# How Important Are UNCUT - UNEDITED - Versions of TV Series DVD releases? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 9, 2010, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-important-are-uncut-unedited-versions-of-tv-series-dvd-releases/542533 "2010-06-09T14:13:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Markxxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2010, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-important-are-uncut-unedited-versions-of-tv-series-dvd-releases/542533/1 "2010-06-09T14:13:49Z")
I was reading a blip on \*WKRP In Cincinnati \*and with the DVD release they had a heck of a time weeding through the music rights. So the series had to be heavily edited to get the rights to music they could use and issue on DVD. I also saw that the “Complete Odd Couple” release got slammed with bad reviews because it was full of edits. I know both _Roseanne_ and _Cosby_ tried this and it was met with such resistance, that the companies re-released them in uncut form. So my question is how important is it for you to have the complete unedit, uncut version of a DVD TV series release. I am talking in order for you to BUY it. Not get it otherways 🙂 I think it is extremely important. I was going to buy the _Odd Couple_, till I read reviews. I am like, “If I’m going to pay over $100 for the series, I want the uncut, unedited versions.” Other people reviewing it said things like: “Yeah it may be cut, but it’s still funny and if it’s the only way I can see the series, I’ll buy it.” I can see both sides to the argument, though it doens’t change my mind. S ---
**Author:** ![BwanaBob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bwanabob/32/2985_2.png) [@BwanaBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BwanaBob)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2010, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-important-are-uncut-unedited-versions-of-tv-series-dvd-releases/542533/2 "2010-06-09T14:21:08Z")
I think choice 1 is has a typo - don’t you mean Very important - I don’t buy cut or edited versions and in that case, that would be my vote. ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2010, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-important-are-uncut-unedited-versions-of-tv-series-dvd-releases/542533/3 "2010-06-09T15:04:43Z")
I wouldn’t buy a cut version if there was another way for me to see the unedited show. If the edited version is all that exists however, and I really want to see it, then that’s what I’d have to get. ---
**Author:** ![MTCicero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a4c791/32.png) [@MTCicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MTCicero)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2010, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-important-are-uncut-unedited-versions-of-tv-series-dvd-releases/542533/4 "2010-06-09T15:16:39Z")
I think the OP typo’d the first choice. As such, I won’t vote officially unless and until it gets fixed. But, no, I’ll never even _consider_ buying a show that’s been edited or otherwise altered in any way from its original cut (save for intances where, à la the **South Park** DVDs, the naughty bits are _not_ expurgated, as they are on broadcast TV). Which is why I’ve never bothered picking up the **WKRP in Cincinnati** discs, much as I love the show. ---
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2010, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-important-are-uncut-unedited-versions-of-tv-series-dvd-releases/542533/5 "2010-06-09T17:05:27Z")
I prefer Un-everything but I have bought a couple of series that were not because that is the only version they sell. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2010, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-important-are-uncut-unedited-versions-of-tv-series-dvd-releases/542533/6 "2010-06-09T19:58:57Z")
I prefer uncut as well, but I want the option to see the as broadcast version in cases where uncut includes things that were not broadcast. Like, say, with Star Trek, where the full version seems to be 10 minutes longer. ---
**Author:** ![TBG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@TBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TBG)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2010, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-important-are-uncut-unedited-versions-of-tv-series-dvd-releases/542533/7 "2010-06-09T22:21:31Z")
I would’ve bought some Beavis and Butt-head DVD’s but they’re edited, incomplete, and I find their (near) lack of videos disturbing. I was even a little miffed to find out they edited Buffy calling Caleb a “woman hating prick” out of the BTVS season 7 DVD’s I bought. I knew they’d changed it to “woman hating jerk” for reruns, but expected the DVD to be as first aired. I wouldn’t have not bought the DVD over something THAT minor, but it still bugs the hell outta me. ---
**Author:** ![BwanaBob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bwanabob/32/2985_2.png) [@BwanaBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BwanaBob)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2010, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-important-are-uncut-unedited-versions-of-tv-series-dvd-releases/542533/8 "2010-06-09T22:22:43Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > I prefer uncut as well, but I want the option to see the as broadcast version in cases where uncut includes things that were not broadcast. Like, say, with Star Trek, where the full version seems to be 10 minutes longer. If you mean Star Trek the Original Series then the DVDs are the original broadcast length. They got shortened (butchered) when they went into syndication. ---
**Author:** ![Markxxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2010, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-important-are-uncut-unedited-versions-of-tv-series-dvd-releases/542533/9 "2010-06-09T23:09:49Z")
Yeah it was a typo it should be Very Important, I only buy uncut, unedited versions. If a moderator can fix it please do. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2010, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-important-are-uncut-unedited-versions-of-tv-series-dvd-releases/542533/10 "2010-06-10T03:31:33Z")
I can sort of see the musical rights issue that afflicted shows like _WKRP_, _Daria_, _Beavis and Butthead_, and _Wiseguy_ - I’d prefer them in the original versions but I understand the problem. But why on Earth would any company edit a show for length in its DVD release? It’s not like they’re going to pack in more commercials. The cynic in me wonders if the purpose of releasing edited DVD sets was so they could sell the same people a second unedited DVD set a year later. ---
**Author:** ![Icerigger](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/icerigger/32/432_2.png) [@Icerigger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icerigger)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2010, 11:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-important-are-uncut-unedited-versions-of-tv-series-dvd-releases/542533/11 "2010-06-10T11:06:50Z")
Well, for older shows because of increased commercials as much as 10 minutes can be cut from each episode. As in Little Nemo’s mention of **Daria** all the original music is cut out, I have a bootleg copy with original music intact so I have no desire to purchase a bowdlerized version. ---
**Author:** ![lee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lee/32/7455_2.png) [@lee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lee)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2010, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-important-are-uncut-unedited-versions-of-tv-series-dvd-releases/542533/12 "2010-06-10T13:21:31Z")
With Daria, missing the music is a bit bad, but the real problem for me is the ones shown on other networks have Sick, Sad World cut out or down and much of the content slightly chopped to make it not as pessimistic. It changes the meaning of a few episodes, particularly the babysitting one. I would not purchase a DVD which had those cut versions, but would if the only editing is to remove what was then current music. ---
**Author:** ![TBG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@TBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TBG)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2010, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-important-are-uncut-unedited-versions-of-tv-series-dvd-releases/542533/13 "2010-06-10T21:59:45Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > But why on Earth would any company edit a show for length in its DVD release? It’s not like they’re going to pack in more commercials. WAG, they’re lazy and are using copies that already got edited for syndication rather than tracking down original masters, hoping no one will notice. ---
**Author:** ![audit1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ed8c4c/32.png) [@audit1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/audit1)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2010, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-important-are-uncut-unedited-versions-of-tv-series-dvd-releases/542533/14 "2010-06-11T04:47:30Z")
> [@TBG](#): > > WAG, they’re lazy and are using copies that already got edited for syndication rather than tracking down original masters, hoping no one will notice. and in some cases that is all that exists. Hanna barbera had to cancel plans for releases of some of their 60s shows because they could not find good quality masters for some shows. ---
**Author:** ![jackdavinci](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackdavinci/32/3259_2.png) [@jackdavinci](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jackdavinci)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2010, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-important-are-uncut-unedited-versions-of-tv-series-dvd-releases/542533/15 "2010-06-12T01:28:39Z")
It has to be uncut/unedited in terms of content. But I might forgive some music changes if it’s an older series, since I know music rights can be an issue. This should of course, be no excuse for newer series, since they should be well aware by this point of the need to acquire rights to use of the songs in DVDs, online, etc well in advance. ---
**Author:** ![Student\_Driver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3da27b/32.png) [@Student\_Driver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Student_Driver)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2010, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-important-are-uncut-unedited-versions-of-tv-series-dvd-releases/542533/16 "2010-06-12T04:22:15Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > I can sort of see the musical rights issue that afflicted shows like _WKRP_, _Daria_, _Beavis and Butthead_, and _Wiseguy_ - I’d prefer them in the original versions but I understand the problem. > > But why on Earth would any company edit a show for length in its DVD release? It’s not like they’re going to pack in more commercials. This is pretty much where I stand on cut/edited TV shows. Music rights are a bummer, and of course I’d _prefer_ the originals, but I’d be willing to buy a TV season where the music had been changed due to licensing issues, since I know it is a major hassle and expense. There are occasionally other acceptable edits that necessitate a bit of a change-- IIRC, on the Voltron sets, the film elements were so degraded that they were unusable for remastering. For most of the series, this was no problem-- they simply went to the Japanese originals and got the footage, then recombined it with the American soundtrack. However, the titles, credits, and in-show text had to be recreated, and a different font ended up being used. There are a few ways, though, that cuts get made to TV shows. Sometimes bumpers, titles, and credits can be cut or changed (such as using season two titles on season one). This can be acceptable if there is a good reason for it, such as original elements missing (like the missing original title cards for WB cartoon shorts), but if it’s done to pack more episodes per disc or because of a lack of care, I will likely not purchase the set. The use of shorter syndication cuts instead of original broadcast versions is a big no-no for me, and I’ll refuse to buy a set that uses them. Luckily, this doesn’t seem to be as big a problem as it used to be. I honestly think in some early cases, folks putting together the DVD sets simply grabbed the most easily available versions of a show (hey, this season is already remastered, so we have less work to do!) without thinking about-- or even being aware of-- differences between various versions. I also hate the use of screen bugs, but I’ve only had this issue arise twice. It’s bad enough to have them on cable airings of TV shows, but why have them on home video? The Bullwinkle Show season sets, in addition to screwing up the title and credit sequences, and using the wrong music for the opening, managed to add this insult to every episode. “R&B” appears in the corner throughout every episode. The Museum of Broadcast Communication also managed to do this on their DVD presentation of classic Christmas shorts and a Kukla Fran and Ollie Christmas special. ---
**Author:** ![TBG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@TBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TBG)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2010, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-important-are-uncut-unedited-versions-of-tv-series-dvd-releases/542533/17 "2010-06-12T20:41:25Z")
> [@audit1](#): > > and in some cases that is all that exists. Good point. And of course, for a few series, they don’t even have edited versions available, and have no way to release complete editions (original Doctor Who, for instance).