Sony releasing Rescue Me: The Complete Third Season on BD-50 discs

Poll any random group of HDTV owners about what non-HD station they wanted in high-def and you'll get two stations more than any other: Sci-Fi and FX. We can't help you with the first one today but Sony is releasing one of FX's amazing original TV series on Blu-ray. Plus it's going to be the first TV show released on the 50 GB disc. Rescue Me: The Complete Third Season will hit shelves for $79.99 instead of $49.99 for the standard DVD release come May 3rd. Moreover, according to a conversation with one of their press agents today, Sony is considering season one and two for a Blu-ray release too. In case you're haven't been watching the show just because it wasn't in HD, you've been missing out. (Follows the life of post 9/11 firefighters & stares Denis Leary) Sure, high-def is great but content is important too. Now lets hope we can get some of FX's other original series like The Shield, Nip/Tuck, and their new one this season, The Riches on Blu-ray - or maybe the station in HD; that would do too.

Press release follows.

[Image via IMBD]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

"... the most moving comedy on television."

– Ken Tucker, Entertainment Weekly

"... it never shrinks from the task of surpassing its own brilliance."

– Tim Goodman, San Francisco Chronicle

First TV Show to Arrive on 50 GB Blu-ray Disc^® From

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

RESCUE ME:

THE COMPLETE THIRD SEASON

Series Stars Emmy^® and Golden Globe^® Award Nominee Denis Leary

with Guest Stars Including Academy Award^® Winners

Susan Sarandon, Marisa Tomei, and Tatum O'Neal

Available on DVD and Blu-ray June 5

CULVER CITY, CALIF. (March 28, 2007) – On June 5, Rescue Me: The Complete Third Season will become the first TV on DVD release from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment on Blu-ray disc format. The four-disc DVD and Blu-ray release includes all 13 episodes along with exclusive bonus features, including a blooper reel, deleted scenes and six all-new featurettes with the cast and producers. The series stars Emmy^® and Golden Globe^® nominee Denis Leary (Ice Age, The Ref), who was described by USA Today as "... the best actor playing the best character in the best show on basic cable." Rescue Me: The Complete Third Season will be available on DVD for $49.95 SLP or Blu-ray disc for $79.95 SLP.

Created by Leary and two-time Emmy^âAward-winning writer-producer Peter Tolan (TV's "The Larry Sanders Show," "Murphy Brown"), Rescue Me skillfully finds the humor in everyday life while never shying away from the emotional tragedies that affect the characters. In addition to Leary, the series stars Daniel Sujata, James McCaffrey, Jack McGee, Michael Lombardi, Steve Pasquale, John Scurti, Lee Tergesen, Dean Winters, Andrea Roth, Callie Thorne, Lenny Clarke, and two-time Oscar^â nominee Charles Durning.

This season includes guest stars Academy Award^â winner Susan Sarandon (Best Actress, Dead Man Walking, 1996), Academy Award winner Marisa Tomei (Best Supporting Actress, My Cousin Vinny, 1993), Academy Award winner Tatum O'Neal (Best Supporting Actress, Paper Moon, 1974), Kate Burton (TV's "Grey's Anatomy"), and Reverend Al Sharpton.

Rescue Me centers on the inner workings of a New York City firehouse and the personal and emotional battles of its members in a post-9/11 world. The third season opens with Tommy Gavin's (Leary) crisis-prone family falling apart. His son is dead, the victim of a hit-and-run accident that also puts his marriage in jeopardy; his uncle (Lenny Clarke) is in prison; and his father's (Charles Durning) health is failing. Romantically, Tommy continues his neurotic relationship with his cousin's widow Sheila (Thorne), while conducting affairs with a teacher and his brother's ex-wife (Tomei). In addition, his brother Johnny (Dean Winters) romances Tommy's ex-wife, Franco's (Daniel Sunjata) new girlfriend (Sarandon) takes his daughter, and Mike (Mike Lombardi) explores his sexuality.

The critically acclaimed Rescue Me has been nominated for three Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Writing and Directing; honored with the Producers Guild of America's 2005 Visionary Award; and nominated for six Satellite Awards (winning for Best Ensemble: Television in 2005).

Rescue Me: The Complete Third Season episodes include:

Devil

Discovery

Torture

Sparks

Chlamydia

Zombies

Satisfaction

Karate

Pieces

Retards

Twilight

Hell

Beached

DVD and Blu-ray Disc Special Features Include:

Broadcast Year: 2006

Rescue Me: The Complete Third Season has a run time of approximately 571 minutes and is not rated. Artwork is available at www.SPHEPUBLICITY.COM. Visit Sony Pictures Home Entertainment on the Web at www.SonyPictures.com.

About Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment is a division of Sony Corporation of America, a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Corporation. Sony Pictures Entertainment'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.

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