Following up on last Monday's
report about the Jan. 27th DVD release of
The Critic - The Complete Series, we now have Columbia TriStar's official press release for you to read. Not only does it confirm just about all of the specs and supplements we reported at the top of the week, an exciting new item is mentioned in it!
In the wake of the initial announcement, some fans voiced the opinion that this release - while terrific-sounding - would be more "complete" if it also included the 10 four-minute Shockwave-format "web-i-sodes" of
The Critic produced in 2000 for AtomFilms. We are pleased to say that these seem to be represented on this DVD, at least in
some form.
The press release below clearly mentions "
Short Film: Web-i-sodes" among its supplements. It's difficult to interpret what this means exactly. Will it be all 40 minutes compiled into one "short film"? Will it be some of them, rather than all of them? We're just not sure here, and Columbia was unable to respond to our queries about this prior to our deadline. Rest assured we will get as much information as we can about this, and update our
release listing with all that we find out. So stay tuned, and keep your eye on that listing!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Hilarious Satirical Primetime Animated Series
From the Producers of "The Simpsons"
Starring Comedian Jon Lovitz
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THE CRITIC - The Complete Series
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Special Three-Disc Set Contains the Entire First and Second Seasons
Premieres January 27 on DVD
Culver City, CA (November 17, 2003) - A hip and hilarious insider's look at the
Hollywood movie industry, THE CRITIC is an adult animated TV sitcom from the producers of
the Emmy Award-winning "The Simpsons." Debuting January 27 on a three-disc DVD set
priced at $49.95 SLP from Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment, THE CRITIC - THE
COMPLETE SERIES features all 23 episodes of the series.
THE CRITIC centers on Jay, a down-on-his-luck New York movie critic and cable
television host, who is forced to review the most pathetic films, which he always rates as "It
Stinks!" Pudgy and balding, Jay is not a well-liked man. His unsympathetic boss makes his life
miserable, his ex-wife hates him, his adoptive parents barely tolerate him, and even the makeup
lady treats him with disgust. Fortunately for Jay, he has his 11-year-old son Marty and one very
unlikely friend, Jeremy Hawke, an Australian film hunk.
Jon Lovitz ("Saturday Night Live," "NewsRadio") provides Jay's distinctive voice as a
single father who searches for happiness while satirizing life and the movies in this irreverent
comedy series. THE CRITIC also features the voices of Nancy Cartwright ("The Simpsons"),
Christine Cavanaugh ("Rugrats") and Judith Ivey ("Designing Women"), plus special guest stars
Billy Crystal, Geraldo Rivera, Kareem Abdul-Jabaar, Gene Siskel, June Lockhart, Margaret Cho,
Milton Berle, Phil Hartman, Queen Latifah, Ricki Lake, Steve Allen, Adam West, Bob Costas,
Rod Steiger and more!
Episodes include:
Pilot
Jay is astounded when beautiful actress Valerie Fox takes a romantic interest in him. Despite
warnings from his best friend, Australian actor Jeremy Hawke, that dating actresses is extremely
dangerous, Jay begins an affair with the luscious Valerie.
Miserable
At a screening, Jay falls for a lovely young projectionist, not realizing she's actually an obsessed
fan determined to make him her prisoner.
Marty's First Date
Jay's hints to his son Marty on how to romance a young woman have far-reaching consequences:
the critic has to speed to Havana to rescue the lovesick lad, who has literally taken his father's
advice and followed her home - to Cuba.
Dial "M" for Mother
Jay's attempt to show the world he can be warm by appearing with his mother on a talk show is a
categorical failure he just can't find anything nice to say about her.
A Little Deb Will Do Ya
Jay's stepsister Margo reluctantly agrees to become a debutante and Jay's ratings are threatened
by "Humphrey the Hippo," a children's show.
Eye on the Prize
After the failure of his 100th Episode Special and party, Jay is told that his TV show "Coming
Attractions" is in trouble. It's time to take drastic measures.
Every Doris Has Her Day
Jay befriends and accidentally "dates" an older woman, make-up artist Doris, only to suspect she
might be his biological mother.
Marathon Mensch
When an accidental fire breaks out in the studio during his TV show, Jay's whole audience
watches as he panics and runs screaming from the set. Jay gamely struggles to reestablish his
manhood.
L.A. Jay
In the wake of the positive response to a screenplay he has written, Jay takes a sabbatical from
his show and joins Jeremy in Hollywood, where studio boss Gary Grossman agrees to buy it on
the spot.
Dr. Jay
While at the Cannes Film Festival, Jay comes to the rescue when Duke is diagnosed with a
terminal illness.
A Day at the Races and a Night at the Opera
Jay tries to help Marty overcome an inferiority complex by taking him to see his psychiatrist.
Uneasy Rider
Jay quits his show to become a truck driver after he's asked to promote Savvy Indian Chewing
Tobacco on the show.
A Pig-Boy and His Dog
Inspired by her son's portly figure, Eleanor writes a children's book called The Fat Little Pig and
Jay becomes a laughingstock.
Sherman, Woman and Child
Jay meets and falls for Alice, who gives him tips for improving his show to helps boost his poor
ratings.
Sherman of Arabia
Jay recalls his heroines during the Gulf War while chaperoning a slumber party for Marty.
A Song for Margo
Jay's stepsister Margo is wooed by grunge rock star Johnny Wrath. Alice seeks help from Jay in
finding the right school for Penny.
From Chunk to Hunk
Jay and Marty go to camp to lose weight and both discover that they are actually happier being
fat.
Lady Hawke
Alice is jealous when Jay is courted by Jeremy's beautiful sister, and Jay finds himself in the
unusual position of having to choose between two women.
Frankie and Ellie Get Lost
Jay's parents disappear on their 40th anniversary vacation and Jay and Margo suddenly inherit
their vast fortune.
Siskel & Ebert & Jay & Alice
When a popular movie reviewing team breaks up, Alice encourages Jay to audition to become
the new partner.
All the Duke's Men
Jay is hired as a speechwriter when Duke runs for presidency and soon learns some grim truths
about the world of politics.
Dukerella
Alice's upstaging sister arrives in search of a rich husband and quickly turns her attention to Jay.
I Can't Believe It's a Clip Show
Jay is held hostage at Carnegie Hall while hosting his show's 10th-anniversary celebration.
DVD SPECIAL FEATURES INCLUDE:
- Digitally Mastered Audio & Video
- Full Screen Presentations
- Clip Compilations
- Eight Episode Commentaries
- "Making of" Creating the Critic
- Short Film: Web-i-sodes
- Featurettes
- Audio: English (Dolby Surround)
- Episode Selections
- Bonus Trailers
DVD SPECS
Not Rated
Color
Closed Captioned
Running Time: 520 Minutes
DVD Catalog #01617 / UPC Code: 0-43396-01617-0
Order Date: 12/23/03
DVD SLP: $49.95
