The Official Network Thread

[Fnord Prefect]

After about a 15 year wait Network have finally confirmed they're releasing every single episode of The Goodies on DVD (presumably they mean all surviving episodes as unless someone knows different the original broadcast Kitten Kong is missing presumed junked) No doubt rather than releasing each series separately it'll be a big old boxed set but I can live with that. Whether my wallet can is another matter.

Provided they still exist on film a nice additional release a little further along the line, or perhaps bundled in with the DVD set, would be a blu-ray of the three specials, especially as the version of Snow White 2 included on the LWT DVD horrifically interlaced.

[BigNickUK]

Originally Posted by Fnord Prefect

After about a 15 year wait Network have finally confirmed they're releasing every single episode of The Goodies on DVD (presumably they mean all surviving episodes as unless someone knows different the original broadcast Kitten Kong is missing presumed junked) No doubt rather than releasing each series separately it'll be a big old boxed set but I can live with that. Whether my wallet can is another matter.

Provided they still exist on film a nice additional release a little further along the line, or perhaps bundled in with the DVD set, would be a blu-ray of the three specials, especially as the version of Snow White 2 included on the LWT DVD horrifically interlaced.

Yes, shame they are not blu ray releases

[Reddington]

Originally Posted by Fnord Prefect

After about a 15 year wait Network have finally confirmed they're releasing every single episode of The Goodies on DVD (presumably they mean all surviving episodes as unless someone knows different the original broadcast Kitten Kong is missing presumed junked) No doubt rather than releasing each series separately it'll be a big old boxed set but I can live with that. Whether my wallet can is another matter.

Provided they still exist on film a nice additional release a little further along the line, or perhaps bundled in with the DVD set, would be a blu-ray of the three specials, especially as the version of Snow White 2 included on the LWT DVD horrifically interlaced.

Fantastic news. I love The Goodies. Had a VHS compilation back in the UK, but haven't seen any episodes for probably twenty years.

Others are vastly more knowledgeable about the technical issues, but am I right in thinking (remembering) that many of the sketches were shot on video - thereby negating any benefit of a BD release?

[Man From Hammer]

Originally Posted by Reddington

Fantastic news. I love The Goodies. Had a VHS compilation back in the UK, but haven't seen any episodes for probably twenty years.

Others are vastly more knowledgeable about the technical issues, but am I right in thinking (remembering) that many of the sketches were shot on video - thereby negating any benefit of a BD release?

Yes, The Goodies was studio VT with lots of filmed inserts but like most other VT shows the inserts are transferred to tape before broadcast so the original film elements are rarely still available.
Can't recall if things have changed but the last time the show had a major broadcast in the UK (over 20 years ago) some colour episodes only existed as B&W film recordings.
I'm hoping the new boxset might include some discoveries or "colour recovered" episodes.
There's conjecture elsewhere that references to Jimmy Savile and Rolf Harris might cause problems but I doubt if releasing an edited series would fit in with the Network style
One hopes the BBC don't interfere and force edits as they have done with their own releases of The Two Ronnies and Dr Who, although the latter was only the removal of a bonus feature

[Reddington]

Originally Posted by Man From Hammer

Yes, The Goodies was studio VT with lots of filmed inserts but like most other VT shows the inserts are transferred to tape before broadcast so the original film elements are rarely still available.
Can't recall if things have changed but the last time the show had a major broadcast in the UK (over 20 years ago) some colour episodes only existed as B&W film recordings.
I'm hoping the new boxset might include some discoveries or "colour recovered" episodes.
There's conjecture elsewhere that references to Jimmy Savile and Rolf Harris might cause problems but I doubt if releasing an edited series would fit in with the Network style
One hopes the BBC don't interfere and force edits as they have done with their own releases of The Two Ronnies and Dr Who, although the latter was only the removal of a bonus feature

Very interesting. Thanks. Let's hope Network has the courage to release the episodes without edits. One cannot condone what Saville and Harris did, but sanitizing history is a dangerous and frankly sinister concept.

[oddbox83]

They might have no choice if the BBC insist on cuts. If cuts or no episode at all are the only options, I’ll take the former.

[bigshot]

How complete of a run were the first three DVDs of the Goodies? Do they represent a significant chunk of this set, or is there much more in existence?

[oddbox83]

Originally Posted by bigshot

How complete of a run were the first three DVDs of the Goodies? Do they represent a significant chunk of this set, or is there much more in existence?

24 out of the 75 still existing. Depends on your definition of "chunk". Wikipedia list of episodes.

Original version of Kitten Kong is missing. Others are in a mix of formats, not all survive in colour. Some could possibly have colour restored, depending on what Network budget for here.

[Man From Hammer]

Originally Posted by oddbox83

They might have no choice if the BBC insist on cuts. If cuts or no episode at all are the only options, I’ll take the former.

If the Spike Milligan Q series can come out uncut I should hope The Goodies will be safe. Apart from Savile and Harris, we have the B&W Minstrels aswell as comic strip violence that was taken to task by those "It Was Alright in the 70's" programmes.

If the BBC themselves were releasing it I'd expect cuts but as its Network who's market is mainly archive tv fans with the ability to watch programmes in the context of when they were made I'm confident there will be no PC cuts

[Fnord Prefect]

Originally Posted by Reddington

Fantastic news. I love The Goodies. Had a VHS compilation back in the UK, but haven't seen any episodes for probably twenty years.

Others are vastly more knowledgeable about the technical issues, but am I right in thinking (remembering) that many of the sketches were shot on video - thereby negating any benefit of a BD release?

Still got one of those two BBC VHS tapes as it contains Scatty Safari which isn't yet on DVD. Forgot it's one of multiple episodes to contain Rolf Harris jokes, in fact that's what that particular episode is probably best remembered for. But as said above, I too doubt Network would bother to release the show in cut form.

The Goodies and the Beanstalk, Goodies Rule OK and Snow White 2 were all shot on film. As such if they survive in that format and the BBC gives Network access to the elements a stand alone blu-ray release would be possible and a pretty decent upgrade. EDIT: My bad. Snow White 2 of course was made for LWT.

[bigshot]

Originally Posted by oddbox83

24 out of the 75 still existing. Depends on your definition of "chunk".

The three "At Last" DVD sets had 24 episodes among them, so I'm guessing there will be nothing new to DVD on the Network set.

[Fnord Prefect]

Originally Posted by bigshot

The three "At Last" DVD sets had 24 episodes among them, so I'm guessing there will be nothing new to DVD on the Network set.

The 4 Network Goodies DVD sets contained a total of 31 episodes which means the complete boxed set will include 44 episodes that are new to DVD, 43 of which have never been releases on home video.

Even if it leaves out the LWT series (unlikely) that's still 44 episodes new to DVD.

[Man From Hammer]

Originally Posted by Fnord Prefect

The 4 Network Goodies DVD sets contained a total of 31 episodes which means the complete boxed set will include 44 episodes that are new to DVD, 43 of which have never been releases on home video.

Even if it leaves out the LWT series (unlikely) that's still 44 episodes new to DVD.

The upcoming boxset is being listed as "The BBC Years" so I don't think the LWT episodes will be included

[Fnord Prefect]

Originally Posted by Man From Hammer

The upcoming boxset is being listed as "The BBC Years" so I don't think the LWT episodes will be included

Just named as a big old boxed set (or something to that effect) on the Network website where it hasn't yet got an item profile.

Glad they're not including the LWT series as it'll no doubt knock a few quid off the retail price and improve the unreleased (43)/released (25) episode ratio.

Looking forward to this, just hope they don't skimp on the bonus material.

[Man From Hammer]

Originally Posted by Fnord Prefect

Just named as a big old boxed set (or something to that effect) on the Network website where it hasn't yet got an item profile.

Glad they're not including the LWT series as it'll no doubt knock a few quid off the retail price and improve the unreleased (43)/released (24) ratio.

Looking forward to this, just hope they don't skimp on the bonus material.

I saw a Twitter link which showed the cover and The BBC YEARS is at the bottom.
Bearing in mind the importance and anticipation for this set I would hope that all the bonus features from the earlier releases would be included along with some new stuff.
I'm sure this Leicester Square event will be filmed even if only to provide highlights

[Fnord Prefect]

In other news it appears a la the current Network marketing strategy regarding older catalogue items the 3 Retro-Active ITC sampler blu-rays are getting a bundled "boxed set" re-release.

http://networkonair.com/coming-soon/2832-retro-action

[Man From Hammer]

Originally Posted by Fnord Prefect

In other news it appears a la the current Network marketing strategy regarding older catalogue items the 3 Retro-Active ITC sampler blu-rays are getting a bundled "boxed set" re-release.

http://networkonair.com/coming-soon/2832-retro-action

Yes, Retro Action was one of a number of hold outs for the Complete Set treatment and here it is 7 years after the original releases.
They've got a lot of comedy titles taking that route too but Within These Walls and The Gentle Touch are the 2 I've been waiting for. Its years since they came out but I'm not into them enough to pay what it costs for the individual series so I do hope they get the same treatment soon.

The Retro Action discs are still great as I think there are a lot of shows on them which are unlikely ever to get full Bluray releases

[Ste7en]

I've been tidying up and stumbled across the DVD set of The Prisoner. I have the previous BD set but is there anything on the DVD set that is worth keeping it for?

[Man From Hammer]

Originally Posted by Ste7en

I've been tidying up and stumbled across the DVD set of The Prisoner. I have the previous BD set but is there anything on the DVD set that is worth keeping it for?

Depends which dvd set it is. There have been several.
If its the Network dvd then everything is on the Bluray. If its one of the Carlton releases you might find a bonus disc which has exclusive extras although nothing too exciting. Depends on how much of a completist you are

[Ste7en]

Originally Posted by Man From Hammer

Depends which dvd set it is. There have been several.
If its the Network dvd then everything is on the Bluray. If its one of the Carlton releases you might find a bonus disc which has exclusive extras although nothing too exciting. Depends on how much of a completist you are

It is the Network set with three digipaks in an outer slip. Sounds like I'm safe to take it to a charity shop. Cheers!