Release Date: 9/11/07

The Show

I’ll admit that in my younger days, I dreamt of Jeannie. Yes, I Dream of Jeannie wasn’t exactly a series known for advancing the feminist agenda, but who doesn’t want a sexy, scantily clad genie in their lives, male or female? Exactly. I Dream of Jeannie brings back the kitschy fun of the series for all those bottle rubbers out there, and now, The Complete Fourth Season is on DVD.

Barbara Eden won over audiences with her trademark blink and nod of a head as the genie, Jeannie, to her master, Captain Anthony Nelson (Larry Hagman). The basic premise is that Anthony is an astronaut that accidentally let the genie out of the bottle. Now, he has to care for a somewhat naïve genie all the while being responsible with her powers and keeping her a secret from the public. Of course, with any sitcom, the series also has its share of wild and wacky happenings. In the fourth season, we see Jeannie’s magical dog from over a thousand years ago return. Yeah, it’s that kind of a show. It’s just light-hearted, non-bellybutton exposing, fun that you can’t recreate in this day and age.

The 4-disc set includes all 26 episodes from the fourth season with a Play All option found on each disc.
Disc 1
1. U.F.Ohh! Jeannie
2. Jeannie and the Wild Pipchicks
3. Tomorrow is Not Another Day
4. Abdullah
5. Have You Heard the One About the Used Car Salesman
6. Djinn Djinn, Go Home
Disc 2
1. The Strongest Man in the World
2. The Indispensable Jennie
3. Jeannie and the Top Secret Secret
4. How to Marry an Astronaut
5. Dr. Bellows Goes Sane
6. Jeannie the Guru
7. The Case of the Vanishing Master – Part 1
Disc 3
1. The Case of the Vanishing Master – Part 2
2. Ride’em Astronaut
3. Invisible House for Sale
4. Jeannie, the Governor’s Wife
5. Is There a Doctor in the House?
6. Biggest Star in Hollywood
7. The Case of the Porcelain Puppy
Disc 4
1. Jeannie for the Defense
2. Nobody Loves a Fat Astronaut
3. Around the Moon in 80 Blinks
4. Jeannie-Go-Round
5. Jeannie and the Secret Weapon
6. Blackmail Order Bride

The DVD

The main menu includes a nice little introduction that leads into a static background with the show’s theme playing throughout. Submenus are silent with static backgrounds.

The video transfer is offered in 1.33:1 Full Frame. Overall, it’s an average transfer with some flaws here and there. This is as good as it’ll ever look, and considering what’s available in terms of picture on broadcast or cable television, it’ll do the job.

The audio is offered in English Dolby Digital Mono, Portuguese Dolby Digital Mono, and Spanish Dolby Digital Mono. The audio is serviceable. The hisses and pops are kept to a minimum and overall, you’ll have no problem hearing any of the canned laughter. Subtitles are available in Portuguese and Spanish.

The Extras

The 4 DVDs come in 2-slimline cases enclosed with a cardboard holder. The cases also include episode descriptions, which are pretty helpful. However, I’m not a fan of no bonus options which seems to be the trend with these sets.

Final Thoughts

I Dream of Jeannie – The Complete Fourth Season is a fun show that I still find entertaining to this day. Rent or buy, you’ll have a few laughs.

- Morris Tang