Mini-DVD Review: Alvin & the Chipmunks: Trick or Treason (Aug. 22)

Saturday, August 26, 2006

Mini-DVD Review: Alvin & the Chipmunks: Trick or Treason (Aug. 22)

This week we take a look at Paramount Home Entertainment's Alvin & the Chipmunks: Trick or Treason. Alvin & the Chipmunks is of course the hit animated series that ran from 1983-1991. It was most popular in the early-mid 80s and this set has a 1994 Halloween special and four mini episodes from 1988 and 1989. Cartoonist Dave Seville takes care of three chipmunks: Alvin, Simon and Theodore! See my mini-DVD review of Alvin & the Chipmunks: Trick or Treason:

Alvin & the Chipmunks: Trick or Treason (Paramount, $14.99) brings a classic Halloween special and four spooky animated episodes. This is the second set from Paramount featuring the Chipmunks. The last set was the Christmas special release along with a few holiday-themed episodes. Both releases have episodes only when the show was renamed to The Chipmunks in 1988 and 1989. DiC designed the show then and they don't look the same as from 1983-87, but they still look great! Paramount has also released the Chipmunk feature film from 1987 on a separate set. This set has a 1994 half-hour Halloween special that aired on cable, titled "Trick or Treason," hence the title of this DVD. Alvin wants to join the Monster Club this Halloween and you will get to see them perform a great rendition of the hit tune "Monster Mash." The set also has spooky episodes, like I mentioned. On this volume are all mini episodes, meaning each half hour had two episodes when they originally aired, and we get one of them here. The episodes on this set are: "Babysitter Fright Night," "Theodore's Life as a Dog," "Nightmare on Seville Street," and "No Chipmunk is an Island." Two of the four episodes do not have closing credits, as they probably were the first episodes of the half-hour; runtimes range from about 10-12 minutes each. The menu screen has Play All and Episode Selection, with a song from the Chipmunks in the background. When we go to episode selection, the episodes are listed with a screenshot from the episode. The menu is designed quite well and is easy to navigate. The video and audio are decent and very watchable. I highly do recommend any fan to pick up this set. New fans might also want to, but I am hoping Paramount (or any other studio) releases the series on DVD in order, and not just select episodes from The Chipmunks years. So, hopefully that happens, but for now go out and buy this set to make that happen before Dave says "Alvinnnnn!"
-- Reviewed by Pavan

(4/5 stars)

To purchase the DVD, click below and help support SitcomsOnline.com:
Amazon.com

Related links:
SitcomsOnline.com Full DVD Reviews Page
Alvin & the Chipmunks TV.com Page

We might have two special mini-DVD reviews during the week this week. So stay tuned for that. And if all goes well, next Saturday we will have a special mini-review of not a DVD, but a TV-movie, about Diff'rent Strokes, which will premiere on Labor Day on NBC. We also will have a review of Barry Williams' (Greg Brady on The Brady Bunch) new CD. Should be fun!

Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

Thursday, August 7

Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage - "TV Money" (CBS, 9:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Mandy tries to prove she’s financially responsible after Jim and Georgie call out her poor spending habits, and Connor’s new girlfriend needs a place to stay.

Ghosts - "A Star Is Dead" (CBS, 9:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Alberta offers to help Sam prepare for an audition for a community theater production. Also, Sass finds a new reason to interfere in Jay’s dreams.

Bob's Burgers - "Mr. Safebody" (Fox, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Louise's schoolmate Arnold enlists her to direct a promotional video for his new bodyguarding business; a stolen car blasting 90's alternative rock is abandoned outside of the restaurant.

The Great North - "Can't Hardly Debate Adventuree" (Fox, 8:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Aunt Dirt takes a new job at Lone Moose School; Wolf tries to impress Beef.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of August 4)

Thursday, August 7

Chris Distefano (Benders) - Chris guest hosts a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Hannah Waddingham (Ted Lasso) - Catch Hannah on a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Shane Gillis (Tires) - Shane appears on a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
The Jonas Brothers (Jonas/Jonas LA) - The Jonas Brothers are guests on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
Judy Greer (Kidding/Married/Mad Love/Miss Guided/Arrested Development),
Lizzy Caplan (Party Down/The Class/The Pitts), Steve Buscemi (Miracle Workers),
Tituss Burgess (Schmigadoon!/Central Park/Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt), Walton Goggins (The Righteous Gemstones/The Unicorn/Vice Principals) - The Late Show with Stephen Colbert has "Kids Pitch" with special appearances by Judy, Lizzy, Steve, Tituss, Walton and others at 11:35pm on CBS.
Jean Smart (Hacks/Samantha Who?/Center of the Universe/In-Laws/Style & Substance/Designing Women) - Jean stops by Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
Molly Gordon (The Bear/Ramy) - Molly appears on Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
Sasheer Zamata (Home Economics/Woke/Robbie), Tien Tran (Mr. Throwback/How I Met Your Father) and Paul F. Tompkins (The Great North/BoJack Horseman/DAG) - Sasheera, Tien and Paul are guests on a repeat of After Midnight at 12:37am on CBS.
Luis Guzmán (How to Make It in America/Luis) - Luis talks about Wednesday on ABC's Good Morning America sometime between 7-9am and on ABC's GMA 3: What You Need to Know at 1pm.
Carol Leifer (Alright Already) - Carol talks about her book How to Write a Funny Speech for a Wedding, Bar Mitzvah, Graduation & Every Other Event You Didn’t Want to Go to in the First Place on Live with Kelly and Mark, so check your local listings.
Seth Rogen (The Studio/Platonic/Undeclared) and Rose Byrne (Platonic/Physical) - Seth and Rose talk about Platonic on CBS Mornings sometime between 7-9am.
Matt Rogers (No Good Deed/I Love That for You) - Matt co-hosts NBC's Today in the 10am hour.
Alicia Silverstone (American Woman) - Alicia talks about Irish Blood on NBC's Today sometime between 7-9am and in the 10am hour.
Aubrey Plaza (Parks and Recreation) - Aubrey and Maisy Stella are telling Drew about their film My Old Ass on a repeat of The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
Valerie Bertinelli (Hot in Cleveland/Café Americain/Sydney/One Day at a Time) - Valerie appears on a repeat of The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
Holly Robinson Peete (Hangin' with Mr. Cooper/For Your Love/Like Family/Love, Inc.) - Holly talks about Peacock's Kings Court on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.