Customer Reviews

Dukes of Hazzard Season 1

5 star:		(114)
4 star:		(20)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

Finally, the first season of Dukes on DVD. The characters took some time to flesh out before they became the stereotypical heroes and villians that most viewers remember the show for. In the beginning, Rosco was more of a corrupt cop and less of a lovable dope, which in many ways I prefer. Boss Hogg was also a bit more intelligent of a character in the beginning. And rather than just basing shows on car chases and "how to frame the Dukes this week" as in later seasons, the first episodes were intelligently written schemes that the viewer can easily get lost (in a good way) as to what's going on. The first five episodes were filmed in Covington, GA (before they moved to familiar backlot in Burbank, CA), and you really get the sense that these are southern people in the South, rather than the stereotypical backwoods feeling you get from the Burbank episodes. That these early episodes focused more on plot is most evident in "Mary Kay's Baby," the only episode in all seven seasons to not feature the General Lee. And personally, I'll buy this set just to get "Daisy's Song": since there were only 13 episodes in the first season, when Columbia House distributed these episodes on VHS cassette at two shows per tape, this is the show that got left out of their catalogue.

Also worth noting is that when TNN was showing the Dukes a few years back, heavy edits had to be made to each show to fit modern commercial breaks. When I got Columbia House's versions, I found that significant chunks, usually integral to understanding the plot of a given episode, were now present and accounted for. Having all 13 episodes available without edit is another reason worth picking this up as opposed to watching it on television.

By the end of the season, the characters were already becoming what we remember them to be, in my opinion, for the atmosphere and for the writing, season one is the best of the series.

I grew up watching the Dukes of Hazzard on TV. It was good back then, and it is just as good today, maybe even better. The plot is fairly simple, it does not really take a detective to watch the show. You have the Duke boys, who Boss Hogg wants to send back to jail because they keep thwarting his scams. Thier Uncle Jessie, who they live with, was at one time a moonshiner who now is a lawful citizen. Now Boss Hogg is not an angel himself, he is always comming up with a scam to make money, and the Duke boys often find themselves in the middle of it. But all is not lost, because Uncle Jessie, Daisy, and Cooter will come to the rescue to make everything alright again in Hazzard County.

I think what I liked most about this show was, for the half an hour it was on tv, it was a break from reality. You got to see basically good people having a good time. Even Boss Hogg, the "bad guy" in the series had a good heart, although he was a little greedy with the fried chicken and money. I laughed every time he smacked Rosco's hand when Rosco tried to take a peice of fried chicken. And I loved the car, watching the General Lee jump creeks, ponds, barns and other cars. Daisy was as sweet a southern bell as any I have ever seen. And Rosco often had me laughing so hard, with his little noises and facial expressions. I highly reccomend this series. Anyone who has a kids heart will love this show.

I haven't purchased the dvd set yet. Out of stock in my area. I want to comment on the talk of racism of the show. As a 30 year old Black man, that watched the show religiously growing up, I find no racism in the show at all. Sure they weren't as many Blacks regularly on the show, that doesn't come from the tone of the show, that's comes from the politics of Hollywood at the time.

I was born and raised in DC, spent my summers in NC. In fact, I now live in NC, so the good nature of the south has always been in me. I can relate to the Dukes and their struggle. Here is a show about two guys, no mention of their fathers, growing up poor, always helping their fellow man or woman, stood up for what was right, even against the law. Now if this isn't an example of an honest Black male growing up in the inner city, I don't know what is.

Forget color!!! This show was about family, struggle, triumph, heroism. If we as people lived as thoughtful and caring as the Dukes, the entire world would be a better place. I can't wait for season 2. Also check out the A-Team dvd set. I love the 80's shows!!!

I challenge anyone to find a single instance of racism in the whole series. You won't because there aren't any. As for Robert E Lee - he did not found the KKK and was never a member. The KKK was founded by Nathan Bedford Forrest. (Didn't you ever watch Forrest Gump? His name contributes to one of the first scenes in the movie.) General Lee did fight for the Confederacy, but it was only because of his belief in states' rights, not for slavery. In fact, he inherited 130 slaves and promptly freed them due to his hatred of the institution of slavery.

Let the Legend Begin (First Season)

The Dukes of Hazzard was rushed into production near the end of 1978, when the first few episodes were filmed in Covington, GA. Not until the Dukes proved to be an immediate hit was the Hazzard set built at the Warner Brothers lot in Burbank, CA.

(#1) "One Armed Bandits", January 26, 1979
The three Duke cousins root out evil in backwater Hazzard County in this series, which opens with the trio on the trail of a sheriff who is smuggling illegal slot machines into the area. Waylon Jennings wrote and performs the music, and punctuates the action with his off-screen homilies.

(#2) "Daisy's Song", February 2, 1979
Bo and Luke have suspicions about a music-publishing business that is bilking would-be composer Daisy. What they don't suspect is that Boss Hogg is in on the racket, or that the FBI is watching the entire operation.

(#3) "Mary Kaye's Baby", February 9, 1979
A borrowed car carrying moonshine and a pregnant hitchhiker carrying hot money add up to a wild and woolly car chase for Bo and Luke.

(#4) "Repo Men", February 16, 1979
Bo and Luke are duped into taking part in a car-repossession scheme that involves them with ruthless counterfeiters and could send them back to prison for violating parole.

(#5) "High Octane", February 23, 1979
A contest for a workable fossil-fuel substitute offers the Dukes a big cash prize and a patriotic excuse to resurrect the old still that produced high-octane corn liquor for years. Almost as tempting is the beautiful revenue agent who interrupts their work.

(#6) "Swamp Molly", March 9, 1979
Uncle Jesse yields to the coaxing of Swamp Molly, an old moonshining colleague who was - and still is - sweet on him. Molly (Neva Patterson) wants to make "one last run," with a friendly assist from the Dukes.

(#7) "Luke's Love Story", March 16, 1979
Entrants in a notoriously dirty stock-car race include a beautiful driver, a smitten Luke, a murderous rival and Boss Hogg - who put his mama's ashes in last year's trophy, thinking it was to keep.

(#8) "The Big Heist", March 30, 1979
An unlucky thief has his car towed away while he's robbing Boss Hogg, so he stashes the loot in Daisy's pickup and makes a getaway in the Dukes' family car.

(#9) "Limo One is Missing", April 6, 1979
Secret Service agents driving the Presidential limousine through the county stop just long enough for car-crazy Cooter to hot-wire it and take off.

(#10) "Deputy Dukes", April 13, 1979
Boss Hogg deputizes the Dukes to escort a prisoner to Hazzard for trial, fully aware that the suspect's pals would stop at nothing to turn him loose.

(#11) "Route 7-11", April 20, 1979
Bo and Luke sign up to test-drive an 18-wheeler, unaware that their trailer is a mobile gambling casino.

(#12) "Money to Burn", May 4, 1979
Banker Hogg makes the Dukes the fall guys in a scheme to pocket $1,000,000 in ragged bills earmarked for burning at a Federal Reserve Bank.

(#13) "Double Sting", May 11, 1979
It's Daisy who gives chase to bank robbers (Arte Johnson, Avery Schreiber) dressed like Laurel and Hardy, since a plague scare has her menfolk - and the lawmen - quarantined in jail.

Those were the days.The days when a family could watch Quality TV shows together.
The days when shows like "Quincy M.E.", "Columbo", and "The Dukes Of Hazzard" would all be on in our homes.
Well, "Dukes" fans, you can now relive those beautiful days, because "The Dukes Of Hazzard: The Complete First Season" is on DVD!
Those rebellious, yet harmless Duke boys, Bo and Luke Duke, joined by their cute cousin Daisy, and their righteous Uncle Jesse can once again be enjoyed by us all.
But we cant also forget the bumbling sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane, Officers Enos and Cletus, the lovable Cooter, and of course Boss Hogg himself.
All of these characters combine to create an American cult classic TV Show.
"The Dukes of Hazzard" has only grown in popularity as time has elapsed.
And finally, Warner Bros. presents us with this cool Dukes DVD collection of episodes, ALL of the episodes from the first season, which aired back in 1979.
We are even treated to a special commentary by BO (John Schneider) and DAISY (Catherine Bach) Duke, as they join us for commentary on the first ever Dukes episode, "One Armed bandits".
This show proves that TV isnt what it used to be.
On The Dukes of Hazzard, you didnt see people get shot and killed, like you do on tv these days.
On the Dukes, Daisy could be beautiful just be being herself (of course, her short shorts helped), unlike the sleezy junk that we see on current television.
There was actually a moral to the story each week on the Dukes, unlike tv these days, most of which,have never heard of morals.
The Dukes Of Hazzard is one of the all-time great TV Shows for many reasons.
It was fun to watch. It is fun to watch. The show was pure fun.It still is pure fun. Watching the famous 69' Dodge Charger, The General Lee, jump high in the air, as if it had wings, every week, was and is fun.
Watching Bo and Luke get themselves into and then out of trouble was and is fun.
Watching the keystone cop-like antics of Rosco, Enos, Cletus, and Boss Hogg was and is fun.
Its the timeless story of the good guys staying just one step ahead of the bad guys. But what is so special about this show is that, there werent really any main characters who could be called "bad".
They all had redeeming qualities to them, even the corrupt Hazzard County Police.
Just like Robin Hood was considered a "crook", because he stole from the rich and gave to the poor, Bo and Luke Duke did the same. Now the Dukes never truly stole anything, they just "borrowed" it from the bad guys who stole it, and in turn, the Dukes gave it in such a way, as to make life better for everyone.
The Dukes were, are and always will be classic shows because they have the timeless qualities that all classics have.
A great story that has morals, fun, excitement, laughter, and a story where the good guys finish first.
Today's tv shows can learn alot from the awesome show that is, was and will always be "The Dukes Of Hazzard", one of the greatest shows ever!
Enjoy this DVD....its not hard to do. Just strap yourself in, and hang on, for one of the most exciting shows in the history of tv.
Once you visit Hazzard County, you never truly leave it, and it never truly leaves you either.
Because its a Happy place to be.
Thus the ultimate reason why the show is so popular.
After watching the Dukes, you realize how life is about love, laughs and having fun.
YAAAAAAAAAA HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
P.S. Warner Bros, you better not let us down by only releasing just one season of the Dukes. Bring us all of the classic shows with Bo and Luke. If you dont, we'll be after you like the General Lee on its way to the "Boar's nest"!

I've watched complete season dvd's come out for show after show that didn't have nearly the cultural effect that the Dukes of Hazard had in it's day (I bet you never saw a Cheers lunch box or Sam Malone on a poster!). Thankfully we finally get to enjoy one of the best shows ever put out!

The first season is an interesting one in that you'll notice a couple things that may take you by surprise. First, the surroundings. The first few shows were taped in Georgia (not far from Atlanta) so downtown Hazard on a few car chases will look different from the Hazard shown in the remainder of the series. The second thing you'll notice is a "smart" Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane. As you watch the first season you'll notice him changing more and more into the character that we all know and love from the second season to the final episodes of the show. Boss Hogg's character starts to take on the life that we're more used to as well. As the shows go on you'll notice him eating more and more often with the helpings getting bigger and bigger.

A special treat for the guys, one of the first episodes is also the famous Daisy bikini show that is on the intro during the rest of the series.

Overall, the first season is a must have to set the stage for the rest of the series. I, personally, found it very fun and interesting to watch the characters develope and of course, the sotry lines are great and full of fun as well.

How can this show not be considered a classic! There is absolutely no racist value portrayed in this series. Anyone who has actually seen the show should be able to testify to that. A Confederate Flag while typically associated with the slavery issue it is actually representative of States Rights to govern themselves free of Federal influence. (...) Robert E. Lee could arguably be considered the greatest general in US History; he is at least in the top three. He was not fighting to preserve the institution of slavery; he was fighting for Virginia, the only thing he loved more than the United States of America. There is his dilemma, fight for the country he loves or the state he loves? Obviously he chose his state, fighting only for their individual right to govern, not even close to an issue of slavery. Its pointless to even talk about this in the Dukes of Hazzard review because it actually has nothing to do with the Dukes of Hazzard, if you want a classic family TV show check this one out!

Someone here said: "Number one, during the Civil War, the Confederate States of America was primarily fighting for the autonomy of the individual states, not to keep slavery legal."

I am a Mississippian with a rebel flag on the front of my truck, and I am proud to be a Southerner. However, you are mistaken. My home state's secession document reads:

"Our position is thoroghly identified with the instituion of slavery... a blow at slavery is is a blow at commerce and civilization. That blow has been long aimed at the institution. There was no choice left us but submission to the mandates of abolition, or dissolution of the Union."

From Texas' secession document: "Texas was received as a commonwealth holding, maintaining and protecting the institution known as negro slavery-- the servitude of the African to the white race within her limits-- a relation that had existed from the first settlement of her wilderness by the white race, and which her people intended should exist in all future time."

From Georgia: "For the last ten years we have had numerous and serious causes of complaint against our non-slave-holding confederate States with reference to the subject of African slavery. They have endeavored to weaken our security, to disturb our domestic peace and tranquility, and persistently refused to comply with their express constitutional obligations to us in reference to that property."

All of the Southern states seccesion documents are similar.

There is nothing wrong with being proud to be a Southerner. There is nothing wrong with the Cross of St. Andrew that became the Confederate battle flag. And there's nothing wrong with honoring common Confederate soldiers who fought to protect their homes when invaded by the enemy from the North. But, let's face it. Our states left the Union because of slavery. Our states' politicans and elite took advantage of the public that supported them and got them to fight a rich man's war. They were wrong. Let's admit it and move on.

Oh yeah, and The Dukes of Hazzard was the greatest. I loved that show.

First, I loved season one and I'm posting this message in the hopes that Warner Brothers can make all the future releases even better. The extras that are there are great, but they just leaving you wanting more. With that, here's what I want to see in the future:

1. Better sound - MONO is just not going to cut it. Remaster the sound for 5.1 surround.

2. Widescreen option. These episodes were shot in 35 millimeter film, which is a widescreen format. Go back, pull the original film, and release a widescreen version.

3. More commentary - one out of thirteen episodes just isn't enough. John and Catherine were very good on One Armed Bandits, but it just left me wanting more. How about some of the production people (i.e. producer, director, stunt men).

4. Where the heck is Tom Wopat? He didn't participate at all in any of the extras for the first season. How about some commentary or interviews for the 2nd season?

5. Dust off any old interviews with Denver or Sorrell. They can't be with us today, but surely they talked about the show at some point.

6. Ditto for Waylon Jennings. Something on the Waylors would be nice, too.

7. How about a behind the scenes stunt featurette on all the wonderful stunt work over the years?

8. How about a playable demo of the Dukes of Hazzard video game?

Well, that's all I can think of now, but I'm sure more will come to mind. I hope that WB gets wind of this and adds at least some of these to future releases (especially 1 & 2). And get them out ASAP!