Holiday Gift Giving Guide–Gifts for Teens– ABC Family’s Hit Show, Switched at Birth, Volume 1 on DVD (Release Date: 12/13/2011)

ABC FAMILY BRINGS YOU ‘SWITCHED AT BIRTH:VOLUME 1’ TO DVD ON DECEMBER 13^TH

Synopsis:

From the studio that brought you “The Secret Life of the American Teenager” comes a groundbreaking new drama about the upheaval that two teen girls experience when they discover that they were accidentally switched at birth.

Bay Kennish, a talented graffiti artist with an edgy streak, grew up in a wealthy family with happily married parents and an older brother. Daphne Vasquez, an athletic teenager who lost her hearing at an early age, grew up with a single mother in a working class neighborhood. When the girls’ worlds collide, family bonds are tested, new romances are sparked, and they start to learn that it’s who they are inside that matters, not where they grew up. Relive the girls’ journey and catch up before the premiere with “Switched At Birth: Volume 1.” Including all 10 episodes plus exclusive collectible iPod skins, this two-disc set is a must-own for every fan!

Talent:

Vanessa Marano (“Gilmore Girls”)

Katie Leclerc (“Veronica Mars”)

Constance Marie (“George Lopez”)

Lea Thompson (Back To The Future, “Caroline In The City”)

D.W. Moffett (“Friday Night Lights”)

Lucas Grabeel (Disney Channel’s “High School Musical”)

Guest Star:                         

Marlee Matlin (“West Wing,” “The L Word”)

Director:                     

Steve Minor (“Dawson’s Creek”)

Producers:                    

Shawn Wilt (“10 Things I Hate About You”) & Sean Reycraft (“90210”)

Co-Executive Producers:

Lizzy Weiss (Blue Crush), Paul Stupin (“Make It Or Break It”), John Ziffren (“Melissa & Joey,” “Make It Or Break It”), Becky Hartman Edwards (“Life On Mars”), Joy Gregory ("Swingtown")

& James Patrick Stoteraux (“Kyle XY”)

Series Writers:

Lizzy Weiss (“Cashmere Mafia”), Chad Fiveash (“Kyle XY”), Becky Harman Edwards (“Life On Mars”) & James Patrick Stoteraux (“Kyle XY”)

Street Date:                          December 13, 2011 Release Format:                                   2-Disc DVD, 10 episodes

Suggested Retail Price:                       $29.99 SRP (US)

Gift with Purchase:                              “Switched at Birth” exclusive collectible iPod skins

Feature Run Time:                               Approximately 430 minutes

Rated:                                                    TV-14 DLS

Aspect Ratio:                                        Widescreen (1.78.1)

Sound:                                                     Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound

Languages & Subtitles:                       English

 

My Thoughts:

You know we all have our own guilty pleasures when it comes to television shows.  For some, we like to secretly watch the “Housewives” series on Bravo or The Kardashian shows on E!.  For me, I enjoy some of the hit shows that air on ABC Family, including Switched at Birth, which premiered last year, and has already been renewed for another season.  And, on Dec. 13th, they will be releasing Volume 1 of this popular teen show on DVD. 

Does your tween or teen watch this show?  If not, they are missing out.  With a great cast of upcoming teen stars, and adult actors including Constance Marie, Lea Thompson, D.W. Moffett and Marlee Matlin, it really is a great family show to watch together.  I was hooked after the first episode, which I had happened to stumble upon while flipping through the channels.  I saw Marlee Matlin and thought it was a family movie of sorts.

The premise is easy to understand and follow – 2 girls are switched at birth, only to reconnect 16 years later, after one of the girls, Bea, does a school science experiment, to find her DNA is different than her families.  This sets the show into motion, and over the course of this season, Daphne (who is deaf), her mother and grandmother move into Bea’s family’s guest house.  During the season, the two families try to connect and figure out what they will do, including suing the hospital.  While all this is happening, there are secrets being kept and little by little, like any family riffs begin and tensions form.  Also, new relationships are started, which also cause problems between the girls, as each date’s the other old boyfriend or best friend.

I was so excited to receive Volume 1 on DVD in advance to review, so that I could relive some of the great episodes of this hit show.  After viewing them again, I can see why this show is so popular with tweens/teens and adults alike.  It is also a great show for families to sit down and watch together.

So, if you are looking for the perfect holiday gift to give your hard to shop for tween or teen, why not pick up Volume 1 of Switched at Birth, when it hits store shelves on Dec. 13th?

Disclosure: I was sent a DVD from the vendor in order to write up an honest review.  The views above are mine and mine alone.