Mini-DVD Review: JAG Season Four (Aug. 21)

Sunday, August 19, 2007

Welcome to a special Sunday edition of mini-DVD reviews! Today we have we take a look at CBS DVD's Fourth Season of JAG. JAG was a huge hit for CBS. If you are a fan of Navy NCIS, you know that NCIS is a spin-off of JAG. See Seth Thrasher's mini-DVD review of JAG - The Complete Fourth Season:

JAG - The Complete Fourth Season (CBS, $64.99) is now on DVD. Catch the long running Donald Bellisario classic series, on DVD from CBS DVD! Another season of another show I remember fondly, and another JAG DVD set with an absurd MSRP. $64.99 is just absurd. That said, this is a good season. The show starts off strong, with the episode "Gypsy Eyes," a continuation of the finale from last season. Harm and Mac are found after being shot down. The Russians are reporting they're dead, but Admiral Chegwidden doesn't buy it. In "People vs. Mac," Mac is arrested and placed on trial for a felony, along with her former commanding officer. Harm volunteers to defend her, but this efforts are thwarted. Nonetheless, he's determined to figure out just what's going on. Near the end of the season, Harm gets his night blindness fixed, and turns in his request to fly again to the admiral. The concern over Harm's future at JAG would span through the final two shows, "Yeah Baby" and "Goodbyes." Obviously we all know how this turns out now, but it's still quality television nonetheless.
The actual set itself could still use work. The packaging is the TV DVD standard-issue outer box with inner slimcases. The cover art is similar to the previous sets, with in this instance Harm and Mac standing in front of a background with the US flag and gavel below them. For season 4, the predominant color in the packaging is teal. The menu features an image in a faux-letterbox style, with the American Flag serving in place of the black bars on top and bottom. In the center is a photo. Show logo and season 4 appear in top left, with episode titles appearing as text links on the left side. Another plain-Jane CBS DVD menu. To my absolute shock, there IS a special feature. On Disc 6 we get a Gag Reel that runs 4:08. I'm shocked, and extremely pleased, at this feature's presence. For $65 MSRP, I'd certainly like to see more though. Video quality is exceptional, I freely admit. No flaws, with perfect color balance, no noticeable compression issues. For standard-definition video that's almost ten years old, this is extremely good. Closed- Captioning is available. Chapter Stops appear at each commercial break plus before and after the opening titles. Runtimes hover in the mid-40 minute range – acceptable for a late 90s TV show.
I really think CBS DVD/Paramount is slowly starting to "get it," this set features nearly flawless video – as far as I could tell anyway – high quality audio, and actually has a bonus feature. Now just work on *more* features and a lower MSRP, and I'll certainly be a happy man. I think if you're a fan of the show you'll be happy too.

-- Reviewed by Seth Thrasher

(4/5 stars)

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Related links:
SitcomsOnline.com Full DVD Reviews Page
JAG TV.com Page

Sitcoms Airing Tonight

Wednesday, December 1

The Goldbergs - "Tennis People" (ABC, 8:00PM ET/PT)
After weeks of waiting, Adam finally receives news that he has been accepted into NYU. His excitement is soon diminished when he learns Brea has been accepted into her dream school, Brown University. Fearing the distance will affect their relationship, Adam attempts to find ways to keep his girlfriend close. Meanwhile, with Virginia’s help, Beverly begins looking for venues to hold Erica’s wedding shower. She discovers her nemesis’ tennis club and is determined to become a member even if it means embarrassing herself.

The Wonder Years - "Home for Christmas" (ABC, 8:30PM ET/PT)
Dean can’t wait to spend Christmas with his older brother, Bruce, when he returns home from Vietnam. But adjusting to life back in Montgomery comes with unexpected challenges for Bruce, and the rest of the Williams family rely on their favorite holiday traditions to bring cheer.

The Conners - "Yard Sale, Phone Fail, and a College Betrayal" (ABC, 9:00PM ET/PT)
As Louise starts to move into the Conner’s home, Dan decides to sell the furniture set he bought for Roseanne when they were first married. However, he soon finds parting with the furniture – and old memories – harder than he thought it would be.

Home Economics - "Secret Santa Gift, $25 Limit" (ABC, 9:30PM ET/PT)
As Christmas approaches, Tom finally receives his first advance check from the Sofia Salazar book, leaving him and Marina to decide what to do with the money. Meanwhile, Sarah receives an extravagant gift from the parents at her new school and has a hard time parting with it.

It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia - "2020: A Year in Review" (FXX, 10:00PM ET/PT)
The Gang looks back on 2020 to justify their numerous PPE loans as they contributed to the chaos of the past political year way more than anyone could have imagined.

It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia - "The Gang Makes Lethal Weapon 7" (FXX, 10:30PM ET/PT)
Upon discovering that their self-made Lethal Weapon sequels have been pulled from the local library, the Gang decides to address their political incorrectness by making another film: Lethal Weapon 7.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of November 29)

Wednesday, December 1

Ken Jeong (Dr. Ken/Community) - Watch Ken on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Maya Erskine (PEN15/Casual/Betas) and Anna Konkle (PEN15) - Maya and Anna are guests on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Seth Rogen (Undeclared) - Seth appears on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
Aisling Bea (Living with Yourself) - Aisling is a guest on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
Max Greenfield (The Neighborhood/New Girl/Modern Men) - Max will be on The Late Late Show with James Corden at 12:37am on CBS.
Heather Dubrow (Stark Raving Mad/Jenny/Life with Roger) - Heather appears on Watch What Happens: Live at 3am on Bravo.
Annaleigh Ashford (B Positive) - Annaleigh is a guest on Watch What Happens: Live at 3am on Bravo.
Rita Moreno (One Day at a Time/Happily Divorced/9 to 5) - Rita talks about West Side Story on LIVE! with Kelly and Ryan (check your local listings) and chats with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
Bradley Whitford (Perfect Harmony/Happyish/Trophy Wife) - Bradley will be on The Talk on CBS at 2pm ET/1pm CT-PT.
Nicholas Braun (10 Things I Hate About You) - Nicholas dishes on the new season of Succession on LIVE! with Kelly and Ryan, so check your listings.
Wanda Sykes (The Upshaws/The New Adventures of Old Christine/Wanda at Large) - Wanda appears on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, so check your local listings.
Leah Remini (Kevin Can Wait/The Exes/Family Tools/The King of Queens/Fired Up) - Leah guest co-hosts The Wendy Williams Show, so check your local listings.
Kristin Chenoweth (Schmigadoon!/Trial & Error/Kristin) - Kristin will be on The Kelly Clarkson Show, so check your local listings. She talks about National Champions on Access Daily, so check your local listings.
Sutton Foster (Younger) - Sutton chats about her new memoir Hooked on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
Vanessa Lachey (Truth Be Told/Dads) - Vanessa shares her favorite peanut butter blossoms cookie recipe on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
Mykal-Michelle Harris (mixed-ish/Raven's Home) - Mykal-Michelle talks about NBC's The Kids Tonight Show on Access Daily, so check your local listings.
David Moscow (Zoe, Duncan, Jack & Jane/Living Dolls) - David talks about Tubi's From Scratch on Access Daily, so check your local listings.