The real "Star Wars"

Maybe even George Lucas started to feel guilty about all his butchering of these great movies. More likely, he saw another opportunity to make a ton of money at the expense of all us fanboys and girls.

Either way, this is huge DVD news for fans. In a move that is overdue by at least 10 years, on Sept. 12 Lucasfilm will finally release the movies in the original "Star Wars" trilogy as individual two-disc DVDs.

The news here, of course, is that these will be "Star Wars," "The Empire Strikes Back" and "Return of the Jedi" as they appeared, respectively, in 1977, 1980 and 1983, not as they did after Lucas became drunk with power and changed them all in 2004. Yes, among many other great things, you will get to see Han Solo shoot first.

Like everyone, I remember these movies with more fondness than they probably merit. They're all great, but "Empire" and Yoda were the things that set me solidly down the path of geekhood, with no chance of turning back. I can still remember that we were in California the summer when "Empire" came out, and being 10 years old, I had until then never seen a line stretched around a city block just to get into a movie theater. I was fascinated then, and still am today.

Snap these up while you can: In a move I suppose is intended to drive sales, these DVDs will only be available for a limited time: from September 12th to December 31st.

NBC OKs 'Studio' for Sorkin

In a move that should come as a surprise to no one but holds great promise for fall TV, Aaron Sorkin is heading back to NBC next season.

Ten days before "The West Wing" is set to end its seven-year run, the network has given the green light to his latest drama series, "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip," for the 2006-07 season.

This one sounds like its tailored perfectly to Sorkin's two big strengths: An intimate knowledge of how TV shows operate and the ability to write for ensemble dramas. It will be a behind-the-scenes look at a late-night sketch comedy show like "Saturday Night Live" (though hopefully with much funnier sketches.) Anyone who watched Sorkin's "Sports Night," and there must be few of you out there, knows this holds great potential.

The large cast thus far will include Matthew Perry, Amanda Peet, Bradley Whitford from "West Wing," Sarah Paulson, the always funny D.L. Hughley, Nathan Corddry, Timothy Busfield, Steven Weber, Evan Handler and Carlos Jacott.

Who knows, maybe there is still hope for those of us who, like Emily Gilmore, "just don't find forensic work all that fascinating."