Wow, here's an unexpected (but very pleasant) surprise! A new
listing at Amazon shows that
Room 222 - Season 1 is coming to DVD on
March 24th. The e-tailer isn't taking pre-orders just yet, but you can sign up with them "
to be notified when this item becomes available". A studio name for the DVD release isn't provided, but it ought to be Fox's show to either release themselves, or else to license out for release to an independent studio.
The show lasted 5 seasons, debuting on ABC in 1969 opposite the popular
Beverly Hillbillies on Wednesday nights. By the show's third season it had permanently moved to Friday evenings, and aired in a block with
The Brady Bunch and
The Partridge Family coming before it, and
The Odd Couple and
Love, American Style airing afterward. The show starred Lloyd Haynes (known for appearances in
Star Trek, Batman, The Fugitive and
Dynasty) as "Pete Dixon", who taught history at Walt Whitman High School in room #222. Denise Nicholas (
Capricorn One, In the Heat of the Night) played fellow teacher and girlfriend "Liz", and other stars during the show's run included Michael Constantine (
My Big Fat Greek Wedding) and Karen Valentine (
Karen, The North Avenue Irregulars).
Constantine, Valentine and the show itself were all Emmy winners for the program's first year, while series star Haynes was nominated (but lost...as did Bill Cosby, so he was in good company!). Guest stars during the show's first season included Bruno Kirby, Teri Garr, Frank Campanella, Lynn Hamilton, William Schallert, Bud Cort, Larry Linville, Paul Winfield, Grammy-winning Jazz singer Nancy Wilson, Bruce Kirby, Kathleen Lloyd, Cindy Williams, Jamie Farr and Rob Reiner.
Details about the DVD release is obviously very thin at the moment, but it's great to see this classic series finally make its way home. Stay tuned and we'll update you further as more information, and cover art, becomes available!
