I would love to see this show on DVD! I remember always coming home from school, grabbing a snack and putting on PBS to see Ghostwriter, i would definitely get me a few copies of this show if it was released!
I appears your wish has come true! A news story on the TVShowsOnDVD website states that Ghostwriter - Season 1 will be available this summer from our beloved Shout! Factory.
Thank you, you've just made my entire week by saying this. For 8 years I've tried very hard to be as accurate as possible with my news posts at TVShowsOnDVD, and knowing that even one person feels this way just completely brightens my day!
Look for more Shout!-related news at our site later today, okay?
DAVE
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by tazz765 at 2/25/2010 8:50:10 PM
TVShowsonDVD is usually correct with their news. If its on their site chances are very high that it is true.
Thanks for the confirmation. I post on a few different message boards and Ghostwriter is the first release that I've wanted that other people are excited for too. So fingers crossed that you get good sales.
DavidLambert, I check in at TVShowsOnDVD all the time and enjoy it very much. Please don't think I was questioning the accuracy of your site in my previous post. I'm just superstitious, that's all!
Any updates on the progress for this release? Anything the fans can do? I'm getting the word out to everyone my age they are super excited and can't wait to introduce it to their kids.
Maybe Brian can answer this--is the licensing for the other 2 seasons as well, or only dependant on sales?
Because I'm not in acquisitions or business affairs, I'm afraid I can't answer that. But I can say that the first volume is complete and everything's looking nice. Can't wait to hear the response.
I'm big fan of Ghostwriter, although I'm deaf myself, I just hopefully it offer captions or subtitles. neverless, finally Ghostwriter in DVD format, I can't wait! :)
Update: Ahh no captions/subtitles offered. (I asked via e-mail) :( oh well, at least I still love GW show since that time on TV long ago. :)
You should be able to find these at places like Amazon, any Transworld store, Barnes & Noble... Not sure about Best Buy. They seem pretty locked in to contemporary titles only, due to the shrinking of their DVD and Blu-ray department. Your safe bet is always Amazon.
Thanks for the link. I wasn't really expecting any extras from such a low budget show, so it's no big loss. I just noticed though that Alex is left out on the cover art. That's a bummer.
I like to bother you. A Lot. I don't think I've ever told you how nice it is that you're this accessible to everyone though...very rare for a media outlet. And we all appreciate it.
Anyway, its probably too late to fix as we're getting relatively close to the release date, but I want to reiterate Silly Lily's comment: Why was Alex Fernandez (David Lopez) left off of the cover art? I am aware that he wasn't at the photo shoot in the 90s that these photos are derived from (these same images...color fill...the whole 9 yards...were used on cover art for the show's previous three VHS releases.), but there are dozens of other cast pictures that he IS in, so how come he is not included (or is he hidden on the back, lol)? Whatsmore, another VERY important cast member is also missing from the packaging: "Ghostwriter" himself (okay, he is in the logo, but come on, the show was named after him, he should at least have a picture as big as Gaby's 8D)!
Also, what format will the arcs be presented in? When originally broadcast, each arc was broken into 4-5 half hour episodes, and there were usually around 8 arcs per broadcast season. Will they be presented in this original format with the "What's happened..." intros and opening sequence for each, or will they be edited together into feature length versions of each arc, just as Republic did on the 1990s VHS releases for the first three stories?
I would say its probably 50:50 as to what GW fans prefer; I personally like everything as authentic from original as possible, but at the same time I guess it is nice to have the episodes uninterrupted, so I could see why others like it that way.
BTW, its fairly easy to find certain former cast members (the word "former" might just count as a clue here!) of the show on MySpace and the like. I don't want to mention names or accounts specifically so as not to pester them too much and cause them to close their accounts, but if you mention to your acquisitions department this fact, maybe they can use this clue like the Ghostwriter team would and find who/what I'm talking about and get a bonus feature out of the deal (even if its for a future release). Also, I will say that Blaze Berdahl (Lenni) is currently the narrator for the Swiffer wet jet commercials...wouldn't imagine it being too difficult to get in touch with her either!
On the release page (http://www.shoutfactorystore.com/prod.aspx?pfid=5257153) each episode is listed separately
part 1, part 2 etc so I'd guess they are going to be broken up.
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by mattyg1306 at 5/9/2010 10:13:48 PM
Also, what format will the arcs be presented in? When originally broadcast, each arc was broken into 4-5 half hour episodes, and there were usually around 8 arcs per broadcast season. Will they be presented in this original format with the "What's happened..." intros and opening sequence for each, or will they be edited together into feature length versions of each arc, just as Republic did on the 1990s VHS releases for the first three stories
Unfortunately this means that almost all of the mysteries are split up between discs. I understand why it had to happen that way, but it's too bad that we can't watch more of them straight through without switching discs.
----- Original Post -----
by tazz765 at 5/10/2010 9:04:18 AM
On the release page (http://www.shoutfactorystore.com/prod.aspx?pfid=5257153) each episode is listed separately
part 1, part 2 etc so I'd guess they are going to be broken up.
----- Original Post -----
by mattyg1306 at 5/9/2010 10:13:48 PM
Also, what format will the arcs be presented in? When originally broadcast, each arc was broken into 4-5 half hour episodes, and there were usually around 8 arcs per broadcast season. Will they be presented in this original format with the "What's happened..." intros and opening sequence for each, or will they be edited together into feature length versions of each arc, just as Republic did on the 1990s VHS releases for the first three stories
It stinks but there is really no way around this if each mystery got its own disc it would mean more discs which equals a higher cost for the set and a less chance of people buying it. If it was made so each mystery was on the same disc it would mean more episodes crammed on a disc and that turns into a lower video quality.
----- Original Post -----
by Silly Lily at 5/11/2010 9:21:56 AM
Unfortunately this means that almost all of the mysteries are split up between discs. I understand why it had to happen that way, but it's too bad that we can't watch more of them straight through without switching discs.
I don't see what the problem is with some mysteries being split up on seperate discs. Each episode is seperate anyway! Think of it like any other tv on dvd release. If you want to watch the next episode you have to get up and change the disc, right? I think cover artwork not showing a principle cast member is more cause for concern...
I have to admit, I'm really not familiar in any way with Ghostwriter. I mean, I know of its existence and I've seen Kristin working hard on it, but beyond that, I'm at a loss.
I can say this about the cover art, however. The cover went through TONS of incarnations and revisions, based on notes from Sesame Workshop. The packaging is ultimately the way it is because of their directions and notes.
As for the presentation of the episodes, it really does come down to how many discs are in the set and how many episodes there are in the series. But, at least getting up to switch discs takes less time than it did to wait for the next episode in the series back in the day, right?
There must be some sort of contract issue with David Lopez then, wierd...wouldn't think they'd have problems like that with such a low budget show to begin with.
And it really doesn't bother me with the whole disc/episode thing, I was just curious...like I said, I actually prefer to have the separate episodes because its more authentic that way, and will make it easier for those who don't have time to sit and watch an entire 2.5 hour mystery at once. In fact, when I was in the 4th grade, we watched these in class, so I would hope that other teachers will buy this set and share it in the classroom...it makes reading fun, and actually the serialization/breaking up of the mysteries is actually a lesson in itself...kinda exercises memory recall and teaches kids how to follow chapter books (and TV programs) indirectly.
Wow, I'm really impressed with the "Ghostwriter" DVD set. And the big mystery about David Lopez not being on the cover has been solved: he appears solo on the back cover!
The case book is pretty neat, even giving a little trivia about the series and its guest stars. One interesting piece of trivia was missed though (this is no big deal, just figured I'd bring it up for fellow "Ghostwriter" fans!):
The "second" mystery arc, "Who Burned Mr. Brinker's Store?", was actually the pilot for the entire series. After it was produced, CTW decided to go back and write a back story to introduce the Ghostwriter character more, and then the first broadcast arc, "Ghost Story" was produced. There is a great deal of evidence to prove this: all the sets are different, the kids are all a little younger than the Ghost Story arc, and even some of the casting is different (also during the table session toward the end, Jamal mentions that they don't even know if GW is a "he" or a "she", although this was specifically clarified in "Ghost Story").
Also, Jeremy Miller, who had just finished filming the series finale of "Growing Pains" a couple weeks before 'Brinker's' was filmed, was originally intended to be a regular cast member and team member, but he later decided not to join the show since it would involve relocating in NYC while his family was still in California.
Hopefully they will package Seasons Two and Three together...only three arcs in the final season...only one extra disc than the season one set would be necessary.
I bought my set through Wal-Mart; however by the time you pay state sales tax (depending on where you live), the total still approaches Amazon's $25.99 (give or take) price. That's one great thing about Amazon, somehow they step around the whole state tax thing.
Anyway, although the final episodes weren't the best with faux Gaby and the like in the last two arcs, I still want these because these last arcs are the hardest to find. GPN, an education resource company, released all of the arcs EXCEPT the last two on video in the '90s for educational resource purposes, and I found someone online who had those and burned me copies on DVD...with the exception of the two arcs with faux Gaby. The cockatoo story was okay, I guess (although I really can't imagine Mayteana Morales playing Gaby as she was portrayed in this one...Melissa Gonzalez was younger and acted like it!); but the Slime Monster story...the series finale...was aweful, although I did like the very small pay off/dash of finality at the end when they got the Ghostwriter necklaces, and then revealed it was all a joke...GOTCHA!
Any word how well Ghostwiter sold, and if it's possible it was a enough to warrant the next set? I've already bought copies for all my older nieces and nephews. They love it! Read some really positive reviews on different dvd websites as well. Hopefully good word of mouth/nostalgia helped!
I finally ordered my set today. Amazon has it on sale for $19.99. I definitely get what Brian always says about waiting a few months between sets to let sales add up because I am a cheap ass procrastinator who has to wait a few months for the bigger discounts to be offered. Still hoping season 2 will be sold at some point because those were most of my favorite mysteries.
Awesome! You won't regret it. It's so great. Just hoping Brian can shed some light for us about Season 2 and 3. Maybe Shout Select? Just tell me when/where to buy!!
I was just wondering if there was any news yet on further Ghost Writer season sets? I breezed through the first set a long time ago and would love to continue watching the other episodes. Most of my favorite ones would be on the next set.
I just started watching my set this past week! Yes, I really am a procrastinator, having bought it in August. Besides the fact that the packaging tried to hold the first disc hostage (took me a good five minutes to pry it out without cracking it) I am enjoying the set. I do wish subtitles or captioning were available.
I really enjoyed the first season set. It was funny seeing the cast age so much just in one season. I was somewhat hoping that something besides weak sales was holding up the next release, but there's really nothing else that should be in the way.
I wasn't too sure about the sales,but i was wondering if we would get seasons 2&3 combined.
Even if it was just a limited shout exclusive.I would certainly buy.
After a mysterious virus wipes out the world’s entire adult population, the surviving kids must learn to take care of not only themselves, but also of one another.
Thank you, you've just made my entire week by saying this. For 8 years I've tried very hard to be as accurate as possible with my news posts at TVShowsOnDVD, and knowing that even one person feels this way just completely brightens my day!
