Friends-Series 8: Collector's Edition (2001) (NTSC)

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General		Extras
Category	Comedy	Main Menu Audio & Animation Featurette-Episode Preview Audio Commentary-The One Where Rachel Tells, The One With The Videotape Audio Commentary-The One Where Rachel Gives Birth Listing-Cast & Crew Featurette-Friends Of Friends Part III Outtakes Featurette-Gunther Spills The Beans Game-Joey's Game Show Challenge
Rating
Year Of Production	2001
Running Time	500:00
RSDL / Flipper	Dual Layered Dual Sided Multi Disc Set (4)	Cast & Crew
Start Up	Menu
Region Coding	1,2,3,4	Directed By	Kevin S. Bright Sheldon Epps Gary Halvorson David Schwimmer
Studio Distributor	Warner Home Video	Starring	Jennifer Aniston Courteney Cox Arquette Lisa Kudrow Matt LeBlanc Matthew Perry David Schwimmer
Case	Gatefold
RPI	$49.95	Music	None Given

    It is generally accepted that at the halfway mark of the show's record-breaking ten seasons the quality began to fall. I sometimes think that it is necessary for people to claim shows decline in quality at some point near to their conclusion, even if there is no real reason to. Sure the freshness goes, but most shows evolve (as Friends did) and become safe and comfortable viewing for the fans.

    The biggest 'one with' in this season is the twofer finale where Rachel has Ross' baby, but there are plenty of laughs from beginning (the aftermath of Chandler and Monica's wedding) to end. Season 8 might not be as brilliantly sharp as earlier seasons (some think it is the weakest link in the chain) but it is still a lot of fun.

Episode List:
 

Video

    As expected, the video quality of successive seasons improves quite significantly, with this eighth season looking the best of the lot. It is presented at its original aspect ratio of 1.33:1, obviously without 16x9 enhancement. This is an NTSC transfer!

    Sharpness levels are uniformly good without being fantastic, with commendable levels of shadow detail.

    Colours are well controlled and look terrific. Skin tones look good.

    There are some instances of grain but nothing like in earlier seasons. Compression artefacts are also kept to a relative minimum.

    Aliasing and other film to video artefacts are also limited.

    Film artefacts are absolutely minimal.

Video Ratings Summary

Sharpness
Shadow Detail
Colour
Grain/Pixelization
Film-To-Video Artefacts
Film Artefacts
Overall

Audio

    There is one audio track on offer, English Dolby Digital 5.0.

    Audio sync is terrific.

    Dialogue is clear and easy to understand.

    There were no dropouts, clicks or other audio blemishes to speak of.

    The surrounds and subwoofer don't get much to do at all apart from offering some music.

Audio Ratings Summary

Dialogue
Audio Sync
Clicks/Pops/Dropouts
Surround Channel Use
Subwoofer
Overall

Producer's Commentary on Three Episodes

    3 commentaries with executive producers Kevin S. Bright, Marta Kauffman, and David Crane. "The One Where Rachel Tells Ross" (Disc 1), "The One with the Videotape" (Disc 1), and "The One Where Rachel has a Baby" (Disc 4). They are interesting and energetic, but it would have been nice to have the cast members do one.

Friends Of Friends Video Guestbook

    In keeping with tradition - short clips of interviews with actors in supporting roles on the show. Runs about 20 minutes and is good fun.

Gag Reel

    9 minutes of unscripted fun and games. You wish you worked on a show like this.

Joey's Game Show Challenge

    A game that is way too much effort to play - especially after watching all the episodes.

Gunther Spills The Beans About Next Season

    A fun little two minutes where Gunther offers a few little tidbits.

    This is identical to the Region 1 release, so opt for the cheaper version.

    Friends is great fun - and holds up to many repeated viewings.

    The video is fine.

    The audio is excellent.

    The extras are OK.

Video
Audio
Extras
Plot
Overall