cupcake jesus

I thought it was weird that This American Life: Season One would be a Borders Exclusive. Maybe Showtime/Paramount didn't think that the show had widespread appeal?

It's a wonderful show and a so-so DVD, with a good commentary by Ira Glass and Christopher Wilcha on the first episode, but no features of note beyond that - some behind the scenes pictures, and an Ira Glass biography page. Would've liked to see some deleted scenes, and the additional stories that didn't make the pilot episode.

Anyone else pick this one up?

cheers,

-the Jesus

starman9000

That sucks, I don't have a Borders near me. How much is it? I have the first episode, that NPR was giving out and it seems like it had potential.

hindolio

no, but ive watched the a few of the first episodes on-demand and like them. i listen to the radio episodes and like them as well. just likeable all around

questions: does this dvd contain the same episodes as shown on showtime? is this the same dvd that was sold online? at least i think it was sold online.

cupcake jesus

The DVD contains all 6 episodes of the first season, as aired on Showtime. They are:

1. Reality Check
2. Growth Spurt
3. The Cameraman
4. God's Close-Up
5. My Way
6. Pandora's Box

The DVD retails, I think, for $19.99, but was on sale for $15.99 at Borders this week. I'm not sure that it's even available online.

cheers,

-the Jesus

starman9000

Thanks Cupcake, I think Ill call a relative and see if they will grab it for me.

macnorton

This show was awesome...so this is a must buy for me. I actually think this show doesn't need bonus features, the work can stand on its own.

hindolio

ot but kinda not... anyone here a kcrw member? its about that time again

Walter Neff

I'm on the summer sign-up schedule. I'm good for another six months or so.

hindolio

yay! at least one other fan on this forum

DodgingCars

Make that 2. It's about 85-90% of my radio listening. I've subscribed twice so far. I'm a huge fan of This American Life -- though haven't listened in awhile.

I may have to seek out this DVD set.

starman9000

Had a relative try to pick this up, and they didn't have it in stock and were unable to order it at the store. Why would you release an exclusive set to anywhere but like Walmart, Target, or Best Buy? Do they not want to make money?

Yakuza Bengoshi

I don't see any of these stores as appealing to the target demographic for This American Life. I believe an exclusive release to Whole Foods would outsell any of these three venues.

starman9000

You can't honestly believe that.

Yakuza Bengoshi

Perhaps I'm being overly myopic, but yeah, I honestly don't see the average This American Life fan pouring over the DVD racks at Wal-Mart.

starman9000

Yeah, I can see Walmart not being the best place, but certainly Target would be better. Really it just seems like a bad choice to go exclusive anywhere, but they must be getting something in return. Oh well, maybe it will be like some other exclusives and go into wider release eventually.

macnorton

In all honesty, a book store was a good idea. Since the radio show has a lot of writers and mentions a lot of books said writers have written, it seemed to me at least to be a no brainer. But dumping it in the biggest retail store in America probably wouldn't hurt sales either.

hindolio

meh i see it something like...

ira glass is a really big fan of borders, theres some kind of relationship between borders and him, or execs at walmart passed on an exclusive because none of them ever heard of it.

reverie

I had no idea this was out or coming out, so after seeing this thread yesterday, I ran to Borders after work and snagged the last copy. Watched the first episode last night, and enjoyed it! Though I've heard that bull story before... was it on the program (radio) before? It's not on at a convenient time for me anymore.

Yakuza Bengoshi

Yes, the first episode was a proof-of-concept television pilot for Showtime, but the stories were also used for radio segments. It was filmed much earlier than any of the other episodes in the series.

The radio program is also available as a free weekly podcast.

starman9000

OK, I can stop whining, This American Life sent me this when I asked them if there were plans to sell it online or expand the release:

hindolio

^ thanks for the info! ^