transformers

Here's a taste of what's coming out on DVD this week:

'Family Guy' (Volume 7)

What It Includes: This three-disc set contains the last four episodes from season 6 and the first nine from season 7. Plus, each episode has its own commentary and deleted scenes and there's a Comic Con-related featurette.

Why You Should Check It Out: The twice canceled cult fave built so much momentum on DVD, it returned to TV in 2005. So watching it straight out of the box is like kicking it old school. But since it was just renewed through 2012, you don't have to worry about Stewie and Co. going anywhere anytime soon.

Here are the new TV DVDs, in stores tomorrow.

I haven't jumped on the Blu-ray wagon yet. I know, I know, it's supposed to be "better," but I have all of these individual season sets that aren't Blu-ray and I don't know if I want to get rid of the older ones (or sell them) and get new ones. They'd really have to have a ton of extras (and ones that I'm interested in) on them for me to get them. A better picture doesn't really excite me. So I won't be getting the Lost sets being released this week.

But I'm on board for season 2 of Burn Notice!

• Burn Notice - Season 2
• Everwood - Season 2
• Family Guy - Vol. 7 and 100th Episode Celebration
• Generation Kill - Mini-Series (Blu-ray)
  
• House of Payne - Vol. 4

While the first Transformers movie was, in my opinion, several different kinds of suck, I give props to Michael Bay and company for doing one good move (and quite possibly the only one) with regards to the sequel. Frank Welker will be doing the voice of Soundwave. For those who are unaware, Welker did the voice of the same character in the 1980's cartoon. He'll be joining Peter Cullen (the voice of Optimus Prime) as one of the only two voices from that series that is involved with the movie franchise.

While I have less hope for the sequel then I did for the original, I do recall Soundwave's eerie metallic voice back when I used to watch that cartoon, and cannot help but think that it would be appropriate for a giant robot bad guy in any series about giant robots. Now if only Michael Bay would make other good decisions to go along this one and not continue to screw up one of my favorite childhood icons.

Here are the new TV DVDs, in stores tomorrow.

I'm really excited about the second season set for Mannix. The first season had Joe Mannix working for a high-tech investigation firm, which was fine, but the second season is when he becomes a private eye and hires Gail Fisher to be his secretary (yes, secretary: this was before women became "executive assistants"). If you like detective shows and have never seen Mannix (I don't think it's on TV much these days), check it out. It also has one of the coolest theme songs in TV history.

• Battlestar Galactica - Season 4
• Dexter - Season 1 (Blu-Ray)
• Doctor Who - The War Machines and Four To Doomsday
• Duckman - Seasons 3 and 4
• Frisky Dingo - Season 2
• Ghost Hunters - Absolute Best
• Laredo - Best of Season 2, Part 2
• Mannix - Season 2
• Tranformers Animated - Season 2
• Tripping the Rift - Season 3
• The Tudors - Season 2
• The Waltons - Season 8

Here are the new TV DVDs, in stores tomorrow.

Oh, I've been waiting for The Biggest Loser: Work Out - Boot Camp DVD for weeks! Now I know what to get my family for Christmas! Can I use anymore exclamations in a sarcastic way?! Yes I can!

I have the Mr. Bean Ultimate Collection already and it looks quite good. Review coming up later this week.

• Aqua Teen Hunger Force - Vol. 6
• The Biggest Loser: Workout - Boot Camp
• Dr. Horrible's Sing-A-Long Blog (Amazon.com only)
• Generation Kill - Complete Miniseries
• Ice Road Truckers - Season 2
• Merry Christmas, Drake & Josh!
• Mr. Bean - The Ultimate Collection
• The Mummy (animated) - Vols. 1, 2, and 3
• Petticoat Junction - Season 1
• Poor Little Rich Girl - Complete Miniseries
• Power Rangers Jungle Fury - Vols. 1 and 2
• Transformers: Energon - The Ultimate Collection

I'm sure at one point or another in every little kid's life, he or she has wanted to have a robot BFF. All the potential for wacky fun and scientific misadventures would make up for the inevitable human/binary language barrier, and, when I think about it, I still totally want a robot buddy. I mean, from my time on this Earth, of two things I am sure: Lists are fun and robots are awesome. So, despite the fact that my age numerically suggests I shouldn't be thinking about this sort of stuff, I am all over this list.

I should also note that, upon completion of this depressingly nerdy post, I am legally obligated to punch myself in the face for a solid fifteen minutes and then steal my own lunch money. Let's just get this over with, shall we? Here are the top eleven robot buddies from TV, in no particular order, because each robot is special in its own way. Also, I don't want any readers to kill me for not ranking to their liking.

Here are the new TV DVDs, in stores tomorrow.

There's actually nothing on this list I want to buy. I'm not into Hannah Montana, I've never seen an episode of Bleach, I wasn't a big Married with Children fan, and I haven't bought any previous seasons of Perry Mason, so I might actually save some money this week.

I like Chelsea Handler though. Not sure if it's worth buying Girls Behaving Badly just for her.

• Are You Afraid of the Dark? - Season 7
• Bleach - Season 2
• Camp Rock - Extended Rock Star Edition
• Dexter - Season 2
• Galaxy Rangers - Vol. 2
• George of the Jungle - Season 1
• Girls Behaving Badly - Chelsea Handler Exposed
• Gossip Girl - Season 1
• Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus - Best of Both Worlds 3-D Concert
• House - Season 4
• Justice League - Season 1 (Blu-Ray)
• Kenny vs. Spenny - Season 4 (Canada)
• Married with Children - Season 9
• Perry Mason - Season 3, Vol. 1
• Recount
• Spider-Man - Dr. Octopus
• Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles - Season 1
• Transformers - Season 1
• Wayside - Season 1
• William Tell - Best Of

Another giveaway today! This time we've got three copies of Transformers Animated - Season One on DVD for three lucky, random commenters. The DVD is available in stores starting tomorrow.

To enter, leave a comment below before 5:00PM Eastern, Friday, August 22 simply telling why you'd like to own this set. As always, we'll randomly choose three winners amongst the eligible entries. Some other details:
Click here for complete Official Rules.

Here are the new TV DVDs, in stores tomorrow.

• Earth - The Biography
• L.A. Ink - Season 1
• Las Vegas - Season 5
• Masters of Horror - Season 2 (Boxed Set)
• The Mummy - Seasons 1, 2, and 3 (animated)
• Robot Chicken - Star Wars
• Sesame Street - Count On Sports
• Spaced - Complete Series
• Transformers - Cybertron
• TV Funhouse - TV Funhouse

Here are the new TV DVDs, in stores tomorrow.

• The All-New Popeye Hour - Popeye and Friends
• Burn Notice - Season 1
• Californication - Season 1
• Dynasty - Season 3, Vol. 1
• ER - Season 9
• Galaxy High School - The Collection
• The Hudson Brothers Razzle Dazzle - Complete Series
• Jericho - Season 2 and Complete Series
• Meerkat Manor - Season 3
• The Naked Brothers Band - Polar Bears
• Popeye - Vol. 2: 1938-40
• The Real McCoys - Season 3
• Sabrina The Teenage Witch - Season 4
• The Suite Life of Zack and Cody - Lip Synchin in the Rain
• Transformers: Animated - Tranform and Roll Out
• Wanted: Dead or Alive - Best Of

Here is a pleasant letter I got this week from a fan named Everett Mason...

Everett writes, "Hi Paul, I'm trying to remember a 70's anime. I know it was about a boy from outer space that had powers. It was in black and white. It might have been called space boy or something like that."

Well, clearly the answer is Astro Boy. Even if you have never seen the show, I'm sure most of you are at least familiar with it. The character has been one of the more successful crossovers from Japanese animation to America.

Raising the dead, robot/human relationships, melting families and naked tiger-like humanoids. By reading this list you probably think I'm talking about stuff that happens on shows like Battlestar Galactica, Lost and According to Jim. Obviously, you would be wrong...except for the According to Jim thing. No, all of these events took place in cartoons made in the 1980's.

I may be wrong but I think last week's question may have been the first one to go the entire week without being answered. The question was, "In the TV Movie, The Nashville Grab, what was the name of the restaurant chain owned by Conaway's character Buddy Walker?" The answer was Spaghetti in a Sack. I swear, it really was.

This week's question comes form a Transformers fan who really made me work.

Michael Fantauzzo asked me, " Who did Blackarachnia fall in love with?"

You've still got today to enter our latest giveaway of Beast Wars: Transformers complete series DVD set if you haven't already. Make sure you comment on the applicable post (linked above) before 5:00PM Eastern today or be left out.

Good luck!

Hey everyone, it's time for another free giveaway. This time, though, we've only got one set of these. The good news is the winner we choose will get seasons one, two and three of Beast Wars: Transformers -- the entire series! Just post a comment below stating what your favorite Transformers character is (from any series.) We'll randomly select the winning entry from all eligible comments.
And now we present you with the legalities of the contest. (Read them. Please.)