DVDs keep shows going

By JESSICA TONTI

Anytime a show is on television, the action always seems to get interrupted by commercials,… Anytime a show is on television, the action always seems to get interrupted by commercials, scrolling bars across the bottom, or a variety of other things that take away from the “experience.” At long last, TV shows can finally offer hours of instant gratification, no commercials needed.

DVD sets hold the answer to a more enjoyable and addictive viewing experience. Best of all, there’s no need to be surprised anymore. There are no commercial breaks to build the suspense, and now there’s not even any reason to wait another minute for the next episode.

While comedies like “Friends” and “Sex and the City” are among the best sellers on Amazon.com, it’s the dramas that really seem to benefit from being on DVD. They help to draw in new viewers with their ongoing story lines and complex plots that weave their way throughout the episodes. Many stories have been told about TV show marathons with friends that have turned more than one person from a virgin viewer to a die-hard fan. It is much easier to get drawn into a show when there is nothing standing between the viewer and an entire season on DVD.

By releasing shows on DVD, the networks also help to boost their fan base. “The O.C.” is the best example of this tactic, being pushed into release a little more than six months after the end of the first season and just in time for the start of the second season.

The trend of television shows on DVD has become bigger than ever. Rows of shelves are devoted to them not only to buy, but also to rent. The popularity does not stop at shows today. Shows from several years ago, like the well-known “MacGyver,” have found their way onto DVD, and even unknown shows such as the short-lived 1998 Jennifer Garner series “Significant Others” have also achieved DVD status. As the craze continues to grow, more shows will no doubt become DVD material.

DVD offers many things that live television cannot. Viewers never have to wonder what will happen next; all they have to do is press a couple buttons on the remote control and they can enjoy a whole new episode. They also have the luxury of watching their favorite shows whenever they want. And frankly, what’s to stop them from even experiencing all of the episodes in one sitting?