5/28/2011:
I belong to one of those "survey" sites, and was taking a survey asking about my interest in buying different TV shows on DVD or Blu-Ray (conducted for WB it seems, as all series mentioned were Warner), and this question came up:

"Friends, Season 1 Blu-ray Disc will soon be available to purchase for $29.99, and will contain 24 episodes.
How interested are you in buying Friends, Season 1 Blu-ray Disc for yourself or someone in your household? Please do not consider gift purchases for someone outside of your household."

Confirmation it's on its way!!! Now we just need an exact date!

edit: oh, wait... it gets better. Just got to THIS question:

"Friends Complete Series Collection will soon be available to purchase on Blu-ray Disc for $199.99, and will contain 236 episodes.
All the laughs, all the loves, all the lattes - all yours, now in stunning hi-definition and widescreen format! Settle in with the hilarious and acclaimed series about a family based on friendship. Rachel, Monica, Phoebe, Joey, Chandler and Ross were always there for each other. Now they're here for you, with the best possible picture and sound, in the completely remastered 10-season set of Friends. Includes all-new special features!

How interested are you in buying Friends Complete Series Collection for yourself or someone in your household? Please do not consider gift purchases for someone outside of your household."

[Moviefan2k4]

Well, let's see here...

24 episodes x 20 minutes each = 480 minutes / 60 minutes = 8 hours

What do ya think; two BD-50s, maybe?

[amoergosum]

Nice...I wonder how good the pq is going to be...

[rezpekt]

Originally Posted by Moviefan2k4

Well, let's see here...

24 episodes x 20 minutes each = 480 minutes / 60 minutes = 8 hours

What do ya think; two BD-50s, maybe?

At Warner bitrates, yes.

[dcowboy7]

Its says widescreen....wonder how they handle the early 4x3 shows.

Did they crop the top/bottom like they do for seinfeld shows on tv now or can they actually go back & get the real 16x9 pic.

[rezpekt]

Originally Posted by dcowboy7

Its says widescreen....wonder how they handle the early 4x3 shows.

Did they crop the top/bottom like they do for sienfeld shows on tv now or can they actually go back & get the real 16x9 pic.

There are several HDTV/DVD comparisons under the Wishlist topics I believe. It looks rather good.

Update:
Here - https://forum.blu-ray.com/wish-lists...ml#post4313583

Less information at top and bottom, more on the sides.

[Ugly Pig]

Originally Posted by dcowboy7

Its says widescreen....wonder how they handle the early 4x3 shows.

Let's be clear - all of "Friends" was 4x3, every episode from beginning to end. Although as seen in the wishlist thread, they apparently were shot wider than they were broadcast.

Originally Posted by rezpekt

Less information at top and bottom, more on the sides.

Some of the shots retain all top/bottom picture but adds more on the sides. So apparently it's not entirely consistant throughout the series.

[dcowboy7]

Wow didnt know that in 2004 they still werent doing the show in HD on tv.

[Walts Ghost]

Man this is awesome news! I'm so stoked right now! I'll definitely be picking up the complete series on blu!

[#Darren]

Cropping TV shows is the new Pan 'n Scan.

[cinemaphile]

How deep do you guys think we'll find the complete series priced through Amazon or others? I'm sure it won't hit $99.99, but for maybe $149.99 I'd bite ($15 a season on BD is a good deal)

[Walts Ghost]

Originally Posted by cinemaphile

How deep do you guys think we'll find the complete series priced at? I'm sure it won't hit $99.99, but for maybe $149.99 I'd bite ($15 a season on BD is a good deal)

I could see it (eventually) hitting $149.99 in sales and things like that. I like that they aren't going to charge a ridiculous amount for the complete series. I thought it was going to be much more expensive then this. I'm definitely happy about that.

[rezpekt]

Originally Posted by cinemaphile

How deep do you guys think we'll find the complete series priced through Amazon or others? I'm sure it won't hit $99.99, but for maybe $149.99 I'd bite ($15 a season on BD is a good deal)

It will be $139.99 with the regular 30% off pricing. And as a Warner release, it will be at $99.99 quite soon.

[cinemaphile]

Originally Posted by Bad Boy Dazza

Cropping TV shows is the new Pan 'n Scan.

I disagree. It's not cropping so much as re-framing. You lose some top-to-bottom, yes, but gain on the sides. I feel it will actually be an improvement. How much will we miss seeing more floor or ceiling?

[rezpekt]

Originally Posted by Bad Boy Dazza

Cropping TV shows is the new Pan 'n Scan.

Check the comparisions before whining.

[KingLeonidas300]

I love the show but will not be double dipping for the blu ray version. I am good with my DVD sets. Thanks for the update though

[madlost1]

my favorite tv show of all time.

[#Darren]

I have checked them. What makes you think I have not?

Originally Posted by rezpekt

Check the comparisions before whining.

[dcowboy7]

Even is some info is lost/gained i rather watch it 16x9....hate watching 4x3 tv anymore.

[gregmasciola]

Very excited about this news. I may have to wait awhile, though. First, I just caved and bought the seasons at WalMart for $15 each (Best Buy still wants $35!). Second, I just watched them all, so I won't be in the mood for awhile. I know we can't judge the framing of the whole series based on just a couple of shots, but the top and bottom don't seem to be cropped as much as Seinfeld was on TBS, so it doesn't bother me much.