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…

It’s stated numerous times throughout both the documentary and critical review that comprise 2/3 of The Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band: The Complete Nutter History of The Bonzos (Classic Rock Legends, Not Rated, DVD-£19.99), but there really has not been so engagingly witty a band both before or, sadly, since the Bonzos far too brief reign of lunacy in the late 60’s. From covering classic 78s of the 20’s & 30’s like “My Brother Makes The Noises For The Talkies” and “Jollity Farm” to crafting their own pop classics like “I’m the Urban Spaceman,” the Bonzos could do it all – and they did, under the musical aegis of the late Vivian Stanshall and the very much still with us Neil Innes. This 3-disc set features the aforementioned in-depth documentary and critical review of the Bonzos output, as well as the BBC edit of their recent 40th anniversary reunion concert featuring guests like Stephen Fry, Phill Jupitus, Paul Merton, and Adrian Edmondson (you can also purchase the complete, unedited version separately). There’s also loads of bonus material and rare television appearances that provide a perfect primer for the uninitiated, or a wonderful keepsake for the Bonzo fan. And while we’re on the subject of that 40th anniversary concert, you absolutely must pick up the 2-disc companion CD of the event, Wrestle Poodles… And Win! (Classic Rock Legends, £9.99).

Meanwhile, Viv Stanshall fans will be elated to know that the long-awaited DVD release of his brilliant Sir Henry At Rawlinson End (Digital Classics, Not Rated, DVD-$14.99 SRP) has finally (finally!) happened. And not only does the print look better than all of those shoddy bootleg VHS tapes we’ve all subsisted on for years, but there’s also an audio commentary, trailer, and photo gallery. If you’ve yet to see Stanshall’s portrait of the decidedly daft fading uppercrust Rawlinson clan, then now if the time to rectify that oversight in your comedic knowledge.

Much like the MGM films which saddled the brilliant anarchy of the Marx Brothers with a rather mundane romance plot involving often star-crossed lovers and the comedians as virtual supporting players, so it is in the rarely seen Three Stooges outing Swing Parade. In it, the original Stooges play a trio of waiters in support of a mediocre romantic A-plot – in fact, the Stooges are the only thing saving this from the dustbin. A fully restored black & white print of this flick (also containing a colorized version) is the first outing for Legend Films’ Rifftrax Complete edition (Legend, Not Rated, DVD-$12.99 SRP), featuring a Rifftrax audio commentary from Mike Nelson (with a “super exclusive” edition signed by Mike available exclusively from the Rifftrax site). It’s a nice little package loaded with additional bonus materials, including Stooge shorts and an episode of co-star Gale Storm’s My Little Margie.

Americans may know him from his infrequent appearances as The Daily Show‘s resident statistician, but UK audiences (and Anglophiles) know Dave Gorman as a brilliantly sharp comedian . For proof, fire up your region free DVD player and snag a copy of Dave Gorman’s Googlewhack Adventure (Channel 4, Not Rated, DVD-£19.99), Gorman’s stage show detailing the internet and serendipity’s hand in scuttling his attempts to write a novel. Bonus features include a live audience Q&A, outtakes, additional inserts, and more.

Another year, another season of the rejuvenated Doctor Who, as the complete second series (BBC, Not Rated, DVD-$99.98 SRP) picks up – literally – just where series one left off, as the good Doctor has regenerated from the gruff, leather-jacketed Christopher Eccleston into the much more dandyish David Tennant. Still on board the Tardis is faithful companion Rose (Billie Piper), and the 14 episodes comprising the season are quite the rollercoaster ride, particularly the re-introduction of the Cybermen. The 6-disc box set features the behind-the-scenes “Doctor Who Confidential” episodes, audio commentaries, video diaries from Tennant & Piper, deleted scenes, in-vision commentary, the “Children in Need” special, and outtakes.

Terry Gilliam just can’t seem to catch a break. Still one of the most brilliant filmmakers of our time, he’s been dogged by misconceptions, rumors, and a reputation as a fiscally irresponsible, uncontrollable madman. Similar to his decision to follow up the perceived disaster of Baron Munchausen with the Hollywood for-hire gig The Fisher King, Gilliam signed on to do The Brothers Grimm for Miramax after his own The Man Who Killed Don Quixote fell apart. What followed was a production that found Gilliam butting heads with Harvey & Bob Weinstein, as they systematically went about dismantling the team Gilliam had put together to make the film, and questioning his every move. I’m not criticizing the Weinsteins – after all, that’s how they work, and it’s proven incredibly lucrative for them in the past – but Grimm was another story, and it proved to be a difficult, troubled production from start to finish. Thankfully, the story is recounted via candid recollections and diaries in Bob McCabe’s Dreams and Nightmares: Terry Gilliam, The Brothers Grimm & Other Cautionary Tales of Hollywood (HarperCollins, £17.99). Available only in the UK for some reason, it’s a wonderful account of a filmmaker’s descent into the machine.

While not as beloved as Everybody Loves Raymond, I still have a great deal of affection for that loveable lunkhead of a show, King of Queens (Sony, Not Rated, DVD-$39.95 SRP). Like Raymond before it, the episodes are virtually interchangeable (although the guest star turn from Burt Reynolds as Doug’s old football coach is a real highlight), as this is the very definition of sitcom comfort food. Sadly, the 3-disc set is limited to all 23 seventh season episodes, but nary a bonus feature in sight.

One afternoon – December 4, 1956, to be exact – a rather historic, impromptu recording session took place. It was a recording session that gathered together four legends on the rise – Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash, and Jerry Lee Lewis. This historic session has now been released in its entirety as The Complete Million Dollar Quartet (Sony BMG, $13.98 SRP). It’s rough around the edges – they were clearly jamming – but it’s a must-have artifact of a bygone age of myth and legend.

Although largely unknown to the American audience, The Royle Family (BBC, Not Rated, DVD-$24.98 SRP) has been hailed as a modern classic – and rightly so. Not quite sitcom and not quite drama, it’s the rather intimate, everyday life of the lower middle class Royles – and it’s told entirely within their living room. It’s brilliantly written and executed, and I’m thrilled that the first season is finally available in the US for Americans to discover.

Mike Judge and Don Hertzfeldt have brought their traveling animation show – comprised of dozens of hand-picked animated shorts from around the world – to DVD. The 2-disc collection of The Animation Show (Paramount, Not Rated, DVD-$26.99 SRP) contains 31 shorts, plus audio commentaries, galleries, featurettes, additional shorts, and more. Also included is an in-depth booklet profiling many of the creators involved.

Another of the short-lived, incredibly kitchy Filmation live action “classics” of the 70’s has come to DVD with the release of Space Academy: The Complete Series (BCI, Not Rated, DVD-$29.98 SRP). It’s basically high school in space, with Lost In Space vet Jonathan Harris as instructor Isaac Gampu. The effects featured in the show are surprisingly good considering the budget, due largely to their pedigree – many of the guys were Star Wars veterans. The 4-disc set features all 15 episodes, plus a pair of audio commentaries, a newly-produced documentary, commercial bumpers, galleries, easter eggs, and more.

24 has returned with a brand new, rather explosive season, and true fans should definitely grab themselves a copy of the deluxe making-of tome 24: Behind The Scenes (Insight Editions, $29.95 SRP). Packed with production details and copious photos, it’s a must have – as is the bonus DVD featuring exclusive interviews

In My Hero (BBC, Not Rated, DVD-$24.98 SRP), Ardal O’Hanlon (late of the magnificent Father Ted) stars as Earth’s greatest, but befuddled, superhero Thermoman, who lives a quiet suburban life as health store owner – and family man – George Sunday. It’s not laugh-a-minute, but it’s certainly a pleasantly quirky series worth checking out. The disc features all 6 first season episodes, plus an interview with O’Hanlon and a behind-the-scenes featurette.

When the creator of Cracker launches a new series, you’d better believe it’s at least worth a look. With The Street (Koch, Not Rated, DVD-$29.98 SRP), Jimmy McGovern delivers a beautifully-acted, engrossing drama about six neighboring houses in Northern England, and the stories behind each of those seemingly ordinary doors. With a cast that includes Jim Broadbent, Timothy Spall, Jane Horrocks, and Sue Johnston, it’s a must-see. The 2-disc first season features all 6 episodes.

As much as I loved the first series of Hanna-Barbera figures from McFarlane Toys, they outdid themselves with series 2. Featuring Yogi Bear (with Boo-Boo & Ranger Smith), Johnny Quest, Fred Flintstone & Dino, Magilla Gorilla, Penelope Pitstop & Mutley, Tom & Jerry, and Captain Caveman ($12.99 SRP each), the sculpts are positively giddy-inducing – never have licensed toys for these characters (the ones that have ever even gotten toy releases) looked this good. Also available is a deluxe display of the Flintstone family at the drive-in ($24.99 SRP). Just take a look at the pics below and try to resist buying yourself a set…

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…

Comments: None