Keep TV DVDs in demand—August 24, 2012
I come to you, the people of Hastings, to ask if you could help us out with a little problem we are having down at the library. No, I am not talking about donating to the library’s ‘Renew’ campaign (though if you would like to I for one would not mind). The problem I want your help with is, fortunately, much smaller in scope.
In addition to an extensive film collection the library also carries a great selection of television series on DVDs. There are actually so many different series that we can barely squeeze all the cases into their designated area.
This is where you, the solution to the problem, come into play. The only way our television DVDs can continue living comfortably on their shelves is if there is a steady stream of DVDs being checked out. Not only would it be beneficial for our space constraints but you get to enjoy the simple pleasure of watching three or four episodes (or a whole season) at once, instead of having to wait for a new episode each week. Everybody loves a win-win.
Now, since I have solidly sold you on the pros of TV on DVD, allow me to recommend some great series that are not being checked out with the frequency they deserve.
Party Down follows the exploits of Henry Pollard, an actor who hit it big in a beer commercial and then proceeded to fizzle out, as he returns to the world of party catering. While most of Henry’s co-workers have also failed out of showbiz some, like attractive struggling comedienne Casey, still hope for a big break beyond working for tips. Party Down boasts razor-sharp comedy and a cavalcade of celebrity cameos (my personal favorite is Kristen Bell as manager of a rival catering company). Both seasons of this sadly short-lived series are available.
Meet Alice; she’s a dedicated homemaker who loves providing for her husband Max and two children Kate and Marshall. Meet Buck; he’s a rough-and-tumble man’s man who loves bikes, beer, and guns. Meet T; she’s a vivacious teenager who loves boys and clothes. Now, meet Tara; the funny thing about her is she’s not just Tara, she is also Alice, Buck, and T. Tara is your average Kansas mother, who just so happens to suffer from multiple-personality disorder. This tends to cause no small amount of trouble for her family and herself, whoever that is that day. All three seasons of this fantastic series, from Juno and Young Adult’s Diablo Cody, can be checked out from the library.
If you are a television snob, no program will live up to your very high expectations quite like The Wire will. In fact, it will almost certainly exceed them. The Wire, set in Baltimore, is the definition of a quality crime procedural. The Wire throws out convention by showing the story unfold from both sides: the police and the criminals. While we currently have only the first season (more are on the way) it’s story of homicide detective Jimmy McNulty’s crusade against local heroine kingpin Avon Barksdale’s empire is more than plenty to get you thoroughly hooked into creator David Simon’s masterful epic.
The last time we checked in with Michael Bluth and the rest of the Bluth clan was in 2006 when the now-cult hit Arrested Development was cancelled after its third season. In the six years since Arrested Development has steadily gained the attention and praise that it so rightly deserves. No comedy series has ever been so meticulously layered, self-referential, or just plain funny. If you have never seen it, now is the most exciting time to get into Arrested Development; the original cast and producers are back for a fourth season of side-splitting gold which will set-up the coming Arrested Development feature film. All three seasons of the show’s original run are available.
That is it for the recommendations. Now it is time for you to put down this article and come over to the library as soon as you can. Otherwise all these great titles will have already been snatched up and you will be stuck staring at empty shelves.
