The BIONIC DVD drought may be OVER soon!

[LOU]

Die-hard fans, like me, of "The Six Million Dollar Man" and "The Bionic Woman" have been dying for both series to be released on DVD. Due to years of ongoing legalities, it has not happened in the U.S.

Well, I just read on Lee Majors' website that Miramax, who owns the rights to Martin Caiden's "Cyborg" novel (upon which "The Six Million Dollar Man" T.V. series was based) may be looking to sell the rights back to Universal. Miramax is in financial trouble and may be dumped by Disney and since they have no plans for the bionic rights; rumor has it that Universal will buy the rights back.

What does this mean? Well Universal owned the rights to both bionic T.V. series; but Mirmax owned the rights to the original novel. Thus there have been no VHS and/or DVD releases of these series' due to these convoluted legalities between the two parties. Of course it was Universal's fault for allowing their rights to the novel to lapse years ago in the first place, which created this mess; but it looks as though this may be changing.

Also, when the wife and I spoke to Richard Anderson (Oscar Goldman) in person; he also stated that he was in communication with Universal and has been a steadfast advocate of these great series finally coming to DVD.

So this is all pure speculation at this point but it does sound plausible. Also, rumor has it that both series will return to T.V. in June 2010. No word as to what network will air them but you better get your DVRs ready to go!
I'll post more as I find out stuff!

Funny this news comes today because the wife and I just watched the awesome 1994 "Bionic Ever After?" last night as I was transferring it from VHS to DVD!

Can't you just hear the bionic sounds now...tfff, tffff, tfff, tfff, tfff!

[palitoy]

Man, I will be ALL OVER that release.

[LOU]

Me too Brian! Me too! I have the whole series that I taped on high grade tapes back in the mid 90's and just finsihed transferring all 80-something tapes to DVD! Now it seems my hard work will be a waste of time if this happens!

[palitoy]

I have never bothered to get bootlegs, I want commentary dammit!

[vulcan2074]

This would make me Extremely Happy. I've been a die hard fan for the longest time. I need these DVDs
Sammy

[LOU]

Lee Majors is looking pretty good too these days! It's nice to see one of my biggest idols from my childhood still dressed to impress (just not fancy leisure suits anymore) and to have a hot babe on his arm! You go Lee!

[Mikey]

I have never bothered to get bootlegs, I want commentary dammit!

I'm the opposite.

I don't mind the occassional documentary, but I can't stand commentaries because they always trail off and talk about something completely different and uninteresting.

Usual commentary for a movie .....

I remember that scene ....
It was directed by Joe Blow
You know, it was Joe Blow who first introduced me to Jane Doe
I think I worked with her back in the 80's
I forgot the movie ...
Once I met her cousin...
I think his name was ........
........................
.......................
.........................
........................
What movie are we watching ?

[MIB41]

AWESOME! One of my favorite shows growing up. It would be so nice to see this series remastered and given the proper love on DVD. Hey speaking of DVD's Lou, when is that Jaws special suppose to come out? I think it was suppose to be entitled - The shark is still working. Would love to get my hands on that!!!

[shyndman]

I enjoyed the show, but the book it was based on (Cyborg) was outstanding.

[palitoy]

Lee Majors was just on "Community" last week, he looks great.

[LOU]

Yes, they mentioned that on his site too Brian!

Hey MIB41, "The Shark Is Still Working: The Impact & Legacy Of JAWS" is not available on DVD yet as the film is still making it's rounds at films festivals around the world. The trailer is available online too and I make an appearance in it as I have a tiny few parts in the doc.

Hey shyndman,
I never read the novel but from what I understand, Steve Austin had two bionic arms and was a cold-blooded killer. Is this true? I have the book, just never read it.

[ScottA]

I'd be all over these as well. Two of my favorite shows.

[Mikey]

I think if they went with the "cold blooded killer" angle the show would not last past the first season.

Steve's humanity handling his bionics is the real star of the show ---

This is especially extra true for the Bionic Woman... You can probably count how many times Jaime actually hit's somebody in the whole series on one hand.

[palitoy]

I read it so long ago but I recall that Caiden had basically created a new angle on the "Destroyer" type of series. It's well done and I liked it but I remember thinking it was somewhat familiar.

There is no way it would have played on early seventies TV like that, that Steve was a killer, even had weapons built into his fingers. It could work now though.

[LOU]

Oh yeah Brian! He did hve various weapons in his fingers...blades and such. I remember that being mentioned as well. I agree that it wasn't the super powers at all that made those shows. It was good writing and good acting with lots of character development.
The bionics were almost an afterthought most episodes. Lindsay Wagner was especially brilliant in her role of Jaime Sommers and she won an Emmy for her portrayal.
Great series that really needs to be done up right on DVD.

I really, really enjoyed "Bionic Ever After?" last night!! It's been a few years since I saw it and I'd forgotten how good it was. My only beef with the reunion trilogy is the lack of the original shows' respective themes but I suspect more copyright red tape was involved with Oliver Nelson and Jerry Fielding.