Film
ESPN Original Entertainment Presents PLAYMAKERS Complete 11-Episode Season Available on 3-Disc DVD April 20
By Buena Vista Home Entertainment
Feb 11, 2004, 13:12

DVD Takes You Behind the Scenes of the Controversial Drama

BURBANK, California -- From ESPN Original Entertainment and Buena Vista Home Entertainment comes PLAYMAKERS, a 3-disc DVD set available on April 20. PLAYMAKERS, ESPN Original Entertainment's highly successful and gritty ensemble, plays against the backdrop of the off-the-field lives of the players, families, coaches and owner of a fictional professional football team.

PLAYMAKERS, ESPN's first move into the scripted drama genre, is ESPN's much talked about and critically acclaimed series hailed by Entertainment Weekly as "the most powerful drama of the season."

In a statement on February 4, ESPN Executive Vice President of Programming and Production, Mark Shapiro, announced that the show would not return for a second season, citing, "Many considerations went into to this decision, not the least of which was the reaction from a longtime and valued partner. We are proud of the show on many levels -- it was a creative and critical success, and we are appreciative that viewers clearly embraced this new genre on our network ... so much so that we are actively engaged in pursuing our next drama."

This 3-disc DVD set also includes a special on-the-set visit by music star Snoop Dogg, who appears in episode 10, audio commentary with creator/executive producer John Eisendrath on the pilot episode, and a comprehensive behind-the-scenes featurette. PLAYMAKERS is available for $49.99 (S.R.P.) for the 3-disc set.

PLAYMAKERS stars Tony Denison (TV's "The DA," "Crime Story") as head coach Mike George; Omar Gooding ("Baby Boy") as Demetrius Harris, a cocky and talented young running back; Russell Hornsby (TV's "Gideon's Crossing," "Haunted") as Leon Taylor, a fiercely competitive aging veteran; Jason Matthew Smith ("Hollywood Homicide") as Eric Olczyk, an unassuming, blue collar rising star linebacker and Taylor's trusted friend; Marcello Thedford ("Crimson Tide," TV's "ER") as Kelvin 'Buffalo' James, the barrel-chested offensive tackle who worships D.H.; and Chris Wiehl (TV's "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation;" "Hollywood Homicide") as Derek McConnell, an all-pro QB suffering his first sub-par season.

John Eisendrath, executive producer of ABC's award-winning spy drama "Alias," (and TV's "Felicity" and Beverly Hills 90210") created PLAYMAKERS and serves as the show's executive producer. Eisendrath has teamed up with Orly Adelson ("The Junction Boys," "The Truth About Jane") to executive produce this dramatic series for ESPN. Michael Angeli (TV's "Now & Again," "Twilight Zone") is co-executive producer.

STREET DATE: April 20, 2004
Suggested retail price: $49.99 (3-disc DVD).
Direct DVD prebook: February 24, 2004
Distributor DVD prebook: March 9, 2004
Feature running time: Approximately 484 minutes
Rated: TV-MA
Bonus DVD material unrated and information
subject to change.
DVD aspect ratio: 1.78:1, formatted for 16x9 screens
Sound: Dolby(R) Digital Sound
Spanish subtitles: Available on DVD



Buena Vista Home Entertainment, Inc. is a recognized industry leader. Buena Vista Home Entertainment, Inc. is the marketing, sales and distribution company for Walt Disney, Touchstone, Hollywood Pictures, Miramax, Dimension and Buena Vista videocassettes and DVDs.




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