DVD Release Date: November 28, 2006 (A&E Home Video)
MSRP: $49.95
Color / 1997-98
Number of Discs: 3
Number of Episodes: 22
Running Time: approx. 8 hrs, 26 minutes
Running Time of Special Features: 8 minutes and 14
seconds
Languages, Subtitles, Closed Captioning: English
language; No Subtitles; Closed captioned.
Special Features: Outtakes
Introduction:
Critically acclaimed comedienne Ellen DeGeneres is
back for the fifth and final season of her popular ABC
sitcom, "Ellen." Out and proud, the fifth season
follows Ellen as she finally finds love and deals with
the realities of her coming out. She's surrounded and
supported by her zany and quirky friends, cousin
Spence (Jeremy Piven), best friend Paige (Joely
Fisher), annoying but well-meaning Audrey (Clea Lewis)
and sarcastic Joe (David Anthony Higgins).
Memorable Episodes / Notable Guest Stars:
The season had some good episodes, such as "Guys or
Dolls" in which Ellen still has feelings -- for men.
"All Ellen, All the Time" in which Ellen is a hit on
talk radio. "Emma" is the one where Ellen goes to work
for Emma Thompson. "Break Up" in which things may be
moving too fast for Ellen and Laurie. "Womyn Fest" is
the one which Sarah McLachlan guest stars at a female
only concert. "It's a Gay, Gay, Gay, Gay, World!" in
which Spence wakes up in a world turned upside down.
"Vows" is the one which, thanks to her parents, Ellen
considers tying the knot. "Hospital" in which Laurie's
accident heals old wounds and finally, "Ellen: A
Hollywood Tribute", a two-part finale featuring stars
galore as they pay tribute to Ellen.
Notable guests this season include cameos by Jennifer
Aniston, Woody Harrelson, Phil Donahue, Emma Thompson,
Anne Heche, Cindy Crawford, Sarah McLachlan, Kevin
McDonald, Angie Dickinson, Louis Gossett, Jr., and
many many more in a star studded two part episode,
"Ellen: A Hollywood Tribute."
Packaging:
The final cover is purple this go around (Orange in
Season 1, Yellow in Season 2, Green in Season 3 and
Blue in Season 4). The main design remains virtually
the same: a large picture of Ellen from the current
season with a smaller cropped photo of the cast below
her. The discs are stored inside slip-sleeve (or snap)
cases. Each snap case holds one disc, and there are
three in all. Each snap-case cover is the exact same
as the main art. The discs themselves are purple in
color and feature the "Ellen" logo and a list of the
episodes on that disc. Disc 1 contains Episodes 1-8.
Disc 2 contains Episodes 9-15. Disc 3 contains
Episodes 16-22 and the sole bonus feature (outtakes).
Menu Design and Navigation:
Another "simple and basic" menu design, but it is very
nice and right to the point. It is the exact same
design as the main cover art (only without the rest of
the cast). The "Ellen" theme song plays just once over
the menu. The selections are "Play All" in which you
can play all of the episodes, "Episodes" in which you
go to a sub-menu and select the episode you want to
watch. Finally, on Disc 3, are "Bonus Features" which
takes you to a sub-menu to list the bonus features.
Video and Audio Quality:
Considering the video is actually nearly 10 years old
(wow!), it's in great quality, hands down. The video
is crisp and clear and good audio which is nothing to
be concerned about at all with that. Each episode
contains chapter skips and the episodes appear to be
unedited, running 21 to 22 minutes in length, which is
the normal for sitcoms in 1997 and 1998 (and to the
present, although most run 20/21 minutes now).
DISC 1
1- Social Climber (21:08)
2- Guys or Dolls (22:06)
3- Roommates (21:50)
4- Just Coffee (22:07)
5- Gay Yellow Pages (22:09)
6- Public Display of Affection (22:02)
7- G.I. Ellen (22:08)
8- Like a Virgin (21:53)
DISC 2
9- All Ellen, All The Time (21:57)
10- Emma (22:07)
11- Break Up (21:50)
12- The Funeral (22:07)
13- Womyn Fest (21:22)
14- It's a Gay, Gay, Gay, Gay World! (21:37)
15- Escape from L.A. (22:07)
DISC 3
16- Neighbors (21:52)
17- Ellen In Focus (21:57)
18- Vows (22:02)
19- Hospital (22:07)
20- When Ellen Talks, People Listen (21:42)
21- Ellen: A Hollywood Tribute, Part 1 (21:48)
22- Ellen: A Hollywood Tribute, Part 2 (21:34)
Special Features:
In looking back at past special features, Seasons 1
and 2 gave us commentary tracks while Season 3 brought
us a gag reel. Season 4 brought us back to commentary,
this time with just production. So, Season 5, we get
outtakes!
* Outtakes (approx. 8:15 minutes)
Located on Disc 3, this is a series of hilarious
outtakes from "Ellen." Not much else to really
describe, but I'm thrilled it was included!
Final Comments:
Wow! Talk about speeding up the releases! "Ellen"
Season 4 was released only back in September and now
it's November and the final, fifth season is coming
out -- er, no pun intended--fantastic. I for one have
always loved "Ellen", it really is just like a classic
sitcom -- quirky characters and fun and silly plots.
Ellen herself is just downright hilarious, as evident
by her Emmy-winning talk show. Anyway, another solid
release by A&E and it brings to close one of my
favorite series, "Ellen" so make sure you go out and
buy the final season!
