Yes. "JAG" Is Coming to DVD
Posted June 2nd, 2006 by RD Heldenfels
It's only taken a decade, and countless requests from fans, but "JAG" will finally appear on DVD on July 25. Paramount is releasing the "Complete First Season" set of episodes, apparently from the show's NBC run, in a six-disc set retailing for about $65. Expected extras include three featurettes: "How the Series Took Flight," "JAG: An Inside Look" and "The Military Accuracy." There's also a commentary from series co-creator Donald P. Bellisario on the show's pilot episode. That should be pretty good; I enjoyed Bellisario's commentary on the pilot of the "NCIS" first-season set, which hits stores on Tuesday.
I'm also encouraged by the release of "JAG" on DVD because it indicates that marketers are finally accepting the idea that people over 40 also buy DVDs. The accepted explanation for "JAG's" slow journey to DVD has been that it had an older audience, and Paramount thought they wouldn't buy it. But we're beginning to see the arrival of shows remembered fondly by people who can't count their gray hairs on just their fingers. I'm thinking of something like "Cheyenne," which premiered in 1955, or even "The Wild, Wild West," in a new 40th-anniversary set of first-season episodes. And both shows are in black-and-white (although "West" star Robert Conrad complains about it in a DVD commentary), supposedly anathema to the younger crowd.
I'm all for the DVDs of "Deadwood," "The Sopranos," "Medium" and other relatively recent fare. But let's not forget folks who cherished older shows, even ones that might not be called classic, but which filled a portion of viewing time. And if "JAG" sells, we'll also be reminded that it's not just young people who will open their wallets for entertainment.
June 3rd, 2006 at 4:09 am
I thought the reason JAG was not released on DVD was due to contractual agreements with USA Network who broadcasts JAG in syndication - any thoughts or is this just a misrecollection on my part?
June 3rd, 2006 at 5:29 am
While there may have been something in the USA arrangement, plenty of shows have been in rerun on cable or in syndication and still come out on DVD. When I talked to "JAG" creator Donald P. Bellisario about a year ago, he was hoping to have a DVD out then. So I have to think Paramount was in no hurry to issue "JAG" on DVD for the reasons I described.
June 6th, 2006 at 5:28 am
But my in-laws are the only people in the country who watched JAG! How many letters did they write?
June 7th, 2006 at 8:08 pm
Your in laws werent the only ones who watched. My husband and I were avid fans for the entire run of JAG. We even watched the syndicated seasons on USA so that we could watch episodes we might have missed.
We loved the show, because even in the midst of the conflict, they always tried to do the "right thing" in the end. We aren't old either. Hubby and I are both under 45.
June 7th, 2006 at 10:37 pm
What about a tv show that was on in the early 70's Then came bronson?
June 13th, 2006 at 4:26 am
I saw on depotdvd website 10 seasons of JAG
for $ 299.00. Is this ligitimate and do you
know anyone who has purchased the gift set?
June 13th, 2006 at 7:58 am
Berry — The only official "JAG" set is the one I described in this post, so the one you saw is of uncertain origin and quality.
Rob — I don't know of a commercial release of "Then Came Bronson" (and thanks for getting that "Long Lonesome Highway" theme stuck in my head again). There is a set for sale on eBay but, as I so often say, I can't vouch for the source or quality.