Friends - Complete Seasons 1-10 Box Set Nov 12 Pre-order

[Geoff D]

Aw, Christ. I like the show and everything, but I've had the DVDs for years and I've never touched them. BUT I WANTS THAT BLU-RAY SET.

[Damage Inc.]

Originally Posted by nametag

Well it is a real publicity photo of them together, not a photoshop assemble... but they have cut out the background so I agree it does look a bit plain.

The thing is, it's not a photo of them together. They are promo-photos, but they're individually shot photos, so per character/actor.
In this case they're cut out and put together and overlapped so that it looks like a group-shot.
The awkward part is also that they're not actually posing in a group but by themselves,
and you can kind of see that each image is also taken at the same distance, making the overlapping awkward in scaling as well.
Their positions are weird and David Schwimmer would have to be monstrously huge in real life compared to the rest if this is a single real photograph.

In fact, here each photo is used as a "mugshot":



And those blue/grey backgrounds might actually be the real backdrop in the studio.

The image on the BD-box, although it is still a mockup, is still quite alright to me. Not the prettiest though...

[Ugly Pig]

Originally Posted by ChrisKostakis

The press release is confusing. Quoting "original broadcast episodes released for the first time in the US" implies that it's the standard 22 minute versions we saw on NBC. Then on the special features list it says: "The Ones With More Friends: The original extended broadcast episodes" again broadcast being the scary word.

Well, remember that during the later seasons of the original broadcast (in the US), certain episodes were "super-sized" and thus longer than most episodes (and longer than the later reruns). Sounds to me as if the episodes in this set will be the broadcast ones, and the only "extended" episodes will be those that were already "extended" ("super-sized") in the original broadcast.

Doesn't sound like the longer versions from the DVD's will be included at all.

[ChrisKostakis]

The more I read it, the more I think this is the case. That sucks. :-(

Means we won't get the awesome "does a bear shit in the woods" line.

[Lnds500]

If it's true that the extended episodes are not included, I'll probably skip this.

[rewak]

Same here, i figured they might try to pull that stunt to double dip the release. Won't be a day one purchase for me, i'll wait until i know 100% what's actually on the discs before i consider buying.

[chip75]

Originally Posted by Damage Inc.

In fact, here each photo is used as a "mugshot":

What's with all the names on the side? Did the Friends DVD box set graphic designer stay at the Overlook Hotel over winter and go nuts?

There's plenty of nice group shots. Here their contracts stipulate on whether they wear shoes and/or socks. Once you hit that sock money it's all gravy....

friends_1994_235_poster.jpg

[Damage Inc.]

Well, those ladies can be barefoot any time they like... ^_^
Would've been nice if they'd all do it, it would have this even more casual messing around just having fun kind of thing going on. :P

But yeah, they could go with such an image instead.
I guess the designer(s) or whomever wanted to go with the fancier looks as a "celebration" or something like that of the series.
Like "this is the whole package", let's break out the tuxes, dresses and champagne... or something... :P
They could be more creative. It is different with them suited up and all that, cause they're known as the casual kind of crowd of course.
But at the same time, since that's their thing, such images would also fit nicely.

Oh well, I'm still quite wondering what the actual construction of the box-set is like.
Also what the book with the discs is really like. If it's nothing but disc-holders (and what type), or if there's more to it.
I take it it would have at least pictures, otherwise also some info at least.

[Blu-FutureUK]

HMV price is UP

£100
hmv.com/hmvweb/displayProductDetails.do?ctx=280;12;-1;-1;-1&sku=752012

[Kev D]

I'm waiting for the official UK announcement to place my pre-order. If it turns out the UK box has better packaging (non-rectangular) I'll be ordering that one instead of the US box. Need to preserve my space for future blu-rays. C'mon Warner UK, announce it!

[ChrisDilke]

Pre-order now up at HMV, £110 now. I might well wait until Warner clear up some of the confusion over the episodes and hopefully confirm that they're the extended editions before I pre-order. Most of the US forum seems optimistic that they will be extended.

[LordCrumb]

I seriously doubt any of the 'New' special features will include any cast members in NEW interviews/comments.

[McCrutchy]

Originally Posted by LordCrumb

I seriously doubt any of the 'New' special features will include any cast members in NEW interviews/comments.

Why wouldn't they? Arguably, only one of them has become more famous than they were during the series. I honestly can't see Warner not pulling them all together for something, even if it's only a single documentary/interview. It is, after all, only six people.

[Brightstar]

Originally Posted by Blu-FutureUK

HMV price is UP

£100
hmv.com/hmvweb/displayProductDetails.do?ctx=280;12;-1;-1;-1&sku=752012

Thanks i will wait for the price to drop

[Groge511]

£110....
....yeah....I'll think I'll just wait!

[tanujdua]

I will wait for Amazon to list their price and until we know if they are extended.

Also does anyone think 21 discs seems a bit few? I know it's high capacity blu-ray and all, but was expecting a few more!

[Justin101]

21 discs does seem low, however you have to remember the episodes are only 21 minutes long so even though it'll be a bit of a squeeze we're looking at around 220-230 minutes per disc and the bitrate should still be pretty good. It's never going to look amazing anyway!

[LordCrumb]

Originally Posted by McCrutchy

Why wouldn't they? Arguably, only one of them has become more famous than they were during the series. I honestly can't see Warner not pulling them all together for something, even if it's only a single documentary/interview. It is, after all, only six people.

I just can't see it happening, that's my personal feeling.

[Jezza]

Originally Posted by LordCrumb

I just can't see it happening, that's my personal feeling.

Agreed.

When you've got a show like this with high profile actors very few of them will want to talk about something they did 8-18 years ago, that's just the way it rolls unfortunately. The feeling I get is they would rather talk about current stuff, because they've moved on from the show that launched their career.

The only one who may do something is Matt Le Blanc, because he hasn't done a lot since, so maybe more open to it. But Jennifer Aniston certainly wouldn't do anything, because she's gone onto big things.

It's always a shame when actors won't participate in retrospective extras.

[Damage Inc.]

You know, I have to disagree on nothing happening on 'Friends'.
This giant project, this massively popular series, no matter how long ago it was, will always have been a huge chunk of their lives.
And if they didn't like it, some of them would have dropped out early, but they were all there almost each and every episode (if not all).
On top of that, they might be actors, but these actors have become good friends in real life.
That's not a cheesy fan-fantasy, these people have worked and lived together for at least a decade, and I think some even live near to each other.
In any case, I can tell with little doubt, that this was probably the best job each on of them ever had.
And I think they're the kind of people/actors who would be delighted to reunite, even if it was for a special about the series.
They would do it for the fact that they're friends of each other and that they can look back at 10 to 20 years ago, also for the fans.
Because I doubt they'd have like "Friends-conventions" of their own.

I agree that they've moved on to other stuff, but this would be a like a reunion and I'm sure they'd be happy to also do it for the fans.
I don't know if you've seen these people, but they're not the most hesitant and closed up "high profile" actors as you might think.
And really, it's not like some kind of special would need long terms of contracts and shooting.
It would be a get-together. I mean, just think the "Roundtable Reunion" that's included on the 'Firefly'-BD.
Maybe with a little more production and construction to it since it would probably be through Warner Studios, but you get the idea.

Now, that's not to say that I personally expect new stuff of today to be on this release. Just maybe...
But, in all honesty, (if it were my decision) I'd either wait, or at least (also) make a "20th Anniversary Edition" in 2 years from now.
And like I believe I've said before, they could a "Friends - 10/20 Years Later"-special of some kind.
You know, I wouldn't be surprised if someone like David Schwimmer would take the initiative.
He even took on the role of director for a bunch of episodes on this series and even helped out on 'Joey'.
The others, especially Courteney Cox and Lisa Kudrow, don't seem to mind to get their hands dirty in producing.

So I have a feeling there is something around the corner. If it's not on this BD-set, there probably will be some kind of special in 2014.
Even if it's for TV, like they would also do the whole series and other specials, and later it would come to home-video as an extra.
Unless they do want to go the "made exclusively for Blu-ray"-route, that's fine by me.