More gift ideas? I’M still in the mood.
I think DVD box sets look like Big Gifts. When I see one, I think “$50-$75”—and that’s particularly nice if it cost more like $20-30. DVD box sets are also an excellent way to force other people to try shows you like: my brother and sister-in-law told me MANY TIMES that I had to watch Buffy the Vampire Slayer, but I didn’t think it was my kind of show even though kept saying, “You’d think it wouldn’t be your kind of show, and we thought the same thing, but we were wrong and so might you be!” Then they gave me season one on DVD and I felt like I had to watch it to be polite—and I LOVED it and ended up watching the ENTIRE SERIES.
Anyway. Box sets. Good plan, is what I’m saying. Especially TV series, in my opinion: a TV series is like a really long movie, so you have time to get attached and involved. Movies are like one-night stands.
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Let’s start with that first season of Buffy. I never had the SLIGHTEST INTEREST in watching this show: I don’t like scary stuff, I wasn’t interested in vampires, the guy playing the love interest was not my type, and it looked like a tacky show for teenagers. Instead, this is one of those shows that is like MAGIC: the script, the characters, everything. Yes, it is kind of about stabbing vampires—but it’s not REALLY. The action is there to keep your adrenaline up for the romance and friendships and amusing wisecracks.
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Firefly, the complete series, $31 down from $50. OMG WATCH IT WATCH IT WATCH IT WATCH IT. My sister-in-law practically forced me to watch it, and I was SO GLAD she did. She said it took her four or five episodes before she started to like it, but that once she fell in love, it was for keeps. It was the same for me: I started out thinking, “So this is like…a space western? With space whores?” and by the end I was telling everyone who would listen that NO, it wasn’t about the fringed leather, it was about the RELATIONSHIPS (with space whores.) SUCH a good show. WHY do they cancel all the GOOD TV SHOWS?
(image from Amazon.com)
Speaking of which, I want to talk to you about Wonderfalls. Why was I the ONLY ONE who watched this when it was on?? It is YOUR FAULT they canceled it!! If you didn’t watch it, I blame YOU, yes YOU PERSONALLY, that the entire series is one box set. There are so few shows where the wry, crabby Janeane Garofalo-type can say to the cute bartender, “Your ass is ringing” (it’s his cell phone in his back pocket) and then say, “Why do you even HAVE an ass if you’re not going to answer it?” Also: souvenir animals TALK TO HER. They tell her what to do. And she has to do it because they keep nagging her. WHY DIDN’T YOU WATCH IT, WHY OH WHY??
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And Sports Night! It was MY FAULT that it got canceled, because I never watched it while it was on. I thought it was about sports, but I don’t think I can be entirely blamed for that part of the situation. I watched it later, on DVD, and although I thought it was a pretty dumb show at first (trying too hard to be snappy and witty), soon I was laugh-sobbing my way through most of the episodes. Not one but TWO of my children are named after characters/actors on this show. I’ve talked about this before, and recently, so I won’t go on and on, but geez. This show. So good.
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I don’t know why this is marked down so much, but the first season of 30 Rock is $17.50 down from $50. Been trying to force someone to watch this? Now’s your chance.
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I know everyone’s watching the U.S. version now, but the original BBC version of The Office has spoiled me for it. I love Steve Carrell, but how can he be Ricky Gervais? And once you’ve gotten used to Tim and Dawn, how can you accept Jim and Pam? The scene where Tim finally tells Dawn how he feels had me SOBBING. Totally sobbing. So embarrassing.
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Probably everyone who wants Friends on DVD already has it. But if you know someone who doesn’t, you can get season one and season two for $15.50 each—so you could get BOTH seasons for $31 (I did not win a math medal for nothing).
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Gilmore Girls. I loved it even though it sometimes drove me crazy. At 75% off, it’s practically free: each season is normally $50, but is on sale for $15. You can get just season one, or if you really want to get someone hooked, get them season two also.
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Six Feet Under was a little too intense for me: I watched the entire series and LOVED it, but occasionally popped out the DVD and said, “That’s it. I’m not watching anymore. I can’t stand the tension!” But I always went back. One of the best series EVER. And the first season is $20 down from $60. Why are some of these SO CHEAP? And also, why are some of them SO EXPENSIVE to begin with?
I would love to get Friends boxed sets — want to send this to my family for me Swistle? Another set, that I didn’t think I would like, but found out I did was Dark Angel.
My parents don’t have cable and so I love getting them TV series boxed sets for Christmas. It’s great b/c it’s a really good gift for people who otherwise don’t need/want much and I’m getting them shows that they love and can’t watch otherwise. I’ve been getting them the new season of Dr. Who every year, and it’s the gift that just keeps giving. Easy gift idea for me (just have to keep track of what season they’re on) and they love it!
Do you know… I got The Office (BBC) box set last Christmas (or maybe even the Christmas BEFORE)… and haven’t even opened it yet?! Is that crazy? I even watched several episodes on BBC America when they were still on, and LURVH Ricky Gervais, and… still. In the cellophane.
What is wrong with me?! Too many shows, too little time, that’s what. (Pathetic)
Do NOT get me started on the cancellation of Wonderfalls. Fox set out to cancel it. They MUST have, because it was number two in its time slot overall and NUMBER ONE in its target demographic (18-39 year old males, the target demographic for EVERYTHING). And when I say “in its time slot,” I do mean all of them. They kept moving it and it kept bringing in those numbers. And yes, the numbers themselves were relatively low (4 million I think) but no one else was getting much more.
I may or may not be holding an ENORMOUS GRUDGE.
I may have mentioned this to you before, but I LOVED LOVED LOVED Firefly. I never saw it on TV, but have watched the DVD shows numerous times. I totally thought I would not like the show (I know: a western? In space? Wha?), but I was SO SAD that they cancelled it.
And since we are on the subject of shows I love but thought I wouldn’t, I present to you Battlestar Galactica. This series started a few years ago, and I think it’s in its last season this year. It is SO SAD that it’s going to be over, but I have loved every minute of it.
But. Here is what you have to do if you are going to start: you have to watch the mini-series first. I didn’t do that at first and was TOTALLY lost. It ruined the first season for me until I went back and watched it. So if you are looking for excellent TV, try Battlestar Galactica. Sales pitch over.
Arrested Development! Best show ever! Even if you saw it once on TV and thought you didn’t like it (I did), actually, you LOVE it! You just have to watch it! Best show ever! And you can watch it when kids are around! Arrested Development!
YES! We have given several of these as gifts. Also, NYPD Blue, Dexter, and Keen Eddie. (Why oh why did no one but us watch Keen Eddie? WHY???) Oh! And we *received* Extras with Ricky Gervais, which we had never watched. I love box sets.
I stole your “Where do you keep your Christmas cards?” question for a Christmas meme I just made up. Hope you don’t mind….
You forgot Battlestar Galactica! And Dexter! And Arrested Development! And Mad Men! And The Wire!
Ok, we own all kinds of box-sets. I have most of the ones on your list already, but the above are the ones we have and love that aren’t yet on the list.
Buffy – Yes! Many moons ago when my fiance and I were first dating, he let me know that I had to come over to his house on Tuesdays instead of us going out because it was “Buffy night”. I laughed hysterically and said, No. You do NOT watch that silly show…do you?? So I went over, and watched…and watched..and watched..and was completely and totally hooked. Awesome show. And a box set is a fantastic gift idea. Angel, too ;)
Yes! You are so right about Buffy! Ok, time for the obligatory DVD suggestion–If you like Wonderfalls, I think you’d love Dead Like Me. It is made by the same creator of Wonderfalls, and though it’s about a group of grim reapers, it’s about so much more! It’s about the friendships, and especially the awesome father-daughter relationship between Mandy Patinkin and Ellen Muth. Watch it, you won’t regret it!!
I was exactly the same way about Buffy. Then, when my daughter was an infant and I had to nurse her before I went to work, Buffy was the noly thing I could find to watch on TV in the early morning hours. I love that show!
I have all the Gilmore Girls episodes, as well as The Office. Hubby has Deadwood, Oz King of Queens, and 2 (two!) copies of Band of Brothers.
I asked for 30 Rock for Christmas because I have yet to see an episode (I KNOW)
Anonymous-YES!!! Dead Like Me is totally a Swistle show! I can’t believe she didn’t mention it-especially since she loves all these other awesome shows.
I felt the same way about 6 Feet Under, but watched them all. I loved and hated Nate all at the same time. Sigh…
My biggest weakness is TV shows on DVD. I own an embarassingly large number of season. Granted, a lot of them were bought when they were on sale for 19.99, but still it’s kind of crazy how many I have. But I justify by knowing that I’ll watch TV shows on DVD over and over again much more so than with movies. I’ve even been known to buy a season of a show that I had thought I wouldn’t like, but heard was good and gotten hooked (I’m looking at you West Wing and The Office and 30 Rock and Friday Night Lights).
What a great post! I love most of these. And you are so right about Six Feet Under, it freaked me out and then I would channel flip back to see what had happened. So addictive.
Swistle can you post about the holidays and what you couldn’t live without when your kids are toddlers? I have a little last minute xmas shopping to do, and am at a loss for stocking stuffers–other than board books and socks.
you’re so right, dvd sets are a great gift!!! I usually buy on DeepDiscountDVD.com . . . the prices are great and the shipping is free. I bought my brother in law (who I sure as heck hope doesn’t read your blog! :)) a dvd set of a bbc series that I know he’ll love AND I’m pretty sure he doesn’t know exists. Squee! Can’t wait to give it to him!
It doesn’t get any better than Buffy. Ever.
It astounds me that shows like Knight Rider (redux) are on, yet they cancel the few decent shows there are. I swear that the networks are run by people with no taste whatsoever.
Yes to Arrested Development! It was only on for 3 seasons, and I never gave it a chance because it was opposite 24. However, someone loaned me the 1st season when I was recovering from some surgery, and I loved it! I thought maybe it was just the pain meds, but I have sinced watched the second season and it’s even better – imagine that!
I am a complete Sex and the City, Friends, Law and Order, Scrubs, and Dexter addict. I own all season of SATC and soon will own all the seasons of Friends. Scrubs and Dexter are the next shows I hope to collect. Even though Dexter sounds creepy and scary it’s kind of creepy in a good way and the relationships between the characters are really addicting.
You are soo right about DVD shows being a good gift. Even if the person you gave it to does not like it, it is a great re-gifting gift!
I agree with you about ‘The Office’. We saw the whole UK show, and now we cannot stand the US one. Sorry. To me Ricky Gervais is David Brent. Period.
Have you seen the UK Christmas special? If you liked the original Tim and Dawn. You will LOVE the Christmas special. So. Good. (I have no idea of how it compares to the US one, it may be similar for all I know, but still. Good.)
Also, you might want to watch Extras, which is another sitcom by Ricky Gervais. Very very funny.
Wonderfalls=Arrested Development for me. There is no funnier show NOT on t.v. than that one. LOVE. You should buy the person with a good sense of humor in your family ALL THREE seasons.
All about the BBC The Office and Gilmore Girls. Totally want the boxed sets for Arrested Development and Extras.
Do you have any ideas for gifts for teachers (preschool, daycare, any teachers?)? I panic about these. They take care of my KID, for chrissake, and are in charge of their LEARNING. And it is so much harder to buy for them as I don’t know them know them and don’t want to give them crap they’ll just throw away. Help!
OMG! I love Wonderfalls! I was so upset when it was canceled. All the good ones are, you know.
I just recently saw the first couple of episodes of How I met Your Mother and I really like it. I’m going to ask for the first seasons on DVD.
Also: I thought the same thing about Firefly re: space western. Oh, but it’s so much more!
ooooh, I need those Friends ones. I have meant to buy them forever, but never have.
LOVE DVD box sets… wish everyone would get me a different one :)
Eh also… you have awesome taste in shows :)
I’m with you on the BBC Office. I faithfully watch the American version, but there is nothing like the painfully awkward silences that Ricky Gervais can inflict.
My husband and I were dating when the Christmas specials came out, and in the final Tim/Dawn scene, I started crying, looked over at him expecting to be mocked, and saw a tear sliding down his cheek as well. The man NEVER normally cries. It is one of my favorite memories of him ever.
I love the American version of The Office very much, but I definitely need to check ou the original.
A sitcom I also love is “How I Met Your Mother”. :-)
AND! I think there are sets out now where you can buy ALL TEN seasons of Friends at once… and although it seems like a lot, it’s a little cheaper than buying them individually sometimes. Just wanted to throw that out there (maybe for a siblings gift if Mom was a huge friends fan?).
Totally love DVD sets as a Christmas gift. Great post!
I totally love 30 Rock and Sports Night. In my fantasy world, I would be funny enough to write that. But I am only capable of quoting it terribly to people who have never watched either show.
Now I want all of these for MYSELF.
Oh how fun… except my poor husband already bought Lost required by his sister. Here’s hoping he got a good price! :)
Hm! We force you to enjoy good things! We liked Wonderfalls, too. And Sports Night. Great recommendations.
(One of these days I’m also going to talk you into watching Veronica Mars.)
I told you there’s a new Joss Whedon show (The Dollhouse) starting in the new year, right?
I have yet to see Gilmore Girls or 30 Rock, but I bet I’ll like ’em, since you recommend.
I have had all 10 seasons of Friends on DVD since available, but I did see them on sale at Hastings for 19.99 per season…not too bad.
Wonderfalls sounds interesting. I wonder if Ed is on DVD. I loved that show.
If I don’t get Sports Night for Christmas I am totally buying it for myself for my birthday next month. And I’m pretty sure I’m buying Sports Night for at least my brother & his gf, and maybe my parents, even though my mom will totally think it is not her type of show. Which is what I thought before I finally listened to my friends and started watching it years ago. (Me: But I don’t like sports! Them: We know, just watch it!)
Also, I’ve been waiting to find a good deal on Gilmore Girls season 7 to complete our collection. I’m totally getting it for my honey’s christmas stocking at that price. (Bonus: less space to fill up with additional stocking stuffers!).
Finally, I LOVED Wonderfalls and was really bummed it was cancelled. I sometimes find marathons of it on and always have to stop and watch.
This post totally makes me want to pop some popcorn and invite you over for dvd marathons, since it sounds like we have very similar taste in tv!
Firefly, Friends, Gilmore Girls…I think we would be great friends in real life. Every consider moving south? :)
Squee! I LOVE Firefly, Buffy, and Wonderfalls. Now I’ll have to check into some of these others. :D