Search - Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Very First Alvin Show on DVD

Allllviiiiiiiin!

Gord Wilson | Bellingham, WA USA | 09/26/2009

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Dave Seville: "I'm proud of you boys, Alvin. It took a while, but you finally got around to releasing The Alvin Show on DVD. Fans have been waiting a long time.
A: That was our first show on TV, Dave.
D: I still remember your first single. It was "The Chipmunk Song", also known as "Christmas Don't Be Late" in 1958 on Liberty Records. You were named after three of the executives there. But TV fame came when you got your first TV show in 1961, and on evening prime time on CBS. The folks at Format Films gave you a great, modernistic, stylized look. They were renegades from UPA Studios, as were so many of the artists and animators working in late '50s and early '60s TV.
A: The next season we moved to Saturday morning and kids kept us there for five years.
D: That was amazing since there were only 26 episodes, but they kept rerunning them as they were so popular.
A: Then in 1979, the show was rerun on the Saturday line-up on NBC, we had so many fans.
D: Do you remember why you were so popular? A radio DJ played a speeded-up punk song, and the next year, we recorded an album of Chipmunk Punk. That, and Urban Chipmunk, the next album, both went platinum.
A: And we made a Christmas special in 1981, and returned with a new show, "Alvin and the Chipmunks" in 1983 on NBC. Notice I have starring billing.
D: Or you did until 1988, when it was retitled, "The Chipmunks".
A: Now we're releasing it all on DVD to keep up with the demand from the fans.
D: Yes, the only show not on DVD was the original "Alvin and the Chipmunks". Fans got to see it when it was shown on Nick in 1994, and on the wonderful show, Weinerville on Nick. Did I spell that right? Anyway, your fans beseiged Viacom to release it on DVD. And here it is, all 26 episodes.
A: Uh Dave.
D: What is it Alvin?
A: It might not be quite 26.
D: Good point, Alvin. You probably couldn't get all 26 episodes on one DVD, and the studio might want to test viewer response before releasing a complete set. How many on this volume? Ten? Twelve?
A: Uh, we thought we'd put one of the later shows on to show how we've changed.
D: Grown up, I hope. There are already lots of the later shows on DVD. What episode did you choose?
A: A Chipmunk Reunion.
D: Good choice. That was shown as a half hour special on NBC in 1985. But it would fit better with the '80s cartoons.
A: We also included a video of our different styles through the ages, and the different kinds of music we've done. I'm the star.
D: Fans do like bonus features. How many episodes of The Alvin Show did you actually include?
A: Uh, one.
D: One? You only included one episode? The title on the cover is "The Very First Alvin Show". Fans will think it's the whole series, or at least a few episodes from your first TV series.
A: It is the first show, the one with Stanley the Eagle.
D: Fans have been waiting for this show and you only gave them one episode? Get over to Viacom and tell them fans want all 26 episodes on DVD. Allllviiiiiiin!!!!!"

Why just one?

C. Kennedy | Elyria OH | 10/05/2009

(2 out of 5 stars)

"I love The Alvin Show! I want this DVD very much, but I will wait until a box set of ALL 26 shows are available. Yes, I would spend almost any amount to get it.( A box set). I can't justify $14.99 for this disc! I do not think it is fair, in my opinion, to put one classic cartoon on the disc and then fill it up with other animation from the 70's, 80's or 90's. We are the baby boomer who really like this show from the 60's. Please give us what we want at a fair price without the Chippetts, Achy Breaky Heart (or whatever). The (ORIGIONAL)Alvin Show featuring 2 shorts, Clyde Crashcup and a sing-a-long would be just fine. I don't want to sound like a snob, but please just give us the good stuff, the stuff that we over 40 years old would like."

Misrepresentation

digitaldavea | 10/19/2009

(1 out of 5 stars)

"After this long you would think they could at least release this show in its entirety and not play with us. I was very dissappointed. They could have at least put the Chipmunk Song on here. Oh well, back to YouTube."

Good thing I read the DVD description

Vernon Street Archives | Maryland USA | 10/26/2009

(1 out of 5 stars)

"When I saw the artwork, I thought, "Finally!" And then I read the details. Only 1 show? I don't think so. But when the complete series is released, I'm there."