Almost a year to the day that we got the official press release from Sierra we get one from Atari officially confirming that they are the new publishers of the video game, now set to be released in 2009 to coincide with the 25th anniversary of the first film.

MTV posted an article that explains why Activision chose to drop Ghostbusters and several other games. In short, it's because they can't run them into the ground by constantly exploiting them every year with endless sequels and downloadable content. What's interesting is that almost a year earlier Penny Arcade had a comic about an Activision exec using the word "exploit" to describe the plans they have for their game properties each year, and a public relations guy trying to come up with non-offensive alternatives. I guess Activision has had this exploitive mentality for quite some time now.

Finally, the Internet Movie Database has, yet again, put up a page for Ghostbusters 3, this time proclaiming a release date of 2010. I've lost count as to how many times they've had a Ghostbusters 3 page over the past 10 years. It's because of their page that the original 1998 DVD release of The Blues Brothers (and from what I've heard, the original DVD release of Blues Brothers 2000 as well) lists Dan Aykroyd as starring in "Ghostbusters 3" in 1998! (see screen shot below) Anyone want to take bets as to how long it stays up this time?

LYON, FRANCE - 7 November 2008 - Atari, one of the world's most recognized video game publishers, announced today the addition of the highly anticipated Ghostbusters: The Video Game to its 2009 release schedule. Working closely with Sony Pictures Consumer Products Inc. and acclaimed development studio Terminal Reality, Atari will bring this completely new story to advanced gaming platforms coinciding with the 25th anniversary celebration of the film's original theatrical release. Ghostbusters: The Video Game, based on the smash hit motion picture franchise, also reunites original cast members to recapture the unique blend of humour and fright that established Ghostbusters as a pop culture sensation.

"Ghostbusters: The Video Game is a fantastic addition to Atari's global line-up in 2009," said Phil Harrison, President of Infogrames Entertainment, the parent company of Atari. "The title has built considerable anticipation and excitement among game fans for its high quality action and all-out mayhem. There's no more thrilling Ghostbusting experience to be had, short of building your own proton pack."

"We're thrilled to partner with Atari on Ghostbusters: The Video Game", said Mark Caplan, Vice President of Licensing-Hardlines for Sony Pictures Consumer Products Inc. "As one of our studios' most valued film franchises, we wanted to develop a video game that would be exciting for both new and old fans and with Atari we have a publisher that fully understands Ghostbusters, and is committed to producing engaging entertainment that fans will thoroughly enjoy."

Ghostbusters: The Video Game was penned by original Ghostbusters writers Harold Ramis and Dan Aykroyd and reunites members of the original cast for the first time in 20 years. Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis, and Ernie Hudson lend their voices and in-game likenesses to the original story set two years after Ghostbusters II, with Manhattan once again overrun by ghosts and supernatural forces. The game also features performances from fan favourites such as William Atherton (Walter Peck), Annie Potts (Janine Melnitz) and Brian Doyle-Murray (portraying Mayor Jock Mulligan).

Atari will release the Ghostbusters: The Video Game for the PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system, PlayStation 2 system, the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, Windows PC, Wii and Nintendo DS. The launch will also leverage Atari's worldwide distribution network to maximize the presence of Ghostbusters: The Video Game around the globe as Sony marks the film's upcoming 25th anniversary. For more information on Atari's entire line up visit www.atari.com.

2009 also marks the 25th Anniversary of the original theatrical release of Ghostbusters. Ghostbusters and Ghostbusters II combined to gross over $500 million world-wide at the box office. The film spawned some of the most memorable comedic catch-phrases and scenes in motion picture history. To recognize this special milestone, Sony Pictures Consumer Products Inc has licensed the property for several new products to commemorate the anniversary, including: video games, toys, t-shirts, comic books, prop replicas, and a theme park attraction. In addition, the original Ghostbusters car (Ecto-1) has been fully restored with plans for special promotional appearances throughout the US. And for the first time ever, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment will release Ghostbusters and Ghostbusters II on Blu-ray disc.

About the Game
When Manhattan is once again overrun by ghosts and other supernatural creatures, players will take on the role of a new recruit joining the famous Ghostbusters team. Developed by acclaimed studio Terminal Reality, Ghostbusters: The Video Game will make its debut on the PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system, Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and Windows PC. The PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system version and the Wii version are being developed by Red Fly Studios, and the Nintendo DS version, in which the player takes the role of one of the Ghostbusters themselves, is developed by Zen Studios. The PLAYSTATION 3, Xbox 360, Wii, and PC versions of the game are developed using Terminal Reality's phenomenal proprietary Infernal Engine technology.

About the Film
Ghostbusters, released in 1984, is one of Columbia Pictures' highest grossing films, spawning a hit sequel in 1989 and three successful animated television shows. Ghostbusters and its sequel grossed over $500 million world-wide. Ghostbusters and Ghostbusters II, written by Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis, produced and directed by Ivan Reitman, starred Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis and Ernie Hudson as ghost hunters for hire, cleaning up Manhattan's buildings of slime-spewing spooks.

About Sony Pictures Consumer Products Inc.
Sony Pictures Consumer Products Inc. (SPCP), a division of Columbia TriStar Consumer Marketing (CTCM), is based in Los Angeles and handles the merchandising and branding efforts for some of the most recognized properties in film and television.

Columbia TriStar Consumer Marketing is a division of Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE). SPE is a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America (SCA), a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Corporation. SPE's global operations encompass motion picture production and distribution; television production and distribution; digital content creation and distribution; worldwide channel investments; home entertainment acquisition and distribution; operation of studio facilities; development of new entertainment products, services and technologies; and distribution of filmed entertainment in 67 countries. Sony Pictures Entertainment can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.sonypictures.com.

About Infogrames Entertainment and Atari:
The Infogrames group, including the Atari brand, is a global producer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment software for all market segments and all interactive game platforms including consoles from Microsoft, Nintendo and Sony, advanced smartphones, Personal Computers, web and online. Its games are sold in more than 60 countries through an international distribution network and direct to consumers via www.atari.com.
Atari's extensive catalogue of popular games is based on original franchises (Alone in the Dark, Test Drive, V-Rally, My Horse & Me, Backyard Sports franchise, Total Annihilation, Outcast etc.), publishing properties (The Witcher, Legendary, Race Pro etc.), international licenses (Dragon Ball Z, Dungeons & Dragons, Jamie Oliver etc.) and classic games covering the entire history of the video game industry (Pong, Missile Command, Asteroids etc).

© 2008 Atari Europe SASU. All rights reserved.
Atari word mark and logo are trademarks owned by Atari Interactive, Inc.

"GHOSTBUSTERS", The Video Game © 2008 Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc. "GHOSTBUSTERS" with the "GHOST DESIGN" is a registered trademark of Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc. "GHOSTBUSTERS", and "GHOSTBUSTERS 2" movies © 1984, © 1989 Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc. Game Software excluding Columbia Pictures Elements © 2008 Atari, Inc. All rights reserved. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.

Microsoft, Xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox LIVE, and the Xbox logos are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies. "PlayStation", "PLAYSTATION" and "PS" Family logo are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Nintendo DS and Wii are trademarks of Nintendo. © 2006 Nintendo. Windows and the Windows Vista start button are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries and are used under license from owner.

I don't know if any of you have ever seen this episode, but if you haven't, I think you're really going to enjoy it - especially if you're a fan of Maurice LaMarche (Egon in The Real Ghostbusters).

The Facts of Life - "Seven Little Indians" (1/3/1987 - Season 8, Ep 12)
(with Maurice LaMarche as Rod Sperling, live-action appearance)
Part 1 / Part 2 / Part 3

Maurice left some comments on the page for part 1:

Thank you. It was a ton of fun to do. And everyone was incredibly nice. In fact, we all got so friendly that one day, after rehearsal, I did all the girls' (and Clooney's) answering machines as their favorite impressions. And yes, I did Kim Fields' machine as Rod Sperling, saying "Tootie... I just love saying, Tootie".

What was interesting to see, from an writing perspective, was how, as the week went on, the script kept getting cut down for time, but they took out all the most hilarious stuff! For instance, at one point midway, Cloris was supposed to do this whole "Frau Blucher" parody, complete with neighing offscreen horses. It was so funny we could barely get though it at rehearsals. Then on day 3, it was suddenly out!

The script started out as one of the hippest, funniest things I'd ever read. Don't even ask about what the writers went through for Rod Sperling (important distinction there) to have an unlit, or even a candy, cigarette in his hand, but in the end NBC Standards and Practices won out, and Rod (me) was suddenly a non-smoker.

Hey, it was still pretty good by the time we shot it, and I know it's a big FOL fan favorite. And yes, George Clooney is really, really nice.

- Maurice LaMarche

As you may have heard Vivendi's Ghostbusters: Ghost Trap mobile phone game is out now. Considering Activision (who owns Vivendi) dropped the license for the console games, it's quite a surprise that this one was quietly snuck out.

In this silent video clip of the game in action, you can see that it looks like the video game equivalent of those water basketball games you used to have as a kid. Pump the button to "float" the ball through the water into a basket. Same principle here.

It will probably come as no surprise that the game is already available online for free download. There are five versions available, which I believe are for Nokia phones (the "N80" file) and Sony Ericsson phones (the four "SE" files, each of which is a different screen size). They are all the exact same game, so you only need to copy one to your phone, which ever one is appropriate for the phone you have. NOTE: I DON'T OWN A MOBILE PHONE AND HAVE NO EXPERIENCE WITH GAMES ON MOBILE PHONES, SO YOU'LL HAVE TO FIGURE OUT EVERYTHING FOR YOURSELF.

I searched high and low - ok, five minutes on Google - to find some way to play these on the computer. Most of what I found proved to be useless. However, the command-line program Midp2Exe let me convert the Java files to EXE (the exact command line used was: Midp2Exe.exe -jar [filename]). So I have taken the liberty of converting all five original files into EXE files, which can be played on a computer running Windows. You can download them all in this 2.6 Mb zip file. As they are all the exact same game, you can choose any of the enclosed files to play, though from my experience, these are the best:

• GB_SE128x160_nh.exe - Displays a little smaller than full screen, but the car doesn't glitch on the title screen.
• GB_SE176x220_nh.exe - Displays the best in terms of full size, but the car glitches on the title screen.

There are keyboard shortcuts, but I have not figured out what all of them are. The arrow keys and the Enter key do what you'd think they'd do, and if you turn on Num Lock, you can use the keypad on your keyboard in lieu of the keypad displayed on screen. Also, F12 is apparently the back/exit function.

IMPORTANT: You need the MidpRuntimeDLL.dll file in the same folder you put the game EXE in. Otherwise you will get an error message.

LEGAL USE: I think it's pretty obvious that these files (the originals and my PC conversions) are not legal, though they might be if you bought the game on your mobile phone. I'm providing them as a way for mobile phone owners to try out the game first before committing to a purchase, and to allow non-mobile phone owners the joy of playing the game (if Vivendi had a tip jar, I'd be the first to put a few bucks in it). I did not make the original files or even originally upload them to the internet - the folks at Mobile 7 did that.

[UPDATE - 10/27/2008]
Thanks to Trey Lansford (aka "GhstbstrLMLIII"), I can now provide you with a copy of the Ghostbusters mobile game from 2005 suitable for playing on a PC. If you have a mobile phone, you'll want to get the original Java files (136 Kb). If you have a PC, don't have the game on your mobile phone carrier, or would like to try the game first before committing to a purchase, you'll want to get the converted file (976 Kb) suitable for play on a PC.

There are keyboard shortcuts, but I have not figured out what all of them are. Here are some of my findings. On the main menu, you can only go DOWN the menu if you click on the on-screen left button right below the phone screen. Otherwise you have to navigate UP. Also, F12 is apparently the back/exit function.

Turn on Num Lock and use the keypad on your keyboard to move and fire proton streams.
     8=Walk Up (on-screen 2 button)
     4=Walk Left
     6=Walk Right
     2=Walk Down (on-screen 8 button)
     5=Fire Stream
Press the on-screen green button to scroll through text messages. Note: You might have to fire a stream once in order to be able to move in a new room.

It might freeze for a little bit in the room after the yellow door in the tutorial.

IMPORTANT: You need the MidpRuntimeDLL.dll file in the same folder you put the game EXE in. Otherwise you will get an error message.

From around 2000-2001 I had the domain name TheRealGhostbusters.com thanks to the free domain name service NameZero. They promised that if you kept an active site at the domain, they would extend the free use of the domain name for another year, and so forth. Well, they lied! They pulled the old bait and switch. After the first year, they wanted me to pay to continue to use the domain name, which they technically owned since they would only register it in my name if I used their paid service. I balked at being lied to, and although it was a great domain name, I could easily live without it. So I essentially gave them a big "Screw You" by ignoring their pleas to pay for continued use of the domain names - yes NAMES, as in more than one - and left them hanging with the cost of my year's use of three domain names (and any lingering months in which they still owned the names). You see, I was only supposed to get one domain name from them (one per person), but actually got them to give me three (RealGhostbusters.com and PaulRudoff.com were the other two), all of which I had pointing to the same site! Which means they paid three times more than what they were (presumably) paying per each other free user they had.

Anyway, that long backstory leads me to this. In July of 2008 (judging from the blog posts), Alex Upton resurrected TheRealGhostbusters.com, which serves as his Ghostbusters news blog. It's not the major player that Proton Charging is, but it's worth checking out.

In other Ghostbusters website news... Doreen Mulman has recently posted the following to the main page of the Ghostbusters Fan Forum

For nearly 11 years, December 4, 1997 - October 31, 2008, The Ghostbusters Fan Forum has resided at http://members.aol.com/DoReEgon/. On September 30, 2008, AOL sent an email to all its members to tell them that AOL will no longer be hosting free (or any) webspace for its members.

After much thought and discussion, Nora (The GBFF's co-creator) and I have decided that I will rebuild The GBFF elsewhere. I haven't decided where yet. But, I have decided to revamp the site and will include both new and "classic" GBFF files that were created by over 175 fans.

When will this all take place? I cannot answer that question at this point, so please check my message board at http://members3.boardhost.com/ghostbusters/. If you prefer to not check the board, please send your email address to busterbabe@gmail.com to be added to our new email database. I'll send out occasional messages to keep you informed on our progress. Additionally, feel free to add me to your friends at GBFans.com, where I plan to post a few things I've created: http://www.gbfans.com/fans/busterbabe/.

Many, many thanks to all our friends and site contributors for a great run at AOL. I know things slowed down after my illness in 2004, but I'm doing much better now. Thanks for asking! Nora and I hope to see you all again at the usual haunts soon!

Doreen Mulman
GBFF Webmistress

I've personally known Doreen and Nora since before the GBFF was online and was deeply saddened by the news. It's even sadder that it's happening a little over a month shy of the site's 11th anniversary. Still, I am relieved that the GBFF is not going away permanently, and will come back in some form sometime soon (hopefully sometime next year, if not sooner). Although the GBFF will be going away for a little bit, Doreen still has PLENTY of sites that are still online and continuously updated. So be sure to check them out.

Oh, and I think this is more proof that AOL is going downlill FAST!

Time-Life was kind enough to send an "Advance Promotional DVD" for The Real Ghostbusters DVD set. It's interesting to note that nine years ago, Sony sent out the promo video for the Ghostbusters DVD release in 1999 on VHS, and now promo videos are sent out on DVD. I wonder what format will be used 10 years from now. Anyway, the single disc features:

• Episode: Take Two (23:51) (4:3 Fullscreen)
• Episode: The Collect Call of Cathulhu (22:28) (4:3 Fullscreen)
• The Real Ghostbusters Comic Con Trailer (0:56) (16:9 Widescreen)
• Featurette: "Something Strange In Your Neighborhood: The Creatures of The Real Ghostbusters" (17:24) (4:3 Fullscreen)
• Visual Commentary Track - "Take Two" with J. Michael Straczynski, Joe Medjuck and Michael C. Gross; hosted by Andy Mangels (23:46) (16:9 Widescreen)
• Episode Introductions for "Janine's Genie" by Laura Summer, voice of Janine from 1986-1988; "Ain't NASA-Sarily So," by Dan Riba, storyboard artist; "The Ghostbusters in Paris" by Maurice LaMarche, voice of Egon; and "The Devil to Pay" by Dennys McCoy & Pam Hickey, writers. (2:25) (16:9 Widescreen)

[UPDATE]
On the promo DVD, the Comic Con trailer, visual commentary track, and episode introductions are all presented in 16:9 Widescreen. In the final set, they're all stupidly presented in 4:3 Letterbox! It's a shame they had to screw it up on the final set.

As I watched all of the above items on the DVD, I jotted down notes, which I will now try to type up into some sort of cohesive review of the individual items. This will act as sort of a preview of the box set, and a mini-review of it as well.

Read more »

Doreen Mulman just sent me over a link to a MySpace page for Spook Central Elementary. Needless to say, I was definitely curious to check it out. Well, the sad news is that it's not a real elementary school. It's actually a yet unpublished children's book series by Tim Tilley (that seems to be the author's name), which is described as such on the site:

Spook Central follows the day-to-day events of twelve students who attend Ms. Lenore Lanchester's home room at Spookville Elementary School. Affectionately called Spook Central Elementary by it's students, the school itself is unlike any other. This is because both the student body and faculty are monsters: zombies, Were-wolves, ghosts, vampires and many more, with the exception of one student, Gwen.

Gwen, the daughter of the Grim Reaper and his human wife, has become the newest human exchange student to attend Spookville Elementary in over a hundred years.

Gwen shares a class with her fellow students: the were-wolf T.J. Talbot, a witch named Megan Miller, a Gorgon Rebecca, a cyclops girl named Tiffany, a mummy named Ramses, a creature from the black lagoon named Gil Chapman, a vampire named Vincent Vladimir Logosi, the invisible boy named Hubert Grayson Rains, twins Mary Kathryn & Alicia Shelley Karloff with their brother Frankie, all of whom are overseen by Principal Price.

Over the next few years they will create new friendships and share moments in their lives with one another; but most importantly, they will learn from their experiences at Spookville Central Elementary.

Each picture book will be twenty four pages in length, told in the first person point of view. Each book will have one of the twelve characters be the main character of the story, with Principal Price's tale being the thirteenth story book. I expect to have all the books published within a year's time, with the last and fourteenth being a collector's edition Year Book containing new additional content.

Volume Two of Spook Central Elementary is in the works. Keep an eye out in the future for Spook Central: Mythology; a new series teaching children about mythology.

Images of some of the characters can be found here. I think this premise would make for a great animated series. I can totally envision Cree Summer voicing the Madusa gal.

It sounds really cool, and I wish Tim the best of luck in getting it published.

This is it! This is definitely it!

I have just added digital copies of every single The Real Ghostbusters and Slimer! script that I own! All of these scripts come from my personal collection and were personally scanned in by me. Although I have contributed almost all of these for use on the RGB DVD set (so if you want them without the discreet watermark, you'll have to wait until the set comes out), the two with the hand-written notes (RGB "Robobuster" rough first draft and Slimer "Class Clown" outline) are exclusive to this site and won't be on the set.

What I suspect that most people will enjoy reading the most is the Series Bible. This is the character guide for the series, given to all of the writers, to ensure that their characterizations stay in line with the series as a whole. I find the section on Janine most interesting because the very reasons why they say she was disliked are the very same reasons why I like her! Anyway, here's the full list of scripts that I added.

The Real Ghostbusters
* Second Season Bible, Revised For Third Season - March 7, 1988
* Ain't NASA-sarily So - August 13, 1986
* Attack Of The B-Movie Monsters - March 28, 1991
* Camping It Up - August 21, 1987
* The Ghostbusters In Paris - June 30, 1986
* The Grundel - July 17, 1987
* The Headless Motorcyclist - May 15, 1986
* Masquerade - July 14, 1986
* Poultrygeist - May 12, 1988
* Robo-buster - Rough First Draft (with hand-written corrections by the writer)
* Robo-buster - June 24, 1988

Slimer!
* Class Clown - July 11, 1988 (outline, with hand-written notes)
* Class Clown - July 14, 1988

This is only the first step in my script PDF digitalization project. The next step will be to digitalize all of the EGB scripts that I have, then the movie scripts will be last. I may not get to do either step this year. The movie scripts are going to be a major pain because there's four of them; one of them is the 292 page GB1 "Combined Continuity & Master Subtitle/Spotting List"; and the other is the GB1 final shooting script in the "Making Ghostbusters" book, which I'm not sure how I'm going to do since the script is annotated with notes and photos, and I'd prefer to do it as a "script only".

About a month ago, a contest was held on TVShowsOnDVD.com in which fans got to vote on one of two box designs for the upcoming The Real Ghostbusters complete series DVD set. TVShowsOnDVD.com just released the results and the clear winner was THE FIREHOUSE! From the way they describe it, the votes for this design blew the other one out of the water. Apparently the other design didn't stand a chance.

The folks at TimeLife are working now to finalize the design. Rest assured that the firehouse will be completely accurate and will look just as it does in the cartoon series. The box will feature the firehouse design and lenticular (moving images) panels in the windows on three sides, with the Ghostbusters logo on the fourth side (most likely on the rear). Currently the plan is to have the top lift off, exposing the bottom of the box which holds the DVD sets (5 volumes, plus the bonus disc in a sleeve).

I've gotta admit, I've VERY happy that the firehouse design won because it was a design that I came up with back in May - including using the lenticular panels in the windows. I'm hoping to get a box design credit (or co-credit), but since I didn't submit the idea through "legal" channels (it was via e-mail to Andy Mangels), I don't know if I'd be able to get that type of credit. Still, the folks at TimeLife are very nice, so I'll see what happens.

Anyway, they're not yet sure what the images will be in each of the lenticular windows, but if you have any ideas, feel free to post a comment and I'll make sure that the good folks at TimeLife see them.

Straight from Time Life to my inbox is the official press release for the set. I can't believe how much awesomeness is in this set!

---

WHO YOU GONNA CALL?
TELEVISION'S LONGEST RUNNING SPOOKY CARTOON AND FUNNY FAN FAVORITE FINALLY ESCAPES THE GHOST TRAP
TO HAUNT THE DVD REALM

THE REAL GHOSTBUSTERS: THE COMPLETE SERIES

The Animated Series That's As Big As The Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man Finally Comes To Home Video, With All 147 Episodes of The Real Ghostbusters And Slimer! And The Real Ghostbusters In Remastered Clarity Packaged In A Collectible 25-DVD Set

Hours of Bonus Features Includes Never-Before-Seen Footage, Twenty-One On-Camera Episode Commentaries, Five Documentaries, Extended Interviews, Episode Introductions, Scripts, Art, And Much More

PRE-ORDER BEGINS JULY 23, 2008

FAIRFAX, VA - July 24, 2008 - Charge up your Proton Packs and get the P.K.E. Meter running! One of the most popular animated series in television history to spin off from a major motion picture, The Real Ghostbusters, will soon be available for the first time on home video from Time Life. The 25-DVD set includes all 147 astonishing episodes of the seven-season series for over 55 hours of ghost-busting goodness - in their complete original form, but remastered for picture and audio perfection. Produced by some of the team members behind the legendary Ghostbusters motion pictures, The Real Ghostbusters features scripts by some of the top names in animation, science fiction, and horror history, and top-quality visuals, plus a voice cast that included Arsenio Hall, Dave Coulier (Full House), Maurice LaMarche (Pinky & The Brain), and many more!

The Real Ghostbusters: The Complete Series also features over twelve hours of fascinating bonus material, including documentaries and twenty-one innovative on-camera commentary tracks featuring producers, writers, artists, voice actors, and other personnel. Also included is a never-before-seen promotional pilot, over eighty on-camera episode introductions, art and photo galleries, scripts, storyboards, informative booklets, and much, much more.

Housed in a specially-designed box that recalls the award-winning and innovative Man From Uncle "briefcase packaging" and the Get Smart "phone booth set," The Real Ghostbusters: The Complete Series 25-DVD set will be available for purchase exclusively online via The Real Ghostbusters DVD website for $179.99.

"The Real Ghostbusters has had a strong and vocal fanbase for years, and the series has been one of the most requested shows for DVD release" says Jeff Peisch, head of Time Life's video division. "Time Life has a long history of releasing classic properties in a way that viewers appreciate, and we intend this Complete Series release to be extraordinary. From the digitally restored episodes to the extensive bonus materials, this set will have fans calling for the Ghostbusters again and again."

To produce the most comprehensive selection of extra materials ever seen for a complete animated television series box set, Time Life has engaged the services of Special Features producers Andy Mangels and Reed Kaplan. Mangels is a best-selling novelist, author of Animation on DVD: The Ultimate Guide, and the producer whom TVShowsonDVD.com called "legendary." Mangels and Kaplan are producing the five documentaries, 21 commentary tracks, and a multitude of other extra content surprises. The duo were assisted by James Eatock of cereal:geek magazine. "I hope that fans will be spooked by how much cool material we're putting together for this set," said Mangels. "We're including everything we can, short of duplicating the keys to the Ghostbusters car, the Ecto-1." Covers for The Real Ghostbusters set and its interior cases will be by comic artist Emiliano Santalucia and MVCreations.

Spinning off from the box office mega-hit Ghostbusters (1984), the animated series The Real Ghostbusters debuted on ABC in September 1986 to tremendous ratings, critical acclaim, and an audience that ranged from kids to adults. The series functioned as a direct sequel to the movie, following New York's paranormal investigator team - Dr. Peter Venkman (voice of Lorenzo Music, later Dave Coulier), Dr. Egon Spengler (Maurice LaMarche), Winston Zeddemore (Arsenio Hall, later Buster Jones), Dr. Ray Stantz (Frank Welker), their secretary Janine Melnitz (Laura Summer, later Kath Soucie) and their gooey green mascot Slimer (Frank Welker) - as they faced ghosts, goblins, trolls, demons, monsters, and even the Boogieman! In 1987, a syndicated version of The Real Ghostbusters aired Monday-Friday afternoons, while ABC continued to produce the Saturday-morning show.

The Real Ghostbusters eventually garnered a primetime special - which was nominated for an Emmy® award - and switched to a one-hour format in 1989, titled Slimer! and The Real Ghostbusters. This later version added a series of Slimer! short cartoons, aimed at a younger audience, but wacky and clever enough to still appeal to older viewers. By the time the series finally completed its run in 1991, 134 episodes had been created. The Real Ghostbusters was a hit in worldwide syndication, and also led to hugely successful toy lines, multiple comic book series, and fan clubs and web pages that keep the ghostbusting spirit alive - or undead - today.

#  #  #

THE REAL GHOSTBUSTERS: THE COMPLETE SERIES
Ship date:              November 20, 2008
Online pre-order:   July 23, 2008
List price:              $179.99

Online Exclusive Collection includes [contents subject to change]:

• 25 total DVDs packaged in a specially-constructed box. 24 DVDs contain 134 episodes of The Real Ghostbusters, a special double-length alternate episode [Ed. - The 1-hour version of "Deja Boo", which is included along with the 30-minute version], and 13 episodes of Slimer!.
  
  
• 5 DVD digipak subsets with individual covers, each packaged with a 16-page booklet, including episode synopses, trivia, and art.
  
  
• 1 Bonus DVD contains over three hours of bonus materials, including extended interviews, the never-before-seen promotional pilot (with commentary and storyboards), and more.
  
  
• 5 Documentaries spotlight Creating The Real Ghostbusters, Animating The Real Ghostbusters, The Heroes of The Real Ghostbusters, The Creatures of The Real Ghostbusters, and The Green World of Slimer.
  
  
• 21 innovative on-camera commentary tracks feature producers, writers, artists, voice actors, and other The Real Ghostbusters personnel. Watch the commentary participants as they interact, while inset screens show the episode and a dynamic slideshow.
  
  
• 86 special episodic introductions showcase the talented people behind The Real Ghostbusters.
  
  
• Exclusive interviews with Joe Medjuck (Executive Producer), Michael C. Gross (Executive Producer), J. Michael Straczynski (Writer & Story Editor), Len Janson (Writer & Story Editor), Maurice LaMarche (Voice Of " Egon Spengler"), Laura Summer (Voice Of First "Janine Melnitz"), Kath Soucie (Voice Of Second "Janine Melnitz"), Kevin Altieri (Director & Storyboard Supervisor), Kathryn M. Drennan (Writer), Michael Edens (Writer), David Gerrold (Writer), Pamela Hickey (Writer), Dennys J. McCoy (Writer), Francis Moss (Writer), Richard T. Mueller (Writer), Marc Scott Zicree (Writer), Marsha Goodman (Voice Director & Voice Casting), Gabi Payn (Character Designer - Heroes), Everett Peck (Character Designer - Monsters), Michael Diederich (Designer), Brad Rader (Storyboard Artist), Dan Riba (Storyboard Artist), Michael Swanigan (Storyboard Artist), Rich Arons (Animator), Darrell McNeil (Layout Artist), Derdad Aghamalian (Color Key Artist), David S. Karoll (Color Key Artist), and James Eatock (Publisher of cereal:geek Magazine).
  
  
• Multiple image galleries of Character Designs, Backgrounds, Model Sheets, Promotional Art, Advertising Art, and more.
  
  
• Selection of dialogue-free "Music & Effects" episodic audio tracks.
  
  
• Original series bumpers and textless "clean credits."
  
  
• DVD-ROM Material: Series Bibles, Episodic Scripts and Storyboards in PDF format (Mac/PC compatible).
  
  
• Exciting material from the Sierra Ghostbusters; The Video Game.
  
  
• More features to be announced.