Many people were both shocked, and upset at Universal's price for the first season of
Kate & Allie. The six episode season 1 set released on May 2nd carried a suggested retail price of $29.98 US, or $5 an episode (for a 30 min show). Is that insanely high? You bet it is, and that point becomes even more obvious with the news that VEI, a Canadian company, has the first two seasons (28 episodes) coming out on
June 6. The kicker is that the set sells for $36.95 CAN, or about $33.50 US, which makes the cost per episode $1.20. You can
order the set from Amazon.ca for $25.87 CAN
You're probably wondering about the quality of the episodes, and while we haven't seen the
Kate & Allie set that's being released, the other material from VEI looks great, so quality isn't a concern. Worried about edited episodes? We checked with VEI, and we were told that the episodes run between 24 and 25 mins, so they sound uncut. The set also includes "The Second Time Around," a bonus episode from the first season of
Gimme a Break! which VEI is also releasing.
Here's a look at the front and back of the packaging, along with the text from the back of the box below the artwork:
Susan Saint James (McMillan and Wife) and Jane Curtin (Saturday Night Live) star as high school friends Mate McArdle and Allie Lowell, two divorcees raising their kids together in one of the rare modern sitcoms set - and filmed - in New York City.
Bill Persky (The Dick Van Dyke Show, That Girl) produced and directed this landmark production that aired for six seasons bebinning as a mid-season replacement in March, 1984 (In fact, Kate & Allie was the only top-ten rated sitcom of the 1983-84 season).
Critics raved as the show debuted to massive ratings, earning Jane Curtin one of two consecutive Emmy Awards for Best actress; Bill Persky scored an Emmy for Best Director for the show's debut season.
All the laughs, all the love, all the fun of the first 28 episodes can be found in this new four disc collector's edition DVD set. The feel good comedy of the '80s, Kate & Allie will remind you just how good a TV sitcom can be!
