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.
The big news in May 2016 was the release of Cop Rock (ABC, 1990) on DVD. It’s something most people, myself included, never expected. Also out on DVD last month–as a Walmart exclusive–was My Friend Flicka (CBS, 1956-1957). Plus, Alpha Video released more episodes of Brave Eagle (CBS, 1955-1956) and Wire Service (ABC, 1956-1957) while recent obscurity Selfie (ABC, 2014) returned to Hulu.
DVD/Blu-ray Releases
Cop Rock: The Complete Series (TV Series, Shout! Factory, DVD)
Yes, Cop Rock is now available on DVD. The 3-disc set includes all 11 episodes of the unusual musical drama that aired on ABC from September to December 1990. The set also features new interviews with creator Steven Bocho and actress Anne Bobby. There is also a text commentary on the pilot episode and a PDF version of the Cop Rock press kit. Reviews can be found at DVD Talk and Inside Pulse.
My Friend Flicka: The Complete Series (TV Series, Shout! Factory, DVD)
This is a Walmart exclusive so you’ll only find it for sale in Walmart stores and the Walmart website, although copies are also showing up on eBay. Based on the 1941 novel by Mary O’Hara, the series starred Johnny Washbrook, Gene Evans, and Anita Louise. A total of 39 episodes were filmed in color but originally aired in black and white on CBS from 1956 to 1957. Repeats in color aired on NBC from 1957 to 1958.
Brave Eagle – Volume 2 (TV Episodes, Alpha Video, DVD)
This single-disc release includes another four episodes of the CBS western starring Keith Larsen that was on the air from 1955 to 1956. Manufacture-on-demand.
Wire Service – Volume 2 (TV Episodes, Alpha Video, DVD)
This single-disc release includes another three episodes of this early hour-long drama that aired on ABC from 1956-1957. Dana Clark, George Brent, and Mercedes McCambridge rotated as star each week. Volume 2 includes one episode starring Clark and two episodes starring Brent. Manufacture-on-demand.
DVD/Blu-ray News
Last month Warner Archive revealed plans to release several short-lived NBC TV shows on DVD in June: the first season of The Eleventh Hour (1962-1964) on June 7th; McClain’s Law (1981) on June 21st; and The New Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (1968-1969) on June 28th. All will be manufacture-on-demand sets.
Custer (ABC, 1967) will be released on DVD on June 7th by Shout! Factory but at least initially will be another Walmart exclusive.
A pre-order listing for the first (and only) season of the recent CBS one season wonder Limitless is showing up at the Canadian Amazon.ca website with a release date of August 16th. Currently there is no listing at Amazon.com, however (TVShowsOnDVD.com).
Streaming
Recent obscurity Selfie (ABC, 2014) was added to Hulu last month. You can watch all 13 episodes but only if you’re willing to subscribe.
Hit the comments with any news about upcoming DVD/Blu-ray releases or additions to streaming services.
