More Blu-ray Blues: The Simpsons

D’oh! Season 13 of The Simpsons has had its NZ Blu-ray and DVD release delayed until possibly December.

It was due next month, only a few weeks after its August 24 release in the US (where the next season starts on September 26).

Although the 13th season wasn’t telecast in HD, it apparently marked the first time The Simpsons was animated digitally, making HD conversion feasible (albeit still in the 4:3 screen ratio).

And unlike the first true HD season, #20, which was rushed onto Blu-ray to commemorate the anniversary milestone, #13 will have all the extras and packaging characteristic of a full-season Simpsons release.

Of course, it’s debatable whether it is worth collecting on Blu-ray or DVD, given it coincides with several years of creative decline but, as argued here, there were some memorable episodes.

Meanwhile, the season 22 premiere, Elementary School Musical, will be memorable for Flight of the Conchords fans: it ‘guest stars’ Jemaine Clement and Bret McKenzie, and several of the cast from Glee (which will be released, as planned, next month on Blu-ray).