# Stuff you're surprised made it to DVD **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 16, 2013, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stuff-youre-surprised-made-it-to-dvd/674041 "2013-11-16T03:57:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![installLSC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/54ee81/32.png) [@installLSC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/installLSC)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2013, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stuff-youre-surprised-made-it-to-dvd/674041/1 "2013-11-16T03:57:15Z")
Two shows commonly considered among the worst of all time, [My Mother the Car](http://www.hometheaterforum.com/topic/326653-my-mother-the-car-coming-from-tgg/) and [Joanie Loves Chachi](http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Joanie-Loves-Chachi-The-Complete-Series/19167#ixzz2kN59CJT3), will soon be released on DVD. What surprises me is that neither show lasted long or was aired in reruns, so the entire audience for these releases is nostalgic for little remembered flops. What is the most obscure or unlikely show/film to make it to DVD? And why do companies decide to release these shows when far better known shows can’t? ---
**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:** [November 16, 2013, 8:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stuff-youre-surprised-made-it-to-dvd/674041/2 "2013-11-16T08:48:40Z")
I picked up a copy of _[Wolf Lake](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolf_Lake)_ in a bargain bin. It was a series about werewolves that was cancelled after just five episodes. ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2013, 12:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stuff-youre-surprised-made-it-to-dvd/674041/3 "2013-11-16T12:30:38Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > I picked up a copy of _[Wolf Lake](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolf_Lake)_ in a bargain bin. It was a series about werewolves that was cancelled after just five episodes. That was part of an early 2000s trend to put every TV show on DVD. It’s the same reason stuff like Firefly and Wonderfalls (and gained sizable fanbases) were released on DVD when today they probably wouldn’t be. My contribution: [The Wizard](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0098663/). It was considered terrible when it was released, and is really only remembered for how ridiculous it is. But it’s on DVD (and I proudly own a copy). ---
**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:** [November 16, 2013, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stuff-youre-surprised-made-it-to-dvd/674041/4 "2013-11-16T12:59:30Z")
> [@Justin\_Bailey](#): > > That was part of an early 2000s trend to put every TV show on DVD. It’s the same reason stuff like Firefly and Wonderfalls (and gained sizable fanbases) were released on DVD when today they probably wouldn’t be. But those shows had a cult fanbase. As far as I recall, _Wolf Lake_ was pretty much ignored when it was on the air. ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2013, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stuff-youre-surprised-made-it-to-dvd/674041/5 "2013-11-16T13:14:39Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > But those shows had a cult fanbase. As far as I recall, _Wolf Lake_ was pretty much ignored when it was on the air. Wonderfalls was canceled after four episodes and didn’t have the Joss Whedon name behind it. I think the only reason they released it is because they shot all 13 episodes of season 1 before the show ever aired. Making a little money is better than no money. As for Wolf Lake, it actually had some critical appeal: > **[Murkiness of 'Wolf Lake' Adds to Mystery's Appeal](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2001-sep-12-ca-44809-story.html)** > > Wolves are such smart, compelling animals, who can say why they have been unfairly demonized throughout history, from "Little Red Riding Hood" to Lon Chaney Jr. schlepping around under a full moon as tragically misunderstood Wolf Man? [http://www.popmatters.com/review/wolf-lake/](http://www.popmatters.com/review/wolf-lake/) ---
**Author:** ![salinqmind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3ec8ea/32.png) [@salinqmind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2013, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stuff-youre-surprised-made-it-to-dvd/674041/6 "2013-11-16T14:54:49Z")
A lot of shows are not released or released in a mutilated way because of ‘music rights’. ---
**Author:** ![installLSC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/54ee81/32.png) [@installLSC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/installLSC)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2013, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stuff-youre-surprised-made-it-to-dvd/674041/7 "2013-11-16T14:59:10Z")
> [@Justin\_Bailey](#): > > My contribution: [The Wizard](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0098663/). It was considered terrible when it was released, and is really only remembered for how ridiculous it is. But it’s on DVD (and I proudly own a copy). Plus it starred indie pop star Jenny Lewis, and got swept up in the wave of video game nostalgia. ---
**Author:** ![randwill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a3d4f5/32.png) [@randwill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/randwill)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2013, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stuff-youre-surprised-made-it-to-dvd/674041/8 "2013-11-16T15:08:05Z")
> [@Justin\_Bailey](#): > > Wonderfalls was canceled after four episodes and didn’t have the Joss Whedon name behind it. I was thinking I saw more than four episodes of Wonderfalls on broadcast TV. ---
**Author:** ![Quimby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/22d042/32.png) [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2013, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stuff-youre-surprised-made-it-to-dvd/674041/9 "2013-11-16T16:03:04Z")
> [@randwill](#): > > I was thinking I saw more than four episodes of Wonderfalls on broadcast TV. A cable channel picked it up at some point and played the entire season but when it was on network (FOX?), it only lasted a few weeks. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2013, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stuff-youre-surprised-made-it-to-dvd/674041/10 "2013-11-16T16:30:41Z")
I still can’t believe that not only did _[Hopscotch](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0080889/combined)_ get a DVD release, but is part of the Criterion freaking Collection. I love that movie, but didn’t expect anyone else to. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2013, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stuff-youre-surprised-made-it-to-dvd/674041/11 "2013-11-16T16:56:15Z")
So bad it’s good is a genre. ---
**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:** [November 17, 2013, 11:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stuff-youre-surprised-made-it-to-dvd/674041/12 "2013-11-17T11:18:58Z")
> [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > So bad it’s good is a genre. I think there’s also a nostalgia factor. People have fond memories of shows they watched in their childhood. I know I’ve been shocked a few times by how bad some show I recalled loving as a kid actually was when I watch it as an adult. ---
**Author:** ![Martini\_Enfield](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/martini_enfield/32/11123_2.png) [@Martini\_Enfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martini_Enfield)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2013, 11:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stuff-youre-surprised-made-it-to-dvd/674041/13 "2013-11-17T11:26:28Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > I think there’s also a nostalgia factor. People have fond memories of shows they watched in their childhood. I know I’ve been shocked a few times by how bad some show I recalled loving as a kid actually was when I watch it as an adult. Conversely, I think it’s interesting to see shows which have held up as being as good as you remember. _Parker Lewis Can’t Lose_ is every bit as good now as it was when I was 13, IMHO. ---
**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:** [November 17, 2013, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stuff-youre-surprised-made-it-to-dvd/674041/14 "2013-11-17T13:05:29Z")
Yeah, I can get My Mother the Car but not Hill Street Blues.:mad: ---
**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:** [November 17, 2013, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stuff-youre-surprised-made-it-to-dvd/674041/15 "2013-11-17T13:18:23Z")
> [@Icerigger](#): > > Yeah, I can get My Mother the Car but not Hill Street Blues.:mad: The first two seasons have been released. Which I guess sucks if you’re a Ken Olin fan. ---
**Author:** ![Darth\_Nader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Darth\_Nader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Nader)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2013, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stuff-youre-surprised-made-it-to-dvd/674041/16 "2013-11-17T13:26:35Z")
Bill and Ted, the animated series. Own it. Hate it. Suffer like I did when I had to see it. ---
**Author:** ![Alan\_Smithee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/2acd7d/32.png) [@Alan\_Smithee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alan_Smithee)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2013, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stuff-youre-surprised-made-it-to-dvd/674041/17 "2013-11-18T00:00:08Z")
I rarely buy physical media any more, but if I saw _My Mother the Car_ on sale, I would probably buy it. I’ve heard all my life how horrible it was, and I’ve wanted to see for myself. It’s such a surreal concept, especially for mid-60s American television, it feels like it should be of historical interest. Plus, it’s probably really funny while stoned. ---
**Author:** ![TBG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@TBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TBG)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2013, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stuff-youre-surprised-made-it-to-dvd/674041/18 "2013-11-18T00:08:54Z")
> [@Darth\_Nader](#): > > Bill and Ted, the animated series. Own it. Hate it. Suffer like I did when I had to see it. Have they released Bill and Ted the live action series yet? ---
**Author:** ![NDP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ndp/32/55_2.png) [@NDP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NDP)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2013, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stuff-youre-surprised-made-it-to-dvd/674041/19 "2013-11-18T00:30:19Z")
> [@Alan\_Smithee](#): > > I rarely buy physical media any more, but if I saw _My Mother the Car_ on sale, I would probably buy it. I’ve heard all my life how horrible it was, and I’ve wanted to see for myself. It’s such a surreal concept, especially for mid-60s American television, it feels like it should be of historical interest. Plus, it’s probably really funny while stoned. True. _My Mother the Car_ has the same perverse curiosity factor going for it that **Plan Nine from Outer Space** has. It has such a reputation as “The Worst TV Series Of All Time” that you just _have_ to see it at least once. Also, regarding your comment about the show probably being funnier when you’re stoned, while the Nielsen ratings for MMTC were mostly mediocre at best, the show was surprisingly popular among younger viewers (not just children but older teenagers and young adults as well). I strongly suspect more than a few of them sparked up as part of their watching ritual. Likewise, I would not be surprised if at least one of the creators of the program had dropped a few tabs before coming up with the show’s concept. ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2013, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stuff-youre-surprised-made-it-to-dvd/674041/20 "2013-11-18T00:43:08Z")
A while back I saw, at Best Buy, a dvd set of the Doris Day Show. I just can’t imagine there would be much of a market for such a thing. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stuff-youre-surprised-made-it-to-dvd/674041.md?page=2)