Garfield specials and Garfield & Friends series

[Guest Krazy Karter]

TVShowsOnDVD.com

 

Peter Staddon, Senior Vice President of Fox Home Entertainment, was gracious enough to lend his time last night to a live online chat, sponsored and hosted by the great staff over at The Home Theater Forum. He was asked a LOT of TV-on-DVD related questions, and tonight I hope to bring you the complete wrap-up.

 

"Jacob" asked Mr. Staddon for news about the upcoming feature release of Garfield, and this was the response:

 

"Hi Jacob, it will be a big year for Garfield. Not just the movies but the TV show and the specials will start to make it out on DVD this year. In fact some of my team are meeting with Jim Davis in Indy today. No specific details on anything yet as it's way too early."

 

That's great news for fans of the lasagna-gobbling feline. Stay tuned, and we'll let you know when details are announced!

 

YES!

[BlackFlagg 0]

Sweet

[Mecha Mummy 0]

GARFIELD ANIMATED SERIES ON DVD?

 

Oh my GOD, my current nostalgia binge thanks you for alterting it of this.

[Ted the Poster 0]

*screams with glee like a little girl*

[NoCalMike 0]

this is great news. they used to play the specials every year, now they never do. How many seasons/episodes were there in the cartoon series? And does this INCLUDE U.S. Acres?

[2GOLD 0]

Here is a long answer and why there will be multiple DVD sets I'd imagine

 

There were 7 seasons of "Garfield and Friends" and seven Garfield tv specials

 

Here comes Garfield

Garfield on the town

Garfield in the rough

Garfield's Halloween Adventure

Garfield in Paradise

Garfield goes Hollywood

Garfield Christmas Special

 

All of these came before 'Garfield and friends'

 

For "Garfield and Friends"

13 episodes for season 1

26 for Season 2

18 season 3

16 season 4

18 season 5

15 Season 6

15 Season 7

 

In between the series run, there were four more Garfield specials/videos

Edited January 13, 2004 by 2GOLD

[BorneAgain 0]

And does this INCLUDE U.S. Acres?

It'd better, its been far too long since I've seen wade duck on tv.

[Guest Krazy Karter]

For "Garfield and Friends"

13 episodes for season 1

26 for Season 2

18 season 3

16 season 4

18 season 5

15 Season 6

15 Season 7

One of the "Garfield And Friends" writers has a site and says that 2 more seasons were completed, but never aired because CBS cancelled the show.

 

He says a few of the unaired episodes ended up on Nickelodeon/Cartoon Network a while back.

 

EDIT: Seasons 6 and 7 never aired.

 

Here's the episode guide:

http://povonline.com/Garf%20Episodes.htm

[2GOLD 0]

I'd imagine it would include U. S. Acres since it was a major part of the tv series

 

Also, if any of you get TOON DISNEY, they still show Garfield and Friends on there. Only reason I look at that channel is for Garfield

[MarvinisaLunatic 0]

And Garfield and Friends is on Toon Disney at 3am now.

[2GOLD 0]

What's scary is the LENGTH of the series

 

After season 2 I think, the show went from 30 minutes per episode to ONE HOUR per episode. Honestly, you are talking about a busload of DVDs at this point if they want all of the specials and the series.

 

At mim, I say about 10-15 DVDs for everything since there is so much Garfield to go around.

 

I'd imagine season 1-2 would be a DVD

And seasons 3-7 would each be a DVD since they were one hour each

 

This boggles the mind.

[Guest Krazy Karter]

After season 2 I think, the show went from 30 minutes per episode to ONE HOUR per episode. Honestly, you are talking about a busload of DVDs at this point if they want all of the specials and the series.

The reason for that was the show was getting so popular that CBS was airing two back-to-back 30-minute episodes on Saturday mornings by the end of the first season.

 

Logic said to just fill the hour with one show.

 

However, the show was still produced as 30-minutes each - it was just edited together so the credits didn't roll after the first half-hour.

[2GOLD 0]

After season 2 I think, the show went from 30 minutes per episode to ONE HOUR per episode. Honestly, you are talking about a busload of DVDs at this point if they want all of the specials and the series.

The reason for that was the show was getting so popular that CBS was airing two back-to-back 30-minute episodes on Saturday mornings by the end of the first season.

 

Logic said to just fill the hour with one show.

 

However, the show was still produced as 30-minutes each - it was just edited together so the credits didn't roll after the first half-hour.

 

I'm not complaining, I'm just saying we are talking lots of DVDs here.

 

If they plan to release the TV specials and the series, you know they aren't going to stuff as many as they can on one disc

 

Although the Critic and Aqua Teen got two seasons on one DVD, but they were 29-40 dollars per and that wouldn't even cover every episode of Garfield.

 

Someone is going to make lots of cash out of this.

[Guest Olympic Slam]

After season 2 I think, the show went from 30 minutes per episode to ONE HOUR per episode. Honestly, you are talking about a busload of DVDs at this point if they want all of the specials and the series.

The reason for that was the show was getting so popular that CBS was airing two back-to-back 30-minute episodes on Saturday mornings by the end of the first season.

 

Logic said to just fill the hour with one show.

 

However, the show was still produced as 30-minutes each - it was just edited together so the credits didn't roll after the first half-hour.

When the show went into syndication they spliced them back down into 30 minute segments. With that went the U.S Acres Quickies, which never saw the light of day after CBS. I was never a big fan of U.S Acres (as I believed it took away from valuable Garfield time and Orson was kind of a fag) but I hope the DVD's keep U.S Acres and restore the U.S Acres Quickies.

[Slayer 0]

I wonder if the first couple of seasons will have the original theme (the basic piano and singing of "Friends Are There") rather than later on when they used the second theme (the mamba-dancy version of "Friends Are There") even for the syndicated older episodes

[Guest Krazy Karter]

Friends are there...

 

To help you get started, to give you a push on your way!

 

Friends are there...

 

To turn you around, get your feet on the ground for a brand new day!

 

To pick you up when you're down

 

To help you swallow your pride, find something inside to break on through to

to the other side!

 

Friends are someone you can open up to

 

When you feel like you're ready to flip!

 

Friends are someone who can offer a hand

 

Someone who's there to give you a lift!

 

Friends are there when you need them, they're even there when you don't

 

For a walk in the park, or a shot in the arm!

 

Friends are there!

 

(Garfield) I don't care

 

But friends will care...for you!

 

Hey Heathcliff - Eat your heart out.

 

:: End ::

 

That was my favorite theme song ever. Shame nobody remembers it.

[Steviekick 0]

This is great news. I always loved the USAcres quickies.

[Ravenbomb 0]

I will so be buying these

[Masked Man of Mystery 0]

Ditto. Now if only they'll get around to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. That would make unbelieveable amounts of money and continue my collecting of kung fu and kung fu related viedos

[PsychoDriver 0]

Great news I'll buy all of them...

 

I knew they would be doing this as soon as I heard about that Garfield movie.

[JasonX 0]

I wonder if the first couple of seasons will have the original theme (the basic piano and singing of "Friends Are There") rather than later on when they used the second theme (the mamba-dancy version of "Friends Are There") even for the syndicated older episodes

Speaking of Garfield and Friends, can someone PLEASE find and post the lyrics to the rap theme that was used for the show's final season?

[Guest Man Of 1,004 Modes]

Now I must bust out the Heathcliff Movie becsause of the damn lyrics and Garfields 1 liner at thend.

[Guest Krazy Karter]

I wonder if the first couple of seasons will have the original theme (the basic piano and singing of "Friends Are There") rather than later on when they used the second theme (the mamba-dancy version of "Friends Are There") even for the syndicated older episodes

Speaking of Garfield and Friends, can someone PLEASE find and post the lyrics to the rap theme that was used for the show's final season?

There was a rap theme?

 

I just remember the "We're Ready To Party" song after they used "Friends Are There"

[Guest ToddRoyal]

When the show went into syndication they spliced them back down into 30 minute segments. With that went the U.S Acres Quickies, which never saw the light of day after CBS. I was never a big fan of U.S Acres (as I believed it took away from valuable Garfield time and Orson was kind of a fag) but I hope the DVD's keep U.S Acres and restore the U.S Acres Quickies.

 

Actually, I believe when Nickelodeon started airing the episodes, some (not all) of the US Acres quickies returned. I wonder why Nick restored some of these, and aired some "lost" episodes, but not the rest.

 

Either way, awesome news, as this show was required viewing when I was growing up.

[Mecha Mummy 0]

THANK GOD I'M NOT DELUSIONAL. I could have SWORN there was a rap theme, but all I remember is the word "Lasagna" said in a really humorous way.

 

Oh, and I don't remember Friends are There, but that's the one they always use as a BGM, with the "Dum-dum-dum, dum-dum-da-da-dum-dum" structure, right?

 

All I really remember is "Ready to Party."

 

We're ready to party, we're ready...

I hope you bring lots of spaghetti...

[Slayer 0]

Oh, and I don't remember Friends are There, but that's the one they always use as a BGM, with the "Dum-dum-dum, dum-dum-da-da-dum-dum" structure, right?

You are correct sir

 

"Friends are there" was used as the opening theme for the first two or three seasons (up until '91 I believe) and then they switched to the Party song

[Guest Krazy Karter]

Oh, and I don't remember Friends are There, but that's the one they always use as a BGM, with the "Dum-dum-dum, dum-dum-da-da-dum-dum" structure, right?

"Friends are there, to help you get started..."

 

Yeah, they used an instrumental of "Friends Are There" as the BGM. They even had gags in episodes where the characters would hum the theme and talk about it.

 

Funny thing is, when the first few seasons were repackaged for syndication you wouldn't know what they were referring to as the opening had changed to "We're Ready To Party".

[Mecha Mummy 0]

Yeah, they used an instrumental of "Friends Are There" as the BGM. They even had gags in episodes where the characters would hum the theme and talk about it.

Yeah, that happened in the U.S. Acres short today, Orton hummed it and mumbled a couple lines at the start.

 

In retrospect, U.S. Acres is funnier than the actual Garfield shorts. The dialogue rules.

 

Orson: But what would a world be without humor?

Wade: Probably a lot like cable TV.

[AndrewTS 0]

*bump*

 

A lot of other kids hated U.S. Acres, but I thought it was pretty good as well. I just never knew where the hell it came from (I thought at first Davis was doing another strip in other regions of the country).

 

Although, I still felt they were just filler between the Garfield stuff.

[PsychoDriver 0]

Great news on this... from http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/newsitem.cfm?NewsID=1421

 

"Garfield and Friends - G&F - Volume 1 (regular episodes) are up for pre-order!

Posted by David Lambert

4/22/2004

 

 

Back when we reported about the Garfield as Himself DVD release of 3 specials from the fat cat's series, we mostly got...disappointment. Most readers wanted to get the first season of the Garfield and Friends series itself. "Be patient", we told you.

 

Your patience has paid off. Taking a bit longer to be ready to show off, like a slow-cooked lasagna, we now word from online e-tailer DVDEmpire.com that Garfield and Friends - Volume 1 is ready to be served up to hungry fans on July 27th.

 

There was some preliminary word about this a few days ago from Diamond Previews, the pre-order catalog from the comic book dealers' wholesale distributor. The info from Diamond and from DVDEmpire doesn't quite match up, though, so we'll have to wait for official word from Fox Home Video to know what's really what.

 

What DVDEmpire has to say is that the box set "featur(es) 24 episodes of the hilarious animated Saturday morning TV series...each episode contains a Garfield sandwich, featuring two slices of Garfield & Friends and a chewy center of U.S. Acres, the show featuring Garfield's farm-fresh friends, also created by comic genius Jim Davis. " List price is shown there to be $29.95. This results in more content for less cost than Diamond Previews had predicted.

 

Who's right? We'll let you know when Fox gives us the for-sure word, which could be any day now. In the meantime, feel free to place your pre-order for this set at DVDEmpire's great pre-order price of just $20.07...to buy it, just click here. "