Courtesy: MVD Visual/MVD Entertainment Group
Television has come a long way since its infancy. To a minor extent, the road that the television industry has travelled has led to a positive progression in terms of its programming. Sadly though, television programming for the most part has greatly regressed as the years have passed. Thankfully though, there are those companies out there that have made a point of keeping alive the memories of television’s golden era. One of those companies is MVD Entertainment Group. MVD Entertainment Group recently teamed up with Ediad Productions to release Edie Adams’ beloved sketch/variety show, Here’s Edie in a complete four-disc box set. Here’s Edie did not last long in its original broadcast on ABC. It only ran for two years and twenty-one episodes. Despite this, it remains today, one of the most beloved series from television’s greater days. MVD Entertainment Group and Ediad Productions went to painstaking lengths to bring this classic series back to audiences. Each of the series’ episodes is presented in this set exactly as it originally aired. That is the first positive to the set. Considering that over half a century has passed since the show’s original debut, the footage looks and sounds impressive. Just as interesting about this set is the companion booklet included as part of the set’s packaging. It provides viewers of all ages a history of how Here’s Edie came about and a full episode guide. This does a great amount in terms of setting up the episodes and making them even more valuable. The last piece of this set to be examined is its packaging. MVD and EdiAd again are to be commended for this aspect of this new box set, too. The discs, which spell out Adams’ first name, are wisely packaged. The discs are protected from one another. And the overall packaging is ergonomic. When audiences take into account everything noted here, they will agree that this box set is a must see for anyone that has any interest in this golden piece of television history.
Here’s Edie was hardly the longest running sketch/variety show on television during its run. It only ran for two seasons and twenty-one episodes from 1962 to 1964. This aside, it is still one of the most beloved pieces of programming from television’s early era. Those charged with maintaining the footage and transferring it from its original tapes to DVD are to be commended. There are some very minor inconsistencies with the audio and video within certain episodes. But one must take into account just how old the footage is before criticizing this. As few as they are, it only serves to make the overall product that much more impressive. Just as impressive is the fact that Ediad and MVD have also made sure to include in each episode, Adams’ ads for Muriel cigars. Because of the change in this country’s culture, something as minor as this is just as important as the footage itself. That’s because it serves to show a different cultural climate. It’s part of the whole that makes this set the important historical video documentation that it is in the long run. And that’s just the tip of the proverbial iceberg that makes this box set so impressive.
The episodes themselves contained within this box set are the most important aspect of the overall presentation. That goes without saying. There is much more to examine to truly appreciate the set’s importance, though. The bonus booklet included in the box set is, believe it or not, important in its own right. That’s because of the breadth of information that it provides to viewers. It starts off by offering a relatively in-depth look at how Here’s Edie came to be. It’s a moving story of success through loss. Also included in the set’s bonus booklet is an in-depth episode guide. It gives a short but concise summary of each episode. Throughout it all, there are photos taken from random episodes, promotional pictures, and even quotes from some of the biggest names in movies and television explaining her influence on their own careers. The quotes alone go to prove how important Adams remains today. The episode summaries and pictures serve to make the episodes themselves all the richer. And along with the episodes, it serves to make the box set as a whole all the more entertaining. The positives don’t end there, either. In examining the whole presentation, one must also examine the packaging of this four-disc box.
Far too few individuals give packaging the slightest notice when it comes to DVDs and Blu-rays. They tend to take it for granted, for lack of better wording. But it’s just as important as the rest of a release’s presentation. The packaging for this set makes the whole thing complete. Each of the set’s four discs are placed on their own insert within the box. It greatly reduces the chances of them being scratched and in turn, preserves them for potentially another generation if they are properly cared for. Collectively, the four discs spell out Edie’s name. It’s a fun addition to the overall presentation that will bring a smile to any viewer’s face. It’s the final touch on a box set that is a must see for anyone that has any love for classic television. Here’s Edie is available now in stores and online. It can be ordered direct from the MVD Entertainment Group website at http://mvdb2b.com/s/EdieAdamsHeresEdieTheEdieAdamsTelevisionCollection/MVD5920D. More information on this and other releases from MVD Entertainment Group is available online at http://www.facebook.com/MVDEntertainmentGroup, http://www.mvdb2b.com, and http://twitter.com/MVDentgroup. To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment reviews and news, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it. Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment reviews and news in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.
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