TV shows on DVD and music copyrights

[yendi]

Ever wonder why WKRP isn't available on DVD, or why the Wiseguy DVDs seem less interesting than the show you remember watching?

It's all because of copyright issues with the music.

Of course, that doesn't explain why the shows I'm personally waiting for (like The Tick, Animaniacs, and Freakazoid) aren't on DVD, but it might explain why some other big series aren't out yet.

Comments

[onceupon.livejournal.com]

My new favorite quote of the day:

It'd be like watching 90210 without Luke.

[jmfunnyface.livejournal.com]

That line cracked me up too.

[blergeatkitty.livejournal.com]

It's also I believe why the DVD of Beavis and Butt-Head is just the cartoon segments without the music videos, which were the best part.

To MTV's credit, they've started airing them again with the videos intact. I am embarrassed by how funny I still find that show.

[marlowe1.livejournal.com]

I actually remember the Nights in White Satin scene. It's one of the few scenes from the show that I remember, mostly because that was the big "you're a cop, you betrayed me" sequence with Ray Sharkey telling that character that he loved him man (in a slightly creepy fashion)

[yendi]

That's why I've refused to buy the sets. The cartoon segments were funny (especially the Cornholio ones), but they needed to be broken up.

I so wanted to hate the show when it first came on, and I was never able to. It's just too funny.

[windswept.livejournal.com]

Very interesting post; thanks.

[jeff-morris.livejournal.com]

I'm surprised they didn't mention cases where lines in WKRP were changed because they reflected song lyrics. The situation I'm thinking of was the episode with the Russian defector, who at one point embraced Bailey (sigh!) and whispered "Hold me closer, tiny dancer". In syndicated episodes this was changed to something utterly meaningless because, of course, those words are part of the chorus to Elton John's song "Tiny Dancer".

JSM

[mycroftca.livejournal.com]

Which The Tick? The live show? Or the animated?

[yendi]

Animated. Live got a DVD release after Fox dumped it.

[yendi]

I had no idea. I'm still shocked at the power that ASCAP et al hold -- quote a line from a movie, and it's fair use, but reference a song, and you get your ass sued.

[sff-corgi.livejournal.com]

This is exactly why Mike Jittlov wrote his own birthday song (and a good one it is, too!).

[yendi]

You do remember the episode of Sports Night that dealt with Dan's (and presumably Sorkin's) annoyance at the birthday song, right?

[yendi]

No problem. I'd heard about the rights issues before, but never in such detail all in one article.

[yendi]

I never watched the show, but I've heard great things about it.

[sff-corgi.livejournal.com]

Come to think of it, yes I do. ^_^ They discussed the royalties....

[correspondguy.livejournal.com]

Cool article.

I want the Man From U.N.C.L.E.! I want it!

[ariadnesthread.livejournal.com]

I was so totally addicted to "Wiseguy" back in the day. It has the "Miami Vice" spot-the-aging-rock-star game aspect to it, too. Now that I know it's out on DVD, there's something to add to my wish list. Must get relatives to start shopping there for holiday gifts.

I recently realized, after seeing an episode of the show on cable, that it's probably where I got some ideas for the assassin character in the novel I'm writing (William Russ's character Roger Lococco is intriguing, compelling, terrifying, and batshit crazy all at once). Not that "Grosse Pointe Blank" isn't still a huge influence...must get that on DVD, too.

Huh, and I also just remembered that Wiseguy is probably the first show that spawned fanfic ideas in my head. I never wrote them down, which is probably for the best.