'King' of pain - 12:01am

Just in from Fox are the full specs for their final DVD releases of the year, all due this December. First up on 12/17 is the latest controversial Adrian Lyne tale of infidelity, Unfaithful. This one includes a 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen transfer, English 5.1 and English and French 2.0 Dolby surround tracks, English and Spanish subtitles, audio commentary by Lyne, another commentary with stars Diane Lane and Richard Gere, 11 deleted scenes and alternate ending with optional commentary, "An Affair to Remember" and "Scene Editing with Editor Anne Coates" featurettes, a Charlie Rose Show interview, director's script notes, a still gallery, and the theatrical trailer. Yikes! Retail is $27.95.

Up next is the Lil' Bow Wow basketball comedy Like Mike, a double-sided extravaganza with 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen and full screen transfers, English, French and Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital surround tracks, audio commentary by director John Schultz and actors Lil' Bow Wow and Jonathan Lipnicki, the "Off The Hook" featurette, deleted scenes with commentary, the Lil' Bow Wow "Basketball" music video, and the trailer. Street date is 12/10 and retail also $27.95

Finally - at long last! - the unsung Martin Scorsese classic The King of Comedy arrives on 12/17, just in time for the theatrical premiere of the most highly-anticipated Scorsese flick in years, Gangs of New York. The King of Comedy is presented for the first time in 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen, with English, French and Spanish mono tracks, plus a making-of featurette, deleted scenes, behind-the-scenes footage, a still gallery and the trailer. This one will set you back a mere $19.95. Last but not least, after a few months postponement, Fox has rescheduled the indie comedy Big Shot: Confessions of a Campus Bookie for 12/17. Specs remain the same as previously announced, and retail is a high $34.95.

Oops, one more little announcement... Fox has also set a 1/7 street date for Buffy the Vampire Slayer: The Complete Third Season. Specs are not yet announced, but, as always, watch this space!

Xena lives! - 12:01am

It took a while, but on 11/30, DVD-deprived Xena fans will finally get what they've been asking for all these years. Xena: Warrior Princess - The Complete First Season features all 24 first season episodes remastered from studio-quality digital video. This 7-disc set retails for $99.95, but is only available via the official website for now. Stay tuned for more spec details, and any news on a future wide retail release...

Down at the 'Creek' - 12:01am

C'mon now, sing it with me: "I don't wanna wait, for our lives to be ov-er..." Yes, Dawson's Creek fans, some form of DVD release for this TV version of Children of the Damned is finally in the planning stages, and head on over to the official Dawson's Creek website to cast your vote for what you want to see. I say vote for season-by-season collections, not some dumb "Best of Pacey" box set. However, I am a bit disappointed at one missing question: "Do you want to see Dawson drown in the creek in the last episode?" (Sounds like a great season clincher to me.) Watch for more details soon...