Skip Rope, Public Media Distribution To Release New ‘Garfield’ Compilation Next Month

Posted on December 10, 2018 by philspicks

Courtesy: Public Media Distribution/Skip Rope

PBS Distribution and Skip Rope are partnering to bring Garfield back to DVD again.

The companies announced Monday that they will release Garfield: 20 Stories on DVD Jan. 15. The compilation features 20 episodes of the classic animated Saturday morning cartoon series, such as “The Pie-Eyed Piper,” “Films & Felines” and “How To Drive A Human Crazy.”

Garfield: 20 Stories is expected to retail for $6.99. Its run time is listed at 142 minutes.

This is just the latest Garfield collection to be released by Skip Rope and Public Media Distribution. The companies re-issued the classics Garfield: Nine Lives, and Garfield’s Halloween Adventure in February and August respectively. They re-issued the Garfield Thanksgiving and Christmas specials last year in the DVD, Happy Holidays Garfield.

All seven seasons of Garfield & Friends are available now via Amazon in five volumes of episodes. More Garfield games, comics and more are available online now at:

Website: http://www.garfield.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Garfield

Twitter: http://twitter.com/garfield

To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it. Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

PBS Announces Release Date For New Fred Rogers Doc

Posted on September 8, 2018 by philspicks

Courtesy: PBS/Public Media Distribution

Public Media Distribution will release to DVD next month another documentary focused on Fred Rogers and his beloved series Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood.

Mister Rogers: It’s You I Like was released digitally Sept. 3 and is currently scheduled to be released on DVD Oct. 2. The hour-long documentary, which originally aired on PBS and not to be confused with the other Fred Rogers documentary Won’t You Be My Neighbor, is a retrospective on Fred Rogers and his beloved series.

Veteran actor Michael Keaton (Batman, Baman Returns, Spiderman: Homecoming) serves as host for the heartwarming documentary. It also features interviews from other well-known figures, such as Yo-Yo Ma, John Lithgow (3rd Rock from the Sun, The World According to Garp, Interstellar), Whoopi Goldberg (The View, Star Trek: The Next Generation, Ghost) and others.

Mr. Rogers: It’s You I Like was produced by JoAnn Young (JFK: The Lost Inaugural Gala, Oscar Hammerstein: Out of my Dreams) and John Paulson (JFK: The Lost Inaugural Gala, A Raising in the Sun Revisited). Ellen Doherty and Kevin Morrison of Fred Rogers Productions executive produced.

Mr. Rogers: It’s You I Like will retail for MSRP of $19.99 and can be pre-ordered now at a reduced price of $14.99 at PBS’ online store. More information on this and other titles from PBS is available online now at:

Website: http://www.pbs.org

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pbs

Twitter: http://twitter.com/pbs

To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” It. Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

PBS to Release New ‘Nature Cat’ DVD Next Month

Posted on September 3, 2018 by philspicks

Courtesy: PBS/PBS Kids/Public Media Distribution

PBS Kids’ favorite nature loving feline has another brand new DVD on the way.

Nature Cat: Winter Dance Party is scheduled to be released Oct. 2. Only the second collection of episodes to be released from the family favorite series, the forthcoming DVD presents four more episodes, all from the young series’ debut season.

The DVD’s title episode opens on the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year and the start of winter. It also means the slow countdown to spring, and Daisy’s family always celebrates the winter solstice with a dance party. There’s just one problem — Daisy forgot to get ready for the party this year. There’s a lot to do and not enough time to do it all. Can Daisy get everything done before her family arrives for its annual celebration?

The winter theme continues in “Ice is Nice.” This time, Nature Cat and Ronald both lose their hot cocoa when both of their mugs break. This leads Hal to think a mug breaker is on the loose, but is there really? Or is it just natural science at work?

In “A Jump To Remember,” the winter theme continues yet again as Nature Cat tries yet again to get in the the Animal Book of World Records. This time, he tries to set a new record for ski jumping. The problem is that there’s no snow on which Nature Cat can ski.This leads his friends to come up with their own idea about how to create snow. Time will tell if the idea works.

“The Groundhog Way,” is one more winter-themed episode included in this DVD. This story Nature Cat and company want to know if winter will end early or last another six weeks. The problem is that this year, the groundhog doesn’t even want to come out, but instead wants to sleep in. That’s because he’s only been right with his prediction five times, making him uncertain about his abilities to forecast. Now it’s up to Nature Cat and company to save the day, and there’s no telling what that will mean.

Nature Cat: Winter Dance Party will retail for MSRP of $6.99. It can be pre-ordered online now via PBS’ online store now. More information on Nature Cat is available online now along with lots of games, activities, printables and more at:

Website: http://www.pbskids.org/naturecat

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/naturecatshow

‘Wild Kratts’ Second DVD Of 2018 Is “Twice As Nice” As The Year’s First Offering

Posted on August 16, 2018 by philspicks

Courtesy: PBSPBS Kids/Public Media Distribution

Over the course of the past six years, brother Chris and Martin Kratt have taken families around the world and taught fun and unforgettable lessons in biology, ecology, zoology and more through their hit animated series Wild Kratts. The series has become one of PBS Kids’ biggest hit series since its debut, running now five seasons and a sixth very likely to be announced soon. It has also led to the release of now 17 DVDs featuring the adventures of Chris, Martin and their friends Aviva (Athena Krakanis – Manifest, The Expanse, Low Winter Sun), Koki (Heather Bambrick – The Cat in the Hat Knows A Lot About That, Doozers, Atomic Puppet) and Jimmy Z (Jonathan Malen – The Mist, Mean Girls, Charlie Bartlett). From North America’s desert southwest to the depths of the Atlantic to the frozen far reaches of the Arctic and Antarctic and beyond, the Wild Kratts gang has time and again given audiences unforgettable adventures and invaluable lessons in every episode. Now thanks to Public Media Distribution, two more of those episodes are available in the latest Wild Kratts DVD, Adventures on the African Savannah. As that title notes, this time the brothers Kratt and company are in Africa. The two adventures featured in the 55-minute DVD are enjoyable in themselves. The lessons connected to the stories are also enjoyable for the whole family. Considering that content, the DVD’s relatively affordable average price point proves to be money well spent. When it is considered alongside said content, all three elements make Wild Kratts: Adventures on the African Savannah yet another enjoyable addition to any family’s DVD library.

Adventures on the African Savannah, the second of Public Media Distribution’s Wild Kratts DVD releases so far this year – the first, Madagascar Madness, was released April 10 – is another successful and enjoyable presentation from PMD and PBS Kids. It is a collection that despite featuring only two episodes, every family will find welcome in their DVD library. That is actually due in part to the stories themselves. This time out, Martin and Chris (and their friends) take on a game of tag in the first episode, “The Food Chain Game.” Of course, this is no ordinary game of tag. This game involves Chris and Martin racing to the top of the Savannah’s food web by touching and turning into various different animals that roam the savannah. They start at the bottom and work their way up, all the while learning about each creature’s strengths and weaknesses. By the time it’s all said and done, Aviva has crafted a giant food web from Chris and Martin’s friendly competition that plays directly into the lessons, which will be discussed shortly. In the second of the brothers’ adventures, Chris and Martin face off in another competition. This time it’s a test to see which is the dominant animal – a rhino or an elephant. However, at least one person wants to ruin the fun. That person is the Kratt gang’s longtime foe Zack Varmitech (Zachary Bennett – Designated Survivor, Total Drama All Stars, Ranger Rob). Zach, who is jealous of Aviva’s accomplishments uses his mini-bots to disrupt Chris and Martin’s suits so that they can’t finish their competition. In an added effort to ruin the group’s fun, his bots also disrupt the Tortuga’s systems, trapping Aviva, Jimmy and Koki inside…at least temporarily. Obviously the story has a happy ending with Zack being defeated once again. How that happens won’t be given away here, but it will leave viewers laughing once again. Of course, this story offers its own subtle biology lesson that adds to the story’s enjoyment. Said lesson will be discussed along with the biology lesson included in the DVD’s lead story. Keeping in mind the enjoyment offered through the stories themselves, it creates a solid foundation for the DVD’s presentation. That foundation gives audiences plenty of reason in itself to add this DVD to their DVD libraries. The noted lessons tied into the DVD’s presentation give families even more reason to add the DVD to their Wild Kratts collections.

The basic biology lessons incorporated into each story are easily accessible for viewers of all ages. The lesson incorporated into the lead story is straight forward. It teaches the interconnection of different organisms within a given food chain. It’s just one example, but shows in a simple fashion, the depth and diversity that is possible in any given food chain. At the same time, viewers also learn some interesting facts about the given organisms and animals featured within the given food chain. What’s really interesting to note here is that the writers don’t try to hide the educational content here, unlike in other episodes in which said content is smartly woven into the story. It’s right out front. Yet somehow even with the content being right out there, the writers have still managed to keep the episode interesting both for grown-ups and children alike. The writing staff is to be highly commended for that. The lesson is a little bit more subtle in the second story. It basically highlights the adaptations that make different animals fitted for various climates and territories. For instance, the walrus is more fitted for cold climes while certain reptiles are definitely not suited for the savannah. The strengths and weaknesses of the rhino and elephant are both pointed out in the long run, too. It’s just interesting to see so much incorporated into one story and done so smoothly in the process. It doesn’t make the educational content so outright, balancing very well with the story itself. When this is considered along with the balance of educational and entertaining content in the DVD’s lead story, it makes the educational content that much more valuable to the DVD’s presentation. While the stories and lessons are both key to the DVD’s whole, they are not its only important elements. The DVD’s rather affordable average price point makes it that much more welcome in any family’s home DVD library.

The average price point of Adventures on the African Savannah is $5.19, not counting taxes. Adding tax, that price probably rises to almost $6.00 if not barely more than that. Considering the amount of entertainment and education that this DVD offers, even with just two episodes (at 55 minutes), that honestly is a rather affordable price. It’s money well spent to entertain and educate children while also bringing the whole family together in the process. That is something of which this country needs more – family togetherness. That’s especially the case considering how television is in itself ripping families apart more and more because of content aimed at specific audiences. Keeping all of this in mind, the DVD’s average price point is the proverbial cherry on top for its presentation. It is not a bad price to pay, even with tax, for that togetherness, education and entertainment. To that end, this second Wild Kratts DVD offering this year is another welcome addition to any family’s Wild Kratts DVD collection.

Public Media Distribution’s second Wild Kratts DVD of the year, Adventures on the African Savannah, only boats two episodes from the hit animated series, but despite that, those two episodes offer audiences of all ages plenty to appreciate. That is evidenced in part through the stories that make up the body of the DVD. The lessons tied into the stories are expertly balanced in their presentation. That balance shows the amount of time and thought put into each story’s writing overall. The writers, again, are to be commended for such attention to detail. The DVD’s rather affordable price point makes that content extra valuable and the DVD that much more worth the purchase in turn. Keeping all of this in mind, all three elements join to make this DVD a presentation that will lead the whole family to want to join the Kratt brothers on their African Savannah adventures again and again. It is available now and can be ordered direct via PBS’ online store. More information on the DVD is available online along with lots of printables, activities and more now at:

Website: http://pbskids.org/wildkratts

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/wildkrattsofficial

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.

PBS Announces Release Date, Specs For New ‘Dinosaur Train’ DVD

Posted on May 11, 2018 by philspicks

Courtesy: PBS Distribution/PBS Kids/PBS/Public Media Distribution

PBS Distribution has another new Dinosaur Train DVD on the way.

Dinosaur Train: Meeting New Friends is scheduled to be released June 12 on DVD and Digital HD. The series’ latest collection of episodes, it features another handful of episodes that finds the Pteranodon family making new friends in a variety of situations.

In one of the collection’s episods, the Pteranodon family takes a surprise day trip that leads them to meet a Tyrannosaurus Rex who has features similar to Buddy’s. Another of the featured adventures finds the Pteranodon family helping a pair of new friends find their way home. In yet another of the collection’s episodes, the Pteranodons meet a 40-foot crocodile named Deanna Dienosuchas, who has quite the toothy smile.

In all, Dinosaur Train: Meeting New Friends features eight episodes and runs for a total of 88 minutes. It will retail for MSRP of $12.99, but can be pre-ordered online now at a reduced price of $7.99 via PBS’ online store.

More information on Dinosaur Train: Meeting New Friends is available along with Dinosaur Train games, activities, printables and more at:

Website: http://pbskids.org/dinosaurtrain

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/DinosaurTrain

PBS Presenting Rarely Told WWII Story In New Doc Next Month

Posted on April 9, 2018 by philspicks

Courtesy: PBS/Public Media Distribution

The atrocities committed against Jews before and during World War II has been well-documented throughout the decades. It has been presented time and again in so many books, movies and documentaries. Now this May, PBS is bringing to DVD a new, rarely told story of Jews in WWII in the new documentary GI Jew: Jewish Americans in World War II.

This 90-minute doc is currently scheduled to be released on DVD May 8. It tells the story of the battles that Jewish Americans fought externally and internally as part of America’s military. Those internal battles included anti-Semitism from their own fellow servicemen.

This story of Jewish immigrants becoming American all while working to overcome so many obstacles will retail for MSRP of $24.99, but can be pre-ordered now at a reduced price of $19.99 via PBS’ online store. More information on this and other programs from PBS is available online now at:

Website: http://www.pbs.org

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pbs

Twitter: http://twitter.com/pbs

New ‘Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood’ DVD Box Set Coming Next Week From PBS

Posted on March 20, 2018 by philspicks

Courtesy: PBS/Public Media Distribution

March is a big month in the history of Fred Rogers. Early this month, the world marked what would have been the legendary TV personality’s 90th birthday. This month, the 50th anniversary of his beloved series Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood was also recognized with a new star-studded documentary. Next Tuesday, March 27, the celebration of the man and his series continues with the release of another new release, Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood: It’s a Beautiful Day Collection.

The four-disc, 32-episode collection runs a total of 928 minutes. The episodes featured in this new collection include: “Ups and Downs of Friendship,” “Families Come In Different Shapes and Sizes” and many others. The set’s full episode listing is noted below.

Episodes featured on the DVD include:

Helping Children Know What to Expect at School

Creating with Friends is Different than Playing Alone

Play is the Work of Childhood

Respecting All Living Creatures

Opera Day

Ups and Downs of Friendship

Learning about Rules and Limits

Appreciating the People Who Came Before

Food and Love Go Hand in Hand

Music As a Way to Express Feelings

Families Come in Different Shapes and Sizes

Celebrating Big and Little Things

Lots of Different Things for Play and Pretending

Each Person is Unique – Yet We All Have Much in Common

Being Kind to Ourselves and Others

Nobody Knows What You’re Thinking Unless You Tell Them

Games Can Be Fun, But Not If You’re Left Out

Recycling and Other Ways to care for Our Planet

Learning to Take Care of Yourself

Trying on Different Roles

We All Have Art Inside of Us

Understanding Concepts of Up and Down

The Strength of Love – Even Through Angry Times

Appreciating our Uniqueness

Some Things Change…Some Things Stay the Same

Needing Help and Giving Help

Feeling Good About Who We Are

Encouraging Generosity and Gratitude

Strengths and Limitations, Abilities and Disabilities
Wondering and Asking Questions

Enjoying Books and Recognizing Symbols

Valuing All Kinds of Art

Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood: It’s A beautiful Day Collection will retail for MSRP of $19.99, but can be pre-ordered online now at a reduced price of $14.99 via PBS’ online store. more information on this and other titles from PBS is available online now at:

Website: http://www.pbs.org

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pbs

Twitter: http://twitter.com/PBS

PBS Taking Audiences Back To The Pyramids In A New Episode Of ‘Secrets Of The Dead’

Posted on March 12, 2018 by philspicks

Courtesy: PBS/Public Media Distribution

PBS and Public Media Distribution are bringing home another episode of PBS’ hit history-based series Secrets of the Dead.

Secrets of the Dead: Scanning the Pyramids will be released April 3. It will be released exclusively on DVD. This new episode of SOTD follows the first scientific expedition of the pyramids authorized by the Egyptian government in the last 30 years. The expedition is conducted by the investigative team known as Scan Pyramids, which consists of members from around the world — particle physicists, thermal imaging experts, and 3D tech experts.

The organization uses its talents and tools in this episode to explore and map the pyramids over the course of two years. Those searches resulted in some new discoveries including some previously undetected chambers in the Great Pyramid of Khufu — chambers previously undetected since the Middle Ages. Audiences can view a trailer for the episode now here.

Secrets of the Dead: Scanning The Pyramids will retail for MSRP of $24.99, but can be pre-ordered now at a reduced price of $19.99 via PBS’ online store. More information on this and other episodes of Secrets of the Dead is available online now at:

Website: http://www.pbs.org/wnet/secrets

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SecretsoftheDead

Twitter: http://twitter.com/SecretsPBS

PBS’ New Bob Hope Profile Is A Masterful Portrait Of A True American Master

Posted on February 19, 2018 by philspicks

Courtesy: PBS/Public Media Distribution

Bob Hope is an American Master. From radio to the big screen and small and even to the frontlines of the nation’s major military conflicts, Hope gave America laughs and…well…hope throughout the course of his eight decade-long career. Now almost 15 years after the legendary entertainer died, PBS and Public Media Distribution have paid tribute to him in the form of a new episode of PBS’ hit bio series American Masters titled American Masters: This Is Bob Hope. Released January 9, 2018, this 2-hour documentary paints a vivid picture of what makes Hope a true American Master in part through its unbiased story of his life and career. That story forms a solid foundation for the program’s presentation, and will be discussed shortly. The program’s pacing directly connects to the story itself, making it just as important to discuss as the program’s story. It will be touched on later. The bonus material included with the program rounds out its most important elements. Each item is important in its own way to the whole of American Masters: This is Bob Hope. All things considered, they collectively make the program proof positive of why Bob Hope is an American Master and why this profile of the legendary entertainer is one of this year’s top new documentaries.

American Masters: This is Bob Hope, one of the latest entries in PBS’ hit biography series American Masters, is one of this year’s best new documentaries, hands down. It is a program that will appeal just as much to Hope aficionados as it will entertainment history buffs. This is proven in no small part through the profile presented of the legendary entertainer through the program’s story. The story presented here — largely through interviews with some of the biggest names in comedy (Woody Allen, Margaret Cho, Kermit the Frog, Dick Cavett, Conan O’Brien) is a fully unbiased profile of Hope that shows the good, the bad and even the ugly. Yes, there was some ugly in his life. It came in the form of his alleged issues with infidelity. Hope’s friends and family tackle the topic briefly, but do what they can to talk about it without completely sweeping it under the rug. Even though the discussion was not in-depth, it showed that those behind the lens wanted to make sure to show a full profile of the man who was Bob Hope. The good is the love that he had for his adopted children and his very real dedication to entertaining the men who served in America’s armed forces from World War II right through Vietnam as well as his pure dedication to entertaining audiences in general. Those are tidbits that any viewer will appreciate learning. That is because it makes Hope that much more beloved. Just as interesting to learn about is Hope’s friendship with fellow entertainer Bing Crosby. As comedian/actor Billy Crystal (Monsters Inc, Monsters U, Parental Control) notes as he reads Hope’s own words, the two had quite the chemistry on and off camera. Though, despite that friendship, Hope apparently got jealous when Crosby got an Academy Award. This is all very interesting, and only one part of the story that makes the whole of the story so interesting. The bad of Hope’s life and career adds just as much interest to the story as the good and even the ugly. The bad comes through the discussion on his connection to the Vietnam War. Audiences learn here that in what seemed like an attempt to stay relevent, Hope caused some controversy with his jokes in support of the Vietnam conflict and his political ties to the White House at the time. This upset both the military he entertained and those back in the United States with his comments. It’s just one more interesting piece of information that audiences learn in watching this in-depth look at Bob Hope’s life and career. The additional depth that this piece of information adds to the story shows even more why the story is so critical to the doc’s presentation. Of course for all of the interest that the story doc’s story generates, it is only one part of what makes this program an interesting watch. The program’s pacing, by connection is just as important to discuss.

The pacing of PBS’ new profile of Bob Hope is so important to discuss because of the sheer amount of material that is shared over the course of the program’s two hours. The program takes viewers from Hope’s childhood all the way up to the end of his career, when he was honored at the Kennedy Center Honors. As noted already, Hope’s career is followed chronologically, from his early days in radio to his growing fame on the big screen and then on to the small screen. Throughout each stage of his career, audiences learn lots of information about his professional and personal life. That means that there was a lot of ground to cover. Thankfully, for all of the ground that is covered here, those behind the doc didn’t let the story get bogged down in itself. That was due in part to the insights from the guests and also in part simply to balance of each segment. That attention to detail resulted in each segment starting and ending at just the right point, focusing on the most important items in each part of Hope’s career. That attention to detail couples with the movement generated through the guest interviews to keep the program moving smoothly from beginning to end. While audiences know that two hours have passed by the time the story ends, they will still feel more fulfilled than exhausted. Again, that is a tribute to the attention to detail. The end effect is a program that moves fluidly from one segment to the next and ensures in itself maintained engagement just as much as the story itself. Keeping in mind the connection and importance of the doc’s story and pacing, audiences see even more why American Masters: This Is Bob Hope is another master profile from PBS. As important as they are to the whole of the program, they are not the only important elements to discuss here. The bonus material included in the program’s home release rounds out its most important elements.

The bonus material included with AM: This Is Bob Hope is primarily interview material that was ended up on the cutting room floor. One of the most interesting interview segments is that with Conan O’Brien as he talks about working on an episode of The Simpsons that incorporated Bob Hope. O’Brien talks here about Hope making a surprise appearance to actually voice himself for the brief cameo and his own gleeful surprise at Hope’s surprising appearance for the recording. There is also a reading by another interviewee of a letter that Hope wrote to one of his young fans early his career that adds even more depth to the overall story. It is real proof of the love that was discussed during the program that Hope had for his legions of fans. Tom Selleck’s (yes, Tom Selleck) anecdote about appearing on television opposite Hope offers its own enjoyment, and is sure to leave audiences with a laugh and a smile. Considering this, it comes as no surprise that it is saved as the last of the bonus materials. The opening bonus interview with O’Brien about Hope setting the standard for making even monologue foibles adds just as much enjoyment as Selleck’s interview and the other bonus interviews. Between the interviews noted here and those not directly noted, the bonus interviews included with this program add just as much to the program’s whole as the story and its pacing. When this is all considered together, the end result is an overall presentation that is certain to appeal to any Bob Hope aficionado just as much as it will to any entertainment history buff. With that in mind, it is easily a candidate for any critic’s list of the year’s top new documentaries.

American Masters: This Is Bob Hope is a masterful profile of a true master entertainer. This two-hour bio on Bob Hope is a work that is certain to appeal to any Bob Hope aficionado and to any entertainment history buff. As has been noted here, that is due in part to the program’s in-depth story. It is an unbiased story that presents the good, bad and ugly of Hope’s life and career equally. The story’s pacing ensures audiences’ engagement just as much as the story itself while the bonus interview segments put the finishing touch to the program’s presentation. Each element is important in its own right, as audiences will see when they watch this program. All things considered, they make American Masters: This Is Bob Hope another masterful presentation from PBS. It is available now and can be ordered online direct via PBS’ online store. More information on this and other episodes of American Masters is available online now at:

Website: http://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AmericanMasters

Twitter: http://twitter.com/PBSAmerMasters

‘Milk Street: Season 1′ Will Leave A Relatively Good Taste In Viewers’ Mouths

Posted on February 15, 2018 by philspicks

Courtesy: PBS/Public Media Distribution

Chris Kimball, former host of PBS’ hit cooking series Cook’s Country and America’s Test Kitchen has had quite the journey since 2015. From leaving both series to facing a lawsuit from the heads of one of the series to even facing controversy over the very name of his new show, Kimball has had a lot on his proverbial plate, no pun intended. Even through it all, he apparently managed to weather the storm and return to television late in 2017 with his new series Milk Street. Now thanks to Public Media Distribution and PBS, audiences can own the first season of this new series for themselves on DVD. Released on 2-DVD box set January 30, this 13-episode debut season presents Milk Street as an interesting new effort from Kimball and everyone else behind the show. That is due in part to the show’s presentation. It will be discussed shortly. One thing that detracts from the series’ debut season is the lack of printable recipes, but is luckily for its sake, the only negative to this presentation. The dishes that are presented round out the program’s most important elements. Each element is important in its own way to the season’s overall presentation, as will be pointed out in the coming discussion. All things considered, they make the debut season of Milk Street a good start for this new venture from Kimball and company.

The debut season of Christopher Kimball’s new cooking series Milk Street proves over the course of its thirteen episode run to be a good start for the show. That is evidenced in part to the series’ very presentation. Audiences familiar with Cook’s Country and America’s Test Kitchen, the series that Kimball formerly fronted, will note that the series, in its presentation, takes the best elements of those series and mixes them with some new elements while also eliminating other elements for a whole new, interesting format. In regards to the best elements is the fact that Kimball once again serves only in a host role in this series, which is how the prior series were presented. The cooks were the real stars, and that is the case again here. Speaking of those cooks, Kimball has a new crop of cooks this time out, giving those new faces their own chance at making names for themselves. Also of note are the product and taste test segments. Unlike the segments in Kimball’s previous series, he handles those segments himself here. Instead of focusing on a number of products and comparing them — which is what those segments did (and that is not to talk garbage about them, either) — Kimball takes his time to focus on one item and one item only, making the most of the time for each segment. Love the approach or hate it, it is an interesting new approach. Also new to this series is the fact that instead of just talking about dishes before the segments, Kimball actually introduces the dishes with actual in-kitchen segments in other parts of the world. It’s as if Kimball and company merged elements of A Chef’s Life and Bizarre Foods With Andrew Zimmern just without the really disgusting looking foods presented in the latter series to create this segment. It’s an interesting new take on a familiar approach. Even the studio segments have a whole new take with Kimball and company letting viewers know they are working in front of a studio audience. That was something, on the previous series, that was only made obvious during the taste test segments, so it is another interesting new approach taken here to break down that wall right off the bat. Considering the mix of the old and new presented here, it becomes obvious that Milk Street‘s presentation will appeal to longtime fans of Kimball’s previous series and his new venture. Keeping that in mind, it proves in whole why the general presentation is so important to this first outing for Milk Street. For all the good that the series’ presentation presents, its home release is not without at least one negative. That negative is the seeming lack of printable recipes.

In going through all 13 episodes of Milk Street‘s first season, it appears that none of the dishes presented are complimented with printable recipes. Instead, audiences who want to get the recipes for themselves have to go online to get them. This might not seem overly important on the surface, but when examined on a deeper level, it becomes clear why this is in fact very important to note. In seemingly placing the recipes online only, odds are they will only be available for a certain amount of time. That is because after a while they will have to be purged to make way for other recipes. This in turn creates a certain sense of urgency, and maybe not everyone who watches a series such as this even has access to the web. That makes having the recipes available to print from disc that much more important. It allows audiences to choose and print recipes on their own time. Keeping this in mind, seemingly not having the recipes available on disc does in fact prove pivotal to the presentation of Milk Street’s first season on DVD. It goes without saying that it definitely detracts from the season’s presentation on disc. Hopefully when and if a second season is produced and released, this will be amended, being the only major negative, but still a key negative. As much as it takes away from the season’s presentation, it is not enough to make it a fail. As a matter of fact, speaking of the recipes, the dishes that are featured this season are very similar to those presented in Cook’s Country and ATK. This familiarity rounds out the most important of the season’s elements.

The dishes that are presented throughout the course of Milk Street‘s first season are critical to its presentation because they are so easy to make by and large. This is something else that Kimball has brought over to this venture from his previous series. At the same time, they’re not just average, pedestrian dishes, either. From Fluffy Olive Oil Scrambled Eggs to Lemon-Buttermilk Poundcake to Georgian Chicken Soup (the country Georgia, not the state) to Shrimp in Chipotle Sauce and beyond, the dishes are easily made any night of the week as long as the ingredients can be found. By and large, they can be found with relative ease, too, considering the variety of grocery stores that are out there nowadays. What’s more, the dishes come from so many different nations. There are dishes from Mexico, the United States, Japan, Spain, The Middle East (Israeli Hummus in that case), Thailand, and again Georgia among so many other countries. In other words, this series presents audiences with dishes that they otherwise might not have ever tasted or tried to cook without making them inaccessible or too hard for the everyday cook. That is something that has continued to make ATK and CK hits with their fans, and is certain to resonate with fans who have come along for the ride in this series. Keeping that in mind, it becomes clear why this element is just as important to the presentation of Milk Street: Season 1 as its very presentation and even the issue with the seeming lack of printable recipes. Each element, as has been pointed out, plays its own important part to this series’ debut season. All things considered, this series debut season will not leave too much of a bad taste in viewers’ mouths. It is available now and can be ordered direct via PBS’ online store. More information on Milk Street is available online now along with all of the series’ latest news and more at:

Website: http://www.177milkstreet.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/cpkmilkstreet

Twitter: http://twitter.com/177MilkStreet

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