Speaking of childhood favorite science fiction TV shows (and, for a change, not Doctor Who), Buck Rogers in the 25th Century is coming to DVD, in a set subtitled "The Complete Epic Series." Now, there are shows I watched as a kid which don't hold up at all (*cough* original Battlestar Galactica *cough) and some that do (Wonder Woman--expect a "Just how perfect is Lynda Carter" essay to show up once I get further through the DVDs--and All Creatures Great & Small, to name two; oh, and Doctor Who obviously). Buck Rogers holds up. Unlike its contemporary, Galactica, Buck Rogers (the first season) is pure space opera hokum, fun and unpretentious, and that joie de vivre is what keeps the show entertaining for me.

However, they're calling this set the "Complete Epic Series," which means it has the crap second season on it as well, and this is the dilemma: if I buy it, I know I'll only really love the first half, and really not like the second half very much. (The second season is when they took the show into space, searching for lost colonies of Earth, ripping off Galactica, Star Trek, and whatever else, and not doing it well.) I think the ultimate determination for me will be who has the best price, and what sorts of extra features are on the set. Rumor has it there will not be cast interviews or commentaries, so no participation from early adolsecent crush Erin Gray. (Bastards!)

And Catwoman just stunk up the joint in last weekend's box office. It was so bad, I told a coworker this morning, "I know you and your husband didn't see Catwoman this weekend, because if you had, the box office figures would have doubled." It probably had something to do with a marketing campaign that made the movie look like an empty, soulless glossy steal of all the surface details of contemporary superhero movies, with nothing of substance underneath. That's what would keep me away, anyway. (Of course, I've got two free tickets to see it, so I probably will... But not until Thursday, when there's nothing on TV.)

Of course, since star Halle Berry is an Oscar-winning actress, she is now exempt from making poor choices. I expect to hear justifications for the low box office along the lines of "Audiences just aren't ready for a movie about a strong, independent heroine." Well, no, I suppose we're not. Not if it looks like crap, anyway.