Cheers The Complete Series
DVD Wholesale Quick Overview:
(This review refers to the May, 2015 complete series release, UPC 3242921918). Let me first address those who submitted pre-release reviews whining about Coach not being on the box cover: He is, on the back cover. The only regular character left off the box was Lilith. Alright, with that out of the way, let’s talk about the actual product. You get the entire series in two plastic cases, Seasons 1-6 in box 1 and Seasons 7-11 in box 2. Each box has a plastic latch. The discs are on digipaks, one in each box, one disc per side. There should be no problem storing or accessing the DVDs with normal usage. There’s 45 discs total. The storage space needed is far smaller than the individual seasons or the previous complete series pack, which was just the individual seasons wrapped together.
You get the entire series, one of the greatest series (much less comedies) ever aired. What you don’t get is anything different from the previous 2003-2009 season releases in terms of restoration or other work. Everything on the respective season discs is exactly the same as in the previous DVD release. Nothing has changed regarding menus, extras, etc. If you want to know the details for each season, look up that season’s reviews on Amazon. If you have the 2003-2009 individual season releases, there is no need to purchase this compilation unless you want the complete series, or you have the individual seasons but want to economize on space with this packaging. If you do not have the entire series but want to purchase it, this is the set to get. The price is far better at this time than the previous Complete Series release (which again was nothing more than the individual seasons bundled together), and the storage footprint is far smaller.
There are extras for seasons 1-3 only. Seasons 4-11 have no extras, but in exchange you get the “Play All Episodes” option missing from seasons 1-3. The labeling on each disc is gray, with the show logo, season & disc number, and episode titles. The DVD transfer was pretty good for most episodes. There are some episodes that came out fairly murky and would need some attention in a future restoration project. Then there are some episodes so clear you can make out the makeup and lipstick on the actors, especially in the earlier seasons.
Four stars for the show itself, the packaging, and the (current) price. One star taken off the product for it being a repackaging of existing content with zero additional options, no restoration work, no new extras, instead of a freshly restored & remastered release.
-The Old Bull
If you are reading this and have never seen it, you have missed a great cast, great writing, directing and acting so get caught up and buy it. My only complaint is the packaging. It is 2 kinda flimsy plastic cases that the CD”s pop into 2 per each of several sleeves. They don’t stay on well, and they are 1 slot short so a loose CD bangs around inside. Poorly planned. Maybe that is why it was only $65, I don’t know. Anyways I love the series, one of my favorite all time…..CHEERS!- Tracy
Back years ago, when my TV was still connected to the outside world, I used to watch the syndicated reruns of Cheers at 11PM, just as something to watch and wind-down by. It was never my favorite show- but it was always watchable; entertaining; and made ya laugh. In recent years, I’d been hearkening back to memories of watching Cheers, and wishing that I had the series on DVD- but alas! In the past, the price of the series on DVD was just too high to justify. Naturally, when I saw this complete series set offered for under 60 bananas on Amazon, I grabbed it- and I’m glad that I did!
In my opinion, this show’s appeal lies in the fact that it can make you laugh out loud quite often; and just transport you to a different world, apart from the current reality- which is what entertainment is supposed to do; but which most modern forms fail to achieve. And while I often don’t like clichéd story arcs- I have to say that with Cheers, the Sam and Diane romantic story arc was very well done, and even keeps ME interested! And the beauty of it is, instead of concentrating on that one arc, the producers wisely just kept it as one aspect of the show, while giving equal weight to the other characters. Well-done!
And, much like Three’s Company, this is also one of those rare shows which is good right from the very beginning. It hits it’s stride right off the bat in episode one; and the characters are already fully developed. A rare feat, successfully pulled off only by the real veterans of good TV comedy!
I see some other reviewers complaining about the packaging. Personally, I have no problem with the packaging. It is more than adequate for storage and normal use; the DVDs are easy to access; and my mailman even dropped the box on the ground from his car, while trying to hand it to me while i was on my tractor- and it did it no harm.
All in all, I am very glad that this series is now available in it’s entirety for such a low price; and that the packaging is not bulky or gawdy, like some shows which come in novelty packaging!
If you’re looking for good old-fashioned entertainment to just sit and watch and relax to at night; which will take your mind off of reality and make you laugh…this is it! (I don’t know what it is- even though in real-life i despise bars, and would never patronize one- there is something very comforting about this show!)
– Mr. Howell
DVD Wholesale Main Features:
Actors: Ted Danson, Kirstie Alley, Woody Harrelson, Shelley Long, Rhea Perlman
Directors: Multiple
Format: Multiple Formats, Box set, Color, Full Screen, NTSC
Language: English
Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only.)
Number of discs: 45
Rated: NR-Not Rated
Studio: Paramount
DVD Release Date: May 5, 2015
Run Time: 6626 minutes
ASIN: B00TGNLZSI
