The Month in Home Media is a monthly column highlighting short-lived or rare television series, specials, miniseries or made-for-TV movies released on DVD or Blu-ray during the previous month, as well as recent additions to streaming services like Warner Archive Instant. The releases discussed in this column are encoded for Region 1 use in the United States and Canada. The Month in Home Media is published on the first Thursday of each month.
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December 2016 saw The Young Lawyers (ABC, 1970-1971) released on DVD, plus a number of recent short-lived TV shows like Three Rivers (CBS, 2009-2010) and BrainDead (CBS, 2016). Also out on Blu-ray last month was The Roddenberry Vault, a 3-disc set featuring 12 episodes of Star Trek plus hours of previously unseen footage.
DVD/Blu-ray Releases
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The Young Lawyers (TV Series, Paramount, DVD)
This one season wonder from the 1970-1971 season starred Lee J. Cobb as David Barrett, an experienced lawyer who oversaw the Neighborhood Law Office (NLO), a legal aid outfit in Boston. Zalman King and Judy Pace co-starred as law students Aaron Silverman and Pat Walters. A pilot telefilm aired in October 1969; the TV series produced a total of 24 episodes. According to posts at the Home Theater Forum, the pilot telefilm is included on the DVD set. NOTE: This is a manufactured on demand release.
Star Trek: The Original Series – The Roddenberry Vault (TV Episodes, Paramount, Blu-ray)
This set features 12 episodes of Star Trek plus three new documentaries that include rare archival material (deleted scenes, bloopers, alternate takes). Also, new interviews with William Shatner, Dorothy Fontana, David Gerald, and many others. Reviews can be found at TrekMovie.com, Blu-ray.com, and High-Def Digest.
BrainDead (TV Series, Paramount, DVD)
This recent political/sci-fi drama ran for 13 episodes on CBS during the summer of 2016. The cast includes Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Danny Pino, and Tony Shalhoub. The 4-disc set includes deleted scenes, a gag reel, and three featurettes. Reviews can be found at SciFi Mafia and DVD Talk.
American Gothic (TV Series, Paramount, DVD)
This is another CBS summer drama. It also ran for 13 episodes. The cast includes Juliet Rylance, Antony Starr, Megan Ketch, Justin Chatwin, and Elliot Knight. Reviews can be found at Zombies Don’t Run and Rogues Portal.
Three Rivers (TV Series, CBS, Blu-ray)
Alex O’Loughlin starred in this CBS medical drama that aired during the 2009-2010 season. A total of 13 episodes were produced, the last five of which the network burned off during the summer of 2010. Also in the cast were Katherine Moenning, Daniel Henney, Christopher Hanke, and Alfre Woodard. The series was previously released on DVD in 2012. NOTE: This is a manufactured on demand release.
Finally, Alpha Video released a pair of manufacture-on-demand titles last month: Code 3 Volume 4 and Calvin and the Colonel Volume 2.
DVD/Blu-ray News
Shout! Factory will release The Westerner (NBC, 1960) on DVD on February 14th. Sam Peckinpah created the series, which starred Brian Keith. It ran for just 13 episodes. As with previous DVDs set issued through Shout’s Timeless Media Group brand, it will initially be a Walmart exclusive (TVShowsOnDVD.com).
Streaming
Amazon Prime added The Adventures of Sir Lancelot (NBC, 1956-1957) and Mr. & Mrs. North (CBS/NBC, 1952-1954) to its streaming collection last month.
Hit the comments with any news about upcoming DVD/Blu-ray releases or additions to streaming services.
The American Gothic DVD is for the 2016 series, not to be confused with the old Sam Raimi one with Gary Cole.