The weekend’s here. You’ve just been paid, and it’s burning a hole in your pocket. What’s a pop culture geek to do? In hopes of steering you in the right direction to blow some of that hard-earned cash, it’s time for the Quick Stop Weekend Shopping Guide – your spotlight on the things you didn’t even know you wanted…

Not only has prep for Comic-Con been swamping things here at the Stop, but your editor has also come dangerously close to blowing out his ear drum thanks to the not-so-fun combination of an inner-ear infection and a cross-country flight. But enough of that… The IV is dripping antibiotics, and we’ve got a show to do…

Prior to his recent examination of the true history of the peoples we’ve come to know by the Greco-Roman term “Barbarians”, Terry Jones exploded the myths of the Middle Ages via Terry Jones’ Medieval Lives (BBC Books, $14.95 SRP), which has just been released in paperback form. With writing partner Alan Ereira, Jones deconstructs the false representation of the medieval period that was begun in the Renaissance and solidified in the 19th century, dealing with everything from Knights and Damsels in Distress to Mercenaries, Minstrels, and the idea that they thought the world was flat (they didn’t, by the way – it was a 19th century myth created by American writer Washington Irving). A great read.

One of the many staples of my misbegotten childhood was evenings spent watching the classic, newly-launched version of Nickelodeon’s “Nick at Nite” line-up well into the wee hours. One of the shows featured quite prominently in that evening-into-morning viewing was Lancelot Link: Secret Chimp (Image, Not Rated, DVD-$24.99 SRP), a take-off on the spy genre and Get Smart, but featuring an entirely simian cast… Yes, real chimps (you could never get away with it today). Kitschy fun, you can now own 12 swingin’ episodes in this 2-disc set.

Amongst all the sadly misbegotten misfires in the Masters of Horror anthology, Joe Dante’s entry – Homecoming (Anchor Bay, Not Rated, DVD-$16.98 SRP) – is the only one that seems to have had any really thought towards telling a genuinely thrilling, and thought-provoking, tale. The basic premise is that, on the eve of a Presidential election, the incumbent Republican administration is afraid that their very unpopular – and very costly – overseas war will scuttle their hopes for a second term. They idly wish that some of those surely patriotic war dead could somehow testify to what a good cause the administration was fighting for – not reckoning that the soldiers will actually start rising from the dead… and begin voting. Yeah, you heard me. The disc features audio commentaries, behind-the-scenes featurettes, interviews, and more.

Irwin Allen’s Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea returns with the second half of the show’s first season (Fox, Not Rated, DVD-$39.98 SRP), featuring another 16 episodes chock full of the Seaview’s deep sea adventures. Bonus features include a blooper reel and David Heddison interviews. I just wish Fox would get it through their thick heads – like every studio has – to STOP USING DOUBLE-SIDED DISCS. Crikey, people, come on!

The docs, nurses, and staff of County General return in the fifth season of ER (Warner Bros., Not Rated, DVD-$49.98 SRP), featuring the swan song of Clooney’s Dr. Ross, the rise of Dr. Carter, and the arrival of med student Lucy Knight. In addition to all 22 episodes, the 6-disc set features unaired scenes and the always welcome gag reel.

It’s interesting how different the comedy of I Dream of Jeannie plays in its second season (Sony, Not Rated, DVD-$39.95 SRP), as it made the transition from black & white to glorious color. Jeannie is one of those shows that cries out for color, as the 60’s began to blossom in technicolor brilliance and TV was pulled along with it, filled with fantasies of witches and monsters and genies.

The massive, nearly 400-page Who’s Who in Animated Cartoons (Applause Books, $19.95 SRP) certainly lives up to its title, featuring entries on scores of animators, animation directors, and animation producers. This a handy, essential resource covering the international animation scene, and is a must-have considering the bargain price.

Like an endearingly British cross between Quincy and CSI, McCallum (Koch, Not Rated, DVD-$59.98 SRP) stars Jack Hannah as Dr. Iain McCallum, a pathologist solving cases based on forensics. What really makes the series – all 9 episodes of which are featured in this 5-disc set – is Hannah’s performance… Truly a thing of greatness.

It takes a great filmmaker to make auto racing in the least bit interesting to me, but John Frankenheimer managed that none-too-small feat with Grand Prix (Warner Bros., Not Rated, DVD-$20.98 SRP), starring James Garner as a Formula 1 racer out to capture the championship, and featuring brilliant split-screen work to show multiple points of view and keep viewers right there on the track. The new 2-disc special edition features remastered picture and sound, four new making-of documentaries, and a vintage featurette.

When faced with sudden widowhood and poverty, Nancy Botwin (Mary-Louise Parker) decides to do whatever she can to support her kids and their middle-class suburban lifestyle, including entering the workforce. Her rather unorthodox choice of careers, though, is as a marijuana dealer. Sly and satirical, Weeds (Lionsgate, Not Rated, DVD-$39.98 SRP) is like a cross between Traffic and Reefer Madness, with just a little touch of Desperate Housewives. The 2-disc first season set features all 10 episodes plus audio commentaries, a mockumentary, behind-the-scenes snippets, and more.

The brief 18-episode run of The Ellen Show (Sony, Not Rated, DVD-$29.95 SRP) finds its star in a state of flux following the unfortunate flameout of her once great eponymous sitcom, which is a true shame considering what a brilliant comic delivery Degeneres has. Returning to her hometown to receive an award, she finds nothing has changed – from her teacher Mom to the unfortunate romantic choices of her sister – and is stranded when her LA dotcom goes bust. As you can guess, comedy ensues.

Who knew Jamie Kennedy could do stand-up? Well, he can, and if you spin Jamie Kennedy Unwashed: The Stand-Up Special (Image, Not Rated, DVD-$14.99 SRP), you’ll be as amazed as I was that he’s actually quite funny. The disc is also loaded with bonus features.

Phish fans will delight in the 2-disc release of Phish: Live in Brooklyn (Rhino, Not Rated, DVD-$29.98 SRP), recorded at Keyspan Park on June 17th, 2004. The set features 21 performances, excerpts from the sound check, backstage footage, and 3 additional performances from the following night.

If you’re in the mood for serviceable horror on a low budget with an all-star cast of genre b-listers, look no further than the fine folks at Anchor Bay, whose latest is The Garden (Anchor Bay, Not Rated, DVD-$19.98 SRP), starring Claudia Christian, Lance Henriksen, Sean Young, and a mysterious ranch where nightmares come to life. Brrrr. Scary. The disc feature audio commentary with director Don Michael Paul, a behind-the-scenes featurette, and the theatrical trailer.

So there you have it… my humble suggestions for what to watch, listen to, play with, or waste money on this coming weekend. See ya next week…

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