A month ago we
reported on how
Growing Pains star Alan Thicke was saying at his website that DVDs of his show would arrive by "Spring 2006". There's no need to wait that long, though...Warner Home Video is preparing an announcement which has a release date for
Growing Pains - The Complete 1st Season on
February 7th.
Look for a 4-DVD set which will come with all 22 episodes from the rookie season, including the pilot that aired on Sept. 24, 1985. That wasn't the orignal pilot, though! There was a different pilot before that one, which included a different actress playing the part of Carol Seaver. Instead of Tracey Gold in the part of the daughter, Elizabeth Ward had gotten the nod initially, but was recast based on the feedback from test audiences. You'll be able to view unaired scenes from that original pilot episode, as they are included on the DVD as an extra. There's also a Gag Reel on board, along with a Cast Reunion special. We're not sure if the latter is either of the two reunion telefilms (2000's
The Growing Pains Movie or 2004's
Growing Pains: Return of the Seavers), or if this is something else. We'll try to find out, of course.
Guest stars include Olivia d'Abo, Dana Plato, K.C. Winkler, Ami Dolenz, Dan Lauria, and even former Mousketeer Annette Funicello. Andrew Koenig, son of famous
Star Trek navigator Walt Koenig, was part of the cast as "Richard 'Boner' Stabone". Look for the famous and beloved theme song, too. "As Long As We've Got Each Other" was a hit song with Dusty Springfield singing on it, although most fans will recall it was sung as a duet between Thomas and Jennifer Warnes over the opening credits for most of the years of the show.
How much will all of this run you? Amazingly, the list price is planned to be a mere $29.98! Here's an early look at the packaging for this release, although it is still subject to change. Yep, that's Tracey Gold with the glasses in the upper left corner. Wow, her character certainly changed over the years, didn't she?
