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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…

The advent and ubiquity of DVD has created many surreal moments of the past few years, one o which most certainly has to be that, with the release of its sixth set, the entire Thames run of Benny Hill (A&E, Not Rated, DVD-$49.95 SRP) has now been released on DVD, uncut and in its original form. Never could I possibly fathom that such a day would come that I would own the whole bawdy comedic enchilada, but here it is. The 3-disc box-set features an exclusive interview with a trio of “Hill’s Angels.”

Considering what a comedic genius I consider Louis CK to be, I admit to being disappointed when I saw the first few episodes of his HBO sitcom Lucky Louie (HBO, Not Rated, DVD-$29.98 SRP). At first, I thought it to be nothing but a crass, largely unfunny exploitation of HBO’s “anything goes” standards – just an expletive & nudity filled sitcom version of kids seeing what they could get away with in the schoolyard. As the series built, however, I came around to what Louis was building with his dysfunctional extended family unit – a little post-modern sitcom that actually tried to present a truer-to-life version of what having a family is like, with its money troubles and frustrations with spouses, kids, families, friends, and work. It took me awhile to see the light, Louis, and I’m glad I did. I’m just sorry that HBO chose not to renew it, depriving me of the ability to see how he’d develop these characters further. The 2-disc set features all 13 episodes (one of which never aired), plus audio commentaries on 4 episodes, and a behind-the-scenes look at the taping of the show.

In what is fast becoming a welcome annual tradition, Warner Bros. has been partnering up for an online poll to determine which catalogue titles will get released on DVD. This year, they partnered with Amazon, and the winners were Clark Gable & Yvonne DeCarlo in Band of Angels, Michael Crichton’s Looker, Greer Garson as Madam Curie, The Arrangement, and Gymkata (Warner Bros., Not Rated/Rated PG, DVD-$19.97 SRP each). Bonus features include audio commentaries, featurettes, and the original theatrical trailers.

Re-watching the episodes (thoroughly burned into my mind courtesy of endless Nick at Night repeats ages ago) the comprise the third season of I Dream of Jeannie (Sony, Not Rated, DVD-$39.95 SRP), I’m reminded just how much the show remains a nice slice of comfort food. It’s no intellectual or artistic triumph, but it’s an affable and enjoyable way to pass the time, and both Larry Hagman and Barbara Eden remain a timeless comedic pairing surpassed only by the duos of Dick Van Dyke/Mary Tyler Moore and Dick York/Elizabeth Montgomery. This season found Jeannie saddled with a trainee, transferring her powers to Tony for a day, is trapped in a safe bound for the moon, and must tussle with her jealous sister, Jeannie 2. Sadly, there are no bonus features – just 26 light but fun episodes.

In the mood for some Pillow Talk-esque 60’s comedy? Fox has dusted off a trio of entries that fit the bill, just for you – Move Over, Darling, Caprice, and Do Not Disturb (Fox, Not Rated, DVD-$19.98 SRP each). All three star Doris Day, alongside costars like James Garner, Richard Harris, Rod Taylor, and even Ray Walston. All three flicks feature brand new featurettes and interviews (Caprice also gets an audio commentary), as well as a look at the restoration process.

If you think that his performance in The Aristocrats was the outermost limits of Bob Saget’s sexual scatological comedy, than his March of the Penguins spoof Farce of the Penguins (ThinkFilm, Rated R, DVD-$19.99 SRP) should quickly dispel that assumption – with a vengeance. Narrated by Samuel L. Jackson, it features a pair of penguins (Saget & Lewis Black) who are just out to get some penguin lovin’ – a buddy road trip quest that takes them on a cross-continent trek across Antarctica. Bonus features include a commentary with Saget, bonus footage, behind-the-scenes featurettes, trailers, and more.

J.R. loses his presidency of Ewing Oil as the contentious, back-biting sixth season of Dallas (Warner Bros., Not Rated, DVD-$39.98 SRP) gets underway. As if that weren’t enough, J.R. and Bobby go head-to-head for control of the company, J.R. and Sue Ellen reconcile, Pam & Bobby are splitsville, and there’s even a stop off in Cuba along the way. Bonus materials include a featurette focusing on the show’s pop culture legacy.

Author, sleuth, and closet grim reaper Jessica Fletcher returns in the complete fifth season of Murder, She Wrote (Universal, Not Rated, DVD-$49.98 SRP). The 5-disc set features all 22 episodes, plus a newly-produced featurette, “Origin of a Series,” with a brand new interview with Angela Lansbury.

Newly-expanded to a 2-disc collector’s edition, Brokeback Mountain (Universal, Rated R, DVD-$26.98 SRP) packs on extra bonus features, including 7 featurettes, detailing everything from the score to the actual construction of the script, plus the process of teaching actors Gyllenhaal and Ledger how to be cowboys.

After seeing producer Dean Devlin’s high-flying WWI movie based on the true-life exploits of dogfighting pilot Lafayette Escadrille (James Franco), I can only assume that most of the story, heart (such as it were) and enjoyability of flicks like Independence Day and Stargate must have come from Devlin’s former collaborator, director Roland Emmerich. Sadly, Flyboys (Fox, Rated PG-13, DVD-$39.98 SRP) never really seems to take flight, even though it’s got some impressive visuals to give it some teeth. The 2-disc set features an audio commentary, behind-the-scenes featurettes, and deleted scenes.

If you want something cool to adorn your desk – or give as a pretty nifty gift to a cherished friend or loved one – look no further than Mezco’s 6″ “Sexy Party” talking Stewie Griffen figure ($24.00 SRP). With a dozen phrases and a sculpt right out of the “Sexy Party” sequence of Family Guy, it’s a great little collectible. Here’s hoping they make the Shatner-esque “Rocket Man” Stewie next…

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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…

-Ken Plume

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