Summary of "The Complete 2nd Season - The Wild West": I thought HBO did a great job with the first season of Deadwood, and now they've followed it up with something even better. I've often complained that the HBO sets have high prices, and few extras, but they're trying to fix that. Last July I ran into an HBO employee at VSDA (Video Software Dealers Association) in Las Vegas. She came up to me after a panel and we started talking about their releases. It was slightly uncomfortable when she said that she'd read some of my reviews (which aren't always flattering), until she thanked me for being honest, and identifying some of the areas they can improve. We talked about some of the things HBO does right, and some areas that they could improve on (the extras, mainly), and I offered to send her a list of DVD producers that have done great work for other studios. Before she left she handed me her card - she was the Senior Vice President of HBO Home Video. The good news is that 2 of the 4 people I suggested to her have been hired to work on upcoming HBO titles; it looks as though the company is trying to improve their releases, and helps to justify the high prices they ask for their sets.
The third season of Deadwood starts soon, but it appears to be the last as the actors have been released from their contracts and are free to pursue other jobs. That's a bummer because it means the series won't have a final sendoff. Well, at least we have another season to look forward to. (read entire review)
The Complete 1st Season - There's gold in them thar hills! (2/12/2005)
Summary of "The Complete 1st Season - There's gold in them thar hills!": I've often slagged HBO for releasing extremely high-priced set with weak extras. Deadwood is expensive ($100 SRP), and only contains 12 episodes, but they have quality, original bonus material. At least this time they're helping justify the price by providing worthy bonus features. I doubt HBO will revise their pricing anytime soon, so at least we can enjoy the features. The commentary tracks are excellent, though Milch's is rather odd. At one point he comments "I could watch people fed to animals pretty much 24 hours a day. Someone ought to start a channel with that." That's some weird shit, David!!
I really enjoyed this show, I just wish the language was toned down for those who may be offended by it. My mom asked me to record the show for her when it premiered, and I was surprised because this isn't a mom-friendly show. I gave her the first episode, and she couldn't get through it because of the profanity. It's a shame that she'll miss out on a good show, but I understand where she's coming from.
I found the characters and events in the show so interesting that I decided to do some research online. There are a number of excellent Deadwood websites with historical information you can check out. One of the best is the Adams Museum and House. They have information on all the major characters in the show, and other background information on Deadwood, and how it grew to become the city of today. It's worth checking out if you're a fan of the show. I was amazed by how closely Milch stuck to the events, though he takes some creative liberties here and there. Reading the bios of the people will also give you an idea where the show could go in the second season, and beyond.
If you can handle the price then you'll be rewarded with a wonderful, and awesome special features. If the price is too steep for your blood then I'd recommend you rent the set; it's worth watching. There are some brilliant performances, especially Keith Carradine as Wild Bill. (read entire review)
New Bonus Material Revealed for Deadwood - The Complete Series
Yesterday HBO and Warner announced that Deadwood - The Complete Series DVD set will arrive on December 9th. At the time we didn't have too many details about this 19-disc set, but now we've learned that... (read entire news item)
9/04/2008
The Complete Series Formally Announced: Release Date, Pricing & Finished Package Art
The Black Hills of South Dakota. Witness the birth of an American frontier town...and the ruthless power struggle between its just and unjust pioneers. In an age of plunder and greed, the richest gold... (read entire news item)
6/24/2008
DVD Plans, Package Art Mock-Up for Deadwood - The Complete Series
TVShowsOnDVD site founder and webmaster Gord Lacey is hanging out at the Palms Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas this week, attending the Entertainment Merchant Association (EMA) show there. He's found out... (read entire news item)
12/16/2007
Amazon's Got a Drop-Dead Deal on HBO's Deadwood!
Another day, another Amazon deal (or two; we'll post another one shortly)! We've gotten a couple of e-mails from folks complaining that we're running "stories" on these deals at Amazon too often...but... (read entire news item)
3/02/2007
Season 3 artwork
The other day we posted the news that Deadwood would be released on June 12, but we didn't have artwork. Well, here it is: (read entire news item)
2/28/2007
Return to the Gem Saloon for a third season
HBO has announced the third season of David Milch's Deadwood will be released on June 12. The 5-disc set will include all 12 episodes:
Tell Your God to Ready for Blood
I Am Not The Fine Man You... (read entire news item)
4/01/2006
We've Got the Final List of Extras On Season 2
With the May 23rd release date for Deadwood - The Complete 2nd Season approaching (and that's two-and-a-half weeks before the third season debuts on HBO), the studio has given the final list of extras... (read entire news item)
3/02/2006
Large art, and a few more details for season 2
We posted news on Deadwood yesterday, but today we have a few more details on the upcoming release, scheduled for May 23. We've had a list of bonus features for months, but we can add a little bit more... (read entire news item)
3/01/2006
2nd Season Release Date Made Official, Plus Better (Small) Box Art
A few days ago we showed off a small, low-res piece of the front cover for the North American release of Deadwood - The Complete 2nd Season. For a few weeks longer than that, we've been reporting a tentative... (read entire news item)
2/27/2006
Low-res artwork for season 2
The second season of Deadwood still haven't been officially announced, but now we have a small, cropped look at the cover art. The quality is horrible, but at least it's something. As far as we know HBO... (read entire news item)
2/01/2006
Tentative Date for 2nd Season of Deadwood
Back in late November we reported that a very well-placed industry source was telling us that Deadwood - The Complete 2nd Season was looking like a late Spring/early Summer release timeframe, just in... (read entire news item)
11/30/2005
Deadwood Delayed! 2nd Season Set Resched'ed
A VERY well-placed industry source saw our recent news about a late-February street date for Deadwood - The Complete 2nd Season, and has let us know that the info about the date - which came from trade... (read entire news item)
11/25/2005
EXTRAS! We've Got the Bonus Material, Date & Cost for Deadwood's 2nd Season
A few weeks ago the print edition of Home Media Retailing revealed that February 28th would see the release of Deadwood - The Complete 2nd Season. The 12 hour-long episodes, including a two-part season... (read entire news item)
10/25/2004
Deadwood comes alive on DVD: Cover Art, Date, Price, LOTS of Extras
Deadwood, HBO's hour-long western adventure, was nominated for 11 Emmy awards and won 2 of them, including Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series. Now those of you who didn't get in on the action can... (read entire news item)
7/29/2004
It'll be a Dead February
Word is that HBO Home Video has set their sights on a February, 2005 release for the first season of Deadwood. The show was recently nominated for 11 Emmy awards, including:
Outstanding Supporting... (read entire news item)
